Incredible Basses Under $1000 You Never Heard Of

[@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

[@abezwin72]

Yes...cort are awesome...

[@DaUnforgiven1]

Makes some Ibanez. High end is made in Japan. Some is made in Korea too

[@joemisek]

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

[@Bassic778]

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]

@@Bassic778 YES HARLEY BENTON BZ SERIES VERY GOOD FOR THE BUCK

[@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!

[@mistersounds2006]

ive been thinking of getting the M2...lol i have an old wacked out ibanez gsr205 so anything NEW is better

[@tommarsh554]

@@mistersounds2006 If I was buying a new bass right now, 4 or 5 string, those Sire basses are just a tremendous value. The tone is great and they look spectacular.

[@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

[@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

[@jamesobrien1614]

I’m getting an mtd Saratoga bass soon

[@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.

[@fidellhenderson8087]

I thought the MK bass sound was kinda thin it looked good. I've actually given some thought about owning one...

[@Funkbass85]

@@fidellhenderson8087 they do because of the electronics; it’s the only compromise, but IMO it makes the bass sound similar to a Warwick Thumb. I will warn you and anyone else, they don’t follow j bass pickup dimensions so swapping pups takes a bit of work.

[@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 👊

[@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

[@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

[@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!!

[@davidrios8408]

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

[@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)

[@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

[@Marc_With_No_Locs]

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

[@joyofbass6118]

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

[@zonbassman71]

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

[@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

[@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 😍

[@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

[@glenn105]

@@laronbrown4324 Were the EMG’s an exact fit?

[@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!

[@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🍺🇨🇦

[@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😂

[@AllAboutBasses]

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

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Definitely Sire should have been in the list

[@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!

[@evidenceeriamiatoe3815]

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

[@urbanadventurer5]

I never heard of Michael Kelly guitars before this. I am impressed. That Pinnacle version they have looks pretty legit too. 👍🏾

[@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.

[@nicholson227]

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

[@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.

[@ElricX]

That Charvel in Lambo Green is is sweet!

[@bigsweep3603]

Just got the MK5 for my birthday last week. Cant wait to dig into it!!

[@willieelliott352]

That groove with the MK is nasty

[@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!

[@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

[@Ken-il3rq]

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

[@brandonwebley9860]

Great video just bought a charvel bass

[@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.

[@paulx2117]

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

[@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.

[@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 .

[@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

[@tommarsh554]

New players now are very fortunate... I started playing when I was 15 and hadn't really grown into my body. I was tall, but my hands were smaller than they are now. My first bass was a short scale, but it wasn't this good... It was a Harmony 4 string which I strung too heavy, so its tiny truss rod couldn't keep up and it warped and warped and warped... If I could have had a Stingray for $600 as a beginner (adjusted for inflate, my Harmony would could over $450 already) I'd probably still have my first bass instead of trying to learn how to defret a bass with it (and failing.)

[@slapnpop826]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@lesliwells5433]

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

[@kahlen109]

I picked up one of those Michael Kelly's and I whole heartedly agree about playability out of the box, it feels wonderful. Its nice and light due to the mahogany body, and I love mine. One area I feel its lacking is in the electronics, specifically the preamp. Its very loud like it didnt have the best grounding, but it also sounded a little cheap and unclear to me. For lack of a better word, it felt like it wasn't confident. I decided to change out the stock preamp for an Audere 4 band preamp, plate and all, and whole cow, it opened up this bass so much. Its crisp, clear, and feels like a confident soul. If I'm being picky, I'd also switch out the pickups to something a little higher quality, right now I'm looking into the Anaconda Bass Pickups, but you dont need them. Its beautiful just with the upgraded preamp, and rivals any bass I've ever played under $2000, and even some above that. Highly recommend it, Travis if you want to do a review on it and still have the stock Micheal Kelly, let me know

[@YoGekko]

What preamp did you end up swapping into that bass?

[@kahlen109]

@YoGekko I went with an Audere 4 band eq jazz preamp. It was was pretty much plug and play except for some minor soldering for the grounding wires and battery wires. Everything went together very well and it really improved the bass. I also threw in some Anaconda Bass AC5-TN pickups (at least I think that's the model, and holy crap, the bass seriously feels like I paid 2 grand for it

[@YoGekko]

@@kahlen109 Nice, I think I'll pick up the preamp. However I've never done anything with electronics in a bass before. Any more specific caveats or anything you needed to be careful of aside from the instructions Audere provides for the element 5r?

[@kahlen109]

@YoGekko Nope, as long as you can solder, it's super straight forward. The hot wires for the pickups are put in place using set screws on the circuit board for the preamp, so the only soldering you'll need to do is the grounds most likely. I had to end up soldering my battery connection, but that was bass specific. Other than that, I didn't run into any issues. Again, Audere makes it super user friendly, and it's a breeze to install if you buy the whole plate, and it sounded great afterwards. If you're running the same Michael Kelly, then I would also recommend switching out the pickups, because I noticed a little bit of background noise with them, and when I switched the pickups to the Anaconda AC5-TN's, it all went away

[@YoGekko]

@@kahlen109 Thanks! I do have the same bass from Michael Kelly but I'm just not a big fan of the preamp. Did you end up getting the whole plate to drop in? Or the classic module? Seems like the plate would be easiest but not sure if it was a drop-in replacement for this bass or if it would look strange with the chrome plate instead of the black.

[@iamgribs]

All 3 sound nice. Consider also: Sire, Schecter, Yamaha.

[@robertp457]

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

[@PeterDSinghJr]

Love Michael Kelly!

[@chuckfinley3152]

Cortek (Cort) makes most of these in Indonesia, modern cnc machines make it easy to make really high quality stuff, usually it's the hardware, electronics and the fret ends that are suspect

[@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

[@CaribbeanPhotoGuy]

Part 2 please

[@albaker2780]

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

[@Blakelysworld358]

That Michael Kelly bass is legit!

[@kennyblackbird5674]

Wow Michael Kelly for da Win!!

[@johnwallace7694]

Boy i really am impressed with the charvel sound hmmm.

[@markdavis4754]

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

[@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

[@quentinwhite1]

Great video! I enjoyed the demo of each one.

[@lakeithhaslam1650]

Patiently waiting for the Sire Z3

[@ZEGO24x]

Another vote for Sire...

[@scottpitner4298]

Yes, Sire 🫡🤴

[@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??

[@blaurobe]

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

[@hermanking8005]

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

[@mladenbrocic4936]

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

[@alexgregorio7863]

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

[@qtipg1]

I love the scooped sound of Fodera the best but, it would cause too much of a scoop in my wallet. MTD and F Bass are great alternatives without breaking the bank on their lower cost products.

[@sunman108]

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

[@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 ?

[@lesliwells5433]

THE NEW SIRE F BASS SERIES,FOR THAT PRICE WITH SWITCHABLE, SINGLE-COIL,SERIES, AND PARALLEL,NON-ACTIVE,AND ACTIVE,ROLLED AND ROASTED FINGERBOARD

[@BobJones-bh9qz]

It’s $1,600 though bro

[@lesliwells5433]

@@BobJones-bh9qz I know well worth it with those electronics, never need another bass, with all the configurations it has.....

[@vic.nicmusic]

It's literally just the M5/7 on a different body for almost $1K more...

[@martijnprins5751]

One of the first things i learned was how to set up my bass guitar, i know exactly what i want and am able to to get it.

[@discobassgroove]

The Michael Kelly sounds really good honestly

[@ChaseTheBass878]

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

[@lukaa721]

Please do a review on the Bacchus bass guitars

[@ikehebube7153]

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

[@englewoodrecords2872]

Charvel is owned by Fender and manufactured in the Fender Mexico plant. That model has a Fender neck. Obviously, Fender owns Jackson too.

[@HeinzStockhammer]

I would like to hear your rating of Marcus Miller basses V7 or V8, very affordable prices.

[@RiccardoPearlman]

I would love to see some 24 fret J's in a lower price point. I've seen the MM Sires, but then things get pricey quickly.

[@1koolkat1]

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

[@michaeldevose8923]

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

[@cliffdickson]

Your thoughts on the Marcus Miller Sire bass

[@champ6436]

fine instrument, i have a 1rst gen V7 5 string and a 4 string 2nd gen. all the issue i have with those basse is the same kind of issue you would have with any jazz bass aka C shape profile not that great for a 5 string ( better to have a D shape or even flatter shape the wider the neck become ), some dead spot 5-6 fret on the G string, single coil hum when soloing a pickup, preamp a bit complicated for some ( i don't like to have 7 knob jumble together on a small controle plate. ) the string spacing on the 4 string is 20mm too and i was never satisfied with it as i'm a more 18 to 17mm kind of guy. that being said, they have a lot of model and i'm really interested in their Passive pbass the P5, their short scale U5, their passive 24 fret jazz the V5-24 and their new V10 is a gorgeous instrument. ( if that black V10 had 24 fret and a flat neck profile i would buy it without any hesitation)

[@jameschristy8756]

My first bass Sire Marcus Miller P7 5 String. Love it.

[@robertcamp1606]

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

[@sillywilly0169]

Great videos sir

[@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

[@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.

[@SDGirl05]

I have a stingray sub 5. I love it

[@Quincy-g7f]

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

[@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.

[@strada21_]

Michael Kelly probably the best sound here in this vid

[@steviedebarge77]

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

[@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?

[@grrlpilot4]

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

[@Warrior_1112]

That loop🔥🔥🔥

[@bassfawks1673]

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

[@johnnycroy]

Charvel (Shar-Vel) owned and manufactured by Fender. Jackson is a separate line, also owned by Fender.

[@elijahjare3838]

Should do a sire marcus miller bass review

[@groovegyan4131]

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

[@MISTAMUSIK]

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