Who do you usually recommend?

[Headless horse]

Fender, Sadowsky, Ibanez.

 

[mikewalker]

Kiesel, maybe? even slightly tricked out yer looking at 2-3 K...
Kiesel Guitars Bass Models

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Lakland USA 44-60: ,729 You might find something fancier, but you won't find anything with better build quality. Sez me.

 

[Marko 1]

$2k-$3k price point

I'd recommend buying two basses for that money.

or send them here for advice, as that's out of my area of expertise.

 

[Levent]

If someone is looking for a nice , new bass at the $2k-$3k price point, who are your go to top 5 recommendations?

I think these companies offer very good quality and value for the money while bringing their own thing to the table.

Ernie Ball MusicMan
Yamaha
G&L
Dingwall
Sandberg

If someone has the same budget or a little lower or wants to go used, I might also recommend.

MTD Kingston
Sire
or a used USA Peavey.

I am extremely picky about details, from pickguard to cavity, frets to neck heel, pickups to preamps, woods to varnish.. that's why I'd go for a medium/low end boutique or warmoth around that price.

 

[scott sinner]

Warwick
Warwick
Warwick
Warwick
and
Warwick

 

[Avezzano]

Kiesel, maybe? even slightly tricked out yer looking at 2-3 K...
Kiesel Guitars Bass Models

View attachment 4891303

For 3000, at least they could give you the bass with the headstock, too!!!

 

[wintremute]

I recommend other people to ask, as I don't mess with basses in that price range.

 

[RitterSport]

I would buy an American G&L L2000 and then also another bass.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

If someone is looking for a nice , new bass at the $2k-$3k price point, who are your go to top 5 recommendations?

I think these companies offer very good quality and value for the money while bringing their own thing to the table.

Ernie Ball MusicMan
Yamaha
G&L
Dingwall
Sandberg

If someone has the same budget or a little lower or wants to go used, I might also recommend.
Sterling Ray 34/35
MTD Kingston
Sire
or a used USA Peavey.

I don't have have enough experience with basses in that price range to recommend any particular brands to someone else, but if it was for me, the ones I would be considering would be Fender, Kiesel, Musicman, Ibanez and Spector

 

[GeorgesEric]

With that budget, I’d spend 1/3 on the bass and 2/3 on the amp.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Warwick
Warwick
Warwick
Warwick
and
Warwick

Ya beat me to it!!!

Necks aren't a good fit for me (I got small hands), but they are primo instruments overall. I'd toss Fodera in there too.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Musicman. I would love a real Musicman. I play a sterling. Remember, it has a sound of its own.

 

[SteveC]

New Roscoe Standard 5 with Bartolini soapbars, Bartolini 3 band preamp, gig bag, $2875. Nicest 5 string neck out there - IMHO. If you look used:

This Standard is $1950. Great way to get a "hand made" USA bass.
Link Removed

This Standard Plus with the upgraded top and matching headstock is a great deal at $2,800.
Link Removed

 

[swink]

I have stopped recommending anything to people, I just tell them what I am satisfied with. Most people who ask for advice have already chosen and are just looking for confirmation.

 

[Neil Folkard]

In that situation, I would probably try to talk them out of spending so much on a bass. I know I'm in the minority when it comes to this on TB, but my thought is that there are lower priced used (and some new) basses of equally quality to those in that high price range. Spend less and use the extra money on other things.

Speaking as some who really wants a fretless F Bass 'so much' is a very relative term, lol!

 

[JazznFunk]

Lakland Skyline.... or used Lakland USA. NEW Lakland USA basses will put you well over that top end mark of the budget mentioned. Can cover most any tonal need, and you get the best neck in the biz.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

2) EBMM Special 5 (right out of the box it does everything well - best 34" "B" string on the market)

I’m loving mine. The only 5’er I’ve really enjoyed playing.

 

[bassGtar]

I don't have experience making recommendations to anyone so foolish, nor do I want to.

 

[gregbackstrom]

Lull is on a par with any other bolt on bass.

I'd put it a notch or two above par. My NYC Sadowsky and 34" Lull J5's are amazing basses. I tend to favor the Sadowsky because I prefer the neck profile, but the Lull's amazing.