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March 2004
Posts: 86
Location: Detroit area | Hi Gang;
After spending much time writing over the past two years, I'm ready to record my project.
So, I need to purchase a bass that will sound decent and stay in tune - preferably in the $300-400 range. Any thoughts?
Thanks! |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Probably in that range there should be a bunch on ebay.....Fender Jazz/Precision, Warmouth, Yamaha, Music Man, etc
Probably not the highest quality but more than adequate for a recording project.
If it was me, I would go to the local stores and check out the used basses. That way you can actually play them and most of the used stuff is negotiable.
Good luck |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Carvin makes some basses with great features that can sometimes be picked up for under $400 including a neckthrough body design. Dollar for dollar, they're a lot better than Mexican Fenders.
The only MusicMan you're likely to touch in that range is the SUB model, which is an industrial grade Stingray. It's a good bass, though, and is rather to MM/Ernie Ball what the Elite T is to Ovation.
One important question is: what kind of tone do you want, or just a versatile bass?
I agree with Stephen. Checking them out in person is an ideal way to find what you like. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | P.S. I forgot to mention that G&L makes excellent basses that are authentic Leo Fender design and are good values if bought right, but the USA models are not very likely to be found under $400. I don't have any experience with their imported Tribute series. |
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Posts: 1138
Location: CT | The Mexican made Fender Jazz bass is really good for the money. Around 400. |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | The Peavey Grind basses are surprisingly good in this price range. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | What kind of music are you going to be playing? That is also important in deciding which type bass you should get. The Mexican Fender Jazz Deluxe is a good one if you don't want to spend a lot, but want something that will be good all around in the future. |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Check out the Guild Pilot basses from the 80's and early 90's. Pre-Fender, active EMGs, and made in the USA. |
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December 2004
Posts: 567
Location: Denmark | Recently ... 9 days ago to be specific ... I purchased an electric bass guitar. My choice after testing a few models was a Yamaha RBX. It seems quite well made for the price and I find it very playable and comfortable. It is fretted 4-string 34" scale with standard J/P passive single coil pickup configuration. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | As they say, it depends. Pretty good comments on electric basses above.
For an acoustic guitar bass try an olympia or celebrity. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Go Washtub. |
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Posts: 5330
Location: Cicero, NY | :D :D |
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Posts: 96
Location: europe | why don t you stay in the family.
i top top great super bass for the amount you stated is a hamer cruise bass from the early 80s. sting played one.
the come up from time to time in shops and on ebay.
cool looking bass. top quality.
gerry |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 86
Location: Detroit area | Thanks for the great advice. As usual, this board comes through. I've used a friend's Ernie Ball/Music Man Stingray in the past - loved it - but can't afford one for myself.
As for the project, my writing crosses a number of styles. Sort of a "Steely Dan meets the Smithereens" thing, I think. We'll see if I can play it the way I wrote/imagine it. |
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March 2007
Posts: 665
Location: Tychy, Poland | Yamaha RBX
Yamaha RBX
Yamaha RBX
did i mention?
Yamaha RBX |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | I'm not a bass player.
So none of our O's cut it??
AJ |
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May 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | I really love my G&L's. Not sure if you can find one in your range any more. I know both of mine (when I bought them) were between 300 and 400, but that was a while back. I haven't tried the Tribute series, either. I am guessing that they would be a very good bang for buck bass. Import Fenders are usually very good ,also. Even some of the Squires are not bad. I almost always play Steinbergers. Not really sure if I would take a Stirit(import) over an import Fender or G&L, although they can be had new for around $300. And In really love headless. Just my .02
Bill |
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March 2006
Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | I just don't believe you bozos. I truly am perplexed. The ovation Magnums with the eq's were nice axes then and still are now, and not horribly expensive, as far as I know. More tonal possibilitis and far better workmanship than a fender. You guys ought to be ashamed! Be patient, and get one at a bargain price! |
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December 2001
Posts: 7224
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Ovations Magnums are one of the best basses made, but part of the criteria was a $300-$400 range which although I have seen Magnums in that range, is just a crime for the seller of such a bass, but a find indeed for the buyer.
Although I prefer the I or II ther III's and IV's are nice as well.
A very nice bass as well if you can find it is the Ovation Ultra Hard Body Bass. Made in the 80's along with the UltraGS and GP, these are very nice basses that are usually sold at a price well under what they should fetch.
Of course, don't get me started on my GS rant.. You can't buy the part USED to make one, for 3 times what the guitars sell for. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I just picked up my Magnum 3 for $350 plus shipping. THE OTHERS i HAVE BEEN WATCHING HAVE BEEN GOING FOR AROUND 450 AND UP. I just spotted another one here on Ebay in Germany for $1430. I should have had mine shipped here and sold it for that much. Then I could have came back to the states and purchased one of each model with that money.
Ebay Magnum Bass |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Here's a Magnum 3 like I just bought with a Buy it Now of $450. I'd be willing to bet you could place a $300-350 bid on it and pick it up.
Magnum 3 |
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December 2001
Posts: 7224
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | That Magnum 3 is even a better bargain considering the guy will ship for $35.00!!! |
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March 2006
Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | Thank you! For a moment, I thought I had been mis-directed to an anti-ovation forum. Good grief! |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Thank YOU for bringing us back to the center of the universe. |
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What's a good bass for not a lot of $$?
