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My choice may come down to a choice between Squire and MIM Fender. The Fender is more expensive but if it is right for me, nothing else will do. And I am thinking long term. Bass is now important to me, I bought the Aria cheaply to see what a bass does in a band context. Now that I have got that question answered, I want to progress with my playing. Or to sound as good as I can ever be.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/304081-musicman-usa-sub5-immaculate-l550-inc-uk-mainland-delivery/
You'll have to ask him how much it weighs, but they are the proper USA Sub models. Very nice instruments i it is in your budget.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
The Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass is a consistently good instrument. It should play nicely straight out of the box. Compared to a Mexican Fender, there will be evidence of cost-cutting but nothing bad enough to negate the price difference. The money saved at time of initial purchase could be invested into pickup and hardware upgrades at a later date.
Whichever brand you choose, try as many examples of it as you can before settling on the one to buy. Wood varies. It is possible to stumble across fabulous cheapo bargains and Custom Shop dawgs.
Money-wise, if you can stretch to a brand new Mexican Fender bass, you are not far short of affording a pre-owned American one.
I have a Stingray, which is brilliant, but for me a bit fat n' heavy, and 3 P's.
I bought a 1974 in olympic white which I loved so much that I went the whole hog and got a 1964 in sunburst. So good is it, that I got a classic 50's MIM to use for more risky gigging to save the '64.
The MIM classic 50's is stunning for the money.
In an attempt to get out of my 'keep buying more P's' trap, I've got an oddball Yamaha with J pickup configuration to see what happens.. the smart money is on me swapping it for another P... *sigh*
Three old gets, talking amongst themselves about their subjective favourites, is of limited assistance to the OP.
It's just a quick and easy way of getting a bit more cut if the room needs it. I once borrowed a Duff sig model where the owner had removed the 3 way switch and put in a blend instead. It was a very versatile instrument.
I don't usually do the back pickup Jaco thing, but a little extra clarity is nice sometimes.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
Just like with guitar I prefer balanced pickup setups. So HH Rays are fine but I wouldn't want a HS. I prefer traditional J/J Jazz basses. Ps are pretty foolproof if you stick to a trad pickup.
I'm conflicted on PJs because the sound difference between the 2 sets of strings is too much for my tastes with both pickups on, due to audibly different scoop points in the mids. However I love the sound of the strings with the P side closest to the bridge. So I guess I'd want a reverse P setup on a PJ to give that sound on the lower strings.
But you are right, once you find "your" style(s) of bass, it can be difficult to stay objective for someone else.
I actually see my inability to get on with Js as a weakness.
I'm pretty sure Rocker is older than the rest of us put together!
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
US fenders built in US by Mexicans
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
I have one. First time I played it I wondered if my genuine 64 Precision was beaten. Over time, the 64 is still a better bass in all regards, but for a bass that's £1k new or £500 second hand the 50s classic is frankly stunning.
The reason to go US is spec. I like the reinforced necks and string through bridges on the US Standards. Though if you want a classic/vintage tone and feel they probably won't be to your liking.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator