Hey everyone, this may be a strange detail but I’m hoping you guys can help me put together a list of options for bases that have some sort of inlays on the fretboard. I have really bad vision and clear markers really help me find where I am on the fretboard. I know this is pretty limiting and unfortunately I really need the price to be below $700. What do you guys think?
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Check out the Squier Classic Vibe '70’s Jazz Bass. They go for $400 brand new and the block inlays might be just what you need.
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I’ve got really bad near vision, and I find rosewood fretboards easier on my eyes…but I just built a bass with a maple fretboard (so go figure!). Maple is harder for me to pickup the strings, but I can see the markers on the top of the neck.
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LEDs? I would imagine there’s some reasonably priced ones out there.
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You could go with rosewood and white block inlays and use strings like this…
If you also use a black body, it would all stand out really well.
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If darker fretboards are easier than i would suggest the Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar. Also $399 new. I have one of these that I put a set of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups in and it sounds awesome.
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Wow!!! What a trip, kind of cool. Could help with poor eyesight for sure.
You could get one of those DEAN CUSTOM’s like @Mao has. They have those really bright Black fret inlays on a Green fretboard. pretty cool looking, and I hear they sound really good, as it is a P-bass
$199-$249
Jackson basses do those cool triangle fret inlays
$299
$549
Schecter Basses do some nice fretboard inlays
$699
$499
I think you have many options with $700 budget
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Love those Jackson head stocks!
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Thanks so much for the advice everybody! I don’t really have a problem seeing the strings, it’s just that I need some clear markers to know where I am on the fretboard. I currently have a Squire CV and it’s perfect. I am just looking for my next bass that I told myself I can have at my next birthday in a few months. I’d like something active with humbuckers just to be different from what I have. I’ll look at those Schecters I haden’t considered them.
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I just might look into this. I had really been leaning toward the Yamaha TRBX 604 as my next bass and this is an option for my only concern. Thank you…
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I really LOVE the feel of a Schecter. i have never picked one up that didn’t feel great. their necks and fretboards just feel smooth as butter.
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I can strongly recommend the TRBX604; best feeling bass I have ever played. I keep going back to it, love mine.
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The dean has big markers and its got a super smooth finish. My dad is legally blind so his solution was always a strip of electrical tape along the back of the neck for feel. Granted alot won’t care for that solution I used it up until I had a muscle memory for the fret positions.
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Yeah, I am also legally blind. It’s funny you said that because while I appreciate all the suggestions I’m really not down with LEDs and was thinking I should get the base I want and just use a low tech solution like some tape on the back of the neck.
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What. Have. You. Done?
There’s no reason on this earth for me to have this, and yet… 
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