Incredible Basses Under $1000 You Never Heard Of

Discover some incredible bass guitars under $1000 that you probably never heard of before! Perfect for beginners all the way to PRO players on a budget.
I just wanted to make a video going over some great basses that are not super expensive that would be an upgrade to any bass player!
I know that there are some basses that I missed, so if any of you guys know of any more that I didn't go over let me know in the comments.
Sterling by Musicman Sting Ray | www.zzounds.com/a--3979428/it...
Charvel Bass | www.zzounds.com/a--3979428/it...
Michael Kelly Bass | www.zzounds.com/a--3979428/it...
Let me know which bass is your favorite in the comments!
Check out my website | travisdykesmusic.com/
Video Chapters
00:00 | Start of Video
00:54 | Sterling by Musicman Stingray
04:52 | Stingray Audio Test
06:28 | Charvel Pro Mod
10:08 | Charvel Audio Test
11:51 | Michael Kelly Element 5R
15:46 | Michael Kelly Audio Test
17:30 | Outro
Thanks for watching!
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[@joemisek]

I would also suggest the basses by Sire. Excellent stuff, very affordable and generally quite versatile.

[@KeithCopeland778]

I agree!!! I've had my Sire Marcus Miller 1st gen V7 5 since 2016 and it's the BOMB!!!! Also, Harley Benton makes some really good basses for the money. That Michael Kelly bass is very nice!!!

[@carpentercrumbaugh6460]

Love my Sire V7!

[@brittanykurgatmusic]

👏👏👏 yes

[@RadityoPramAdi]

I got my Sire M2 in Nov 2023. Sounds great, feels great. I did change the preamp with bassmods beq12 ( a matter of taste, the original preamp is working fine).

[@lesliwells5433]

@@KeithCopeland778 YES HARLEY BENTON BZ SERIES VERY GOOD FOR THE BUCK

[@romeou4965]

Don’t sleep on the Cort brand of basses. Several series to select from. The Cort Indonesia factory makes Ibanez, fender squiers, lakland skylines, g&l tributes. Yep.

[@joaniepeters2565]

Yep for sure

[@jermainelong1843]

The Michael Kelly sounded nice and round in the mix in finger style. Clear winner for me.

[@lesliwells5433]

MICHAEL KELLY AND MIKE LULL VERY GREAT BASS

[@paulx2117]

As always, excellent video Travis! Thank you for doing demo, Michael Kelly bass very cool! Rawk On!

[@2011FOG]

Travis, the content of the video is superb. You present informative commentary that showcases your personable character, gift for instructing, and adoration for great basses. Keep groovin, Bro.

[@sunman108]

Dude, your vibe is amazing! Thank you for this review

[@quentinwhite1]

Great video! I enjoyed the demo of each one.

[@JA-ut8fi]

Man, it keeps getting better which each bass, great video! And oh my goodness you can’t not talk about the playing, very tasty!

[@JustJames27-cv5xg]

Dope! Awesome vid Travis I picked up a Micheal Kelly 5r last week. This is really an amazing bass not to be over a thousand dollars. It's really a gem!

[@edburdo]

Another plus 1 for the Sire basses. I've owned two. A V7 and now an M7. I know they have some newer styles out now than when I bought mine... but I just love my 5 string M7 and don't want to change!

[@steves8840]

I think Schecter make incredible basses in the beginner/intermediate price range. I have a stiletto diamond series that I bought around 2006 or 2007 for around $500 and I still use it all the time. I even took it with me on a tour a few years ago and it held up great. Very dependable instruments

[@yuri0resig]

Those were much better in that time, after 2008 they went down (like the other brands as well)

[@steviedebarge77]

Love your work I’ve been watching you grow through the years and absolutely dig your style great job bro

[@HighlandViking]

I had never heard of Reverend guitars 2 years ago and sat down and played a Mercalli 5 string and was blown away! I bought it on the spot and use it live more than my Spector..lol..love em both, but definitely check out the Reverend some time, I think you will dig it 😎 Great video by the way, the Michael Kelly was killer 👊

[@godsinbox]

Great choices, great content!

[@jeremymathias9305]

I just got a Michael Kelly Pinnacle 5 and it is an amazing bass. One of the best sounding low B strings I've heard, looks beautiful and plays incredibly, all for less than $1000

[@joyofbass6118]

Great Choice! Thanks for inspiration. Michael Kelly is the best of those. You might check Human Base Roxy B4 or B5 as well ...

[@OgagaOkwah.]

Thanks for the knowledge.

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

Love that Charvel ! After a bunch of years ,I wound up with a bunch of Fenders . AND a Korean Built "MTD Kingston" . Great bass , and in that range .

[@joshuacallwood8140]

I got that same Michael Kelly bass a year ago… I love it. Gonna change the pick ups to Bartolini soon… such a fire bass.

[@joaniepeters2565]

That’s exactly what I would do too, man.. this might be the next bass i buy down the road along with some b-axis pick ups

[@MusicianTracks]

I learned a lot from this video. Thanks

[@michael_caz_nyc]

As a guitar-player. I purchased a Sterling Stingray SS-4 (Olympic White) and it is phenomenal. My other 2 guitars are Suhr SSS Custom & Taylor 414ce-R and this Bass holds-it's own. oNe Love from NYC

[@bassfawks1673]

Great video. Tht michael kelly is gorgeous and saoumds amazing. I am considering that one actually

[@spacedaddy5517]

I like your licks and your playing dude, good stuff. Music man sounds good. Thinking about getting one, a short scale. But, also thinking about a Japanese P -bass.

[@billyjay1]

Great video !!

[@Funkbass85]

Micheal Kelly basses are an incredible bargain. They cheap out with the electronics, but they have some of the best fretwork and necks for that price point. The tuners hold their tuning for weeks at a time. I ended up swapping over to passive fender American Jazz bass electronics (they’re not a direct swap, on MK basses the neck pickup is wide and the bridge pickup is narrow) and it’s now perfect for me.

[@shyguy6185]

Cort basses definitely need some love, I bought the Cort A5 SCMC bass and its and awesome build, very solid, great electronics, single cut, multi scale, great tone, beautiful finish, I know there has to be more in their catalog that you can put in your channel

[@marclewis4609]

Cort is an amazing bass. I had an A5 beyond and it sounded phenomenal!

[@charleslyall4911]

Great video , 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️👍

[@ikehebube7153]

Pls do a video where u teach these grooves amd licks really loving it. Love what you do T-dykes

[@orkundemirayak]

Dear Travis, as always great stuff from you with tasty lines. Would it be possible to share the B minor r&b vibe backing track you've used in the sound demos?

[@slapnpop826]

Noticed your LTD back there. Been playing them for 20+ years. Another great bass for the buck.

[@willieelliott352]

That groove with the MK is nasty

[@GregoryWitherspoon-ec1ow]

I have the Michael Kelly Custom Collection 4 string. Picked it up used from a pawn shop. The pre-amp section was kind of worn out. Dropped an Audere Pre-Amp in with the three stacked knobs and the dial in passive/active fourth knob and talk about having a beast! She’s ridiculous!!

[@brandonwebley9860]

Great video just bought a charvel bass

[@zonbassman71]

Definitely try the Sadowsky SMX Metro Express. The 2023 models are under 1000. I absolutely love my Sadowsky SMX PJ

[@ci78]

I have been interested in purchasing an affordable short scale bass and put it off because I thought a quality brand would run over 1k. This video has helped me to decide to purchase a Sterling Short Scale bass. If I was in the market for another 5 string bass, I would definitely buy the Michael Kelly one for the price and look. It's dope.

[@tonybonilla4316]

Man I love this. You have now idea how long I’ve been researching some new basses. I think G&L is a hidden gem. Not the same marketing as Fender but it is Leo Fenders final hurrah.

[@GonzaReformado]

I kinda like those G&L but the G&L L2500 series 750 are over $2k and they require a mod to use the single coil config

[@redd6399]

I JUST CLICKED ON THE MK Link and purchased the bass you featured. PAID EXTRA to have it delivered tomorrow. My first real dive into playing a 5 string bass so the price point was perfect just in case I don't get along with that B.........STRING 😁 . Travis can I get those dope loops bro ?

[@luisj.sanchez6983]

Charvel Pro, sound very nice!

[@mackyelmarie5981]

After watching this video, I went ahead and got myself the Michael Kelly 5R! I returned my Sire V3 and bought the 5r. Compared to sire, MK has better build quality and better hardware. Though sire’s pickup maybe better, but I can always replace my mk5r’s pickup. Plus the looks of it is 😍

[@PeterDSinghJr]

Love Michael Kelly!

[@LyndaKraar]

I love my Sterling Ray34 for flat-out rocking/funking gigs. I'm also the proud owner of the Michael Kelly Pinnacle 4 which gives me the low lows and very distinct voicings. They are on a par for durability and dependability as my pricier basses. I would also like to give a shout out to my Kala UBASS-EBY-FL Striped Ebony Fretless Acoustic-Electric U-Bass. Perfect for compact situations and attention getting!

[@johnhood7098]

I’m pretty sure Jackson and Charvel is owned by fender. I was actually hoping that the basses were something I haven’t heard of.

[@DESIGNS-vo1mt]

😂😂😂

[@marqpace]

You’re right

[@carpentercrumbaugh6460]

The Charvels and Fenders are made in Mexico in the same building. When I’m not on bass, I play a charvel pro mod style2 guitar that is awesome.

[@johnhood7098]

@@carpentercrumbaugh6460 I’ll have to check that guitar out.

[@carpentercrumbaugh6460]

@@johnhood7098 charvel pro mod style 2 2pt HH in swamp ash. Fishman Fluence pickups. 3 different voicings

[@andrewcerecedes4757]

Love the video. And I believe it's pronounced "Shar-velle", which was the company that Grover Jackson had worked for before venturing on his own. Check out the Charvel documentary that showcases the basses they made for Michael Anthony (Van Halen). I believe they made some for Dusty Hill (ZZ Top)😎😊

[@carpentercrumbaugh6460]

Wayne Charvel is a legend!

[@ElricX]

That Charvel in Lambo Green is is sweet!

[@laronbrown4324]

I have a Michael Kelly bass. Same one you speak of. I installed the EMG pickups and preamp….WOke it all the way up!

[@joaniepeters2565]

Man.. I bet that thing sounds great! I would like to hear it with bartolini electronics too

[@BigT925]

If u don’t mind me asking which emg pickups did you install? I’m thinking of getting the Michael Kelly bass and I want to do the same

[@laronbrown4324]

@@BigT925 EMG J active pickups with BQC preamp

[@laronbrown4324]

@@joaniepeters2565 I considered the Bartolini system for the bass, but the tonal qualities of the bass lends itself to more of a modern Jazz bass. The EMG preamp can be dialed in

[@hermanking8005]

The Classic Vibe series by Fender are also well constructed & sound great!

[@kennyblackbird5674]

Wow Michael Kelly for da Win!!

[@CRguitarsnmore]

I just bought a Micahel Kelly bass to recondition, I can’t wait to try it out at church

[@lorinbrathwaite198]

Hi, awesome reviews! What's the weight of the Michael Kelly bass??

[@robertp457]

Sure should be in every conversation about $1000 and below basses. Top quality, construction and quality control.

[@Warrior_1112]

That loop🔥🔥🔥

[@AllAboutBasses]

You should try a Sire. They also have roasted maple necks that are super comfortable and very a very nice pre-amp

[@emote7312]

I was blown away about a year ago, seeing a cover band bass player using a Charvell. The music wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but the band was amazingly talented. The bass player got every sound out of it instrument. It was a different model but Very impressive

[@SDGirl05]

I have a stingray sub 5. I love it

[@discobassgroove]

The Michael Kelly sounds really good honestly

[@jimmmyyy19]

I have this bass, it’s amazing 🙌🏼

[@Ken-il3rq]

Thats michael kelly custom collection is crafted in indonesia!!! Very proud about it🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨

[@christopherfidler3019]

The Charvel's are probably the best basses coming out of the Fender Mexico Factory. Vintera II line is nice but not Fender Japan Reissue nice. Sterlings are thumpy but not quite the same as a Stingray due to the difference in magnets, parallel vs. series, preamp, etc. the neck radius and nut are a little different as well however Sterlings are great value if you modify them. That Michael Kelly bass is new to me. My recommendation for sub-$1000 (other than Sire) is G&L. I believe The Tribute Line shares the same MFD pickups and Saddle Lock bridges as the Fullerton line and the build quality is just as good as any other brand made in Indonesia or Korea. L1000, L2000, JB2 and Fallout are great basses🍺🇨🇦

[@evidenceeriamiatoe3815]

I would also recommend Sire basses. I have one myself.

[@davidrios8408]

Under $1000 I would highly recommend Sire V7 or Fender Deluxe MIM

[@lesliwells5433]

THOSE ARE GREAT,I REALLY LIKE THE PRICES OF BOTH BRANDS

[@nicholson227]

Just purchased the Sting Ray .Came out of the box set up .The Bass is Excellent. Sweetwater did me right

[@1koolkat1]

❤ that Sterling! Is there a 5-string option? 👀

[@crownedone27]

How does the Charvel and Michael Kelly compare to a 55-02 or Sire v10dx? I’m shopping for a new bass and play gospel/r&b.

[@CaribbeanPhotoGuy]

Part 2 please

[@charleslyall4911]

I’m thinking of starting to play the bass ,4 or 5 string bass ,what would you recommend thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍❤️

[@berlyjoseph1466]

4 strings it’s will be easier for you to learn the fretboard

[@ChaseTheBass878]

The charvel is my favorite bass I have owned. I believe they are made in the fender Mexico factory

[@grrlpilot4]

Squier paranormal rascal. Awesome short scale that doesn't feel like a short scale.

[@user-zn6gz4ub7w]

Travis you need to take a look at the Sire basses. You can buy a Sire Marcus Miller Z7 for $599 that would blow your mind.

[@markdavis4754]

Cort basses are well under rated, Surprised not to see one on this list.

[@robertcamp1606]

Curious: have U ever played the 'Fanned Fret' basses & what U think of them???

[@lukaa721]

Please do a review on the Bacchus bass guitars

[@blaurobe]

Tagima TBM for between 350-400$ is an incredible Stingray clone. With some modification this bass is beside a MM Stingray.

[@MsMusicman56]

This sounds promising as my shoulder is rs so I do use short scale but here in Australia this thing is just over aud1500

[@ImJustStandingHere]

I've played a lot of those Charvel ones, personally don't love them. I'm all for the history but lots of QC issues on models I've seen in stores the last couple years. Might just be the ones I've seen, but make sure if you buy one of the charvels that you see it in person first

[@lakeithhaslam1650]

Patiently waiting for the Sire Z3

[@scottcolburn9415]

What kind of strat is that? I play both as well and it looks like my ultra strat. Thanks

[@michaeldevose8923]

The Charvel and the Michael Kelly sound really good. I see either one in my future.

[@user-nu1dd4ds3u]

Thank you may we have the track names? I just bought the Kelley bass my first bass. Played keys my entire life.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Definitely Sire should have been in the list

[@chrispinelupiya3237]

Really I never knew though it's difficult to obtain one here in Zambia 🇿🇲

[@Monte-kw7rq]

Years ago G&L's Tribute Series had the M-2000 and M-2500. They was under $900, sadly the M-Series was discontinued.

[@OldPeepaw]

excellent demosntration.

[@MISTAMUSIK]

I like the 2nd bass the best sounding and looking. Had that Marcus Miller sound to it.

[@mladenbrocic4936]

Cort Artisan B5 Plus and also Cort Artisan b5 Element !!!

[@bassistdc]

Actually the 3 way knob is for series, single coil and parallel on the Sterling.

[@rhoodj]

Is it a must to change the electronic in those MK basses?

[@bassistdc]

@@rhoodj I have the Sterling but not the MK.

[@kgamaseg]

Very few have demonstrated a Strandberg Boden Standard 5 (the new model that came out) because, apparently, the Boden Original is no where to be found. If not, then maybe a Schecter J-4 Exotic. Same with this one. Very little coverage.

[@albaker2780]

Marcus Miller Sire basses... those are very good. As good as the Michael Kelly, if not better.

[@groovegyan4131]

Can you please make a demo of Michael kelly pinnacle 5??? Loads of love from India❤

[@richierich4604]

what model interface you use ?

[@MultiCoachcarter]

Fender P-bass lyte is fire!

[@OgagaOkwah.]

Wow!

[@joaniepeters2565]

Yea man.. that Micheal Kelly bass wins by a long shot.. they’ll go up in price once people start buying them. I’m gonna have to recommend any of the MTD Kingston basses, the Saratoga especially

[@alexgregorio7863]

The reason why the Michael Kelly's B string feels tighter is because it has a 35" scale!

[@charlesedwingalabre6449]

I have that same Mk

[@calvincurry8496]

I have the Michael Kelly Element 5 R. I Had a Audere Jazz Classic preamp in. She Is like really Really "Sassy" Versatile. The original preamp Had Volume- Blend- Treble and Bass Controls. The new Preamp has 3 double stacked and a tone control 1 st Volume/ Blend- 2 nd low mid/ High Mid - 3rd Bass/ Treble and a Beast Tone control. Added the preamp and the Bass Woke up. My Main Basses are MTDs. I Brought this Bass because i needed a " Fall Back Bass" and the Bass is Gorgeous. She is so Sassy now She tryin to Be too Dog lol😂

[@dexterj5615]

Wolf aio basses are amazing for the price

[@johnwallace7694]

Boy i really am impressed with the charvel sound hmmm.

[@elijahjare3838]

Should do a sire marcus miller bass review

[@brandinwilson9613]

What about Glarry basses?