Having played a Fender Esquire in Southport I want to maybe try it more, I rather enjoyed it, although it is totally new to me. It's not that I have much to spend on it, but a bit of help and advice may be good here?
Is there a second-hand market for instance?
I want a bass
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- KVRAF
- 7672 posts since 9 Nov, 2003 from Netherlands
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- KVRian
- 864 posts since 9 Jul, 2001 from Chester County PA, USA
A good second-hand used bass (or guitar for that matter) can certainly be nice, and perhaps "broken in" to a nice degreeMystahr wrote:Having played a Fender Esquire in Southport I want to maybe try it more, I rather enjoyed it, although it is totally new to me. It's not that I have much to spend on it, but a bit of help and advice may be good here?
Is there a second-hand market for instance?
...however, I would definitely recommend doing so by checking out ones available at a local music store so you can see just how much you might like the way it feels and plays, as well as sounds. I tend to feel the same way about new basses and guitars as well. Since these are (usually) wooden instruments, each one will tend to have it's own unique feel as well as sound, even if they're the same make, model and year. I usually like to go and spend some serious time with a bunch of them before coming to a final decision.(though mind you, my new Chapman Stick is finally due to arrive here this Friday (whooo-hoooo!
)....and I've never even touched one of them before I ordered it. 
But the chances of finding used Sticks in a local music store to actually try out is usually nil to none, so... 
)Of course, that's just the way I go about doing it...I know other people who have had good luck getting new or used instruments mail-order (or through eBay, for instance).
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- KVRAF
- 4182 posts since 10 Oct, 2002 from Nashville, TN USA
I think you'd enjoy having a vintage EKO 995 bass. They are usually less than $400 on Ebay, have a fast neck, and the tone is really very nice on its own. I've put nylon flat-wounds on mine, and it sounds like an upright a little now. Not to mention that you can alter that tone dramatically either in software or through a cab emulator like the Line6 bass pod.
It's fun to pick it up and just write a riff - it's semi-acoustic, so you don't even have to plug in. I can sit on my porch and breathe fresh air and write. I love it.
http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/eko/viola/995.html
The above link shows one with all the hardware intact. There are some variations from the factory such as the pickup selector (mine is a big flipper toggle). Sometimes on Ebay people will have them with the pick guard missing, etc. The pick guard isn't really necessary, but if you want a vintage one, keep that in mind.
-Shane
It's fun to pick it up and just write a riff - it's semi-acoustic, so you don't even have to plug in. I can sit on my porch and breathe fresh air and write. I love it.
http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/eko/viola/995.html
The above link shows one with all the hardware intact. There are some variations from the factory such as the pickup selector (mine is a big flipper toggle). Sometimes on Ebay people will have them with the pick guard missing, etc. The pick guard isn't really necessary, but if you want a vintage one, keep that in mind.
-Shane
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- KVRAF
- 4182 posts since 10 Oct, 2002 from Nashville, TN USA
There are two EKO 995's on Ebay right now. Search "Eko bass". One of them will ship to Europe.
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- KVRist
- 446 posts since 3 Jan, 2004 from Serbia
I somehow read the title as "I want a boss!" 
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- Banned
- 6127 posts since 1 Apr, 2004 from Et in Arcadia Ego
Mystahr, from my experience playing, I would recommend you break yourself in with a used Fender Jazz, or Precision. You can find either in every 3rd place you look & probably a hundred on ebay..
Get an old one. I had a '69 Precision & I miss that one every day
Get an old one. I had a '69 Precision & I miss that one every day
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- KVRian
- 864 posts since 9 Jul, 2001 from Chester County PA, USA
Absolutely...I'm a total sucker for Fender Precisions. Ahhh, the weight, the feel, the sound...sickle666 wrote:Mystahr, from my experience playing, I would recommend you break yourself in with a used Fender Jazz, or Precision. You can find either in every 3rd place you look & probably a hundred on ebay..
Ouch...yeah, I'd cry too! That must've been one sweet bass!sickle666 wrote:Get an old one. I had a '69 Precision & I miss that one every day
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- KVRAF
- 2356 posts since 30 Sep, 2003 from Sunny Staffordshire
I used to work in the guitar section of a music shop, and i always found that with customers theres really no accounting for taste! The only way to choose a guitar is to try them out, cuz one mans finest axe could be anothers bog brush. Go round your local shops and if you find something you like get the haggle on for a decent price. I also recommend with second hand gear that you get at least 12 months guarentee with the shop. And shop worth its salt will bring instruments into 'good playing order' before selling them on, and as a result should have no problem with this.
And hey, if you are ever in the Midlands check out MIR and Sales (my uncles shop!). They have a habit of getting some really nice second hand gear, all restored (by top engineers) and guarenteed.
http://www.mir-sales.co.uk/
PS. Wow thats my first plug, please slap me if i become a spamoholic
And hey, if you are ever in the Midlands check out MIR and Sales (my uncles shop!). They have a habit of getting some really nice second hand gear, all restored (by top engineers) and guarenteed.
http://www.mir-sales.co.uk/
PS. Wow thats my first plug, please slap me if i become a spamoholic
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- KVRist
- 159 posts since 18 Jan, 2004 from Portland, OR
I have two Ibanez basses (one 4-string, one 5-string). I personally like the feel and sound of these.
The other guys are right... Go to the music shop and spend a few hours trying em all out. Once you find that one, you'll know...
The other guys are right... Go to the music shop and spend a few hours trying em all out. Once you find that one, you'll know...
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- KVRist
- 109 posts since 19 May, 2002 from Boston
If you're living in a large city, there must be some kind of internet newsgroup for second-hand instruments. The price of instruments at those local networks tend to be lower than ebay (BTW, never buy an instrument from ebay...you can never tell if an instrument is good or bad until you touch it).
And like Har already mentioned, you should go to a local music store and play American Fender P-bass or Jazz bass (they are the standard of a good bass), and know what a good bass feels like.
And be patient until you find the bass that feels right to you. Finding your instrument is like finding your soulmate. You don't meet the one easily but once you see the right instrument, you'll instantly know that's it.
And like Har already mentioned, you should go to a local music store and play American Fender P-bass or Jazz bass (they are the standard of a good bass), and know what a good bass feels like.
And be patient until you find the bass that feels right to you. Finding your instrument is like finding your soulmate. You don't meet the one easily but once you see the right instrument, you'll instantly know that's it.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
As mentioned, Jazz and Precision are pretty much the standard; however, they may not be for you. I have a Fender American Jazz sitting right next to me here, and I have to admit, I am starting to actively dislike it.
I tried a Music Man the other day in a shop, and it felt and sounded much better to me. However, they can be expensive, so take a look at OLP (it's a cheaper 'licensed' Music Man) basses. Also, if you go with a Precision or Jazz, the Squier line (the cheaper Fenders) are still quite nice.
And finally, if you're a curious type, you can build your own P-Bass from numerous kits sold on e-bay... let me find one... HERE we go. Type in "bass kit" or "Saga Bass Kit" and you'll find shedloads of them, all for around $100 US. To build it, you just need standard tools. I've never seen one in person, but my friends at the Project Guitar Forum say they're decent enough quality (better than some low-end basses in the stores) and are well worth the money paid. Ie. they may not be the best basses out there, but you won't be getting ripped off. For the price of a medium-priced plugin, you get an afternoon project AND a real bass guitar!
Greg
I tried a Music Man the other day in a shop, and it felt and sounded much better to me. However, they can be expensive, so take a look at OLP (it's a cheaper 'licensed' Music Man) basses. Also, if you go with a Precision or Jazz, the Squier line (the cheaper Fenders) are still quite nice.
And finally, if you're a curious type, you can build your own P-Bass from numerous kits sold on e-bay... let me find one... HERE we go. Type in "bass kit" or "Saga Bass Kit" and you'll find shedloads of them, all for around $100 US. To build it, you just need standard tools. I've never seen one in person, but my friends at the Project Guitar Forum say they're decent enough quality (better than some low-end basses in the stores) and are well worth the money paid. Ie. they may not be the best basses out there, but you won't be getting ripped off. For the price of a medium-priced plugin, you get an afternoon project AND a real bass guitar!
Greg
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Robert Randolph Robert Randolph https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7328 - KVRAF
- 2226 posts since 25 May, 2003 from Saint Petersburg, Florida
I have some Im selling. PM me with your price range!
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- KVRian
- 1024 posts since 8 Mar, 2004 from Network 23
Argh - well 25 years ago I started with a Peavey DynaBass. I traded it for a Travis Bean and boy was that ever a mistake. I bought a more modern DynaBass in 1985 and had it go south on me - the neck kinda went bonkers - my guitarist friend has it now hanging in his studio - we call it "Frankenbass" because (a) we're doing everything we can to get the neck back in shape and because we use it to do vile sonic experiments with.
The point of all that blather is that Peaveys are underrated - might be worth checking one out at a used shop.
I currently own a "Mexican made" Fender Jazz Fretless - at under $300US it was a steal. I bought a 1992 Rickenbacker 4003 stereo off E-Bay and boy howdy I'm glad I did. For fretted bass work there's nothing better - the narrow nack makes it easy to play, the sonic combinations available are very good supporting finger or pick styles nicely, and the thing just stays in tune. The Fretless Jazz and the Rick are on stands behind me as I type this - always at the ready.
My fourth bass is a Hofner Beatle Bass (1963 reissue). My wife won't let me buy any more basses...can't imagine why...
You can't go wrong with a used Fender P or J Bass, though, but don't limit yourself - if you see a used Peavey or Rick, try 'em out.
The point of all that blather is that Peaveys are underrated - might be worth checking one out at a used shop.
I currently own a "Mexican made" Fender Jazz Fretless - at under $300US it was a steal. I bought a 1992 Rickenbacker 4003 stereo off E-Bay and boy howdy I'm glad I did. For fretted bass work there's nothing better - the narrow nack makes it easy to play, the sonic combinations available are very good supporting finger or pick styles nicely, and the thing just stays in tune. The Fretless Jazz and the Rick are on stands behind me as I type this - always at the ready.
My fourth bass is a Hofner Beatle Bass (1963 reissue). My wife won't let me buy any more basses...can't imagine why...
You can't go wrong with a used Fender P or J Bass, though, but don't limit yourself - if you see a used Peavey or Rick, try 'em out.
We shall see orchestral machines with a thousand new sounds, with thousands of new euphonies, as opposed to the present day's simple sounds of strings, brass, and woodwinds. -- George Antheil, circa 1925 ---
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- KVRAF
- 4682 posts since 6 Jan, 2003
finding the right bass is a personal matter. everyone has their own opinions on what sounds and feels best to them. this is *not* just a consideration for experianced players. even someone completely new to bass will find themselves gravitating more towards certain tones and feels than others. and since its going to be strapped to your body, and you're going to have to listen to it, it ought to have a sound and feel that suits you...not your friends or the salesman.
here are a few suggestions / things to look out for:
1: try *everything* you can...different brands, models, pickup types, woods, price ranges, etc. doing this will give you a better idea of what your options are. i even recommend trying out basses that far exceed your price range. it just helps further your knowledge of the tones and feels available. and when you find a bass in your price range that has traits that remind you of the really nice expensive stuff, you know you're on to something.
2: for any bass you are actually thinking of buying...play every note on the fingerboard. yes, every fret on every string. make sure they all ring clearly and sound good. you dont want to discover after you've already bought it that your 15th fret on the D string buzzes horribly, or 9th fret on the A has zero sustain.
3: pressing the strings down to the frets should be easy to do. if the bass is setup well, even a 5 year old has enough strentgh in its fingers to fret a bass. so if you are trying a bass thats uncomfortable (or downright difficult) to play, ask that it be adjusted by the store tech or the salesman. if they cant adjust it without it buzzing like a fiend and they give you some line like "basses are supposed to have high action" dont buy the bass and dont trust that salesman. basses do not need to have high action and these days even lots of beginner basses are built well enough to play great.
4: try out the knobs. make sure they dont crackle when they turn and that they dont make a popping sound when you tap on them. also, wiggle the jack a little bit too. that shouldnt make any noise either.
5: try the bass both sitting and standing. make sure that it feels comfortable both ways. for example, some seem ok when sitting but weigh too much on your shoulder when standing. others feel fine when standing but slip off your leg when sitting.
if you check for these potential problems, and you try lots of stuff, you will have a very good chance of ending up with a bass that you'll be happy with for a long time.
as you can probably guess, i recommend buying in person rather than online. but if you do decide to buy online, make sure the store has a good return policy.
-ugo
here are a few suggestions / things to look out for:
1: try *everything* you can...different brands, models, pickup types, woods, price ranges, etc. doing this will give you a better idea of what your options are. i even recommend trying out basses that far exceed your price range. it just helps further your knowledge of the tones and feels available. and when you find a bass in your price range that has traits that remind you of the really nice expensive stuff, you know you're on to something.
2: for any bass you are actually thinking of buying...play every note on the fingerboard. yes, every fret on every string. make sure they all ring clearly and sound good. you dont want to discover after you've already bought it that your 15th fret on the D string buzzes horribly, or 9th fret on the A has zero sustain.
3: pressing the strings down to the frets should be easy to do. if the bass is setup well, even a 5 year old has enough strentgh in its fingers to fret a bass. so if you are trying a bass thats uncomfortable (or downright difficult) to play, ask that it be adjusted by the store tech or the salesman. if they cant adjust it without it buzzing like a fiend and they give you some line like "basses are supposed to have high action" dont buy the bass and dont trust that salesman. basses do not need to have high action and these days even lots of beginner basses are built well enough to play great.
4: try out the knobs. make sure they dont crackle when they turn and that they dont make a popping sound when you tap on them. also, wiggle the jack a little bit too. that shouldnt make any noise either.
5: try the bass both sitting and standing. make sure that it feels comfortable both ways. for example, some seem ok when sitting but weigh too much on your shoulder when standing. others feel fine when standing but slip off your leg when sitting.
if you check for these potential problems, and you try lots of stuff, you will have a very good chance of ending up with a bass that you'll be happy with for a long time.
as you can probably guess, i recommend buying in person rather than online. but if you do decide to buy online, make sure the store has a good return policy.
-ugo
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- KVRist
- 381 posts since 13 Mar, 2002 from purple
to bad you are not state side.. i just got kicked out of my band where i played bass.. now i have no need.
fender jazz bass, big ole peavy amp.. i bought the whole setup for $200
such a shame
fender jazz bass, big ole peavy amp.. i bought the whole setup for $200
such a shame
worst signature evar