Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[negative creep]

My old cheapo bass finally kicked the bucket recently and, as i currently play the bass in a band, i need a new one ASAP. This calls for decisive action! Now, as I'm not an expert on the topic, I hereby ask for your help, fellow forumites! My budget is quite low, so i have pre-selected a few candidates within my price-range.

1) Epiphone EB 0CH short scale bass, €199

2) Fender Squier Affinity Jazz Bass, €222

3) Fender Squier Std. Jazz Bass, €239

4) Fender Squier Affinity Precision Bass, €179

5) Fender Squier P-Bass Special, €244

Which one of those, if at all, should I consider buying?
Thanks in advance for your help!

[Lummer]

I vote for an Ibanez or Schecter, actually.

I KNOW they don't look very non-metal, but like it or not the low-cost range of those two brands blow Squier the fuck away.

[doombilly]

yeah, I agree with him. Ibanez or even Yamaha have better working low-end models.

[imapiratearg]

I guess I'd have to agree.  I played a Schecter guitar that was pretty cheap, and it felt very nice and sounded it.  I'm not very familiar with their basses, but one would expect their basses to be on par with their guitars.

[The Viz]

Stay the hell away from Squier.  Seriously.  My best friend started out on a Squier P-Bass, and even he in his n00bish state could tell how much it sucked.  I personally like Ibanez.  I've never played a Schecter Bass, but the one time I borrowed a freind's Schecter guitar for an audition, I wasn't a huge fan, though I think he had his set up weird.

[ledhendrix]

Yamaha is a good bet. We had a Yamaha bass at our youth club and it sounded really nice.

[a pack of wolves]

I've got a Squire P-Bass. The sound is somewhat similar to plucking a plastic band attached to a plank. If you want to sound really thin and crappy (which I sometimes do) then it's great but it has no versatility and can't hold a note for shit.

Schecters are alright, Stagg also do some pretty good basses for those on a tight budget. A friend of mine has one and it sounds pretty nice, and came in a natty shade of light blue with gold effect metal bits. Swanky.

[Chad K.]

Here are some new basses in your price range to consider that have better construction, playability and sound than Epiphone or Squier-

Yamaha BB414 - I love these basses.  Great p-bass tone, great action, vintage styling.  I think they are every bit as nice as American p-basses for significantly less money.

Peavey Grind - These are cool.  They play a lot like Ibanez's slim profile soundgears, have nice appointments like neck-through construction and expensive tonwoods, and great tone.

Ibanez SRX300 - These aren't my favoirte, because I think they end up being too trbly in sound, and the truss rods are notorious for stripping out if you're not careful.  That said, they are very comfortable basses to play, and there are many bassplayers who like the natural added attack these basses have.

Fender FSR series - Just in case you have to have a Fender.  No frills meat and potatoes bass.  They aren't the prettiest of the bunch, but for a $25 pickguard replacement, that can be changed.  

Cort Curbow - Great active tone, very comfortable neck, high-end features.   The look is a matter of personal taste, however.  

There are lots of others I'm not thinking of right now.

[tomselleck69]

I'm in the minority here, but I would lean towards a Jazz Bass, if only because the full-blooded Fenders are such nice, well-rounded instruments, and if a Squier is at least a reasonable approximation of that, you have a worthwhile instrument on your hands. A Fender P-bass is a different kind of well-rounded but still nice, though apparently the Squier versions are pretty lousy.

I'm with Chad on the Ibanezes, in that I'm somewhat wary of lower-end models. The fact that they are EXTREMELY easy and smooth to play bodes well for them, but unfortunately the truss rods do often have a mind of their own. Also, I too have known many Ibanezes to be cursed with all treble / no mids.

Yamaha makes some great basses, but you're going to have to pay for them. Same goes for Peaveys. The dirt-cheap ones are pretty lousy. Schecters that do not cost a lot are a mystery to me and I cannot speak on them. The costly ones are beautiful, though.

Of course, this is all subjective, just based on the finite number of basses I've played. The best method is to go a music shop and play basses until you find the one that best meets your criteria for feel, sound and cost.

[dalconnsuch]

i'd get the affinity jazz bass, you'll find its worth every penny

this is comming from your resident bass playing virtuoso!

[jeph]

I did not know you played bass tomselleck!

I will just echo everyone else and say avoid Squiers like the plague. Virtually anything in the same price range is better.

As far as dirt-cheap basses go, I'm a big fan of OLP. They're knock-offs of other designs (mostly Ernie Ball/Music Man) but for the money they're surprisingly well built and playable. The bassist from Explosions in the Sky used one of their basses for a long time.

[Lummer]

As far as dirt-cheap basses go, I'm a big fan of OLP. They're knock-offs of other designs (mostly Ernie Ball/Music Man) but for the money they're surprisingly well built and playable. The bassist from Explosions in the Sky used one of their basses for a long time.

A friend of mine had 5-string stingray copy, and was/is quite happy with it!

However, when it was left in an unheated room at our highschool back in the day, for a week or so, the neck went totally banana-shaped. I guess pretty every bass would do that anyway, but still. He was not happy.

Luckily, my Graphite-neck Status bass won't ever have that problem

[tomselleck69]

I did not know you played bass tomselleck!

I will just echo everyone else and say avoid Squiers like the plague. Virtually anything in the same price range is better.

As far as dirt-cheap basses go, I'm a big fan of OLP. They're knock-offs of other designs (mostly Ernie Ball/Music Man) but for the money they're surprisingly well built and playable. The bassist from Explosions in the Sky used one of their basses for a long time.

Yep! Bass is my first musical love.

I forgot all about the OLPs, and I would definitely suggest trying one of those out. It's a real pity they're shutting down.

Warwick did a similar thing with their Rockbass line, although according to musiciansfriend.com they are a lot more expensive than I remember, and I never got play one to see if they match up to the real things. Maybe worth looking into, though.

[Dizzydes]

Avoid squiers like the plague i say. all i can say is that Yamahas rbx range was pretty hot last time i looked and they are about 600-700 dollars Australian. if you want to get a squier though, what you need to do is go to all the music shops you know and try the jazz basses, and occasionally, you'll find one that sounds as good if not better than mex fender, and just buy the one you try that sounds good. mostly though they'll sound like a weak excuse for an instrument followed by buzz on all but four frets.
i've got a warwick rockbass 5 string streamer knockoff and excepting the fact that they come badly set-up, they're pretty good, at least mine is.

[negative creep]

First off, thanks for your advice so far!

The OLPs do look nice, but as even the cheapest cost over €300 around here, they are out of my range. i may be able to afford one in a few months, but i really need a new bass within 2 weeks tops.

The problem with all those Ibanez, Yamahas and Peaveys is that I really REALLY hate the way the look. I just can't see myself playing such a thing.

As Squiers seem to be out of the question, what about the Epiphone?

[FireAarro]

Yamaha is a good bet. We had a Yamaha bass at our youth club and it sounded really nice.

I agree, cheap Yamaha basses are quality. I had one starting out, played well, sounded decent.

[onewheelwizzard]

I've heard really good things about a brand called SX, you can find their stuff on Ebay.  I haven't played one but the reviews I've heard have been pretty good and the prices are really low.

[dalconnsuch]

i'd get the affinity jazz bass, you'll find its worth every penny

this is comming from your resident bass playing virtuoso!

out of the squires he recommended though the affinity jazz bass is actually not that bad

don't judge a squire just cuz its a squire yes that usually means 99/100 times they suck but theres exceptions to every brand okay? open minds are a beautiful thing

[valley_parade]

I did not know you played bass tomselleck!

I will just echo everyone else and say avoid Squiers like the plague. Virtually anything in the same price range is better.

As far as dirt-cheap basses go, I'm a big fan of OLP. They're knock-offs of other designs (mostly Ernie Ball/Music Man) but for the money they're surprisingly well built and playable. The bassist from Explosions in the Sky used one of their basses for a long time.

Actually, squiers are making some sort of improvement in quality, from what ive heard the "vintage modified" models are pretty decent.

Yeah. The Vintage Modified P-Bass is pretty nice. My friend's got one.

[a pack of wolves]

As Squiers seem to be out of the question, what about the Epiphone?

A friend of mine has an EB 3 and hates it, although he can get a pretty decent sound out of the thing so he might just be moaning because it isn't something a bit nicer. He does have a good amp and pedal set-up though so that's probably responsible for the majority of the sound, but I'd say it would be worthwhile trying one out. Your best bet is to see which basses people have recommended you can find to try, it's always a personal thing what actually works best for you.

[hellion]

Squire Vintage Modified Jazz.

[negative creep]

Amplification is not an issue, as I am currently using the amp in my avatar.

I was just about to say "fuck it" and buy an OLP, but apparently they're fucking hard to get over here. At least the pearl blue ones.

The Squier Vint. Mods are just within my budget, I'll see about them, though right now the Epiphone short scale is the most likely to be bought.

[FireAarro]

Why do you want the Epiphone so much? This is the 30" scale, single pickup model, right? If it is, the sound will probably be pretty muddy (due to pickup style), and you might have a hard time getting used to 34" scale basses if you decided to play those later. I'd probably recommend the Squier Vintage Modern over the Epiphone EB0.

[negative creep]

I can't afford that! I favoured the Epiphone because it is bloody cheap.

Anyway, I think I have found the right bass for me: a Stagg BM 350. Thanks for all your advice!

[Thrillho]

Damn. I was hoping this thread would open with 'FOOKIN CROISSANT!'

[Chad K.]

I can't afford that! I favoured the Epiphone because it is bloody cheap.

Anyway, I think I have found the right bass for me: a Stagg BM 350. Thanks for all your advice!

I am actually begging you not to do this.  Stagg's have notoriously bad action, bad fret dressings, and often serious intonation problems.  All in all, to get a fret dressing and setup, you may be spending as much as another $50-$100.  And if the intonation is fucked due to improper fret spacing, or neck twisting, or improper bridge placement, it's just a useless hunk of wood.  See these reviews-

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Stagg/BM350/10/1

Plus, for the $250 US these things go for, there are a million other basses by Squier, Fender, Yamaha, Dean, ibanez, etc. that are at the very least playable instruments with proper intonation.  Assume that you'll pay even $50 to fix the Stagg's out of teh box problems and your selection is even wider.

[a pack of wolves]

None of those will necessarily be a problem, my friend has that exact same bass and he hasn't had any trouble with it, so long as he gets a Stagg that he tries out first he'll be fine. Out of the basses mentioned in this thread that I'm familiar with the Stagg's are definitely the best for the money, far superior to any Squire I've tried for example.

[Thrillho]

Please, someone get my joke?

[Chad K.]

Please, someone get my joke?

Yeah, hi.  I don't get it...

[negative creep]

I got the joke! (obviously)

Well, even if I had to pay $50 to get the Stagg fixed, that would still be less than a Squier costs. Which, as everybody tells me, are fookin' useless.

Plus that Stagg is incredibly sexy. Ibanez, Yamaha? Not so much.

[Chad K.]

Plus that Stagg is incredibly sexy. Ibanez, Yamaha? Not so much.

I undertsand personal preference and all, but I don't think you can claim this isn't a sexy bass-

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?cpd=0OEY&doc_id=99371&base_pid=519164&index=1

Call me crazy, but I love it even more in orange.

[dalconnsuch]

Plus that Stagg is incredibly sexy. Ibanez, Yamaha? Not so much.

I undertsand personal preference and all, but I don't think you can claim this isn't a sexy bass-

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?cpd=0OEY&doc_id=99371&base_pid=519164&index=1

Call me crazy, but I love it even more in orange.

why do these conversation salways remind me of when my girlfriend and my sister get together and they talk about what scarves look better in different fabrics?

[negative creep]

Well, Chad, while i prefer basses to have a pickguard, I think this one is the only Yamaha i ever found not to be ugly. I have actually looked that one up last week, but it's way to expensive for me at this moment.

dalconnsuch, there are three things that are important when buying an instrument: price, quality and looks. I don't have enough money to buy really good bass, so I'll get at least one that is good-looking. Would you play an ugly instrument?

[Nodaisho]

Both these conversations and the ones about the scarf are about aesthetics. Style is a large part of performances, you have to be able to play, but a good looking instrument and clothes help too. Besides, if you can pick between something that looks good and something that looks horrible, which would you pick, if all else was equal?

[Chad K.]

Well, Chad, while i prefer basses to have a pickguard, I think this one is the only Yamaha i ever found not to be ugly. I have actually looked that one up last week, but it's way to expensive for me at this moment.

dalconnsuch, there are three things that are important when buying an instrument: price, quality and looks. I don't have enough money to buy really good bass, so I'll get at least one that is good-looking. Would you play an ugly instrument?

I do have to say, despite my leeriness of Stagg's products, it is a nice looking bass.

[negative creep]

pure sex.

[sean]

Is it just be or does anybody find it terribly gross when bass humbucker pickups don't have plastic covering over the magnets. I find it horrifying for some reason. Am I alone on this?

Other than that, that is a nice looking bass.

[dalconnsuch]

i don't know if your alone there, those covers are rarely on basses for a reason, blocks alot of the low end out, and yeah don't want that so you get the bare wire showing on top, don't need no fancy metal protection

but yes, that is a sexy sexy bass

if i had the ability i'd post my stingray, its a beauty too

[negative creep]

Yeah, I don't think I have seen many basses, or basses at all, with covers on their PUs.

Stingrays are really nice looking, that's true.

[greenMonkey]

My friend who plays bass just received a Valentine's day gift from his father.

It's a Cherry burst, hollowbody Mosrite Celebrity short-scale bass.  Serial No. 12.

[sean]

Ocean'd

Warwick'd

And I don't get people who like anything made by musicman. Those basses look like butt.

[negative creep]

Aw no, I can't stand it if you can see the wood through the finish.

Also,

My friend who plays bass just received a Valentine's day gift from his father.

It's a Cherry burst, hollowbody Mosrite Celebrity short-scale bass.  Serial No. 12.

what the hell? For Valentine's Day?!

[greenMonkey]

It's a Cherry burst, hollowbody Mosrite Celebrity short-scale bass.  Serial No. 12.

It's a Cherry burst, hollowbody Mosrite Celebrity short-scale bass. Serial No. 12.

Why don't I ever get Valentine's gifts? 

[Spluff]

To be honest, I'd rather not get Valentine's Day gifts from my father. There's something very, very, wrong there.

[FireAarro]

And I don't get people who like anything made by musicman. Those basses look like butt.

You're weird!

Aesthetics aside, they sound great though. I have a Bongo and I can see why people don't like it looks. But I'd play mine even if it actually was a giant goldfish, instead of just looking like one.

[dalconnsuch]

aqll about the sound

my washburn looks like butt but its delicious