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Hi all, i'm looking for a versatile bass for home recording. I really don't know squat about basses, so I was hoping on some pointers. I want a bass that can have good thump (think VH's Fair Warning) to some nice snap (e.g. Mike Watt, Steve Harris).

I was thinking about a Fender, preferably in the $500 range (give or take a bit).

I'm also intrigued by the Variax Bass, but it's a bit more than I want to spend.

Get a used or a Mexi Jazz Bass. IMO, you cannot get a better bass than a Jazz. To me, its the standard.

Also, are you going to amp it or sans amp, or what?
The trick is to find one . . . but a Tokai Jazz will cost a bit less than a mexi Fender, and probably give it a run for its money. The Fender would be good too. Also, don't know 100% if it's the sound, but an OLP Stingray-style bass is wicked for the money. I've honestly had people tell me that they sound better than the new Musicman basses (apparently they have bad preamps, those new ones). I'm just suggesting u try it anyway.

i say MIM p-bass

A Gamp;L is like a poorman's Musicman, and they're equal in quality. The Tribute's are even cheaper.

a P-Bass is the most simple but versatile ever...can't loose with a good P-Bass!

I've seen a video demo about the Variax Bass and it was pretty amazing... Very, very versatile for the price. You can check the Variax web an see some of the demo videos they've got. Quite a lot of them...


Originally Posted by NapsGet a used or a Mexi Jazz Bass. IMO, you cannot get a better bass than a Jazz. To me, its the standard.Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all Jazz bass's fretless? And wouldn't a fretless bass be a poor choice if one wanted quot;snapquot;?

Not sure, just asking.


Originally Posted by ArtieTooCorrect me if I'm wrong, but aren't all Jazz bass's fretless? And wouldn't a fretless bass be a poor choice if one wanted quot;snapquot;?

Not sure, just asking. Nope. (unless my eye's deceive me)

from : localhost/www.fender.com/products/popup...node0=1#bottom

Yeah, those look like frets from the shadows. The reason I asked is, I looked at one in the store, and the quot;fretsquot; were drawn on the fingerboard. They weren't actually fret-wire. I know the point of the Precision bass was that by adding real frets, the notes were more quot;precisequot; - thus the name.

I've had great results using the Fender Deluxe P Bass as well as the Fender Geddy Lee bass.

What about this Fender Dimension 4 bass? It has both P amp; J pickups.

from : localhost/sonically, how do P amp; J pickups differ?

I've A/B'ed the Musicman basses and the OLP basses...there's no comparison there...the Musicman basses blow the OLP away in terms of tone, playability, feel, everything....even with a proper setup the OLP's just couldn't keep up. 6 bolt neck vs. 4 bolt neck, active electronics vs. passive electronics, high quality tone woods vs. whatever OLP uses....I could go on and on...there really is no comparison..if you're looking for cheap quality basses, these other guys have it, go for a mexican fender P bass or Jazz bass..they're AMAZING quality for the price you pay

SX SJB-62MG Jazz bass copy from Rondo music. $119.95

Slap a couple o' Duncan's in there, and you're set.

And no, guys, not all Jazz basses are fretless. The majority are fretted.

Jazz basses are the shizzle.

But those Gamp;L tributes are amazing buys for the money, good call Joneser, thats what i would get if I was in the market.

My ESP LTD B304 is AMAZING. (I'd post a pic, but I can't access the hosting site from work). Korean made, mahogany body, neck-through design, active eq, even the stock ESP pups are good. I talked about herhere.

All in all a great bass. Everyone who has heard/played her has been impressed. When I play at church, I go direct to the board with no effects. Fantastic bass overall, and I bought her on clearance at about 50% of MSRP.

Here ya go, Doc.
B404 (newer version)
Granted, /\this cost a couple of hundred more than your target price, but I think you would be pleased. They have a B305 (5-string, same version as my B304) in the clearance listings for under $400.

AMS also has it:

from : localhost/www.americanmusical.com/sort--s-esp-b404.html

I bought an SX P-copy a few weeks ago. It was modded with a Gotoh bridge, American P-bass wiring and a Dimarzio pickup all for $120 and it shocked the $h!t out of me how cool it was. I just put my Tobias Toby pro 4 on ebay, which I thought I'd never do. The Tobias is a quot;work of artquot; so to speak with its gorgeous wood and finish while the SX plays great, sounds punchy and who cares if I dent or ding it?

Hope this helps.