So uh, I’m looking for a new bass (currently playing on a Peavey Milestone III) but I don’t want to drop like 500 bones for a high-middle line one. Any suggestions? P-Bass has been considered but I can’t find any model of it in the 200-300 range. I’m also open to active pickups bass suggestions if there’s any decent cheap-ish ones out there.
What type of music do you play?
How much exactly are you trying to spend?
Mostly play Blues and Classic/Modern rock, tho I dabble in most of everything for fun, but those two are definitely my main genres. I was looking at stopping the money faucet at around $400 with taxes since I haven’t figured a way to spontaneously generate food yet.
I hear the SX basses are actually really good for the money. I know Warpticon has a really cool 70’s style Jazz bass Maple/Maple combo that looks really sexy. Do a search on youtube and check out those 70’s SX basses. Really cool sound. Granted most people have to do small mods after they get them, but it’s worth it.
I’ll tentatively second the SX line. I don’t have firsthand experience with Rondo’s basses, but I’ve owned two of their guitars and they’re very, very good for the price.
On active pickups, that’s a matter of taste, but I’m not a fan. They have a lot of kick, but that’s about all they have.
You know now that I think about it, the Squire classic series also isn’t bad. I actually think that stuff is better than the low level Fender Jazz standard stuff that’s made in Mexico, especially sound wise. It’s not even close IMO. Unless you’re talking about active EQ stuff.
On another note, I’ve got a sweet Marcus Miller jazz bass on the way. I’ll post pics when I get it.
Ah Good! A Guitarist Thread! 
As for the Guitars I own and actually use:
Epiphone Casino Dot - EADGBE/DADGBE
Schecter Damien 6 - CGCFAD
ESP LTD M-200FM - DGCFAD
Ibanez Zebrawood Electric/Acoustic - DADGAD
and My custom that I’m building with my friend is going to be my main guitar for playing live, EMGs for both Bridge and Neck and might put a single coil EMG in the middle. Still not sure what kind of body I should cut though. I was thinking LP style body since I don’t have any single cutaway electrics. Gonna take a look at woods really soon and go from there. This project is bound to run me a pretty penny in the end, but it’ll be so worth it. Once I get the money and the parts, I might run a post by post picture blog style thing for you guys if you’re interested.
As far as music that I’ve been playing, I’m working on a new album for my solo project, which was mainly metal video game covers for a while, but as I listened to more indie music I’ve really found myself recording this style much much more. Not sure what direction I’m going to take the full album, but the EP I’m running has much more of an indie progressive influence. Might stick to VGM covers tbh.
Got my jazz yesterday. Man, this thing is has smokin’ tone.
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq348/kazamamaster/IMG_20110315_191914.jpg
Most of the time, mods aren’t necessary except to fit personal taste, which applies to any bass you buy. Many people have bought SX basses with the intent to swap pickups and ended up sticking with the originals, including myself.
What I meant to say was most people end up doing small mods instead of the really being necessary. Sorry if I mistyped that.
However, most people who do leave the bass stock, from what I read on talkbass.com many people actually do a shielding job themselves on the bass.
Most mods I’ve seen to the SX basses are usually preamp changes- most people opt for the Audere preamp.
niiiiice 
speaking of basses, i just finished my “ashy to classy” repaint of my friend’s bass.
while the bass was drying i cleaned his fretboard and polished his frets
then i got back to the body.
first application of swirl remover
second
fifth (i ain’t doing more than that. he isn’t that special 
)
and here it is all put together. all i need to do know is string it up and pray it doesn’t blow up my amp. 
how does it feel to read posts from a master luthier on a video game forum?
That restoration is hot. Great job.
Feels good man
I’ve actually been on talkbass.com quite often trying to find prices on a luthier to repaint my jazz I just got. I’m not totally sure just yet-- I love the natural finish and if anything I kind of want a transparent white finish, which I’m not sure if anyone other than a professional would be able to pull off.
But otherwise, Shaft Agent, I’m impressed. Very impressed.
thanks :china:
he’s my guinea pig for my new paint job process. if his bass looks ok after a few months it will be my new standard for everything i paint.
and now i’m off to Houston to give it to him. toodlez!
also SADOWSKY instruments are classy as hell. i ran across his site a few months ago.
Sadowsky’s are beasts.
So yeah Shaft, drop the whole making a custom stick for me. You might have another guinea pig on the refinish thing. I think an old school 60’s style teal green would be uber sexy. Change the pickguard for a white diamond pearloid and OMG. I’m searching for pricing info on paint jobs now.
After much debate I’ve decided to invest in Randal V2. Messed around with the thought of a 6505+ for a while but the V2 caters more to my tastes. Would love an Engl but don’t feel like selling my body to get one. American high-gain FTW. USA! USA!(please excuse the fact that parts of the V2 are made out of country). Now I’ll toy with the thought of owning a Bernie Rico Jr. Vixen.
so yeah, i gave my friend his bass. “thanks, but i’ll probably never play this bass again because my new $500 bass sounds better.”
master luthier status: acquired
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and yeah, i don’t have the J12 foot controller for it
yeah, that’s cool. that bass was still rattle can spray paint, but i do have an air compressor/ paint gun set up that i’m going to start using because it’s better and i can make custom colors with it. i’ll post pics of me painting the tele i’m building with it once i get to that point to see if you’re still interested.
Oh yeah. Hurry up and finish it— the paint job that is…
Inferior? I think not good sir. But I will state first off that I am almost exclusively a heavy metal player so I usually don’t go looking for versatility as far as being able to get a blues or classic rock tone though it is nice to have I suppose. And secondly I am a proponent of solid state amps, my cyclone will eat up a triple rectifier. I’m also a whore for power so 400 watts makes me cream. It’s all subjective at the end of the day man and personal tastes rules all… But no, my amp rules you.