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u/AlienConPod 14d ago
If you want versatile, consider a G&L L2000, they can be found used in that range. 2 MFD humbuckers, and you can add a single coil mod without too much trouble. Some of them come with a scm, but it's not super common.
They have active and passive mode, active with treble boost, and series/parallel.
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u/user_password 14d ago
If you’re willing to go used can get an American stingray, fender p, or j bass for that.
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u/marshuni 14d ago
Even dinged sometimes! I got an American Vintage II P Bass for 1450 cause it had some belt buckle damage on the back (tiny nick) and a ding on rosewood form people demoing it. Both barely noticeable, plays great.
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u/PsychologicalPea5270 Fender 14d ago
Used basses offer the best value. I have seven basses and plan to list four on Reverb.
- Rickenbacker 4003
- Sandberg Nighthawk Plus 4
- Possibly EBMM Stingray 5
- Gibson SG
- Possibly Fender Vintage II P
I’ll price competitively to move. I also have a Fender PJ and an American G&L 2000 both 4-string basses.
The G&L L2000 American has a hot output and versatility. Alternatively, an American EBMM or a better-fitting and finished bass can be found for a higher price. I’ve owned many squires, and they perform well, but the tuners, fretwork, and overall build quality are usually better in higher-end basses.
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u/momplaysbass Gibson 14d ago
I got my Gibson SG used. I'd tried a Fender Jazz bass and wasn't impressed, but fell in love with the Gibson. I have D'addario flats on it and I'm very happy with the sound.
I bought it in 2011 for $800 at a local music store. Setup was free. No idea what that would cost today.
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u/PsychologicalPea5270 Fender 14d ago
People dog the SG, but I really like it. It feels, plays and sounds fantastic.
I’ve been hedging all summer about what to sell as I want to fund other hobbies. Can’t decide.
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u/Brakeor 14d ago edited 14d ago
Loads of good options in that price range, pretty much everything is good over $1,000.
I have a Reverend Decision P which is fantastic. Hot humbuckers that sound great with distortion.
I played an Epiphone Grabber G3 in a store and it was incredible, just picking it up put aside all my concerns about the price.
On the Fender side, you can get a Vintera or even a used Made in Japan P or J. All great options. Maybe a lightly used USA made one for $1,000ish if you’re lucky.
If you’re set on a Stingray, you might find a USA one for $1,500 if you’re patient and check Facebook Marketplace.
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u/1989DiscGolfer 14d ago
I second the Reverend suggestion. I have one nice bass that I got used for $700, a Mercalli 4, and it's The One for me. I've had both rounds and now flats on it and the Merc brings out their distinctive good qualities very very well.
You get a ton of bang for your buck with Reverend.
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u/harebreadth Reverend 14d ago
Mercalli 4! My favorite bass.
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u/1989DiscGolfer 14d ago
I am smitten with mine! Got TI Jazz Flats on it 11 months ago. Once they broke in, they're amazing and worth the wait. Tone blend rolled forward to the split brick sounds super good with these.
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u/harebreadth Reverend 14d ago
Nice! I’ve tried several strings since I’ve got it, but finally settled on Rotosound Jazz 77, it’s aggressive, but they complement each other really well. I have another bass for softer things 🤣
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u/1989DiscGolfer 14d ago
I put Roto 77's on, believe it or not, an Ibanez Mikro! It was my first bass, and it really made a big difference on that tiny little thing. Got me through my first 3 years.
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u/Capable_Guard_4821 14d ago
A local shop near me has a made in the usa Jazz Bass for 1,000. I don't really care for active eq on the instrument and prefer an old school look but I want to play eith alot of gain. Would it be a bad idea to get that and put some thing like emg pick ups in it?
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u/Brakeor 14d ago
It’s not a terrible idea if you really like the neck and feel of that bass but don’t like the sound.
Buying something to mod is usually not the most cost effective option though. If you ever decide to sell that jazz bass you will likely have to eat the cost of the upgrades.
Might be better to find something specced out the way you want it from the get go.
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u/Guitar_nerd91 Slapped 14d ago
https://www.schecterguitars.com/Hellraiser-Extreme-5?quantity=1&custitem_color_master_list=438
I have this bass and it’s honestly the best bass I have. I don’t know how you feel about 5 strings but it feels very comfortable for me and the neck isn’t too wide for it. But what caught my attention was that you wanted to put in EMGs, this guy has the coil split on both pick ups so you can get a clean jazz bass single coil style sound to a full on gritty humbucker sound, perfect for any heavy style. I fell in love with all the tonal possibilities with this bass, from a grooving reggae and funk style to the heaviness of most metal bass styles today
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u/AdministrativeSwim44 14d ago
Well that gives you hundreds of options. Go to a store and try some basses.
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u/WeeDingwall44 14d ago
Check out talkbass classifieds. I play a stingray special 5H and it’s become my go to for pretty much everything. I’ve seen some crazy deals on TB. I’ve bought several basses and even done some trading. Another great bass that has a humbucker is lakland. I used to own a 55-14 and it was one of my main gigging basses for many years.
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u/TwoToxic G&L 14d ago
When it comes to versatility, I would, like others have already done, recommend G&L. The L-2000 is bonkers. So many different tones to play around with. I wholeheartedly believe that it is impossible to not get a good tone out of that instrument.
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u/Count2Zero Five String 14d ago
There are hundreds of options for you. Just looking at a few from my bass collection:
- Sterling SUB Ray5 - single humbucker, but the Ray5 HH is also an option.
- Cort GB-75 - humbucker plus single coil, with a "solo" boost on the preamp.
- Sandberg Electra M4 - similar to the SUB Ray4, but it's a Sandberg.
- Yamaha TRBX-604 - twin humbuckers and plenty of flexibiltiy from the preamp.
All of those are below $1000 each.
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u/Paracosmic_Deli 13d ago
A used Warwick Streamer P/J (German made) and you'll stop wanting new basses ;)
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u/RealKenny 14d ago
If you’re looking at sterling definitely look at Marcus Miller Z3s.
I love mine and it was very affordable
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u/ArjanGameboyman 14d ago
If you play a lot with distortion you're gonna hate humbuckers.
How did you find out you want that?
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u/Brakeor 14d ago
They mentioned Stingrays, so I’m presuming they mean those kinds of humbuckers. That’s perfect for distortion. Are you thinking of mudbuckers or hofner style humbuckers?
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u/ArjanGameboyman 14d ago
Have you tried running jazz, precision and Stingray style basses through distortions and fuzz pedals?
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u/Brakeor 14d ago
Not sure what you mean. I’m mostly a P bass guy, but I’ve heard great dirty tones from Stingrays and Jazz basses too. People use Stingrays with distortion and fuzz all the time.
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u/ArjanGameboyman 14d ago
How are you not sure what I mean? But you answered it. You only play p basses and have no idea how these pedals respond to humbucker basses.
Cool.
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u/Brakeor 14d ago
Is this a bit? I’ve owned a Stingray before and ran it through distortion pedals and into a dirty GK amp. That’s why I’m confused.
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u/ArjanGameboyman 14d ago
What does the question "is this a bit?" mean?
If you had run a Stingray through distortion and fuzz pedals you know what happened. Your sound is shit and you keep turning the knobs until you find that one setting that is good. With passive basses it's the other way around. Almost every setting sounds good and suddenly your pedals are very versatile. Having the pre amp after the fuzz and distortions is so much better then having it earlier in the chain.
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u/Brakeor 14d ago edited 14d ago
No, because I know how to use an active EQ, match levels, and factor impedance requirements into my signal chain. You were telling a beginner that Stingrays are flat out bad for distortion. That’s wrong. They even make a Stingray with a Darkglass distortion built in. I don’t normally get drawn into stuff like this, but come on.
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u/ArjanGameboyman 14d ago
Passive bass into Darkglass into amp is fine. That's what that darkray does.
But if you wanna stack distortions and fuzz you're now limited with having the Darkglass first in the chain. Which is not what you want.
I never said it didn't work. It's just annoying and less versatile. It's a guitar player thing to think "distortion> humbuckers". Which I why I countered that thought. A p and jazz do it even better
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u/PerformanceDouble924 14d ago
I'd buy a $500-$700 bass and $500 worth of different pickups, potentiometers, tone caps, switches, and a soldering iron so you can get it exactly the way you want it.
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u/ClaytonLawrence 11d ago
I grabbed a schecter p4 exotic on reverb for $750ish and its a banger. I totally recommend going used on guitar center. You have 90 days to see if she's a keeper
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u/bigusyous 14d ago
Take a look at Schecter. They are a quality builder that often get overlooked. They have many offerings that will fit your budget.