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Best value/most versatile bass for $900 or less
- Thread starter zappatalist
- Start date
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- versatile
The thing is, you have to do more than lay your hands on a G&L, you have to actually play it. Plugged in and in tune helps.
Agree again with the G&L recommend. Neck size is optional so you can search for used in your budget or order custom and save up.
As for a P bass, they're great but the OP asked for versatile, and a P bass can only be considered versatile by people who think that everything and everyone should sound like a P bass. Wanna sound like everyone else? Get a P. Wanna be versatile? Lots of other options. And the G&L models are right up there with the best in this price category.
As for a P bass, they're great but the OP asked for versatile, and a P bass can only be considered versatile by people who think that everything and everyone should sound like a P bass. Wanna sound like everyone else? Get a P. Wanna be versatile? Lots of other options. And the G&L models are right up there with the best in this price category.
Someone else will have to comment on the bass itself, but a Sire M7 comes with an incredibly versatile configuration. Active/Passive, 3-band EQ, passive tone blend, 2 humbuckers with a 3-way mini switch each (serial, single coil, parallel), etc.
All of that screams versatility and it's in your price range. I don't own one (yet) but they seem to be well regarded.
All of that screams versatility and it's in your price range. I don't own one (yet) but they seem to be well regarded.
Malak the Mad
Over the River and through the Looking Glass
I can't say with much authority, but it sounds like a Reggie Hamilton signature Jazz might fit the OP's bill.
On the neck-front, it's pretty much a standard Fender Jazz profile. However, I'm reminded of a Duff McKagan-related thread earlier where he was rockin' a Reggie-sig body paired up with a Geddy Lee-sig neck. Those MIJ and MIM necks are said to be some of the thinnest necks Fender produces.
As for the Sire recommendations, it's worth noting the V7's have a curvy, vintage-style (7.25") radius to the fretboard and isn't what the OP is looking for.
- P/J…check!
- Pickup blend knob…check!
- Under $900…check!
On the neck-front, it's pretty much a standard Fender Jazz profile. However, I'm reminded of a Duff McKagan-related thread earlier where he was rockin' a Reggie-sig body paired up with a Geddy Lee-sig neck. Those MIJ and MIM necks are said to be some of the thinnest necks Fender produces.
As for the Sire recommendations, it's worth noting the V7's have a curvy, vintage-style (7.25") radius to the fretboard and isn't what the OP is looking for.
I'm just going to come out and say, with all due respect that there are plenty of amazing guitars which are not a Fender instrument or derivative, be it Jazz bass, Precision bass etc. There are many modern innovations which have made these instruments obsolete and the constant echo chamber of supporters serves as little more than deterrent from any interest. Why not get yourself a modern bass? You may now aim your tomatoes in my direction. Thank you.
I'm a huge G&L fan, had my L2k since 1983 with no problems of any kind, a tank, and incredibly versatile, but its heavy and has a chunky P style neck. If I had to sell everything and get one bass, I'd get an Ibanez SR series, 500 or higher. Thin fast neck, very light weight, perfectly balanced, great , intuitive electronics, and every incremental price increase up the line actually buys you something more than hype and marketing gimmicks, unlike some major brands I could mention.
Might help your case if you provided a specific recommendation that helped OP. I'm not a huge Fender fan, but technically everything (just about) is derivative of theirs.
And G&Ls are pretty darn great. Lots of good recommendations so far.
Good stuff here, thanks folks! I'll have to start looking around, there's definitely some basses that weren't on my radar suggested here. Keep 'em comin'!
Used Carvin. High quality, active electronics, neck through design on some models, hundreds of options, low cost. The LB70 is a good choice. You could get two for your budget and still have enough left for a tankful of gas to get to the gig. Hope this helps.
Yes. And this is coming from someone who swore by P's for a long time.
I believe the Jazz bass is the highest evolution of the Bass species.
My votes: New: Sire. Hands down best bang for the buck under $1K, in my opinion. Extremely versatile, especially the M7. Used: Used Carvins are generally a great deal.
I'm sure one can make a legit argument for a "modern" bass over one of Fender's traditional designs. But judging by their consistent use in recording studios and live performances, "obsolete" isn't one of them. The OP would be well advised to check out a Jazz Bass or two.
Forgot to mention in the OP- my first bass was a MIM Fender Jazz. Was decent, I could see going back there again... but for that vibe I liked the Sterling better.
G&L L2000 or the new Fender Dimension HH with 5 way switch. Either bass will take you a ton of places tonally.
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Godin Shifter Classic. P/J, switchable with P, P/J series, P/J parallel, J.Very versatile. And the neck, for me at least, is great. I could never bond with the necks on a P bass, but the Godin neck is just great. And right in your price range too.
This thing looks great. I'd love to give one a test run, hopefully it shows up at my local Squiers R Us soon.
Lakland has a few models (Skyline series) that I consider plenty versatile, and have really nice, comfy necks. I'd personally go with a Glaub/Dunn in a PJ format, Darryl Jones or 44/55-01 (possibly gutted for a passive setup with dual coils). It imo depends what family of sounds you're after, and take it the rest of the way with your playing/technique. Full disclosure: I'm in the camp that thinks technique trumps equipment, and that P's fit pretty much everywhere.