Which bass should I buy?

[FourBanger]

I would agree the Ray4 is a good bass but if he does not want that sound it won't do him any good.

 

[malthumb]

I'm planning on using a Les Paul for the guitar, and my vocals are relatively mellow and relaxed, (similar to Adam Gontier's vocals in 'Never Too Late,' or something like Eddie Vedder's Softer songs) so I'm not particularly sure which sound would fit better, and I can't try out either bass because no stores near me sell them (being in Australia where the music industry isn't as top notch compared to other countries) So I have to order it online, and I'm worried I'll get the wrong sounding one.

Hi and welcome. My advice, go into a music shop with an assistant. Pick out three or four different models you might like then put on a blindfold and have the assistant pass you the basses one at a time. Verbalise what you liked, didn't like about each one. Maybe even let the store staff put their picks in the mix. Your ears will always be fooled by your preconceptions, so don't let anyone tell you what you're playing. A bass is as much about the feel in your hands as it is about the sound - there are squillions of ways of altering the sound, but not many ways you can change the feel of the instrument in your hands.

I'm pretty sure you won;t take this advice, which is a pity

sterling sub ray 4. 280$ new and sounds just like its 1400$ big sister. go try one at guitar center. It has ruined all passive basses for me. Ever since I got it If I play something else I think to my self... Hey this bass kinda sucks I miss my ray.

See what I did there?

OP, From my limited playing time with the VM Jazz And VM Jaguar (skip the SS....Drop D or D will sound crappy) it's a toss up. Since you say you might eventually look to upgrade, go with the Jazz. A lot more upgrade parts to choose from.

 

[bassmanrocke]

Drop tuning a ss will result in ridiculously loose strings. You would have to go to a very heavy gauge string to counteract this. You mentioned several squiers but not my favorite. The Classic Vibe jazz feels like a vintage bass, sounds great, and is extremely well constructed. You should check one out.

 

[Major Softie]

Again, he didn't ask about a Sub Ray 4, and whether or not it blows anything away is your opinion. He's interested in the Squiers and nothing else.

Uhm, he didn't actually say that. "I'm currently looking at" is not the same as "interested in the Squiers and nothing else." Because he also gave us the budget he's willing to work with, I believe the post still left open the option for other suggestions within his budget.

 

[BawanaRik]

Play a bunch and buy the one you like

 

[spaz21387]

Uhm, he didn't actually say that. "I'm currently looking at" is not the same as "interested in the Squiers and nothing else." Because he also gave us the budget he's willing to work with, I believe the post still left open the option for other suggestions within his budget.

+1... and my sub ray doesn't have the hot pre issue or bad fretwork. I have seen squiers with worse fretwork!

 

[Insipricated]

Thanks heaps for all the replies guys, it's seems that the majority of people say either the Jazz, a Sub Ray or go try them out.
I'll take a close look at those two and hopefully find some where to try them out.

Thanks again for all the responses.