Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

[blueman335]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

If possible, I would suggest a Dean John Entwistle Bass. Based on the "Fenderbird" design with an extremely playable 22 fret Precision bass neck and Thunderbird bodies and electronics. I played one a bit ago and it was wonderful in my hands.

For that price, you can get a neck-thru Epi Thunderbird with either active electronics or Gibson mini-HB's. Mine's pretty nice.

[guitfiddle]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

I'll take flac for suggesting this, cause it's a very heavy instrument, but the Peavey T-40 is a killer bass. Very solid, with great pickups, two volume and two tone controls, three way switch, and bullet proof hardware.

When the tone controls are set from 7 to 10, the pickups are single coils. Below 7 on the tones, either pickup will become a humbucker. You could nail the stage together with one, and still nail almost any tone you want with different pickup and coil combinations.

[blueman335]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

I'll take flac for suggesting this, cause it's a very heavy instrument, but the Peavey T-40 is a killer bass. Very solid, with great pickups, two volume and two tone controls, three way switch, and bullet proof hardware.

When the tone controls are set from 7 to 10, the pickups are single coils. Below 7 on the tones, either pickup will become a humbucker. You could nail the stage together with one, and still nail almost any tone you want with different pickup and coil combinations.

Nice looking basses. I think the one PU may be too close to the neck to be used as full HB, but since it comes with spin-a-split (what a great idea!) that's not an issue (unlike with SG basses). Why are T-40's so heavy?

[jtougas]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

Depending on who you ask, and when they were made, they're built either out of northern hard ash, or oak.

Or pure lead (which, for all intents and purposes, is what your spine will think you're carrying around).

A friend of mine has one of the guitars, and it weighs.

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

For that price, you can get a neck-thru Epi Thunderbird with either active electronics or Gibson mini-HB's. Mine's pretty nice.

True, but I'm not a huge fan of the Tbird necks. Plus the Dean has active EQ. The EMG's aren't active though.

[blueman335]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

True, but I'm not a huge fan of the Tbird necks. Plus the Dean has active EQ. The EMG's aren't active though.

There are Epi Thunderbirds with active EQ, and some with Gibson PU's. As far as necks go, it's a personal thing.

[BlueTalon]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

I'm interested to know what kinds of basses are available on the open market in Macedonia.

[guitfiddle]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

Nice looking basses. I think the one PU may be too close to the neck to be used as full HB, but since it comes with spin-a-split (what a great idea!) that's not an issue (unlike with SG basses). Why are T-40's so heavy?

I guess they were just making them out of cheaper woods. Back then it seemed like all Peavey gear was super solid and heavy. That joke about nailing the stage together with one isn't very far from the truth, but man they give up the goods into a decent amp.

[PipeRain]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

Not knowing the market in Macedonia, or even how to find out, off the top of my head Ibanez is hard to beat in the price range you specify. While they are not MY personal preference, there is no denying their bang for the buck.

[jtougas]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

And if you get one that's active (my personal favorite being the SR500), playing the EQ gets you very respectable Motown thud.

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

There are Epi Thunderbirds with active EQ, and some with Gibson PU's. As far as necks go, it's a personal thing.

I know there are epi tbirds with active EQ. I forgot the "also" after that statement lol.

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed

Sounds like tons of good advice, there are plenty of good quality basses out there for a decent price, also find what feels good to you. What feels good to me or someone else may not be what your looking for or the tone. Anyway good luck, (Depinto bass, Fender MIM, Squire, Ernie Ball, Warwicks)