Opinion on Bass Guitar

[zefm]

I'm thinking about buying an O.L.P MM3 5string bass. I was just wondering if this is a reliable bass and a good one to buy in the $200- $300price range, and if not... any suggestions?

[Buck62]

I highly recommend this one.....


http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=SR305DX

Most places are asking $339.00 for them, but I just got one at Guitar Center for $299.00 two weeks ago. There's always room to haggle.

This is a really nice bass for $300 bucks... it plays like a dream and the tone is awesome.

[zefm]

okay, thanks for the recomendation

[zefm]

any other comments/suggestions?

[noiseportrait]

Ibanez and Yamaha are the only brands that I'd look at in that price range. Most manufacturers just can't seem to get the necks right on their cheap basses and bass with bad action is a horrible instrument to play. For some reason Ibanez and yamaha get it right most of the time and they sound okay too. It is very important that you play the instrument before you buy it. Do not buy a bass online unless you are familiar with the model and the manufacturer's consistency, which is a big problem with cheap basses.

[ahuimanu]

Funny you mention this bass...

I was just in a GC this afternoon marvelling at the quality of this instrument - given the price. I played a 5-string and was amazed and how smooth the neck was and how even tones were across the fretboard.

Salesguy offered it to me for $230.00, but I probably don't need a 4th bass (wife doesn't think so - that's for sure). I don't have a 5-string though - so I am tempted.

J-

[pennylink]

If you'd consider buying used, take a look at a PeaveyT-40 bass. Made in the USA from the late-seventies to the mid-eighties or so, built like a tank, tone to spare. This is a 4-string bass that you can pick up for around $200-$250. The only problem is that it's extremely heavy, which could be a problem for gigging.

Another good (used) bass is the Ibanez Roadster or Roadstar.

Either of these would give you a professional-grade used bass for the price of a new entry-level instrument.

If you absolutely want new, I would tend to agree with the Ibanez and Yamaha suggestions made above.

[smattermonnat]

I bought one a few months ago (musiciansfriend) and I love it. I've never played any of the other recomendations but I can tell you that I am satisfied in every way w/ the OLP.

[Chill]

Hamer Cruise 5. No longer made, but that just means you get to pay for used instead of new!

[79_Les_Paul]

Here's the 5 string I own....

http://www.traditionguitars.com/MTB250.htm

Very nice guitar....but it lands a little higher than your looking...I paid about $550.

[ahuimanu]

I went ahead and got that OLP MM-3 5-string I was playing with... nice for the money. In fact, I've never played an instrument this cheap that was so well-behaved. I'd count it as an oddity rather than a norm.