Looking for a 1st bass

[Electric]

I've played guitar for about 14 years, but am looking to buy my first bass. I plan to use it mainly for recording. Since I don't play bass primarily, I don't want to spend a ton of money. I'd like to find something under $400.

I like the look of the Jackson JS3. It looks like the Ibanez SR300 is around the same price as well.

Any recommendations on anything else I should be looking at in this price range, or maybe if I expand the range up to $500 if something is a significantly better value?

[Soon]

I did well getting an Ibanez SR7XX. Active pups and a thin neck.
Same boat, playing mostly guitar and using bass for recording.

[pickford1625]

the used ibanez sr's are the best bang for your buck in the used market. there is so many available you can do better them the 300 if you take you time and look around.....

[amimbari]

WHOA.... WTF?

this is a Jackson board ya know. Whats with all this IvEbeenHad shit talk ?
300 buck limit?

you could buy a used model1,2, or 4 for that much with the flatter 80's neck or if you are into new, yes a JS or CB series bass.
There is no way I could compare the tone of my SR300 to my Model2.

[Electric]

How often do the Model 1, 2, and 4 show up on EBay or similar used markets? I don't see any at the moment. I'm not in a rush or anything, but would like to buy within the next month or so.

[amimbari]

I would have said a model3 but the neckthrus tend to get a little more costly.

Even an Eliminator would smoke the Ibanez for tone. HOWEVER, if you really want to see how many just were sold on ebay in the past 90 days around the 300 or so mark.... I just bought this model-1 yesterday:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110999068155?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

and quite a lot of others have been listed....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80s-Charvel-set-neck-Bass-Champagne-Jackson-active-pickups-P-Jazz-bass-/181054973790?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a27b7a75e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Charvel-Jackson-4-String-Bass-Guitar-with-Graphics-Coffin-Case-/390522589084?pt=Guitar&hash=item5aecf5cf9c

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271136155945

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80s-Charvel-CSM-2B-Bass-Made-in-Japan-WORLDWIDE-SHIPPING-/200866731930?pt=Guitar&hash=item2ec497179a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-CHARVEL-1B-ACTIVE-BASS-1987-MADE-IN-JAPAN-With-EMG-USA-/170953017358?pt=Guitar&hash=item27cd98080e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Charvel-1B-Bass-Guitar-1980s-/271111168698?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f1f7c22ba

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Charvel-Eliminator-Bass-1991-/271108531731?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f1f53e613

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Charvel-vintage-bass-guitar-w-case-/281022267410?pt=Guitar&hash=item416e3b8012

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980s-CHARVEL-JACKSON-BASS-MADE-IN-JAPAN-/300811264407?pt=Guitar&hash=item4609bfa197

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Charvel-model-3B-electric-bass-MIJ-neck-thru-/281022124903?pt=Guitar&hash=item416e395367

[bucketbrian45]

There is actually a Charvel bass at the local Guitar Center here in Miami, 189.99 I believe and its used.

[amimbari]

I mean just because I have a couple dozen Charvels and Jacksons don't mean I HATE everything else, far from it. I still have 6 basses not of Charvel origin and like them, but for the long hours I have to hold them on my shoulders, I don't even use them.

Some people HATE the flat-backed necks like Ibanez and Jackson and Peavy, and like the round Fender or equivalent. I just happen NOT to be part of that crowd.

Electric is in Ohio and I'm in PA maybe he will ask me if I want to get rid of something cheap, and he can decide if he likes it or not. ( we cannot sell basses in these threads ) BTW, so that was not a "MY bass is for sale post" .....

[amimbari]

There is actually a Charvel bass at the local Guitar Center here in Miami, 189.99 I believe and its used.

there is a 1b in Ohio-GC.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Used-USED-CHARVEL-JACKSON-BASS-SPLIT-SINGLE-BLK-N-C-108005040-i2654255.gc

[markD]

at the end of the day, if you are recording an ibanez SR is going to be way more versatile than a charvel or jackson bass. if you were playing live, and needed a real "meat-n-potatoes" sound, i would recommend a charvel model bass. but overall they are clunky and limited tonally....

[amimbari]

just for conversation ideas on a recording bass, what SR are you referring to?

[markD]

the SR300 is pretty good, but my choice would be the SR500. the ability to blend the pickups along with the on-board 3 band EQ makes for an almost infinite number of tones. i will admit that the SR bass is good for precision playing, i.e., progressive music, jazzier basslines, or parts where the bass is moving a lot. for straight up pounding rock, nothing beats a P or P+J set-up....

[amimbari]

nothing beats a P or P+J set-up....

except a p+HB with a preamp


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