Looking for a new bass on a budget

[all4hisGLORY]

I've had my ibanez sr505 for 4 years now and I'd like to get something newer. My budget is $1100 and I use a 5 string.

[berbie]

$1100.00 will buy a pretty good bass if you shop carefully and take advantage of sales and dscounnts.  You'll have a lot of good choices.  Look em over good, all4.  Try and evaluate a lot of them. Buy to suit your taste. Find the one you want, then check even the internet for price.  Enjoy your shopping.

Curiously, though, I like Ibanez basses.  Especially the better ones.

Of course, I like the high line basses in the $2000.00 and up range but I can't afford them(Modulus, Zon Etc).  They play and sound great.

You can get a decent Fender within your target price also if you like fender. Maybe MM, Carvin.  Many choices.

[all4hisGLORY]

The two I've been focusing on are a Warwick $$ 5 and an ibanez sr755. I've never played on a fender and my local music store doesn't have any in stock to try. I would like to try a fender tho. The thing I love about ibanez is the ability to control how I use the pickups instead of just flipping a switch. I should also mention I get atleast a $200 discount at that store since we do a lot of business with them. The sr755 was offered to me for just under $500.

[berbie]

Hey, that sounds like a good price for the sr755.  Brand new?  If that's the one I'm thinking about, it is a very good bass. I don't think I've seen one at that price before. Seems I recall them being much more.  If I were shopping for an Ibanez bass and saw the sr755 for less than $500.00, I would probably buy it staight-away.  But then, I like Ibanez basses.

[berbie]

I checked those prices again, all4. You got some shopping tips for me?

[all4hisGLORY]

Oh I love my ibanez and the 755 is brand new. I've played with the top warwick (signed by victor Wooten) and I honestly like my 505 better.  Tho I would like to say I own a Warwick. Just wanna make sure I'll get something I'll wanna keep for 10 years

[all4hisGLORY]

I'd take a look at talkbass they usually have good deals in their forums. Only thing is they r used instruments. The reason I get such a good discount is that our church has done business with them for atleast 15 years.

[berbie]

I was kidding a little, All4, because you were able to get such a good deal.  I'm not in the market right now, but if I were I'd want you to bargain for me.  Hope that you enjoy whichever you buy.  I'd like to know your choice when you have purchased, and how you like it,  when you have time.

[Mysteryman]

$1100.00 will buy a pretty good bass if you shop carefully and take advantage of sales and dscounnts.  You'll have a lot of good choices.  Look em over good, all4.  Try and evaluate a lot of them. Buy to suit your taste. Find the one you want, then check even the internet for price.  Enjoy your shopping.

Curiously, though, I like Ibanez basses.  Especially the better ones.

Of course, I like the high line basses in the $2000.00 and up range but I can't afford them(Modulus, Zon Etc).  They play and sound great.

You can get a decent Fender within your target price also if you like fender. Maybe MM, Carvin.  Many choices.

It's hard for me to see myself buy a $2000 bass even if I have the money.  Maybe I need to play a few. I have played a few sub $1000 basses in the music store without and amp though and I did not miss anything as far as the feel of it.

[berbie]

Mystery, I would feel that I could get a very nice one for $1000.00or less.  Maybe if I were a pro and money was no consideration, I might buy one of the boutique basses.  I couldn't justify one at my level.  Most church players aren't getting rich at it.  I don't play anymore, butI keep mine for that rare occasion and for old times sake. 

[SavnBass]

I am currently playing a JV24 and a MTD Kingston Z5. I got both basses off of the TB classifieds.. both locally.. one in VA. and the other in MD. The MTD Kingstons are nice basses.. The JV24 has a URetro pre in it.. I bought it like that. Lots of options with that budget. Where are you located?

[stix_clgi]

You've got a whole lot of options in that price range, especially if you're not averse to buying a used bass. Used US Peavey Cirrus 5's and US Peavey Millenniums can go for $500-1000, and they're among the best basses ever made, seriously.

I've been preaching everywhere I go, get a Brubaker Brute SC. They're made to the same specs as Brubaker's US Custom instruments, and they KILL. MM/J pickup config, solid ash body, 2-band eq. And the single-cut uses the same neck joint as the US Customs. It's almost like a neck through bass that's super smooth to play. They're about $839

http://store.thehighstudio.com/basses.html?cat=45

Ibanez's are nice, I'm not a big fan of they're electronics, unless you get the prestige's, with the Nordstrand pickups.

Can't go wrong with the Fender Jazz Deluxe V either, nice bass for about $800

You've got a lot of options bro

[funkStrat_97]

Can't go wrong with the Fender Jazz Deluxe V either, nice bass for about $800

At this price point, you're talking about the Made in Mexico Deluxe Active Jazz Bass V.  Fender's Mexico products are pretty much on par with the American made instruments.  I see Musicians Friend has a couple of used ones for around $640.00.

[stix_clgi]

At this price point, you're talking about the Made in Mexico Deluxe Active Jazz Bass V.  Fender's Mexico products are pretty much on par with the American made instruments.  I see Musicians Friend has a couple of used ones for around $640.00.

Yessir, that's the one I'm talking about...I played one years ago, and then again last year...they are awesome instruments.

My local music store associate's been to both Fender factories numerous times and says this: MIA Fender's are made by Latinos in California, MIM Fender's are made by Latino's in Mexico..... (no racism or anything implied please). In recent years the only differences I've seen between MIA and MIM basses are neck dimensions and electronics. MIA necks are butter...the MIM's are not far behind honestly.

Still....for the money, I'd get a Brubaker lol....

[all4hisGLORY]

Well I'm from va. The store just offered me a fender American standard P bass for a little under $900. It's brand new and the case is included. Any thoughts on this one

[berbie]

Looks like they're trying to sell you a bass. Those 5 strings go for $1,349.00 at musicians friend(with case and a rebate of accessories). Sometimes mus. fr will give 15% discounts but they often exclude any thing you might want,  but you're beating even that by a nice margin.

I don't know Fenders that well, but so many swear by them that there must be something there.  If a person decided that they didn't like it though,  they hold their value well.

[funkStrat_97]

Well I'm from va. The store just offered me a fender American standard P bass for a little under $900. It's brand new and the case is included. Any thoughts on this one

The P-Bass is widely considered to be the benchmark of bass guitar tone; definitely a solid instrument.  Is it a 4 or 5?

[all4hisGLORY]

It's a 5

[SavnBass]

I'd take a look at talkbass they usually have good deals in their forums. Only thing is they r used instruments. The reason I get such a good discount is that our church has done business with them for atleast 15 years.

TalkBass is great.. I have gotten 3 basses from there.. and I have had no issues with any of them.. Two were local.. one was shipped.. It is a good place to get gear from.

[stix_clgi]

The P-Bass is widely considered to be the benchmark of bass guitar tone; definitely a solid instrument.  Is it a 4 or 5?

Well it depends for what type of music...I've seen more Jazz basses out there, especially in gospel, r&b, jazz, etc....The P-bass was definitely the first of Leo Fender's revolutionary designs, and was probably the first popular electric bass (had to do report on Fender basses, don't mind me lol).

P-bass 5 strings, ESPECIALLY Fenders, are commonly lamented for their B strings....I'd definitely play one before buying. You might like how they sound.  P-basses generally have one main "tone." I wouldn't say they're very versatile. Jazz basses are way more versatile and sound better IMO. See if they'll give you an American standard J-bass for the same price.....

Thaddues Tribbett plays a P-bass....I don't think it's a Fender though, so you can definitely get a nice tone out of one....

I've bought/sold/traded a bunch of guitars on Talkbass....with your budget, you can probably find a used $1500 bass on there. Generally people have good reputations on TB and are honest, I've only ever had one bad transaction, and it really wasn't the other party's fault.


Again, I'd suggest the Jazz, or the Brute lol. My opinion of course.