Beginner bass rig < 1000

Ampeg Rocket Bass 210 amp
Squier Classic Vibe 70s P Bass

That is right about $1,000 and a really decent rig. Get this and you’ll be set for a while. Watch for deals and you can get under $1,000.





If you wanted to go the used route, you could look for a Fender (Mexico) Jazz or P bass and maybe a GK 212 bass combo amp. This would really be just a little better than what I posted above.

I'll echoplex what wareaglepete says exactly.

You can't go wrong with a Squier CV whether it's a P or a J ... or especially the Jaguar bass they make if you want P and J voices in one piece.



And my workshop's solid-state 2x10 Ampeg BA series combo gets raving reviews from every patron who plays through it. Sweet tone, loud enough to gig, onboard compression, everything you want and need and nothing more. I got mine from the used section at my local GC in absolutely pristine minty mint condition for $300 out the door. That was 14 years ago - it's probably a $200 amp now.

good recs here, the important development in recent years is that quality and innovation has improved as cost and weight have gone down

you can get a really solid rig - guitar and amp - in that price range nowadays