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Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: bobdaman27 on 08 Mar 2008, 14:43
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Yeah, at my band's show today, the neck snapped off. It was homemade though and its been put through 80x what it was designed for so its kinda to be expected.
So I haven't bought a bass before, i'm looking for reccomendations and im a fan of thinner necks.
price range like 0-500
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If you are looking for a traditional jazz style body, you want to check out sx, which you can find at rondomusic.com
Otherwise, and even if you are into jazzes, check out Cort, seriously, they are amazing for how little they cost.
I have one which became my first choice over playing my ric in most cases.
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Hmm... I'd just head on up to your local music shop and see what they'd recommend for the price range.
I loved my Schecter Stiletto for the couple months I had/used it. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand playing bass (plus, the band I was with broke up), so I sold that sucker in a hot minute and picked up an old 100 watt tube amp...which I am again, about to sell, because I just don't have space, and I can't crank it (I like my neighbors. :\ ).
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This guy does amazingly good work out of St. Louis for less than $500. They are all custom repros of p and j basses, but with better action and no hum issues. I own one and love it-
http://cgi.ebay.com/60s-PRECISION-BASS-REISSUE-CUSTOM-BUILD-PRO-SET-UP_W0QQitemZ380004282827QQihZ025QQcategoryZ64401QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem
Check out his ebay store and see if there's anything you like. He will also do any other standard combination you want (i.e. alder body with rosewood neck, basswood body with maple neck, etc.) The dude's great. PM me if you want contact info.
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I don't play bass, but I like the look of this one:
(http://eastwoodguitars.com/Bass/classic4/images/bass_Orange-classic4.jpg)
Its at the top end of your price range, but Eastwood makes nice guitars, so they probably make nice basses.
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My daughter's favorite bass is her Yamaha TRB1004 (http://www.bassplayer.com/article/yamaha-trb1004/jul-06/21410) Believe me, the kid has a shit load of basses to choose from and it is consistently the one she always wants to play precisely because the neck is fairly thin. I plink around on it sometimes and it's got a slimmer neck and faster action then some of my guitars.
That particular model is a wee bit above your price range, but Yamaha makes some nice (and seriously underrated) instruments. It's kind of a grab bag with them though. You really have to inspect each instrument individually for quality. Most of them are just fine, but some real junk makes it through their QA department.
The only other bass she is really after me for right now is a Rickenbacker 4003 (http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=4003) again because of the thin neck. Now that one is waaaaaay above what you want to pay, but I include it for illustrative purposes because having played the Ric, she likes her Yamaha better. Schecter also makes some nice basses right at the top end of your price range that you might like for the neck.
Since I have now confessed that I'm a) old and b) a parent, here's a couple pictures of her gigging with her TRB, and one of her hanging out with David Ellefson. Feel free to berate me for not being cool.
[(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii164/awethelmet/IMG_1853.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii164/awethelmet/IMG_2003.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii164/awethelmet/IMG_2213.jpg)
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Try out a few Ibanezes. Many have necks that are very thin with incredible action, and there are at least several models within your price range.
Drawbacks:
1. the truss rods of some of the cheaper models can develop a mind of their own
2. you might be left wanting for mid-range sound
3. and you might end up looking like you belong in a nu-metal band
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Also in that price range, I really like the Peavey Grind. It has a slim neck, exotic wood construction, nice woody tone, neck through construction, and Peaveys have notoriously rock-solid construction. I'm not a fan at all of "modern" looking basses, but I have seriously considered buying this badboy to add as a dirty secret to my collection. It's hands down a better bas than the Ibanezes in the saem price range. Check it out here-
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-Grind-Bass-4-BXP-NTB-Electric-Bass-Guitar?sku=511363
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Yeah, at my band's show today, the neck snapped off (snip)
(snip) im a fan of thinner necks.
I think I see the problem, sir.
Just buy a Fender P-Bass. It is the only instrument you will ever need.
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Yeah, at my band's show today, the neck snapped off (snip)
(snip) im a fan of thinner necks.
I think I see the problem, sir.
Just buy a Fender P-Bass. It is the only instrument you will ever need.
Seconded, kinda. If you're snapping necks off, then you might want to stick to Squier. I know around "musicians" the name Squier is synonymous with the name "AIDS", but some of their newer stuff is really, really nice and much improved. Just stay away from the Affinity ones.
I like this one a lot http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-TB-Precision-Bass?sku=519758 , but if you want a thinner neck, try a Jazz bass http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-70s-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639. You can't beat 'em for under three hundred bucks.
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All I'd never need in a bass would be a nice P-Bass.
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All I know about basses is that my dad has an Ibanez he bought in 1975 for 1200$ that sounds fuckin' sweet.
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Just buy a Fender P-Bass. It is the only instrument you will ever need.
FIGHT YOU!
Seriously, P-Basses are kinda lame. You at least need humbuckers.
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Humbuckers on basses are lame. They take away too much treble, which is useful when you're popping/slapping/picking, in my experience. No treble = no angry sounds.
I know around "musicians" the name Squier is synonymous with the name "AIDS", but some of their newer stuff is really, really nice and much improved.
I still have never been able to convince anybody (except maybe Eugene and/or Shane) that Squier really isn't as shitty as a lot of people like to circlejerk about. You can stay.
And seriously, there has never been anything I couldn't do on a P-Bass. When it comes to instrument rigs of any type, I believe in simplicity, and the P-Bass is no exception.
You could always get a Jazz Bass. Fender's got a Geddy Lee signature one and it is rad as hell. I have played one.
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My friend has a Squier strat, and while I would say it is good for the money, I would much rather have a more expensive one if I could afford it.
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Just buy a Fender P-Bass. It is the only instrument you will ever need.
FIGHT YOU!
Seriously, P-Basses are kinda lame. You at least need humbuckers.
What's a 2 coil pickup called, again?
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You could always get a Jazz Bass. Fender's got a Geddy Lee signature one and it is rad as hell. I have played one.
I play a jazz bass, mofo. Sup. What's a 2 coil pickup called, again?
haha i get it
I mean humbuckers as in this (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Music-Man-StingRay-5String-Bass-Guitar?sku=515556) silly.
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A staggered-bucker? I don't care. I just don't want to have two coils picking up any one string on a bass. There's something horribly wrong about the sound it produces when there's two coils that close to each other, both of them picking up on the string. I HATE that sound.
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Okay I take back everything I have said in this thread.
I was just playing some mathy/hardcore shit on my old squier p-bass and it was ridiculously good. I just need to get some new pickups for that thing and it will be godly in combination with my j-bass.
/hypocrite
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That makes a total of 5 people who don't blindly hate Squiers.
Any other takers?
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well I don't blindly hate squiers, every instrrument i own is a heavily modded entry level one
not a fan of P basses dude, i just cant l ike.. i don't feel them
and as for the neck snapping off, the autopsy revealed the screws stripped their holes and just stopped functioning, its not like it b roke in half. The neck was starting to bend, but that was due to lack of a truss rod.
currently digging some ibanez sr's squier jazz's and some schecters via i nternet, going bass shopping tomorrow
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The only other bass she is really after me for right now is a Rickenbacker 4003 (http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=4003) again because of the thin neck. Now that one is waaaaaay above what you want to pay, but I include it for illustrative purposes because having played the Ric, she likes her Yamaha better. Schecter also makes some nice basses right at the top end of your price range that you might like for the neck.
The current 4003s have kinda chunky necks actually. They were really thin in the 70s.
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Having never played one personally, I'll take your word for it. Her music teacher has one that she's ape-shit about and she tells me it's the neck that she loves. I'll have to ask her teacher what year her Ric is.
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Seriously, real men play a P-bass. Want thumpy, dub sound? Check. Want deep biting growl? Check. Want nice, round, warm classic rock tones? Check. All that with just a volume and tone knob and plucking hand placement. I love my p-bass. J basses are nice, but the p-bass gets the love.
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FIGHT YOU!
Seriously, P-Basses are kinda lame. You at least need humbuckers.
James Jamerson played a P-Bass. This means you are wrong, because I can't see how anyone can seriously say Motown didn't have good bass sound.
I prefer jazz basses myself though, and I have to say the Squire P-Bass I have sounds a bit like flicking a rubber band attached to a plank.
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www.talkbass.com go to the bass guitar forums.... nuff said
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have you ever heard a stingray or any other Ernie Ball bass?
If you have to have an active EQ to get that sound, you're doing something wrong.
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Talkbass.com? Let's not confuse the poor guy. If you post there looking for a good bass under $ 500.00, you'll get a 10 page arguement about why seven string basses are superior to four, and people will suggest basses made of petrified redwood strung with the intestines of extinct animals that cost $ 22,000. You know, for the TONE, man.
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I would buy an instrument made out of petrified redwood.
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[...]sounds a bit like flicking a rubber band attached to a plank.
I actually played an Ashbury bass two weeks ago. They had one at Smashing Guitars in Asheville.
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Talkbass.com? Let's not confuse the poor guy. If you post there looking for a good bass under $ 500.00, you'll get a 10 page arguement about why seven string basses are superior to four, and people will suggest basses made of petrified redwood strung with the intestines of extinct animals that cost $ 22,000. You know, for the TONE, man.
If they haven't changed in the 6 or 7 years since I stopped posting there, then this is completely true.
Might wanna try though, just to see what happens. Could be interesting.
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Talkbass.com? Let's not confuse the poor guy. If you post there looking for a good bass under $ 500.00, you'll get a 10 page arguement about why seven string basses are superior to four, and people will suggest basses made of petrified redwood strung with the intestines of extinct animals that cost $ 22,000. You know, for the TONE, man.
doesn't that kind of sound like every post ever posted on THIS forum only with different topics? the way we blow things way out of proportion in a very elitist sense?
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No... not really.
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the way we blow things way out of proportion in a very elitist sense?
Hahahaha oh man this guy is chock full of irony
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Can I have some? I need to make a new poker for the fireplace.
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okay yeah so i went to the local music store today, and i ended up buying an ibanez soundgear. it was absolutely amazing to play, had the greatest feel and has unbelievable range of tone with the active eq's. the eq's give it alot more like THWUMP y'know its pretty fuckin' sweet. on sale for 370.
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Definitely got the thin neck you wanted too. Mine feels like it weighs about 3 pounds, assuming yours is that light too?
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That makes a total of 5 people who don't blindly hate Squiers.
Any other takers?
I dig Squires.
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I still have never been able to convince anybody (except maybe Eugene and/or Shane) that Squier really isn't as shitty as a lot of people like to circlejerk about. You can stay.
Well, your Squier is made of epic win and god. You got lucky with the stock one and you did a great job modding it.
I do believe that they have made a decent guitar before, but it's extremely hit or miss. They're nice for fucking with.
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I've played lots of Squiers though and I seriously think they are the most underrated guitar brand that exists right now. Eastwood is a close second, but only because not enough people know how amazing they really are.
Seriously. Graphite nut (or just slack the strings and color the nut grooves in with a mechanical pencil). Locking tuners. Your Squier will be at least 30 times more playable than you ever thought possible, and it just takes another $85 and an hour's worth of your time.
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I'm with Patrick on this one.
Nothing wrong with a Squier.
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The guitars themselves aren't bad at all. It's the lack of attention to fine details and small parts that gives them a bad name.
One of my coworkers at the guitar shop I work at, for fun, takes Squier basses and guitars, puts in all new hardware and electronics, fixes up the details (neck edges, nut, tuners, etc), relics them, and puts a Fender decal on the headstock.
He then gives them to broke musician friends so they have cool instruments to fuck around with that play great. Occasionally he'll sell one as a "modified Squier" for $500-700 (he puts great electronics and many hours into each one).
Eventually when I have the knowledge necessary, and like $400 to burn, I'll do one.
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Gene give me his number I'd like to place an order
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Same.
(gene can he turn a Jagmaster into a straight-up Jag?)
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Yeah I'm sure, but it'd be more expensive for the parts and shit. I doubt he's willing to take orders, anyway.
I was more pitching the idea for anyone with the balls and/or experience to try it themselves.
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Shane I doubt anybody can turn a Jagmaster into a Jag. It'd require a hell of a lot of routing for an entirely different bridge and tailpiece + electronics. I mean, I don't doubt it's possible, but it'd be more worth your while to go on Ebay and just get a MIJ/CIJ.
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I think someone's done it before, but I can't remember who.
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So normally, I'm all "Don't buy a FenderŪ unless it's 'merican." Yesterday, my rather patient girlfriend went with me to three music stores bass browsing and I stumbled upon a wine-red Mexi J Bass with FenderŪ custom shop series jazz bass pickups, a silver pearl pickguard, brand new Schallers and a total refret. Played like friggin' butter; sounded like heaven, only boomier. Out he door for three bills even. All it needs now is a bridge upgrade (probably a Badass II) and a bridge cover ('cause they're cool) and it'll be perfect. I've learned my lesson- no more ethnocentric bass buying.
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So normally, I'm all "Don't buy a FenderŪ unless it's 'merican." Yesterday, my rather patient girlfriend went with me to three music stores bass browsing and I stumbled upon a wine-red Mexi J Bass with FenderŪ custom shop series jazz bass pickups, a silver pearl pickguard, brand new Schallers and a total refret. Played like friggin' butter; sounded like heaven, only boomier. Out he door for three bills even. All it needs now is a bridge upgrade (probably a Badass II) and a bridge cover ('cause they're cool) and it'll be perfect. I've learned my lesson- no more ethnocentric bass buying.
American Fenders usually have possibly better h/w and possibly worse construction than their Japanese counterparts.
Guess which of these you can fix.
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Plus, the American and Mexican models are pretty cookie-cutter in the looks department. The really cool stuff is made in Japan. Like the Jag bass and a few other unusual ones. I like browsing the Fender Ishibashi site, but I haven't looked into how difficult it would be to get them to ship one to the US.
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Plus, the American and Mexican models are pretty cookie-cutter in the looks department. The really cool stuff is made in Japan. Like the Jag bass and a few other unusual ones. I like browsing the Fender Ishibashi site, but I haven't looked into how difficult it would be to get them to ship one to the US.
mustang mustang grar rar ra
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The Fender Geddy Lee signature is a great bass to play. Classic look with a classic tone and the Badass Bridge all combine to happy fun for all genres!
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I didn't want to make another thread so hopefully it's all ok.
I wanted to ask something:
I'm looking for a bass and I'm a completely n00b about the subject, I just have the strong will to back it up
I found this Cort G-series 4 string + Warwick Blue Cab 30Watt Amp (http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/1701/7923721502.jpg) for around 120 euro., second-handed.
Like I said before, I don't have a clue about this subject, I just have the will to try it out and well, you have to start somewhere, right? :-)
Could you guys tell me if it is worth it? I'm not really looking for anything special since it will be my first instrument ever (well, the first one that I buy anyway), I just want something good for learning and since I can afford it and it has already an amp...
Thanks.
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What's the absolute max you're looking to spend?
as far as amplification, i'd suggest a fender rumble of some sort, or a bass pod. I'd reccomend looking at some ibanez basses as well. Even though you've never played an instrument before you should try before you buy, just to get a feel of the neck, weight, and sound.
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That appears to be a cheap bass, which is fine for your first instrument, of course. It does mean you should make sure there aren't any dead frets, though. When you are looking at it, just play each fret and make sure you can get a good note out of it.
Don't know about the amp, but Warwicks tend to be good basses, from what I remember. Don't know if that transfers to their amps.
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What's the absolute max you're looking to spend?
Even though you've never played an instrument before you should try before you buy, just to get a feel of the neck, weight, and sound.
Well I don't have a lot of money so I can't spend more than 200 euro for bass + amp. :P That's why i was searching in second-hand websites in the first place
I've been familiar with some basses since a couple of months so yeah... I know that I have to try it out before buying(That's common sense though) and I will bring with me a friend who can help me checking everything is alright.
Thanks for the answers guys, keep them coming if it is possible :P
The main question is that in the case of everything being fine with every part of the bass and amp... will it be a good deal?
Because I don't know about different brands. :)
Thanks once again.
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Edit: So I went through some research and found other options, some prices are quite low and makes me doubt but I will post them anyway.
- Marshall 10watt transistor amp, two canals: clean and overdrive, for cd and mp3 (http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/7595/2641649087.jpg), around 70 euro
- Randalll, 43watt for 90 euro (http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1548/6688678360.jpg)... Then again, I don't need something huge since it's just so I can practice home.
- two small marshalls, 10 watt each, the upper one is a G10 MkII and the one down is Valvestate 10, model 8010. Made in India and england respectively (http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8991/6403343232.jpg) 70 euro both and 40/50 euro if I buy just one. I want something small for my room so this seems fine(?)
- Yamaha RBX350 (http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1307/3697694377.jpg) 85 euro, at first it was 110 euro but the owner changed the price.
- Ibanez GSR 100 (http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3699/7560711500.jpg) for 70 euro, the owner says that he bought it for 190 euro and it's around 1 year old.
And of course the Cort G-series 4 string + Warwick Blue Cab 30Watt Amp that I posted before for 120 euro.
Thanks!
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The gsr-100 looks like a good deal to me, but as far as amps go would at least get a 30w. Maybe you should try to get that warwick separately? Squier basses tend to be pretty ok as well (not the bullet series though) so I'd keep an eye open for one of those as well.
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Yeah, it seems like a good deal to me too and I agree with you about trying to get the amp separately.