View Full Version : Bass for Bass player
Kazanski
12.18.03, 12:40 PM
I know you guys probably get this a lot, but my bass player is looking for a new bass, he is just starting out and currently owns a washburn xb102. While this bass isn't terrible, we play a lot of shows and will be in the studio in March of next year. We play heavy alternative/emo type stuff, but we are versitile so the bass needs to be too. Right now he has $250 to spend, should he wait and buy something when he has more money, or is there something out there that is a good buy that will be better than his washburn (used is an option). At the most he probably wont spend anymore than $350-400. He doesn't necessarily need any active electronics, but I don't know much about bass so let me know.
He is playing through a Hartke 3500 head, a Musicman Cab. Any help is appreciated. I am looking at the Warwick RockBass, Spector, and Scheter basses right now, but really have no clue what is good or not.
He should save up and get a much better bass than you can get for $250. He may be able to get some financing and get a good bass now though, if he want's to go down that road. If he does he should probably look into a MusicMan Bass - it seems to fit the style you described. A P-Bass is pretty good too - but he will need to test drive a lot of them before he can pinpoint the one he likes.
I don't know alot about that price range but defineatly go to some local shops and try stuff out. Ibanez makes decent stuff in the lower price ranges, so that might be worth a look. If he intends on keeping this for a while saving up a little more money would probably be a good idea though.
Originally posted by Crash
I don't know alot about that price range but defineatly go to some local shops and try stuff out. Ibanez makes decent stuff in the lower price ranges, so that might be worth a look. If he intends on keeping this for a while saving up a little more money would probably be a good idea though.
I would have suggested an Ibanez but it just didn't seem to fit the image of the music described. Ibanez makes some good stuff around the $500 range. Avoid the cheaper stuff though...
Kazanski
12.18.03, 1:04 PM
Thanks. I am torn between having him save up for something really good, and having him buy an intermidiate bass that he will have to replace in a year anyway but sound better now. I want him to sound better, but it's not my money. Anything used that I should look for a deal on?? Intermidiate stuff?? Thanks again.
fender jazz bass! $419 new.
Kazanski
12.18.03, 3:37 PM
Sorry, I din't realize that someone had asked the exact same question as me. Sound wise, what is the difference between bass pickups? Thanks.
Originally posted by Kazanski
Sorry, I din't realize that someone had asked the exact same question as me. Sound wise, what is the difference between bass pickups? Thanks.
To tell you the truth positioning of pickups has just as much to do tonally as the p'ups themselves. Jazz sound smoother - they are deisgned with wide pole spacing for the strings so you don't get the punch that comes from P-Bass p'ups. As stated P-Bass pups are punchy sounding because they are closer to the neck and have a smaller magnetic field that makes them have a pop. P-Bass is not as good for funky bass sounds - in large part because it is difficult to get good treble. A hybrid bass with both types of pups is more versatile, it can be funky or punchy.
The MusicMan sort of combines a lot of the qualites of both. It can be very punchy, trebly, smooth, or deep. It has an active pup which is splittable for more pop and has large poles so that you get a balanced magnetic field. They are pricey but worth it.
Rickenbacker - great trebly pop - not much low end. Very good if you want a bass to use a melody instrument (think REM) and not just as a rhythm instrument.
Gibson Basses - I wouldn't really bother - I've never reallyplayed one I cared for.
i like my squier p-bass; despite the quality of their guitars, my bass feels pretty good and sounds fendery (i didn't say "like a fender" so no one get all bothered). my bassist borrows it lots of times because he doesn't much like the feel of his ancient tele-looking p-bass (:eek: ).
also i heart fender jazz basses. they feel so good. if i played bass in a band and had the money i would totally run out and get one.
conclusion: fender is great, but for me squier basses will do.
Ibanez and Yamaha make good stuff in the lower proce ranges. Comftable and versatile. I never cared much for jazz basses ot Fenders on the whole, but lots of people sware by them, just make sure he buys on in person (Fender have terrible quality control.) Check out the Ibanez SR or SRX series, brilliant, and cheap lower down the range.
Hope this helped,
Jack :D
thunda-berd
12.20.03, 8:59 PM
well, there are nice fender p- and jazzbasses on www.music123.com on the price like 350-400$.
King Buzzo
12.22.03, 10:40 PM
precision bass all the way
Originally posted by thunda-berd
well, there are nice fender p- and jazzbasses on www.music123.com on the price like 350-400$.
I would seriously recommend against buying a poplar body instrument if you think there is a chance you ever want to trade up. You may spend $350-400 on it butthe trade-in value will be null. Trust me- you'll want to trade it in eventually...
King Buzzo
12.22.03, 11:07 PM
Originally posted by cubby
I would seriously recommend against buying a poplar body instrument if you think there is a chance you ever want to trade up. You may spend $350-400 on it butthe trade-in value will be null. Trust me- you'll want to trade it in eventually...
you made a good point
opendoorbass
12.30.03, 8:31 AM
Hey man, I just got a new Schecter Stilletto Elite 5 and it kicks some serious ass... you can get them for less than the musiciansfriend prices if you know oh to bargain the store clerks down. I got mine for $100 less than the MF price... (and that was at a Guitar Center, too)... Just tell him to save the extra $300 to $350 and get a Schecter, they are amazing basses for the price...
avenger86
12.30.03, 6:05 PM
You could also have him go to:
BassGear (http://www.bassgear.com)
I just bought an old USA Schecter Jazz bass there for 550. If he is looking for a jazz bass then youi might find something...I saw quite a few US Fender Jazz basses there for around 500 bux....give it a try. Used is def the way to go IMO.
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