OK, sell me a decent bass between $200-300.

[Beware the Beast Man]

I've been commissioned to join a band as a bass player, and I need to get a setup (though in the meantime I'll be playing a lent bass). What can I get in that price range that won't sound like total garbage?

[XNASA]

1. Ibanez

Active EQ. Plays nice. Good price.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=bass/search/detail/base_pid/519524/

Or if you'd like to spend just a little bit more, but still stay under $300...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=bass/search/detail/base_pid/519506/

I've got one of these, and though I'm not a bass player, I'm more than happy with it.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Can't Go Wrong With Ibanez

Built like a rock. Good selection of wood and the pickups are bulletproof. (Well, maybe not bulletproof, but between my friends and i we've got 5 Ibanez guitars, albeit high line models, and none of us have every even had so much as a scratchy pot.)
The Professor

[name not needed]

2. For $350,

you can get a Yamaha RBX-374. I've heard lot's of good things about it.

You can also get a Music Man clone for 250, which is built to MusicMan approved specifications.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=bass/search/detail/base_pid/516050/

[cleofus1]

4. how about this at 299.00

Traben Basses are designed to be something special in playability, sound and appearance. The Array 4 features a Basswood body with quilt Maple top, 35" scale, Tribal Flame bridge design, Traben SM Combo pickups with T3 Active Preamp, bolt-on neck, chrome hardware, and more!

[cleofus1]

12. sample review for the traben

This bass caught my eye as soon as I saw it, but the most important thing is feel. This bass certainly has it. The price is great and the sound is tremendous. I have a Jackson bass and this sounds better than it. That humbucker sounds insane and that soap bar...wow! Buy it and see for yourself. I LOVE IT!!

[cleofus1]

5. geez beastman....

300.00 dollars...what kind of gig is it?

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. None at the moment. This is a future endeavor.

What, is $300 too high? :D

[cleofus1]

7. ha ha

you funny guy beastman...

what kind of music do you play?

[cleofus1]

8. how about this...Jay Turser Guitars JTB2B

review sample:


"Beautiful little Bass. It just needed a Set-up and to have the Nut filed down a Little, then It was ready for action. In My first outings I used it for Beatles and much more...a much more Versatile Bass than I had anticipated. I am a former Hofner Owner ( Vintage 70' 500/1 & Vintage 63' Reissue 500/1 )and this little Baby cannot be beat for the Money in an affordable, great Playing & Sounding Violin Bass. I use a Pick or Fingers depending on the Music, although with a Pick the Sound is more defined and the notes are more concise. As I am now strictly a Recreational Player, I couldn't justify ( or afford ! ) a Real Hofner 500/1. This is a VERY WELL CONSTRUCTED BASS, the Body and Neck being Superb. The Hardware is of Lower Quality, however. I suppose one could Upgrade to Hofner Hardware but leave the Jay Turser Pickups in there, they are fine. Upgrading would still Cost less than the Price of a new Hofner. I have been Playing Bass since 1969 and would Highly Recommend this Bass to anyone. You will NOT be disappointed."

292.00$ music 123

[cleofus1]

9. here's an ibey...Ibanez SR300DX

sample review:

"I've recently been preliminarily diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I attribute this to all the intense playing I was doing (for a band, not for me, what a mistake) with this huge, bulky Hamer bass with a log for a neck. I needed something "healthier" and "smarter" to play. The Hamer bass was geared towards classic/hard rock, and I've found myself exploring funk-style, more modern, alternative music. Take my word for it, it's horribly futile to try and develop a slap/pop technique when the neck pickup is up against the end of the neck, leaving no room for your non-fretting hand to work efficiently. I've owned other Ibanez products (both basses and electric guitars) before, and have never been let down with their quality and playability. The SR300DX is no exception. It's not expensive, but has a feel and tone comparable to more expensive basses, both from Ibanez and other manufacturers. I tried other low-mid ranged basses from other manufacturers, and none (even those that cost $200 more) stacked up, dollar for dollar, to the SR300DX. The fit-and-finish are premium, the PHAT II bass boost is wonderful (especially since now they've provided a dedicated place for the 9V battery), and the P/J pickup combination just scream flexibility. The neck is "like butter", though I will have it set-up a little "faster" (personal preference) when I go to put a new set of strings - I think the "Candy Apple " body, the black hardware, and those new DR "Black Beauties" will look just "sweet". The ONLY think I could even see as a negative with this bass is the absence of a 3-way pickup switch. It's not a standard/traditional thing for a bass, but it would make "tweaking" of the tone from the bass "on the fly" much more efficient. Don't be fooled, this isn't a $1,000 Fender American Jazz Standard or a Music Man Stingray that cost even more. But also don't be fooled, this is a quality bass that will serve you far better than the price would suggest."

284.00$

[MamaBear]

13. I just picked up the fretless version of this one

I got it second hand for $250 (it was very, very lightly used). It's light and nicely balanced, and I get a nice warm tone on my little amp. Haven't tried to push a lot of air with it yet, still getting used to being fret-free.

I like this bass a lot.

[cleofus1]

10. another jay

Jay Turser Guitars JTB134 Semi Hollow Arch Top Bass Guitar
The JTB-134 is a semi-hollow, arch top bass guitar. It's classic design boasts 2 bass humbuckers on a flame top with either a tobacco sunburst or natural finish. It's trapeze tailpiece also adds a look of sophistication. With it's 3 way toggle switch, 2 volume and 2 tone controls, the tonal capabilities are endless.





sample review:

"Really plays well in every way. I play an American Fender P-bass and Jazz most of the time. The rest of the time I play this bass. When I got it I was really impressed with the finish and inlay on the head stock. The bass does not look cheap at all, even up close. The neck has a good used feel to it and it has a sound that put it right in between my jazz and p-bass. I do think the body is a little short. It put the bridge closer to the neck then I am use to. But then again my main basses are the largest ever made. If you are looking for a good hollow body bass that looks and sounds as good a vintage, then get one of these. You will fall in love with it for not burning a hole in your wallet."

[cleofus1]

11. Warwick RockBass Classic 4 Fretless...539 dollars....

if you decide to get reasonably serious...



sample review:
"I love this bass. The tuners are great. The looks and finish are awesome. It has great playability and feel. The best part is its tone. When I first got this, it sounded bad because it had round-wound strings. It should definitely come with flat-wounds. After I put flatwound strings on it, it had an amazing tone. The combination of the defretted rosewood finger board, flat wound stings, and awesome active MEC pickups gave it a deep, dark, rich, smooth tone. It was like nothing I had ever heard from an electric bass. It kind of sounded like Dave Holland's upright bass. It had the qualities of an upright with minimal buzzing. I love the looks, feel and tone of this bass. It's worth much more. I recommend that you buy this bass if you're shopping around for a fretless electric bass. I played a fretless Fender j bass and a fretless Dean five string at the store and the Warwick Rockbass Corvette was by far the best."

[Pepperbelly]

14. check out this baby for $229.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/508160/

[cleofus1]

15. ha!

looks exactly like the jay...except a lttle cheaper...got to compare the specs....