pby Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) Howdy, I'm a guitarist looking to buy a bass guitar. I've previously purchased a bass guitar before (5 string LTD) but it wasn't what I was looking for and I ended up selling it. I'm looking to buy an all round bass and something that looks good and affordable. I've narrowed it down to a jazz bass and a budget of 450 absolutely max. I've found an ok squier classic vibe for just under 250 quid but I was just curious if I should buy something a little better, say a used jap jazz. But I don't want to end up spending alot of upgrades if I can just buy a great bass with minimal tweakage. I'm also looking for a bass preamp for recording, preferably something good quality and not too expensive. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them Thanks for you time Edited January 9, 2009 by pby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I would say a squier jazz is a great all-riound bass for a good price, can't go far wrong with that and very resellable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) Howdy pby, For £450, I'd be looking for a secondhand Fender US Jazz or a Japanese Reissue (just as good IMHO). A Jazz'll just about do anything and (unless you're like me) will stay with you for a long time. You can always upgrade bits as you go as the bits are readily available and not too expensive. Edited January 9, 2009 by niceguyhomer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 [quote name='Al Heeley' post='375330' date='Jan 9 2009, 04:23 PM']I would say a squier jazz is a great all-riound bass for a good price, can't go far wrong with that and very resellable.[/quote] agreed, plus you've got the extra £200 for if you want to customise it a bit in the future. Check out the for sale section too, there's always some bargains floating about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 PBY, i would say a great bass to go for is the Lakland 44-01 for sale in the for sale section here. £400.00 from Riddler Awsome bass, and very versatile, Bartolini pick ups..i would say for that money, there is no better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 [quote name='bubinga5' post='375398' date='Jan 9 2009, 05:58 PM']PBY, i would say a great bass to go for is the Lakland 44-01 for sale in the for sale section here. £400.00 from Riddler Awsome bass, and very versatile, Bartolini pick ups..i would say for that money, there is no better...[/quote] +1. For £400 you can't go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pby Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thanks for the replies, I was wondering if I bought a squier, fender parts should retrofit right? Man its tough choosing a jazz bass as it is, now i have lakland to consider. I think I'm tending towards the squier though. I don't see alot of the classic vibe for sale though, mostly only the vintage modified, is the classic vibe just less popular or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 yeah, fender parts would fit the squier, but why bother? fender pickups arent great, nor are bridges or machine heads. the squier CV and VM series are supposed to be excellent build quiality. and as for the VM series being more popular, thats because its a lot older, the CV series are fairly new. i'd say go for the squier over the lakland, personally. i wasnt comfortable with the lakland, but thats just personal taste. but i think a good bass and a good amp etc. will be a better option than a great bass and an ok amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I have a USA 75 jazz reissue and the pickups are fantastic..(depending on what bass you put them with, the best pickups in the world wont make a bass made from balsa wood sound good).....as for the machine heads, they are as good as any i have come across, bridges not so chunky. A squire Jazz may be a great way to go, i guess trying one out is the best option..The Lakland IMHO, is in a different league compared though..Longer scale length of the Laky, may be a deal breaker mind... What about a second hand MIM Jazz? Must try a squire jazz out, heard so many good things about them.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 [quote name='bubinga5' post='375597' date='Jan 9 2009, 09:06 PM']The Lakland IMHO, is in a different league compared though..Longer scale length of the Laky, may be a deal breaker mind... What about a second hand MIM Jazz? Must try a squire jazz out, heard so many good things about them..[/quote] The 4-string Laklands are 34" scale, only the 5-strings are 35". I'd also recommend trying out something like a Squier VM Jazz - I was pleasantly surprised, and for £250 or so, it was one of the best deals out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 34"....of course they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 to be honest now the lakland has been highlighted, i think thats in a completely different league to squiers, as bubinga5 said. I'd go for that personally, but as ever its up to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 [quote name='bubinga5' post='375597' date='Jan 9 2009, 08:06 PM']I have a USA 75 jazz reissue and the pickups are fantastic..(depending on what bass you put them with, the best pickups in the world wont make a bass made from balsa wood sound good).....as for the machine heads, they are as good as any i have come across, bridges not so chunky. A squire Jazz may be a great way to go, i guess trying one out is the best option..The Lakland IMHO, is in a different league compared though..Longer scale length of the Laky, may be a deal breaker mind... What about a second hand MIM Jazz? Must try a squire jazz out, heard so many good things about them..[/quote] i wasnt trying to suggest they were rubbish, but people upgrade them for much better pickups/machine heads etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Squire VMJ (cheap) Fender Highway 1 J (better) That Lakland.... (best) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjb Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 +1 for the Lakland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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