Bass guitar recommendations
I love my bass SO MUCH, and I’m not shopping for another. But I wondered, if I needed a bass guitar, what would I do right now? I have recommendations for every budget. Ultra low budget, my favorite option is SX Vintage. Get a ‘70s-looking Jazz Bass from them, like Laura Lee plays in Khruangbin. These are getting a little hard to find, but dig around. I do still see them come up once a month or so at great prices. Used to be, you could get one for $129. Over time, I recommend upgrading the cheaper electronics to Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickups with a Dimarzio wiring harness. With a great setup from a trusted luthier, this shouldn’t cost more than $500.
Next tier would be to find a used Geddy Lee signature Fender Jazz Bass, made in Mexico. These are incredible after a great setup, a little fretwork. I’ve seen people pick these up for $650-800. They don’t need any major work, but an upgrade to Dimarzio electronics is always beneficial, on any bass!
Another great option at around $500-700 is a G&L Tribute series. I had the JB-2. It was phenomenal. Word to the wise: DON’T try to ‘relic’ it lol. I was dumb in college, and acid ate the chrome bridge. Also, with these, older is better. Look for one like I had, about a 2014 model with the swamp ash and G&L pickups, not the poplar and Cort pickups. I’ll say this about any bass: Chuck some Dimarzios in it.
After that, consider this option: The Squier Classic Vibes ‘70s Jazz Bass, new from Sweetwater, with a plek’d fretboard, an upgraded Graphtech nut, and a setup with Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickups and a wiring harness… it clocks in just above $1,000. The necks on these have a heavy poly finish that I don’t love, so I’d take a little steel wool and knock that down to give it a satiny feel. If you go to resell, you can buff it back out. Be warned, though: Squier resale prices are just awful. Don’t be a snob about Squier’s upper-end, though, like the signature or the Classic Vibes series. David Ryan Harris currently plays one out on tour with John Mayer.
Next would be a Geddy Lee signature, made in America. This is one of the best bass guitars that money can buy. Reverb’s price guide shows you can get one for $1,200-1,500. If you can swing it, get into this price range. The value here is insane. Because you’re buying used, make sure the neck is straight and have it set up really well by a trusted luthier.
At about $1,500-1,900, there’s no better option than Nash Guitars. But they just don’t come up as often. They’re so good. Especially the ‘70s style J-Bass.
After that, I’d be looking for just a nicer, newer, possibly more upgraded Geddy Lee for around two grand. I like Fender’s American Ultra series, and I would recommend it, but they’ve all gotten so dogged heavy. IDK what Fender is smoking but I ain’t standing for three hours playing an 11-12lb. bass.
Full honesty: $2,000-$3,500 basses are stupid. Instead of buying at that price range, try to wait and see if you can save up even more, to get into that higher bracket where there’s Fender Custom Shop and Bluesman Vintage and Elliott Guitars, among others. My Elliott Guitars Plajio is a P/J custom, all hand-made, hand-wired and whatever else, and it’s just phenomenal. It totally justifies its cost. The whole thing sings and rings together and it’s like… IDK. I could blather on about it for a year but I have a gig tonight and I need to start getting my stuff together. We’re playing a club called Ale Rae’s for the first time. Who knows how it’ll go.