Looking to buy a bass guitar

[stoopicus]

Just go to nearest music shop and try different basses.

This is always the best advice.

[Uncle E]

Also -the reason I quoted you while replying-, I can actually play oud (not an expert though), which is a fretless instrument, so I think I can get a fretless maybe? What model can you suggest that I should take a look at?

It's not just that fretless lacks frets, it also has a "muah muah" sound that is rarely used in contemporary R&B. A fretted P, J, or Yamaha BB would be the most commonly used bass for that style.

[stoopicus]

I would absolutely avoid a fretless unless you know what you are looking for and getting in to.

[stoopicus]

Precision, yes. If you want a little bit more bass oomph, the Mustang bass sounds very similar to the Preci, but the short scale gives it a stronger bass range.

It's actually more that short scales are lacking some of the higher harmonics that longer scales have, and sound more muffled and muddy. Not necessarily in a bad way, but they certainly aren't bringing anything better to the party than a 34" scale - quite the opposite.

Agree Mustangs are adorable though. Neat little basses.

[stoopicus]

Thanks everyone, for the comments. I looked at the sound demos for Squier and Fender P-bass and yes, they have the sound I'm looking for, especially tone is set below 50%.

This is awesome that you found a tone you like already - for Squier I would suggest the CV line stands out from the rest as a better instrument. My recommendation would be to check out the CV '70s P-bass. I have played one and they are solid (though I would have swapped out the pickup, stock Fender/Squier pickups are pretty meh).

But I would also say not to exclusively focus on Fender/Squier - they are kind of the baseline instruments you compare to but there are better (and worse) choices. Nothing wrong with being the standard, but there's higher price/performance instruments in the same range that shouldn't be ruled out.

For example:



That's going to give you a bit more versatility than a pure P-bass, as you can hear as he solos the different pickups and plays combined, while still sounding very classic. It also has considerably better pickups than the Squier and some other nice features, including a very nice feeling neck with a 40mm nut that is quite a bit less chunky than a traditional P-bass.

Similarly, the Sire P5 I mentioned also sounds great and has some really nice features for feel (rolled fretboard, nice roasted maple neck, etc.)

[stoopicus]

That said - no one ever got fired for bringing a P-bass to a gig

I didn't want to downplay the value in being the standard even when there are better choices. Fender and Squier will always be viable choices even when beat out by other brands.

[cryophonik]

I would absolutely avoid a fretless unless you know what you are looking for and getting in to.

I totally disagree and I don’t understand why people think a fretless bass is such a difficult thing to play. I’ve been a bassist (former pro and instructor) for about 45 years and have taught myself and other people to play fretless. People learn to play violin, cello, and other fretless instruments every day, but fretless electric bass is somehow more difficult or unachievable by a beginner? No, it’s not and it doesn’t require any divine intervention from a higher power, just practice. Besides, many (most?) fretless basses come with lines nowadays, which makes it even easier. You play the same strings, same scales, and use the same hand positions and fingering as a fretted bass. Everything else is just nuance that comes with practice.

[Nameerf]

Don't overlook a Hofner (violin or club shape) bass - neck pickup is SUPER warm and round and bassy. Cheap, light and easy to play.

[ugo]

I would absolutely avoid a fretless unless you know what you are looking for and getting in to.

I totally disagree and I don’t understand why people think a fretless bass is such a difficult thing to play. I’ve been a bassist (former pro and instructor) for about 45 years and have taught myself and other people to play fretless. People learn to play violin, cello, and other fretless instruments every day, but fretless electric bass is somehow more difficult or unachievable by a beginner? No, it’s not and it doesn’t require any divine intervention from a higher power, just practice. Besides, many (most?) fretless basses come with lines nowadays, which makes it even easier. You play the same strings, same scales, and use the same hand positions and fingering as a fretted bass. Everything else is just nuance that comes with practice.

Agreed.

[thecontrolcentre]

I bought my first bass guitar last year. It's a second-hand Epiphone Thunderbird and sounds great imho. Could not be happier with it. I'm playing through a TC Electronic BG250 combo.

[stoopicus]

I would absolutely avoid a fretless unless you know what you are looking for and getting in to.

I totally disagree and I don’t understand why people think a fretless bass is such a difficult thing to play. I’ve been a bassist (former pro and instructor) for about 45 years and have taught myself and other people to play fretless. People learn to play violin, cello, and other fretless instruments every day, but fretless electric bass is somehow more difficult or unachievable by a beginner? No, it’s not and it doesn’t require any divine intervention from a higher power, just practice. Besides, many (most?) fretless basses come with lines nowadays, which makes it even easier. You play the same strings, same scales, and use the same hand positions and fingering as a fretted bass. Everything else is just nuance that comes with practice.

I have nothing against fretless. My reasoning for selecting fretted as a main instrument instead, especially for a first bass:

Outside of tonal qualities for specific (and relatively niche) usage for slides, slurs and vibrato, fretless brings no advantages over fretted. On the other hand, fretted are easier to pick up and learn, especially for beginners. The frets also add a timbre quality that fretless lacks (and of course vise versa as well) so really it's not that one is better than the other, it's more that they are specific tools for different styles, and fretless is much more niche.

At least in my experience.

[stoopicus]

I bought my first bass guitar last year. It's a second-hand Epiphone Thunderbird and sounds great imho. Could not be happier with it. I'm playing through a TC Electronic BG250 combo.

Awesome, it's a great feeling when an instrument just clicks with you like that.

[fedexnman]

Squier (by fender ) classic vibes series ,

[thecontrolcentre]

A friend of mine just sold his Squire "Affinity" Precision for £50 ...

[stoopicus]

A friend of mine just sold his Squire "Affinity" Precision for £50 ...

Sounds about right for an Affinity.

A CV might hold value better but you’ll still take a big haircut on resale for any Squier, except maybe the signature models.