stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Hello All I've been lurking around for a bass for my home studio, I've been out trying things the past months and keep dithering . I know little about bass guitars so need some expert advice please - £ Def. <300 & would be very happy @ 200 and under. Almost certainly 2nd hand to get the quality I want at that price - Versatile, I'm playing acoustic stuff through to rock. I like detail, clarity and thumpy double bass but want rock sustains when I need them. But when I say versatile, I don't necessarily mean active. I think 90% of the time it'll be going into the 'puter so any preamping etc can be done there. - I'm a guitar & bouzouki player so am well used to thinner necks. Needs to be comfortable sitting down. - something elegant, likely natural wood rather than a bling rock axe. I'd go hollow body if it wasn't for worries about bulkiness and lack of versatility I've tried Squier jazzes and like the neck width. I've tried an Epi EB0 and like the overall size of the instrument but it seemed very limited in versatility. I'm not a brand slave but like any mere mortal I've got to get on with its looks. Open ears for your 2p worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Squire Vintage series second hand springs to mind, either a Precision or Jazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='stringintheshade' post='1279786' date='Jun 23 2011, 04:38 PM']I'm not a brand slave......[/quote] You're in the minority on here then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='RhysP' post='1279852' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:10 PM']You're in the minority on here then. [/quote] I should rephrase that ... I'm not a brand slave until I find sthg that's a keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I'd go for a Yamaha BB414, tonally versatile (as it has P and J pickups) and very good quality - new price around £270. 2nd hand £200 no trouble (have seen them go for £150). EDIT: One on the forum right now for £190: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Well if you are into slim necks check out the Ibanez SR500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='51m0n' post='1279847' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:08 PM']Squire Vintage series second hand springs to mind, either a Precision or Jazz[/quote] Yeah, a VM came up early in my search and is def in the running. It'd be a jazz over the precision cos of the neck & pups. And it gets a big tick in the versatility box. I'm wondering if there's anything better in build quality / materials out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='Machines' post='1279858' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:15 PM']I'd go for a Yamaha BB414, tonally versatile (as it has P and J pickups) and very good quality - new price around £270. 2nd hand £200 no trouble (have seen them go for £150). EDIT: One on the forum right now for £190: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074[/url][/quote] That's a contender, were it not for the Tango. ... how's the BB414 vs a VM or the other vintage one they do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) [quote name='stringintheshade' post='1279864' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:17 PM']I'm wondering if there's anything better in build quality / materials out there?[/quote] Probably not. I don't like Fender basses but the Squier VM jazz basses really are very good for the money. There's a lot of stuff around at that price point but you probably won't find better. It'll be easy to sell too should you ever decide to upgrade or whatever. Can't comment on the Yamaha mentioned as I've not played one but all their gear is very good generally. The Yamaha basses I have played have been great. Edited June 23, 2011 by RhysP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 The Yamaha + a tin of Nitromors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='Roland Rock' post='1279897' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:33 PM']The Yamaha + a tin of Nitromors[/quote] Had enough of sanding & varnishing this year, now I want to thrum & twang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='icastle' post='1279861' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:16 PM']Well if you are into slim necks check out the Ibanez SR500.[/quote] +!. And there's one for sale on here for £200 right now (not mine!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I know I bang on about it but..... Yamaha RBX270 and some Dimarzio Model P/Js. Versatile, punchy, easy to play, well built, etc, etc. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=121667&hl=best+%A3200+bass+ever"]Best £200 bass ever[/url]! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 2nd hand MIM fender P, drop some seymour duncans in there and your sorted for good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='TRBboy' post='1279929' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:04 PM']I know I bang on about it but..... Yamaha RBX270 and some Dimarzio Model P/Js. Versatile, punchy, easy to play, well built, etc, etc. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=121667&hl=best+%A3200+bass+ever"]Best £200 bass ever[/url]![/quote] Interested in that with the natural finish. And an easy upgrade. But the pups would add another 100 unless I can find one second hand. Could always do the pups later. The Ibanez SR500 shape looks verrrry similar... much between them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='charic' post='1279935' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:08 PM']2nd hand MIM fender P, drop some seymour duncans in there and your sorted for good.[/quote] I'd do a jazz MIM; not so fond of the P's neck. Not sure I could find a Jazz MIM at that price point though. Would a Squier VM be better than a MIM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 100% the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar, it does Jazz at the bridge, Precision at the neck, looks great, sits & plays great, and has a fast & think neck with blocks. Wayne's selling the one I sold him for £175, a real bargain (I still have another and it's going nowhere). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='Machines' post='1279858' date='Jun 23 2011, 05:15 PM']I'd go for a Yamaha BB414, tonally versatile (as it has P and J pickups) and very good quality - new price around £270. 2nd hand £200 no trouble (have seen them go for £150). EDIT: One on the forum right now for £190: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074[/url][/quote] +1 The BB414 is my go to bass for most things, great build quality and you can play anything on it. Second hand anywhere between £150 to £190 is about normal which is a steal coz these basses really are a kepper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='Beedster' post='1279953' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:29 PM']100% the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar, it does Jazz at the bridge, Precision at the neck, looks great, sits & plays great, and has a fast & think neck with blocks. Wayne's selling the one I sold him for £175, a real bargain (I still have another and it's going nowhere).[/quote] So the the VM Jag is more versatile (with its P pup) than the VM Jazz and is nearly a third less money? I can get a new one delivered for 200 but they're called "special". I wonder if they mean special as in "less good than the normal one" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='4StringFortress' post='1279955' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:30 PM']The BB414 is my go to bass for most things, great build quality and you can play anything on it.[/quote] It's between this and the Sq VM Jag so far... I wonder if there's any difference in build quality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='stringintheshade' post='1279976' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:42 PM']So the the VM Jag is more versatile (with its P pup) than the VM Jazz and is nearly a third less money? I can get a new one delivered for 200 but they're called "special". I wonder if they mean special as in "less good than the normal one"[/quote] No, you need the Vintage Modified Jaguar that lists at around £279, it's a much better spec instrument (and the stacked controls are great). I rate the VMJag and I'm both fussy and snobbish about my basses Link [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/squier-vintage-modified-jaguar-bass-rosewood-black--75481"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/squier-vintag...od-black--75481[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='stringintheshade' post='1279980' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:44 PM']It's between this and the Sq VM Jag so far... I wonder if there's any difference in build quality[/quote] All Yamaha instruments are built like tanks there is no compromise in any of their build quality, Squire's are also very well made but on balance I would say Yamaha are the better made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='4StringFortress' post='1279990' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:49 PM']All Yamaha instruments are built like tanks there is no compromise in any of their build quality, Squire's are also very well made but on balance I would say Yamaha are the better made.[/quote] I'd agree, Yammies are good also. Here's Wayne's VMJ for sale [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=142458"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=142458[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringintheshade Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 [quote name='Beedster' post='1279984' date='Jun 23 2011, 06:45 PM']No, you need the Vintage Modified Jaguar that lists at around £279, it's a much better spec instrument (and the stacked controls are great). I rate the VMJag and I'm both fussy and snobbish about my basses Link [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/squier-vintage-modified-jaguar-bass-rosewood-black--75481"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/squier-vintag...od-black--75481[/url][/quote] Ta Beedster. Right you are. So it's def a case of "special" meaning "crappier" sheesh these product managers are out to confuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Here is a link for one of the guys selling a BB414 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074&hl=BB414&st=0"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...=BB414&st=0[/url] Possibly one of the best colours ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.