The best bass for $1,500?

[screambasses]

Let's say you have $1,500 to spend on a new bass. What would you get and why? What basses really knock out the competition
at that price point? Fender ADE? G&L? Used? A boutique bass? What do you look for? Maybe we get a lively discussion going on.

Bring it.

pete

[Matt R.]

Definitely not Fender ADE. You could get a Stingray, a Fender American Standard J or P, there are tons of solid options at that price.

[tim]

I don't need context to offer my opinion

I suffer from both an abundance of bias and a dearth of experience, but for me it would be a G&L SB-2. That, or something like it, is the only thing left that I'm GASing for. Even though I'm loving my new Warwick, my favorite electric right now is my Squier with a G&L split MFD pickup. It's my cheapest bass and it gives me the biggest smile. I can only imagine what the real deal would be like.

But lately I've been throwing all my money at amps/cabs. Last month I bought myself an all-tube amp for my birthday and have bought three new cabs since. The four-figure bass will have to wait

[superheavydeathmetal]

If I had no basses at all, I would try to get a Rick because that is my favorite bass tone.

If I couldn't find a Rick for $1500, I would get an aggressive hi-fi sounding jazz bass of some type as that is my second-favorite tone, and has more versatility than the Rick. I would look at getting a G&L MJ-4 or Fender, maybe an Xotic if I could find a deal.

[bhunt1]

G&L SB-1

[Matt R.]

Nothing wrong with context.
Pete are you asking this as a general question to everyone or are you asking for advice on something for yourself? That's probably where context would be relevant.
Cheers.

[screambasses]

Nothing wrong with context.
Pete are you asking this as a general question to everyone or are you asking for advice on something for yourself? That's probably where context would be relevant.
Cheers.

I was asking just to see what others think - not for me. I was just wondering. We all - I think especially lefty bassists - spend a lot of time
GASing for equipment and $1,500 seems to be that magic number where we can get into, how d I say this, "better" instruments.

That being said, my daily player - the bass I love the most - is an old Ibanez Roadstar II I bought from Carlos here. Before that was the 80s
G&L SB-1 I adored. But I've owned just about every brand of mainstream basses from Hondo to Alembic.

I was hoping the conversation would be fun! Keep 'em coming!

pete

[Matt R.]

Ah, ok! Well I'm a jazz bass fanatic, so I'd go with an American standard Jazz all day. My fretless is a Warmoth Jazz, which I got together for a little less (probably in the 1200-1300 range).

[belinmad]

I just looked at my little file of basses bought/sold, and over the years I've been able to buy/sell the following, all below 1500 (all used):

- Pedulla MVP
- Roscoe Century 5
- Fender J '77
- Rick 4001
- Roscoe LG 3000
- Stingray '96
- Fender J DLX (2 of them)
- Spector NS4CRFM
- Warwick Streamer $$

so, my answer would be you can own great used basses, both brand and boutique, you just need to patiently search for them. I would personally choose the Roscoe LG out of that list.

[ezstep]

G&L Kiloton. Looks intriguing, but I've never seen one.

[paulo]

If I had none and $1500 in the pocket I would go for a G&L SB2. Never tried one but they seem to cover most of what I play.
Or I could do even better, have thumbslam build me a bass the way I want it!

[bhunt1]

The SB-1 vs. SB-2 question is interesting to me. The SB-2 should be more versatile, but I like the P bass simplicity of the SB-1 - tone up for rock, tone down for R&B. I also like a P neck better which is what the SB-1 comes with standard, whereas the SB-2 is J neck standard, although you can get other neck dimensions for a slight uncharge if you order it. And on both the MFD split coil cuts through like nothing else I've ever heard Decisions, decisions . . .

[tim]

The SB-1 vs. SB-2 question is interesting to me. The SB-2 should be more versatile, but I like the P bass simplicity of the SB-1 - tone up for rock, tone down for R&B. I also like a P neck better which is what the SB-1 comes with standard, whereas the SB-2 is J neck standard, although you can get other neck dimensions for a slight uncharge if you order it. And on both the MFD split coil cuts through like nothing else I've ever heard Decisions, decisions . . .

I've been pondering this myself lately!

[ezstep]

I have the P, SB-1, 1988.



I owned an '82 Fender MIA P, and there are big differences. Fender is much heavier, larger body (duh), thicker neck (front to back). SB-1 has Jazz neck (do not know which one), lighter, sounds "bigger" with the hotter pups. Workmanship... slight edge to G&L. Nothing wrong with the Fender, but the G&L is just "tighter." Well built.

[bhunt1]

That is so nice - looks like cherry burst over ash. Interesting it has the jazz neck - it's an option but you don't see it that often on the SB-1. Here's a pic of mine - '96 w alder body - got it from Guitar Center from their online store - best $500 I ever spent on a bass:



I agree w you on the MFD p'ups - they have an aggressive in your face tone but it can be tamed by lowering the tone knob. I like the smaller sculpted body - very comfy. I also had a Fender P bass, very nice bass but just a different tone. Different strokes etc. Something I read recently on the Basses by Leo forum, the SB-1 pickup is not quite in the P bass position; it is slightly closer to the bridge. I wonder how that factors into the different tone.

[fivebass52]

I just looked at my little file of basses bought/sold, and over the years I've been able to buy/sell the following, all below 1500 (all used):

- Pedulla MVP
- Roscoe Century 5
- Fender J '77
- Rick 4001
- Roscoe LG 3000
- Stingray '96
- Fender J DLX (2 of them)
- Spector NS4CRFM
- Warwick Streamer $$

so, my answer would be you can own great used basses, both brand and boutique, you just need to patiently search for them. I would personally choose the Roscoe LG out of that list.

Have to side with this... I've bought some great used basses well under the $1500 mark, and the closest I've come to that is my recent '78 P-bass purchase. But the original question was, If you had $1500 to spend on a new bass... so with that in mind, I'd have to say I in all honesty, I would contact our own forum member Rod, from Regenerate Guitars, to build me a new bass. I'm sure it would rival any bass I could spend 2-to-3 times as much for on a Sadowski, Pedulla, etc...

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I'd side with Matt and go with the Am Std Jazz Bass (or whatever it will be called next) or maybe a Fender Precision depending on what you play.

Thank god this forum is not plagued by the "best bass for metal" obsession.

[rdavidson]

Thank god this forum is not plagued by the "best bass for metal" obsession.

But what's the best bass to play if I want a red one?

[velalv]

Honestly, I've been GAS free since acquiring a Musicman Bongo. I roll the pick up forward when I want modern thump, and roll the pan back for more aggressive, but usable tones. Best money I spent. I love my Martin Acoustic as well with flats, but that is when I want an upright tone. Those are the only two basses I have, and only two I foresee needing for a long time (unless I get a beater to keep in my other apartment).

[gravesbass]

Thank god this forum is not plagued by the "best bass for metal" obsession.

But what's the best bass to play if I want a red one?

Sorry, I had to.. This is one of my babies. It looks different under stage lights.