Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

[Aceman]

I often find that I would like to have a bass. Just to play, to record, whatever. But I don't want to spend much at all. Obviously evey dollar I sepnd on a bass is a dollar that didn't go to guitars.

What is the most "zen" bass that you would recommend for general purpose use. One that handled blues, jazz, pop, rock metal, in terms of # strings, pups, construction etc...

And at the absolute bare bones price. The LEAST bass that i can get the MOST out of.

And what do you recommend amp wise?
- Just a Sans Amp DI?
- MAybe a little POD or Pandora?
- Small bass amp?

What do you suggest? I may only ever own ONE bass, and I don't want to spend any money, and I want to do it all!

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Sans Amp DI Pedal. Fender Special Run MIM P-bass / Thread.

 

[jaybonitrane]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Used Fender MIM 4 string Jazz in Midnite Wine,,,200$ whupped
Its just like a 64 except for the tailpiece...so

Jaco Pastorius tail piece used ebay...35$ but not necessary.
SD Antiquities II JBass pups....must have.

Fender or Ampeg amp used...at least 200w

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Used Fender MIM 4 string Jazz in Midnite Wine,,,200$ whupped
Its just like a 64 except for the tailpiece...so

Jaco Pastorius tail piece used ebay...35$ but not necessary.
SD Antiquities II JBass pups....must have.



Fender or Ampeg amp used...at least 200w

Hey, are you going to burning man?

 

[jaybonitrane]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Hey, are you going to burning man?

I hope so.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

I'd suggest you hunt around for a basic used P or J style bass from a decent name.
Often you can probably find mid level stuff as a package from someone who picked it up but decided it wasn't for them.
That way you get solid enough stuff at a reasonable price that you can turn over and get a solid chunk of your dough back if you decide it's not your thing.

Just keep it maintained and you'll be good.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

- used Squier Bronco
- set of quality heavy-gauge strings (La Bella .111's are easily the best short scale rounds, IMO)
- used Ampeg BA112 (an older, U.S.A. made one)

That will probably run you slightly over $300. The Broncos are a huge bang for the buck, even new. They are nice and small and easy to play, and they sound good, with no upgrades needed (short of strings). And that will give you a quality, yet small, amp that can be used at home through the speaker or headphones, or mic'd up for a gig. To me, it's a perfect setup for a guitarist who wants to play bass every now and again for home recording or what not.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Pre-owned Yamaha RBX or Attitude Plus, Gotoh 201b bridge, American pickup(s), maybe an active EQ. Plug directly into your Mac through an audio/MIDI interface box. Use the amp modelling in Logic Pro.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Simple. Just sell all your guitars and get this thing.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Hey Aceman, DO NOT get a P-bass! It isn't what you want.

You are looking for a bass that can do anything, right? Best quality you can get for the best price? Go with an Ibanez.

I have an Ibanez SR305 that I picked up in a pawn shop for $100 -- a new set of strings and a setup later (I also replaced the hardware -- bridge, knobs, & tuners -- but that was mostly cosmetic), and I'm using that bass to record with. I have a Rickenbacker, a Fender Jazz, a Peavey Cirrus, and several other basses, and I'm using the Ibanez to record with. I'm not saying the Ibanez is better than any of those basses, but I certainly don't lose anything by playing the Ibanez. The neck is slender and fast and very playable, and I can get about whatever tone I want.

If you look at Ibanez, get the SR (SoundGear) series, not the GSR. You can get a brand new SR250 for under $300. If you look on Ebay, you can find a whole slew of SR300 and SR305 (5-string) basses for under or around $300, some of them even with cases.


Whatever you decide, make sure you get a bass with two pickups. Someone mentioned the possibility of a short scale bass. Longer scale basses get better tone IMO, but it's your decision. Ibanez makes a short scale bass called the Mikro. If you decide you want a Fender (Squier) short scale bass, don't get the Bronco, get a Modified Jaguar.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

If you're just looking for something to get the home-job done for cheap, though I hate to recommend Ibanez, the SoundGear basses were not bad for knocking around. Personally I would recommend a Jackson, but I'm not familiar with the quality of the cheapest levels (JS), and I doubt you'd want to spend more than that. The CBX and Chris Beattie sig basses are nice, but the prices stay above $300.

There's also the tried and true Mexi P-bass from Fender.

The one thing I can say about Jackson is they generally put more build-money into the wood and skimp heavily on the easily-replaceable stuff like hardware and electronics, while others try to balance out the cost-reductions across the board, and end up with something that doesn't quite measure up in any department.

Unless you're playing gigs, you will not need more than a Fender Rumble 25. If all you want is noise at home, that amp will do it. If you want to move things around, then go for the 200w combo.

You're not going to find a bass with stellar tone, exceptional quality, and reliable performance on the cheap. There's a reason things cost what they do, so either spend "guitar money" on a bass alone and skimp on the amp, or spend mo' money on the amp than the bass, or go Stingy Ray Vaughan on both. Just don't post here about how bad your crappy bass and crappy amp are.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Can't say enough good things about these, they play and sound great and can be had for low $200's. Amp salt to taste but the Ampeg Micro VR is amazing or maybe a Portflex if you look used you might score a nice deal. You can always find GK stuff used cheap, the Backline series isn't bad at all.***Line6 Lowdown Combo***

http://www.fender.com/squier/basses/jaguar/vintage-modified-jaguar-bass-special-hb/

 

[ex-250]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

^ Yeah, the VM Squiers are great bang-for-buck

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Hey Aceman, DO NOT get a P-bass! It isn't what you want.

LOL!! I would recommend a P-Bass over any bass for a desert island bass. There is no sound it can't cover well. It is the classic versatile rock, pop, punk, jazz, funk, metal bass. If you HAD to get a 2 pickup bass, a P-J is my first choice. Soapbar basses may offer a certain sound, but they can't get classic tones well. And Aceman, I know you speak in budget terms but it has been my experience that nicer the instrument, the more enjoyable/easier/satisfying it is to play and keep. This does not mean 'cheap bass' with hardware/pickup upgrade. This means a nice instrument to start and this is more relevant if this may be your only bass ever. A Squier P from the 80s is worth its price in gold. Lots of options for you.... cheers and good luck!

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

P bass can do anything

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

P & J basses are great workhorses.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

I'm really thinking I'm a P/J man....at least.

I'd think two pups would really help cover tonal diversity for what ever style.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

Depending on your specific target style, P/J would be fine. If your hero uses a double-J bass, and you simply MUST have that "J in the middle" tone, then a P/J will leave you butthurt.

For the majority of guitar players who want a bass, P/J is fine.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

The best way to tell is just get out and try a bunch to see what really works for you.
You may hit that one piece where everything just clicks and you think 'this is the one', or you may just decide on a piece that seems to do the job for you.

Some basses do have switches between the pickups but it's fairly common to have two volume or a blend knob.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player

I would recommend a P-Bass over any bass for a desert island bass. There is no sound it can't cover well.

No,

P bass can do anything

And no. They are great basses, no doubt, but tonal flexibility is not their strong suit.

And this

Soapbar basses may offer a certain sound, but they can't get classic tones well

is ridiculous. You LOLed at me? I'm LOLing back. My Ibanez 305 is probably the single most tonally flexible bass I own, apart from a couple of custom basses with three pickups. What's ironic is that you are recommending against soapbar basses because they can't get classic tones well (which I disagree with), while recommending a bass that gets exactly ONE classic tone well! (Different styles of music do not count as different tones.)

However, I absolutely agree with you about this:

And Aceman, I know you speak in budget terms but it has been my experience that nicer the instrument, the more enjoyable/easier/satisfying it is to play and keep. This does not mean 'cheap bass' with hardware/pickup upgrade. This means a nice instrument to start and this is more relevant if this may be your only bass ever.

Aceman, I recommend focusing your money on buying the best bass you can, and then just get a $10-$20 POS amp from a pawn shop. Eventually you'll want a decent amp, but you don't want to split your money at this point if you can help it.