KVR Audio

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 3:15 pm

I'm looking into picking up a bass guitar. I've been playing guitar for a while (though not very good at it), so it should be an easier transition than if I never played any stringed instruments.

I'm going to be playing just about any style of music, from the most polite to the most aggressive, and all playing styles (finger-picking, slapping, strumming, fret-tapping, picking...etc). So, which guitar would you guys recommend? I think I probably want a 5-string since it's more versatile(though my heroes like Les Claypool, Wooten..etc seem to use more 4-strings), but still not too crazy like those 6+ strings monsters.

I'm considering the good ol' classics like the Fender jazz or p-bass, as they seem to be the most common. My price range is roughly $400~$700, and I don't mind getting used ones on ebay. I'm considering the Line6 Variax 700 or 705 (though now discontinued) as well, since they can model a wide variety of basses. I don't mind that they aren't perfect copies of other basses--for starting out I think it's fine. Down the line as I become a better player, I'd know which bass(s) I'd like to hone in on and then build up a collection.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

susiwong · Post by **susiwong** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 3:37 pm

You could take a look at the cheaper Yamahas, even the cheapest are very grown-up instruments at reasonable prices. Paying a bit more will buy you better hardware and pickups.
When testing an instrument look for consistent tone, sustain and volume all over the fretboard, dead spots are quite common with basses and there's not much you can do when a bass has them.
Ymmv,
Cheers,
susiwong

kara · Post by **kara** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 3:45 pm

You could allso have a look at the Cort artisan bass serie.
I have a B4 (amongst others), very good allround bass.
Not extremely fantastic on slapping but it passes.

If you are planning on playing live, I would advice against the Variax, I have one.
Great for the studio, way to fragile for live use, and beside that to heavy...

z15 · Post by **z15** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:17 pm

I wouldn't go down Variax route either - rather get a very good sounding basic bass than something that tries to be ten things at once and probably nails down none of them perfectly. That's just my opinion on the subject though. I have a 4-string Fender P/J bass (jazz body & neck, kickass Nordstrand Precision + Jazz bridge pickups I installed) I've been very happy with myself (lusting for a fretless now though) but there are obviously many other brands to check out too. My friend liked Cort basses that kara recommends above, but I haven't tried them myself.

Susiwong gives good advice. I've found that Yamaha is pretty good as far as cheaper basses go, but the other piece of advice is essential: especially cheaper basses can be inconsistent in quality - one individual might be awesome, pretty much no dead spots, straight neck and so on, and other of the same model might be a lot suckier to play. The setup (how high the strings are, intonation, etc) is another thing but that's something you can fix yourself of course. But you'd better either try out any bass you buy yourself, or at least be sure that the seller is honest and knowledgeable and tells you if there are any problems.

TalkBass bass guitar forum: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=45
TalkBass used basses classifieds: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=126

You'll find lots and lots of opinions and trustworthy sellers in there. I'd say your best bet would be to find something used there, many of the sellers do know what makes a good playable bass and can tell you if there's something wrong with the neck, any dead spots or whatever.

pgvpgv333 · Post by **pgvpgv333** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:35 pm

Have a look at Ibanez also. D o I say, that have just bought a Yamaha B414, but that that is also nice. Tested a Musicman today in the store. DONT DO THAT. It is just to good!!!

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:52 pm

Thanks for the suggestions!

If I get the Variax, I would only be using it in the studio. I don't play live and don't intend to--at least not for years until I've gotten good enough. I'm more concerned with how the bass sits in the mix since I come from the composing/arranging side of things, so I tend to treat each instrument as equally important, and it's unlikely I'll compose anything that focus on the virtuoso performance of one instrument. I understand that the Variax won't have perfect emulations of the various bass models, but if they are close enough to sound good in a mix, I'm fine with that.

I'll also take a look at the other suggestions too.

Speaking of Musicman, I'm drooling after the Stingray, but way above my price range.

z15 · Post by **z15** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:53 pm

MusicMan Stingrays are pretty awesome yeah, although they have kind of "either you love it or you hate it" type sound and neck - both big, funky and chunky. I'm actually thinking of getting one some day if I ever end up being a better player than I am now.

z15 · Post by **z15** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:02 pm

Lunatique wrote:If I get the Variax, I would only be using it in the studio. I don't play live and don't intend to--at least not for years until I've gotten good enough. I'm more concerned with how the bass sits in the mix since I come from the composing/arranging side of things, so I tend to treat each instrument as equally important, and it's unlikely I'll compose anything that focus on the virtuoso performance of one instrument. I understand that the Variax won't have perfect emulations of the various bass models, but if they are close enough to sound good in a mix, I'm fine with that.

I'm mostly a studio man too (except that after picking up a good bass and getting more into practising, I've actually started to jam with friends and take my instrument with me again) but I've been kind of growing tired of all kinds of expensive multi-function emulations as far as hardware goes. They just don't feel too fun anymore.

I mean, I'm happy to use a software guitar / bass amp sim to get work done but I'd rather get a non-modeling amp for playing (heh, currently using for bass an old German general purpose tube amp and a ported speaker a guy I know built). Ditto with instruments, I'm happy to use sample sets of stuff I don't have or can't play, and some of the soft synths (Zebra 2, MiniMonsta, Orca, Audiorealism Semi-Modular, etc.) sound damn awesome and fulfill my needs for actually making songs... But I don't really fancy expensive hardware VAs or traditional instruments with digital modeling going on - give me an old temperamental and crappy analog monosynth or a Fender Jazz for playing instead.

So I'm not really saying that emulations suck since they often don't, just that I find it more fun to own and play different kind of stuff myself even though I basically never gig. Opinions, assholes...

geoffrey · Post by **geoffrey** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:20 pm

Here is my two cents...
A Stingray as mentioned before is a good choice, but maybe above your price point. If you get a cheaper bass think about having a Badass bridge installed. They sweeten and fatten up any bass. That reminds me that the Geddy Lee Jazz bass with Badass bridge is about 800 bux new. Try one out at your local music store and see what you think. Probably what I am buying next...( I have a Stingray and Ric 4001)
Cheers,
Geoff

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:43 pm

+1 for Yamaha. I'm playing an old Yamaha bass from the late 80's right now, been poorly cared for, and is still easy to play and sounds great. Yamaha makes good low-end stuff.

Lunatique · Post by **Lunatique** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:50 pm

I'm now considering a Stingray 5--I think I can find a reasonably priced one used.

Anything I need to know about stringrays in general (besides the already mentioned "big and chunky")? Does its characteristic powerful sound make it less versatile for other types of playing?

spuddle · Post by **spuddle** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:01 pm

Any specific Yamaha bass models that I should be looking out for? I have fallen in love with my Pacifica, such a good guitar for only $140 (inc. case!)

susiwong · Post by **susiwong** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:14 pm

If you can afford an instrument in the Stingray class, by all means do so (not limited to Music Man products, though there's certainly nothing wrong with them).
With stringed instruments it's actually preferable to buy s/h since the wood has had time to settle, wood problems are more likely to happen during the first two years or so.
As for the 5 string I'm not so sure.
Personaly I'd recommend a great 4 string, most bass players I know who own a 5 string still prefer their trusty 4 string, better playability and to most people the flabby B string is more of an annoyance than a plus. There are exceptions, of course.
Cheers,
susiwong

Barf · Post by **Barf** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:25 pm

I dont like the sound of the Stingrays, but i have to admit , they play like a dream

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:27 pm

spuddle wrote:Any specific Yamaha bass models that I should be looking out for? I have fallen in love with my Pacifica, such a good guitar for only $140 (inc. case!)

I don't know; the one I'm using is literally almost 20-years old...I'd recommend anyone to go to their local store and just try them out. Anything in the same range as the Pacifica; I think RBX is their low-end series now, which look kinda cool, actually...

Affordable and great all-around bass guitar?