Looking for a cheap bass?

[rsm]

I played bass back in the day too. I had a fretless (Ibanez SR400 or SR800 IIRC?) back then and I've been looking for a fretless bass for awhile but didn't want to spend much. I got a great deal on a new Stagg fretless ($200) on ebay:

The pickups are weak, but not noisy; set-up and intonation was fine out-of-the-box. very playable. not sure on their fretted basses, but if you need a basic bass to record or whatever, they're worth a look IMO.

 

[Dimebag11]

Get a squier vintage modified jazz

 

[dfrattaroli]

Second the Squier. I got this one with a hard case NOS for about $250. Amazing quality. You wouldn't believe the action and sound. Excellent hardware too.

 

[cardinal]

German Warwicks can be found around $500 and at that price pretty much blow away anything else I've played.

 

[spguitar]

Blacktop P Bass all the way!

 

[the rossness]

Howdy fellow bassist,

Sterling is making great basses- Honestly, I'd get one of their lower end basses and upgrade the PU, tuners ect. That's what I did.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by ... -Guitar.gc

Rondo/ SX make great )really cheap) P & J bass coppies. A few years ago, I had an upgraded SX bass and a Fender Geddy Lee, and honestly, I liked my SX better.
http://www.rondomusic.com/ursa4mnpj.html

While not the cheapest (you mentioned Ibanez), the BTB series basses are great! They make 4,5 and 6 string BTB basses, so you've got your choice. Their active EQ is also pretty spot on.
http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eb_det ... color=CL01

I'd also check out some of the stuff Schecter and Spector make.

Peace~