guitargeek62 Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 I'm looking for suggestions & outliers that I might not have considered for entry/mid-level bass to noodle on. Going by the few basses I've owned (Squier CV P-bass, and a MM Sub 'Ray 4 - USA one) and/or played, and the ones used by my favourite players, my preferences are: 34" scale Jazz nut width (38mm) Active EQ, preferably with mid-range sweeps/selectors 24-fret (preferred, not essential) HH/MM configuration (I think) Satin/oil/open-pore finish (again, preferred but not essential Modern/quirky designs - anything other than a P or J really! Four-string, unless someone can absolutely convince me that I need those extra four notes... I recently bought a Sire M2 and and M7 from Thomann to try out. I liked them both, particularly the latter, but I'm sending them back as I'm not entirely sold on the finish on the M7. They have a new all-swamp ash model coming out soon that I'll probably end up getting if nothing else takes my fancy, but I may as well use the time in between to daydream a little more. The M2 was fine, but a little dark-sounding for my tastes, and didn't feel as refined as the M7 - which is to be expected! I'll mostly be playing with a pick, and focussing on rock/prog/metal genres - the tones and approach that Justin Chancellor gets out of his Wal is what I'm looking to get in the ball-park of, but I don't expect to nail that on a tenth of the budget! 🤣 So far my shortlist is looking like: Used Warwick Corvette Standard / $$ (if I can find one in budget) Sire M5 Cort B4 Used Ibanez SR[x] (Likely MiJ/Premium for the better hardware & electronics) Used [x]...? Sire P7 G&L Tribute L-2000 The latter two seem nice enough, but are lower on the priority for me due to the fewer frets and more traditional looks! I'd love to justify something fancier, but at this point in time I'm still pretty new to bass-playing so it feels somewhat premature. I get that there's some overlap with this thread and the "what all-round bass" one, but I'm keen to see if there are anything else that gets suggested closer to my req's & preferences. 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 I was going to suggest adding the Sterling by Musicman RAY4HH, but was staggered to see these retail for over a grand. Thought this was a budget range! Sterling SUB maybe? There is a 4HH model that retails at £450.00. Reverend Guitars? The Thundergun is a wonderful thing, so is the Mercalli. Might be able to get a secondhand one for under £500.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitargeek62 Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 Aye - I hadn't realised the Sterling range had crept up that much either until recently! I've not managed to try any Reverends before, but I can't say they particularly appeal on looks alone. I'm very happy to go secondhand, in fact I'd prefer it so that I don't take the depreciation hit if/whenever I sell it on. I'm happy to push the budget a bit for the "right" instrument, but would likely top out at £750. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddHytheTown Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 The Cort B4 gets my vote. I have a B4 Plus AS RM (catchy!) and it's the most comfortable bass I've owned. I can't compare to all your other options though, and not sure about emulating the Justin Chancellor tone, but it's a really nice bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) There's a used Yamaha BB 734A in the for sale section that is bang on your budget (inc. P&P). (I have no connection to the seller btw other than we both spend far too much time on the Yamaha thread!). P+J pups, which is a great format. Active / passive modes. Decent 3 band EQ. Yamaha build quality. I think you'll be very hard pressed to find a more capable bass for the money, other than perhaps the Sire P7 on your list, but I see you're less keen on that one, and I think both the Sire and the 734A have 21 frets and you've mentioned a preference for 24. PS I see a BB 734A has made it onto the "if I could only keep 1 bass thread", which is high praise indeed, particularly if you read what other basses he has! I rest my case! 😊 Edit: scrap the above - that s734A has just sold. Someone's got a great bass at a good price! Edited June 16, 2020 by Al Krow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexel Matador Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) Something from the Ibanez SR range? They fit most of your requirements - HH, active electronics, 24 fret, 38mm nut, non traditional design - and they have models at a variety of price points. Not sure about the available finishes, but they might be worth a look. I had one of the lower end ones and it was great for the price. It had a super skinny neck though, which I know is not everyone's cup of tea. Edit: I see now that it's already on your list - I'm not quite sure how I missed that - I did read your post, I swear! Edited June 15, 2020 by Rexel Matador 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 8 hours ago, NancyJohnson said: I was going to suggest adding the Sterling by Musicman RAY4HH, but was staggered to see these retail for over a grand. That's crazy. The real thing was around £1250 when I got mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 7 hours ago, mike257 said: That's crazy. The real thing was around £1250 when I got mine! Yep. Another ‘how the hell did that happen’ post. I had a SBMM Ray34 when they first came out. Cost me £400 new. Now over double that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilebodgers Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 14 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said: Yep. Another ‘how the hell did that happen’ post. I had a SBMM Ray34 when they first came out. Cost me £400 new. Now over double that. Funny - I always fancied a Stingray, but they have always been a bit more money than I can justify. I have been looking since the mid 80s 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 How about a Yamaha TRBX, just to throw something a little different into the mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 5 hours ago, nilebodgers said: Funny - I always fancied a Stingray, but they have always been a bit more money than I can justify. I have been looking since the mid 80s 🙄 Price will only ever go one way, sadly. I first wanted one when they were around 8 or 900. Didn't pay much attention because there was no way I would ever have that kind of money at all, nevermind for a bass. Bought a new one for 1800 at the end of 2018. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defo Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Try the Squier 60s VMJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassicVibes Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 G&L Tribute? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 You should grab that Ibanez SR Premium from the chap in Greece. Sharpish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitargeek62 Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, songofthewind said: You should grab that Ibanez SR Premium from the chap in Greece. Sharpish. Which one's that?! *edit* scratch that, just saw it - thanks! Edited June 16, 2020 by guitargeek62 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 These represent great value and probably have everything (ish) on your list. About the right price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitargeek62 Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 @leschirons - that looks nice, what is it though? 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 38 minutes ago, guitargeek62 said: @leschirons - that looks nice, what is it though? 😁 It looks like a stripped Status/Washburn? I love playing what's-that-bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 6 hours ago, guitargeek62 said: @leschirons - that looks nice, what is it though? 😁 It's a Status Energy. The 5 string one I have is 7lbs 8oz. The 4s even lighter. Wooden neck with graphite rods. Great active electronics, pick one up for £500 or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassicVibes Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 2 hours ago, leschirons said: It's a Status Energy. The 5 string one I have is 7lbs 8oz. The 4s even lighter. Wooden neck with graphite rods. Great active electronics, pick one up for £500 or less. I had a Status Energy back in the day... well around ten years ago. I sold it because I couldn't get on with the graphite neck. Someone offered me £375 - not for the neck but the whole bass! Keep on walking, son! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 1 hour ago, ClassicVibes said: I had a Status Energy back in the day... well around ten years ago. I sold it because I couldn't get on with the graphite neck. Someone offered me £375 - not for the neck but the whole bass! Keep on walking, son! Mine has a wooden neck. Fab profile. Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitargeek62 Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 14 hours ago, NancyJohnson said: It looks like a stripped Status/Washburn? I love playing what's-that-bass? Ah, I can see it now! Forgive me, I'm pretty new to this world 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitargeek62 Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 Bit of an update - I'm going to stretch my budget a bit and hold out for a used german Warwick Corvette, ideally a $$ model. Something about them has really taken my fancy now, and I want to scratch that itch... until something else comes to mind anyway! If all else fails, I'll just order the Sire M5, or get the swamp ash-bodied M7 instead of the alder that I had. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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