wojt3q Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Hi! I'm actually a guitarist and looking for a bass guitar for my home studio. Since I'm not a bass player, I don't really want to buy hi-end bass, that's why I prefer sth rather inexpensive - I can spend around 350 euros. I don't have much experience with bass (this will be my second one) and I still don't have any particular tonal preferences, that's why I would like to purchase something versatile with wide variety of tonal options. The bass is going to he used in almost everything - rock, funk, jazz, electronic music, solo bass stuff etc. I think I prefer used ones - better quality to price ratio I did some research and I found few basses which are associated with word "versatile". Some of them are: Ibanez ATK200, Squier jazz basses, Vintage branded guitars, Cort gb74, Ibanez Btb, Ibanez SR, Yamaha Rbx... Some people mention StingRay copies, but some describe them as one trick pony. What would you recommend to me? Thank you for dropping in here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I agree with most of the basses in your list. It's much harder to find a "bad Bass" now than it was, say, 30 years ago. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Bass Collection Nanyos, particularly the active ones (310, 320, etc) - great value for less than £200. There's one for sale in the "Basses for sale" thread for £150 which I'd definitely go for if I didn't already have 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I'd go for something like the Squier VM Precision, fits budget and the P/J pickup configuration should give you plenty of versatility, the Yamaha BB424 would be a good choice too if you can get one for that kind of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Bass Collection are great,mine's 25 yr old and still going strong. If you fancy a killer Jazz ! jonobolton has a Peavey Foundation for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1452111869' post='2946629'] I agree with most of the basses in your list. It's much harder to find a "bad Bass" now than it was, say, 30 years ago. Personally, I'm a big fan of the Bass Collection Nanyos, particularly the active ones (310, 320, etc) - great value for less than £200. There's one for sale in the "Basses for sale" thread for £150 which I'd definitely go for if I didn't already have 3. [/quote] Yep Bass Collection for me too and I've got 3 as well. Top notch construction and quality hardware. You are getting a quality Japanese made bass for less than the price of a Squire. Edited January 7, 2016 by BassBunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I'd agree with the bass collection opinion. Only played one, so i dont have vast experience, but the one i played was great! £150!?!? Cant go wrong! If you dont mind a bit of weight, which im guessing you wont as its for home recording, i'd go for this: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/275470-ibanez-mc924-musician-bass-bargain-at-only-l35000/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/275470-ibanez-mc924-musician-bass-bargain-at-only-l35000/[/url] I have no affiliation with the owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 So much choice in the sub £350 bracket... you would probably only really need to spend £200 / £250 to get something that would potentially do everything you need and last a lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Yet another vote for the SGC Nanyo Bass Collection (strictly, the Made In Japan series only). The entry-level, passive SB301 is OK but nothing special. The cheapest active bass, the SB310 is pretty good but won't necessarily blow your socks off. The SB320 is simply sublime. If you're a big fan of super-middy tones (Warwick, Schecter, etc.) then probably [i][b]not [/b][/i]the bass for you. If you like Fenders then the SB320 will blow away most, and at a fraction of the price. Speaking of which, the days of the SB310 for £150 and the SB320 for £200 are gone I'm afraid. If you find an SB320 in good nick, don't hesitate to splash £300 or even £350 to get it. You won't be disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I feel the need to mention Yamaha BB, there's quite a wide range available - passive and active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1452178754' post='2947309'] Yet another vote for the SGC Nanyo Bass Collection (strictly, the Made In Japan series only). The entry-level, passive SB301 is OK but nothing special. The cheapest active bass, the SB310 is pretty good but won't necessarily blow your socks off. The SB320 is simply sublime. If you're a big fan of super-middy tones (Warwick, Schecter, etc.) then probably [i][b]not [/b][/i]the bass for you. If you like Fenders then the SB320 will blow away most, and at a fraction of the price. Speaking of which, the days of the SB310 for £150 and the SB320 for £200 are gone I'm afraid. If you find an SB320 in good nick, don't hesitate to splash £300 or even £350 to get it. You won't be disappointed. [/quote] There's a SB401 on Gumtree for £235 [url="https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/bass-collection-sb401-made-in-japan-bass-guitar/1148663779"]https://www.gumtree....itar/1148663779[/url] Jack's 320 twin brother, now more sensibly priced: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Guitar-Bass-Collection-SB320-Electric-Green-/131690929334?hash=item1ea9641cb6:g:8vAAAOSwhcJWP7a2 and a nasty red 5er on ebay for £200 [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SGC-Nanyo-Bass-Collection-5-string-bass-guitar-with-Rockbag-gig-bag-case-/191774263282?hash=item2ca6a307f2:g:n30AAOSw5dNWiarc"]http://www.ebay.co.u...30AAOSw5dNWiarc[/url] They are still out there if you're prepared to look. Edited January 7, 2016 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I'm surprised no-one's suggested something from the Ibanez SR range. In essence very similar to the Bass Collections, but a lot easier to find because they're still manufactured and remain very popular. Even the low-end of the range (SR300 etc) are very highly regarded, well-made instruments with good quality & versatile active electronics. SRs also feature very thin, narrow necks, which might be suited to someone more used to a guitar. I'm quite biased at the moment, having previously owned 2 SRs (which I sold & regretted) and recently picked up another - which was a total bargain. €350 should buy a new SR300 if you shop around - or a used, good condition SR500, with better build/electronics & Bartolini pickups. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 For me it would be a Sire Marcus Miller ,i love mine and its a very versatile all rounder its passive and active with tone controls for both it has a 3 band e.q.looks great,and is a joy to play i think the alder body ones are just over your budget new from Thomann .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I just saw Dave Konig's selling a Retrovibe Evo with the Stinger preamp and a coil tap switch fitted for £249 + postage. Definitely in Stingray territory though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) [quote name='wojt3q' timestamp='1452103549' post='2946468'] Hi! I'm actually a guitarist and looking for a bass guitar for my home studio. Since I'm not a bass player, I don't really want to buy hi-end bass, that's why I prefer sth rather inexpensive - I can spend around 350 euros. I don't have much experience with bass (this will be my second one) and I still don't have any particular tonal preferences, that's why I would like to purchase something versatile with wide variety of tonal options. The bass is going to he used in almost everything - rock, funk, jazz, electronic music, solo bass stuff etc. I think I prefer used ones - better quality to price ratio I did some research and I found few basses which are associated with word "versatile". Some of them are: Ibanez ATK200, Squier jazz basses, Vintage branded guitars, Cort gb74, Ibanez Btb, Ibanez SR, Yamaha Rbx... Some people mention StingRay copies, but some describe them as one trick pony. What would you recommend to me? Thank you for dropping in here! [/quote] I would not say that Stingrays are one trick ponies at all, especially if active. However, if you want one versatile bass... I'd probably go for some kind of Jazz or even Precision/Jazz hybrid bass. Two pickups, at any rate. I'd personally be looking at the Squier Classic Vibe series of basses. The Jazz they make is excellent. I have experiences with a lot of the models you mention and probably they'd all do the job, so it'll come down to which is more comfortable to you. But if I had to choose one, unseen... the CV Jazz. The G&L L2000 Tribute series is also very versatile. Extremely so even. You can find one used well within your budget. Still, I'd go for a Jazz, myself. edit: the Sire V7 gets great reviews... and as an active Jazz, I'd definitely look into it. I have never tried one but the sound clips I heard on this forum ('discreet' posted some) were really good. Edited January 8, 2016 by mcnach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wojt3q Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Thank you for responses! So far your suggestions are: -Squier CV -G&L L2000 -Sire V7 -Ibanez SR -Yamaha BB -Various bass collection models -Squier PJ bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliusmonk Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 The Sire M3 feels remarkably similar to my Yamaha BB, but is much more versatile tonally. That is, if you want a 'modern' tone. The other classic versatile configuration is a PJ. Then you have a J or a P, which by definition will give you a particular basic tone - you can shape it with active EQ, but the basic tone will more or less always be there. Looks to me like you have to make up your mind first about these basic options (modern, PJ, J or P), then look for specific models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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