If you were going to get a new bass you would get a ____

[slakjaw]

I bought a new Aria PRO II when I was 17 years old. I think I paid like 500 or so for it. Been playing it for 13 years. I think my B-Day gift to myself is going to be a new bass. Give me some ideas

[TimT]

Get an Alembic

[tc-sacto]

I'd get one of these.

[slodave]

I still have my Aria Pro II Cat Bass. It really does go to 11.

[Chocaholic]

Yup....striper.

[billyboy]

Definitely a large mouth bass

[rouxroux]

It really all depends on the "style" of music you are wanting to play and what "sound" you want. I've gone through probably about 75-100 basses in my life and have whittled down my electric "players" to about 10 and "collectors" to about 10.

As for me, my next bass will probably be a post WWII Framus upright with cutaway. I usually carry around a Yamaha Silent for my jazz jobs, but would really love the upper register ease of playing ( and sound) the Framus offers.

EDIT: The "Bassmasters Classic" is going on here this weekend, and I have not seen any anglers like the one above (although there is 1 lady pro competing).

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Wal.

[azasadny]

Rickenbacker 4003

[Les Paul]

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-American-Vintage-62-Precision-Bass?sku=510298

[Gogar]

What's your budget? What kind of music are you playing?

If you're trying to go econo, I'd suggest a Fender Highway 1 Jazz bass or PJ (kind of a combo of P-bass and Jazz bass). You can get into those for $500 or so.

If you like the idea of a Fender-ish bass but wanna spend maybe $1000 I really like G&Ls.

After that, you can spend $2k, or $3k, or $4k, and it starts getting pretty crazy.

Actuallly this is a perfect time for you to go to Guitar Center and sit there with the snot-nose-shredder kids and play a few basses and see what kind of bass feels good in your hands, that's most important.

[turbocarrera]

http://www.dingwallguitars.com/html/main.html

[crustychief]

I had a Rickenbacker, wish I still did, I liked out of my guitars. I had a Geddy Lee Fender and an Ernie Ball Music Man. Lost them in my divorce and now I just have a fender squire. Gogar and Rouxroux said it best though. So many different actions/ strings ...... I am no Jaco Pastorius, so I kind of like my cheapo beater, works just fine for me.

[slakjaw]

The place in my neighborhood has a used Warwick Corvette and a used G&L. I will probably choose one of those 2. I don't want something really expensive, just something different. My Aria is a versatile bass and is fun to play. I like how G&L's feel but I have never played a warwick before.

[Tishabet]

Factor!

[targa911S]

As others have said, it depends on the music you are playing. As a "shotgun" approach I would say go with a Fender (yes I said it) American J bass. Under $500 if you wheel and deal. They hold their value, and play forever. Now I personally don't like Fenders and I have had my share of them. However, they are a great all around bass. I had a Fender Aerodyne Jazz bass that was pretty slick, I almost kept it.

On my wish list is a white, or korina wood Gibson Explorer.

It would look great with ..

[craigster59]

If used bass prices are anything like used guitar prices right now, I'd check out the classifieds on a good bass forum. Great deals to be had.

[jwasbury]

Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray. Great sound, no frills, made in USA. Pro quality for a reasonable price IMHO.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by turbocarrera

http://www.dingwallguitars.com/html/main.html

This makes me want to start playing bass!

[speedracing944]

I bought a Ibanez Sound Gear 1305 5 string back in 1994. It is still one of my favorite basses to play. I havn't found one yet I like more.

Speedy