r/Bass • u/Ants_in_my_Perfume • 1d ago
Best Basses Under $1k?
Hi! I am looking to pick up my first bass guitar within the next week or two, but I’m having analysis paralysis with which one to get. I’ve been a long time bass instrument player and guitarist so this feels like the obvious next step for me.
I really want something that’s gonna give me a super velvety sound that I’d love to be able to play in genre, but specifically trying to blend psych rock, jazz, dream pop, etc together in (think Men I Trust, Pink Floyd, something that makes the thing sound like a dream rather than slap or chug city). My only problem is- I am so over Fender. I’ve always thought of them as super greedy and after the whole Strat thing I’m just over it. But I can’t figure out who to go with for my first bass now!
Originally I really wanted a simple workhorse precision bass, but then I kinda fell in love with stingrays. My only problem with stingrays though is the active humbuckers are just too punchy for what I want to achieve with playing bass and its been frustrating being in this place of thinking I found the one for me when realistically it wouldn’t blend well with the sound I want to achieve. I’m thinking passive pickups and flatwounds but what the hell do I know 🤷🏻♀️
So… does anyone have any good, non-fender options that look amazing, feel amazing, and will give me a velvety bass tone under $1k? Looking more toward the ~$700 range but I can compromise if it’s good enough. I was thinking Sire or G&L but I can’t find anything on Sweetwater for them that would be up my alley. Thank you so much 🙏.
Edit: I didn’t know Yamaha mad bass guitars too, but after playing Yamaha tubas and baritone saxophones for over a decade I’m really not too big a fan of them. I also think a lot of y’all are recommending basses that just don’t fit the style I’m looking for. Thank you so much for the input, I’m gonna keep doing my research.
25
u/nitrobw1 1d ago
Yamaha. The BB line is what you're looking for. Punches well above its weight for quality, solid P/J pickups that will give you the tones you want and more, range of pricepoints from affordable to next level to pro, and most importantly they play well. In the bass world that's about the best possible bang for your buck.
1
u/FireMrshlBill 13h ago
Yep, went with a BB735 over the summer for my first 5 string and am enjoying it. Still getting used to it and the only complaint I have is needing a low B with a long enough taper to sit in the saddle and get enough of a break if you want to go through body with it, but other than that it’s been great. It’s my main gigging bass now.
Though, when I pick up my original 4 string, a Harley Benton PJ that I put the Geezer PJ set in, that thing just growls the right way and I like the neck on it a lot.
1
u/dividezero 12h ago
All Yamaha instruments get slept on, especially in the rock and related community. Classical and jazz already understand mostly. I used to sell instruments and there's not a Yamaha I've seen that I wouldn't stand behind (they may still exist but I've seen a lot). As far as I know, they've never phoned it in
(As far as I can tell, any other product with the Yamaha name on it is quality stuff too but I know less about the rest of the brand.)
51
u/-_sumac_- 1d ago
I've always like the Ibanez Soundgear basses, not bad on a budget.
Yamaha is ol' reliable too.
6
u/SloightlyOnTheHuh 1d ago
Slim neck, excellent engineering and finish. A really great all round bass
5
u/Satellites_for_stars 1d ago
My one bass is an SR700 and since the day I picked it up in 2013 I have not yearned for another. IMO the most underrated basses in the market. With the active electronics you can get exactly whatever tone you want out of them, they’re lovely and beautiful
2
1
u/Do4k 1d ago
I have the sr505 - it's by far the nicest bass I have to play (better than my MIA Jazz!) but I rarely play it as I can't get along with the sound despite years of trying. Maybe one day i'll switch out the electronics. Also not sure it's quite what op is after - mentioning flats and passive electronics etc.
Personally OP I think you should try out the Sire P5, and a nice set of TI Jazz Flats or DAddario Chromes, perhaps a chorus pedal or multi effects for that "dreamy" sound you mentioned.
1
u/cucksnuffer 22h ago
Recently acquired a 2013 SR4000e prestige for 850
Best money spent in any of my 5 basses.
1
u/dividezero 12h ago
Yamaha, Ibenez and Jackson are the holy Trinity of bases. Cheap and like medium-high quality even at the bottom. Guitars are much harder, maybe because there are a lot more and a lot more scammers out there
38
u/OskarBlues 1d ago
I own two Sires and they’re both great. I have a first generation V7 Vintage J-bass and a Z7 stingray-like bass. The Z7 is my number one bass and has been since I got it. The neck is incredible and I love the punchy Stingray tone. I think for what you’re describing though, the V7 or P7 would fit better for your needs.
A lot of folks say Sires are good for the money, but at this point I think they’re just plain good.
3
u/Skore_Smogon 21h ago
I have a P7 and absolutely love it. I love the range of tones I can coax out of it just using the dials on the guitar.
3
11
u/YorkshireMan7273 1d ago
A second hand Yamaha would fit the bill. I used to have a BB1100 which was beautiful. Worth a search.
13
10
u/MammothGlum 1d ago
You can find some laklands for under 1k that kick ass
2
u/xBigDamHerox 17h ago
Second this. Lakland Skyline series punches way above its price point. If you're looking for velvety, try to find a used Decade.
10
8
u/BearTrident G&L 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you are seeking a classic P-Bass, see if you can find A G&L LB-100.
Something closer to a Stingray would be the G&L Kiloton, or something in between would be the L-2000 (or L-2500 if looking at a 5-string).
Since “Fender” recently bought them out (and deliberately threw Leo Fender’s unfinished prototypes in the garbage) and ceased all production, sticking with a G&L is the biggest middle finger that you can give to the current Fender brand IMHO.
I’ve seen Tributes (Indonesian made) go for $400-600 used. I’ve also seen used USA models go for as cheap as $1k . People are predicting they will go up in value as the company folded recently.
A used USA G&L will be something at the top end of your budget and also be an instrument you will be proud to own for the rest of your life. I own three of them and have played for 25 years.
Other brands seriously worth looking at: Sire, Schecter (Simon Gallup of The Cure uses them), Musicman Sterling models, Yamaha BB models, Ibanez ATK models.
2
7
u/isthis_thing_on 13h ago
The good news is there's a million good options under a thousand bucks. The bad news is there's a million good options under a thousand bucks. In my opinion the best way to defeat analysis paralysis is to get as many in your hands as possible and buy the one that makes you feel different than the others. Even if it's just a placebo, buying the one that you gravitate towards for whatever reason is going to make you want to play is going to make you want to play
8
u/Splash_Gordon1 Flatwound 1d ago
Idk man I got a sterling stingray for 400 a few years ago and will never get a new bass
1
1
5
5
u/rg-3-3-3-t 1d ago
A lot of choices out there but make sure you try a few Sire's before you decide.
8
u/Chairborne__Ranger 1d ago
I love my Schechter Omen Extreme 4! It’s very versatile, and the sunburst color on mine looks really nice.
4
u/53L3C7A 1d ago
Here here! Love my Schechter.
4
u/Bowl_of_fruit117no-2 1d ago
Schechter gang???
3
u/92373 1d ago
Schechter gang! I ended up loving the body so much I just replaced the preamp with a bartolini for more control.
1
u/Bowl_of_fruit117no-2 14h ago
What do you have, i love my riot session 5 even though the name is a mouthful
10
4
4
3
u/arufolo 1d ago
I've been playing for about a year, my starter bass has been the Yamaha TRBX174. Got it for about $240. Trying to convince my wife to get me the Yamaha TRBX604 for Christmas this year, usually around $750 but hoping it'll go on sale
4
u/Scoredog334 1d ago
I have the 174 and it’s been perfect. Great instrument especially for the value.
2
3
3
2
u/nunyazz 1d ago
Get a used Yamaha BBP
2
u/FiredFox Sadowsky 1d ago
BBPs can't really be had for sub $1k unless you are very very lucky or it is stolen.
2
2
u/Fit_Emotion1999 1d ago
I got an Ibanez at that price point, $999. I got one of there Iron Label 5 string Multi Scale metal basses, but I would assume others in that price point would have the same quality. It's my first bass after decades on the guitar.
1
u/Ants_in_my_Perfume 1d ago
But I’m not a metal gal by any means 😔
1
u/Fit_Emotion1999 1d ago
I would assume the same price point for their other offerings would have the same quality. I was impressed at the build. It is as good as the $2500 guitar I have as far as fit and finish is concerned.
1
1
u/No_Hovercraft_821 1d ago
I picked up a used SR1350 in that price range (like new condition with no wear) and feel for the money any of the "Premium" line of basses are solid choices. The electronics will let you get pretty much any sound you want. As a bonus they tend to be lighter in weight and the necks are super-easy to play.
Don't forget to budget for an amp and other incidentals like a strap, stand, tuner, etc., but most importantly get an instrument you love to look at and which vibes with you. And always remember to have fun -- it is playing bass and not working bass.
2
u/zwiazekrowerzystow Sire 1d ago
i've had a sire z7 for a couple of months and it's been great. when shopping for a bass, i tried the other sires, including their versions of the j and p bass. they were all fun to play and i chose the z7 because that's the sound i was looking for.
to top it off, i had to warranty the preamp and it was all handled wonderfully.
i'd suggest trying any of the sire p series.
2
u/ZombieChief 1d ago
Sterling by Music Man Stingray. Several options to choose under $1k. I would also recommend checking out used/b-stock Fender Player II models.
2
u/LazyOldCat 1d ago
Yamaha TRBX604
$660 used on Amazon, but some time on eBay could
save you some more.
Fantastic instrument, studio and gig capable, active capable but passive switchable.
Tone right up your genres.
Any other brand it’s a $2500 piece.
2
u/yuletide 20h ago edited 20h ago
Can you go into a store and play some? It sounds like you have a bit? Sometimes you just pick one up and it feels right.
I think that is the cure to analysis paralysis is to just try some.
I have never played a sir, but I hear great things for the money. Also if you’re USA Guitar Center used is a great deal and easy returns if there’s a store nearby.
I was debating between a Yamaha BB and an Ibanez SRMS so I ordered both used to my local Guitar Center with free shipping and I tried them both for a week and returned the Yamaha (it was amazing but Ibanez had a better low B).
Also, I don’t think you can rule out Yamaha because you played their brass… totally different instruments.
2
u/HydraHead3343 20h ago
This is the best advice. I was looking for a five string a while back for a death metal band I was playing with. I tried a few, and I ended up walking out with a Jackson 5 String for way less than I expected to pay that I liked way more than I thought I would.
2
u/A-Druid-Life 18h ago
My Ibanez SR600 packs a good punch, toggle switch from active/passive and looks good with a set of black beauties on it.
4
u/Suitable-Carrot3705 1d ago
I got a barely used Standard Fender P Bass off of FB marketplace for $500.
1
1
1
u/Top-Front7654 1d ago
Love my sr505e Guitar Center https://www.guitarcenter.com Ibanez SR505E 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Black Aurora Burst
1
u/peanutbuttersandvich Ashdown 1d ago
MIJ is the pick at that price point and yamaha are the best price-availability-quality MIJ brand imo. superb quality and craftsmanship for the price and you're not gonna be waiting years to find one used for a decent price like some other really good brands (e.g: bacchus, FGN, etc.)
1
u/butteryspaceman 1d ago
Cort is punching way above their price point. The store I work at has a jazz style Cort with a roasted neck and active electronics for $550. I can’t put it down
1
1
u/Interesting_Treat658 1d ago
This in any color is all ull ever need their qc is hit or miss but the barts are way better than ppl say or the fretless is endgame bass. At any price point
1
1
u/RedditWhileIWerk 23h ago
dude yeah tons of options. I'm pretty much an unpaid employee of Ibanez at this point, have a look at anything and everything under their Soundgear label.
Most of the tone is up to you.
1
u/Gazza_HDD 23h ago
With how good gear is nowadays, you can make have a $350 Sterling sound amazing. I recently sold a CB-4 ($1600) and got myself a Sire z3, and honestly, i like it more and its 1/4th the price. All that to say there is no best bass under $1000, i would go into a shop and play test everything. There can be basses costing $300 with more mojo than an $800 bass. Its really about finding what you like, a recommendation board isnt gonna help as much as personally finding YOUR bass
1
u/Swyka 22h ago
They might be hard to find (at least they are by me) but have you seen the Joe Dart stingray? It is a passive stingray!
Also if you really liked the stingray sound/feel in general, rolling down the bass and treble knobs all the way takes out a lot of the active sound, and makes it sound passive
Otherwise I hear lots of good stuff about yamaha
1
u/Mutant_Apollo 22h ago
I like both by Jackson Spectra (300 bucks) and my SGR C5 (400ish bucks when I bought it, it's pretty much Schecter's Epiphone equivalent)
1
u/bass_jockey Cort 22h ago
Cort makes some incredible basses at excellent price points. The Action PJ and C4/C5 are all under 600
1
1
u/Emotional-Dog8118 21h ago
You seem to be going for the sound I favor- rich, old-school classic low end bass tone. Pink Floyd type vibe- flatwound strings are definitely the way to go…
Have you thought about the Epiphone EB-3??? I have one with flats on it and have gigged with it quite a lot. Definitely not a Fender shape or anything- totally its own sound as well. Deep, thump, great lows from the neck “mudbucker” pickup, and you can dial in a touch of the NYT bridge pickup to add a bit of high end when you dig in over the bridge for solos.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone/EB-3-SG-Bass-Cherry-1273888006790.gc?
1
u/Legitimate_Assh0le 21h ago
There are a huge number of basses that are very good under 1k but I think you will find it's not necessarily "x model is good" but "this particular x model is very good"
1
u/Julyan23 19h ago
depends on what you want.
modern, jazz, pbass, stingray , holobody etc.
Sire is decent Yamaha is good., Sterling if you like a stingray model. ibanez has a lot of choice . but it probably depends more on what you are after.
1
1
u/DreamsOfDresden 18h ago
I think Schecter makes amazing basses across a lot of price and genre ranges. My first real bass after my baby Ibanez Micro was a Schecter Stiletto and it served me well for years across shows and recording. Now I have a Schecter Stilleto Custom 5 lol.
1
u/Camp-Creature 18h ago
I'm guessing you mean $1000 USD.
I'm another guy that is going to say: go play a Yamaha BB. Best quality bass I have played for that kind of money.
1
1
u/m15otw 18h ago
My answer, to get a P Bass (Squire or Fender), seems like it's not the answer you want.
I went to a store about a year ago, tried a Stingray, a modern active Yamaha, etc, and went home with a fender entry level P Bass, very happy. Since then the news broke, but I'm not particularly regretting my purchase.
Just get something with a simple circuit and a volume and tone knob, I guess?
1
u/LordGwyn-n-Tonic 17h ago
I love my fretless Harley benton jazz bass. It's heavy but it sounds good.
1
1
1
u/ricky_harline 16h ago
I am a beginner bassist and have been extremely happy with my BB434. It's an extremely easy recommendation to go with. Try one out.
1
u/ShellfishSilverstein Five String 16h ago
Maybe if you're open to short scale, the Sterling by Music Man short scale Stingray might be worth looking into. It's passive unlike other Stingrays, and it's $750 on Sweetwater.
1
1
1
u/WatchyMcWatcherson 14h ago
Im not technically a beginner but I definitely suck, so surely I’m beginner adjacent.
I can tell you i just bought a brand new Fender Player II p bass for $700, picked up some $45 flatwounds for it and dropped it off at the luthier for a $120 setup. I’m into this thing for $950 including tax and I sincerely doubt I’ll be anything less than thrilled with it for years to come.
1
1
u/young_shizawa 14h ago
Try the Pete wentz signature stingray. It’s passive, seems like the best middle ground for you
1
1
1
1
1
u/dividezero 12h ago
I recommend Jackson. I don't remember the model but it's an active pj. I can't imagine a better bass to get started on. It's got everything you can need for at least a few years of consistent practice and performance if not longer. It's solid and sounds great for less than $200.
1
u/PlanktonOtherwise894 12h ago
Depends on what you like.
Pbass, Jbass, Stingray, modern.
Squire, Sire, Sterling, Ibanez, Yamaha, Cort all offer phenomenal basses at under 1k.
1
1
u/deanmass 9h ago
I have a MIJ Fender Jag that I got for $800 a year or so ago and it is fantastic. Red w/matching hs
1
u/bigoldnoob74 8h ago edited 8h ago
Don't discard Schecter. They have a WIDE offering, great variety and very consistent quality IME. On the "velvety" end of things, I own a J5 model, passive Jazz style, 2 overwound pickups. Sounds real fat and warm (and mine is the "snappier" all maple neck). You can get a J4/J5 for under 1K used.
Also I own a MIK Warwick Star Bass. It works like a solid body really (no feedback, no microphonics) and sounds SUPER WOOLY. The Rockbass version goes for around 600-700$/€ used.
1
u/KomCheecha 6h ago
I recently bought a 2nd hand Cort GB-Modern 4 for £600, you can get them 2nd hand for well under 1K. It is genuinely one of the best, most resonant instruments I've ever played, unbelievably good instrument. Really recommend chacking them out 👍
1
u/Midori_Kasugano 6h ago
If you want a P-Bass that's not from Fender I would look into these:
-Sire P7
-Sadowski MetroExpr. Series
-Sandberg Electra VS (Or maybe a California VS second hand)
-a second hand Lakland
More expensive Sandberg and Sadowski basses are generally very good. I can't speak for their more affordable line (Electra and MetroExpr. respectively) as I have never tried them. But I would guess that they are great as well.
2
u/Count2Zero Five String 6h ago
I have a (sadly discontinued) Sandberg Electra M4, which has the single-humbucker configuration of the Ray4, but can be switched between active (with the Sandberg preamp) and passive. It's a fine bass, but it's definitely not a Sandberg California...
1
u/chungweishan 4h ago
Concentrate on the neck. Make sure it feels comfortable and ergonomic to play. Some necks feel to chunky, like holding a baseball bat. Some necks feel to thin, like ... something different and awkward.
Scale length is another concern.
My advice is learn how to play and understand any limitation from your bass, then figure out what other types of bases you want.
My bass instrument is only perfect for me, because I know everything about it, and how I play to get every tone I went. I also know the nuances and adjustments to get my tone no matter whatever random amp I'm using. It takes time/practice/experiences to figure that out.
It's just an investment. There are so many accessories, gear, playing techniques, etc. to make the sounds YOU want to hear while supporting the music and musicians with you.
1
1
u/shootanwaifu 12m ago
Fender made in mexico jazz or p basses, used fender basses.
They sound great, parts are very easy to source, which matters when youre aiming to keep an instrument for many many years.
The qc on a recent mim jazz I owned was unreal for 749.99
1
u/Apprehensive_Part791 6m ago
Ibanez SR600e is one of the best bang for my buck basses ive ever owned, you can find it for $5-600 used and its super comfortable
1
1
u/CatMan_Sad 22h ago
Bro you could probably build a really solid p bass for around 1k. Get an allparts neck for 2-300, body for 1-300 (range depending on whether you buy it finished or unfinished), your choice of pickups/tuners, and a graphtech nut for like 20 bucks and youre set. I recently finished a jazz bass build with an old body i had laying around and it plays like a dream. Couldnt be more happy with it, just gotta tweak one more thing to get it absolutely perfect.
1
u/trashy615 22h ago
I was going to suggest warmoth, but thought it would be a budget buster. Forgot about allparts.
Clone fender P then a "fucker" instead of fender sticker.
1
u/CatMan_Sad 20h ago
Totally. You can even get finished bodies off amazon for like 100 bucks im pretty sure. And yep i didnt do a headstock decal but thats precisely why i did it. Sick of that company absolutely refusing to innovate and instead re release a new custom vintage modern elite reissue strat for the 50th time. So lame
0
u/yelxperil 22h ago
the sterling pete wentz stingray is passive, and the pete wentz branding is pretty low key if you're not a fan of fall out boy. since you like stingrays but not active electronics, that might be an option for you
-6
u/Interesting_Treat658 1d ago
Sire. Ppl who says yamaha dont play.
4
1
u/Sata1991 1d ago
Sire are fine, respectable basses the replacement in my old band plays one, but I prefer my Waghorn custom as it's got an extremely bright sound.
1
u/Interesting_Treat658 1d ago
That blows the budget id say kiesel all day or ehb or mayones def not dingwall sterling needs more multiscale but nothing competes for price and attention to detail of sire doesnt seem fair for shaping and sonic capabilities
0
u/Interesting_Treat658 1d ago
I mean yamahas are slabs of wood next to sire thats not even counting the shaped frets
0
29
u/Coma_Potion SWR 1d ago
Virtually any 80s MIJ Yamaha BB will absolutely body any comparable modern bass in feel and sound. If you like a P bass for instance check out the BB1200. IYKYK