Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
- Thread starter Aceman
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jaybonitrane
Snickerdoodle Milk
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
I prefer 5.
I recommended 4 because you would not need it very often and 4 strings are priced lower.
There is MIM 5 in Midnight Wine..and used is 300$ whupped
I hear there is a 10 string bass made by Jerzy Drodz...hope its black and pointy.
I prefer 5.
I recommended 4 because you would not need it very often and 4 strings are priced lower.
There is MIM 5 in Midnight Wine..and used is 300$ whupped
I hear there is a 10 string bass made by Jerzy Drodz...hope its black and pointy.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
305 is five string
306 would be a six string
but I dont know if they make one in the 300 series
on the ibby's 300 is 4 string
305 is five string
306 would be a six string
but I dont know if they make one in the 300 series
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Some of the low-to-mid price Ibanez instruments are made in Indonesia by Cort. If you stand certain Ibanez, Schecter, Squier and Cort-branded instruments side by side, you may spot a more than passing resemblance.
I visualise Aceman playing something black and pointy. Given that he is obsessed with KISS, the obvious candidates have to be the Cort Gene Simmons models - the conventional-ish Punisher and the outlandish Axe. Upgrade a pickup or two and Aceman will be too busy playing bass to ever get his finger smelly again.
Some of the low-to-mid price Ibanez instruments are made in Indonesia by Cort. If you stand certain Ibanez, Schecter, Squier and Cort-branded instruments side by side, you may spot a more than passing resemblance.
I visualise Aceman playing something black and pointy. Given that he is obsessed with KISS, the obvious candidates have to be the Cort Gene Simmons models - the conventional-ish Punisher and the outlandish Axe. Upgrade a pickup or two and Aceman will be too busy playing bass to ever get his finger smelly again.
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Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
+1 on the Cort basses. I have two now and both play very well, though both would maybe a couple of price brackets above the figures you're suggesting. For reference, I thought I'd go with a 5-string first time out, but I'd not recommend it to start with. All the tutorial material out there is for 4-string, and you'll spend more time than you want to trying to kill the vibrations from the low B that tutorial stuff doesn't need you to have. Start simple would be my philosophy.
+1 on the Cort basses. I have two now and both play very well, though both would maybe a couple of price brackets above the figures you're suggesting. For reference, I thought I'd go with a 5-string first time out, but I'd not recommend it to start with. All the tutorial material out there is for 4-string, and you'll spend more time than you want to trying to kill the vibrations from the low B that tutorial stuff doesn't need you to have. Start simple would be my philosophy.
BlueTalon
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
It's entirely up to you. I have a 5-string (SR305), and I love it. The neck is not too wide, and it's fast and playable.
A 4-string might have a narrower neck, but a little bit wider string spacing, but that's just a guess.
Oh yes, mine is passive, too. Here it is:
As I said earlier, I use it for anything -- gigs, practice, recording. This clip was recorded with a hand-held device at a jam. I was playing that Ibanez, with those strings. (DR Neons. They may look gimmicky, but they don't sound gimmicky.)
It's entirely up to you. I have a 5-string (SR305), and I love it. The neck is not too wide, and it's fast and playable.
A 4-string might have a narrower neck, but a little bit wider string spacing, but that's just a guess.
Oh yes, mine is passive, too. Here it is:
As I said earlier, I use it for anything -- gigs, practice, recording. This clip was recorded with a hand-held device at a jam. I was playing that Ibanez, with those strings. (DR Neons. They may look gimmicky, but they don't sound gimmicky.)
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Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Aceman, Im a bass novice, so I cant really say BEST for the buck, but I will suggest this. Try basses to see what FEELS good to you. I have an EPI Tbird Pro that I love the look of and feature set, but when I played this used 80s charvel, man it played like butter... AND, I found one cheap.. Plus, one of the easiest playing 5 strings Ive ever found is an Ibanez SR305 which can also be found cheap. So find out what you like and then look for inexpensive example or youll buy a budget bass you dont enjoy playing so much..
Aceman, Im a bass novice, so I cant really say BEST for the buck, but I will suggest this. Try basses to see what FEELS good to you. I have an EPI Tbird Pro that I love the look of and feature set, but when I played this used 80s charvel, man it played like butter... AND, I found one cheap.. Plus, one of the easiest playing 5 strings Ive ever found is an Ibanez SR305 which can also be found cheap. So find out what you like and then look for inexpensive example or youll buy a budget bass you dont enjoy playing so much..
DepecheMoses
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Absolute lowest price for a bass?
http://www.juststrings.com/dms-2096.html?cmp=nextopia&kw=dms-2096
A bajo sexto is basically a 12-string tuned an octave down, and by "basically" I mean "literally." Some people I guess don't like acoustic strings on their electrics though, or don't wanna sacrifice one of their guitars for bass use. They're loop-end if I'm not mistaken, but you can take the balls off of old guitar strings.
EDIT: oh wait here are some nickel-wound ones
http://www.juststrings.com/sit-bx-12n.html?cmp=nextopia&kw=sit-bx-12n
Absolute lowest price for a bass?
http://www.juststrings.com/dms-2096.html?cmp=nextopia&kw=dms-2096
A bajo sexto is basically a 12-string tuned an octave down, and by "basically" I mean "literally." Some people I guess don't like acoustic strings on their electrics though, or don't wanna sacrifice one of their guitars for bass use. They're loop-end if I'm not mistaken, but you can take the balls off of old guitar strings.
EDIT: oh wait here are some nickel-wound ones
http://www.juststrings.com/sit-bx-12n.html?cmp=nextopia&kw=sit-bx-12n
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BlueTalon
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
What you're recommending isn't a bass. It's a restrung guitar. A restrung guitar won't sound nearly as much like a bass as any regular bass would, and especially won't sound as much like a bass as what the OP expects a bass to sound like.
What you're recommending isn't a bass. It's a restrung guitar. A restrung guitar won't sound nearly as much like a bass as any regular bass would, and especially won't sound as much like a bass as what the OP expects a bass to sound like.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
I have the SR500 and my buddy got the SR505
the necks are the same width
seriously
they weigh the same too
its like they just recut the nut with five slots and slapped a different bridge on it
like I said the nut is 41 mm wide
your vendetta is 42
if you have stubby fat fingers the 305's string spacing could be a problem
and as CoA said
you probably dont want start with a five
I started with a Carvin B75
and it was just too much for a beginner
the Ibby 4 string is much more playable
I have the SR500 and my buddy got the SR505
the necks are the same width
seriously
they weigh the same too
its like they just recut the nut with five slots and slapped a different bridge on it
like I said the nut is 41 mm wide
your vendetta is 42
if you have stubby fat fingers the 305's string spacing could be a problem
and as CoA said
you probably dont want start with a five
I started with a Carvin B75
and it was just too much for a beginner
the Ibby 4 string is much more playable
jaybonitrane
Snickerdoodle Milk
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Gimme that Black SR305 with DR Neons !
Gotta have it today.
Gimme that Black SR305 with DR Neons !
Gotta have it today.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Heck yeah. Not only that, but you could drive nails with it before a gig, and it'd still be in tune. :laughing:
Playing one a few times made an Ibanez Sound Gear feel like a toy to me.
Heck yeah. Not only that, but you could drive nails with it before a gig, and it'd still be in tune. :laughing:
Playing one a few times made an Ibanez Sound Gear feel like a toy to me.
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Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
THIS! .....
I've owned hundreds of basses and written many gear reviews, catalogs, etc.....a PBass or a PBass with a PJ config (or Jazz Bass) is the meat and potatoes bass you want. As a guitarist, probably a PBass with the narrower A or B nut width as well. Buy used....and while a Fender is nice, there are many other brands in the same ballpark.
Besides the outright Fender clones, one of my personal faves that you can often find used for crazed low bargain prices are the U.S. made bolt-on Hamer Cruisebasses from the 90s - basically a Jazz Bass on steroids, with the thinner A neck. They were made with both a standard type bridge and the 2TEK upgrade for increased sustain and separation ( and a hair more weight.)
If you just want a bass to record with, buy a Sans Amp stomp box and run direct. Wait until you score your bass before buying the amp so you can try it out with your actual bass to find the sound you want.
THIS! .....
I've owned hundreds of basses and written many gear reviews, catalogs, etc.....a PBass or a PBass with a PJ config (or Jazz Bass) is the meat and potatoes bass you want. As a guitarist, probably a PBass with the narrower A or B nut width as well. Buy used....and while a Fender is nice, there are many other brands in the same ballpark.
Besides the outright Fender clones, one of my personal faves that you can often find used for crazed low bargain prices are the U.S. made bolt-on Hamer Cruisebasses from the 90s - basically a Jazz Bass on steroids, with the thinner A neck. They were made with both a standard type bridge and the 2TEK upgrade for increased sustain and separation ( and a hair more weight.)
If you just want a bass to record with, buy a Sans Amp stomp box and run direct. Wait until you score your bass before buying the amp so you can try it out with your actual bass to find the sound you want.
DepecheMoses
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Generally fair, but for $20 it might be worth it anyway! In the right guitar, of course.
Generally fair, but for $20 it might be worth it anyway! In the right guitar, of course.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
"Zen bass" that plays everything? Fits comfortably, not expensive, covers a wide range of styles, sounds great? Gibson product?
Yeah, I'm gonna say it... but for one of these criteria, the LP Triumph is your instrument. However, good luck finding one, never mind paying less than $2.5k.
Instead, I'm going off-book, for a Gibby-head: an ESP LTD B-4E.
Mahog body, ebony top, 5-piece maple/mahog neck through, 34" scale.
active EQ, passive pups, 24 frets. Slender U-shaped neck profile.
$500 @ Musician's Friend.
AHEM!!!
"Zen bass" that plays everything? Fits comfortably, not expensive, covers a wide range of styles, sounds great? Gibson product?
Yeah, I'm gonna say it... but for one of these criteria, the LP Triumph is your instrument. However, good luck finding one, never mind paying less than $2.5k.
Instead, I'm going off-book, for a Gibby-head: an ESP LTD B-4E.
Mahog body, ebony top, 5-piece maple/mahog neck through, 34" scale.
active EQ, passive pups, 24 frets. Slender U-shaped neck profile.
$500 @ Musician's Friend.
BlueTalon
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
IMHO it would just be a waste of $20. Look, 30" is considered really short for a bass scale, 34" is pretty much the norm. There's a reason for that -- actually, there's a bunch of reasons, having to do with string tension, string width, and the characteristics of low frequency string vibration, and resulting volume and tone.
You are recommending trying to turn a 25" scale guitar into a bass just by changing the strings. It isn't going to work. First of all, putting acoustic strings on an electric guitar is a non-starter, if the idea is to run a signal through an amp. Nylon strings don't give magnetic pickups anything to pick up. Unless the guitar is equipped with optical sensors (or piezo's, not sure about that one), there won't be any signal.
But even if you put nickle-wound strings, you've still got to deal with the short scale. The shorter the scale, the thicker the string has to be to have enough tension to be able to vibrate without flopping. Shorter scale means not as much volume, and thicker strings means less tonal range. And once you start putting substantially thicker strings on a guitar, you have to start making the openings bigger on the nut and the string saddles, and now you're into it for way more than $20.
IMHO it would just be a waste of $20. Look, 30" is considered really short for a bass scale, 34" is pretty much the norm. There's a reason for that -- actually, there's a bunch of reasons, having to do with string tension, string width, and the characteristics of low frequency string vibration, and resulting volume and tone.
You are recommending trying to turn a 25" scale guitar into a bass just by changing the strings. It isn't going to work. First of all, putting acoustic strings on an electric guitar is a non-starter, if the idea is to run a signal through an amp. Nylon strings don't give magnetic pickups anything to pick up. Unless the guitar is equipped with optical sensors (or piezo's, not sure about that one), there won't be any signal.
But even if you put nickle-wound strings, you've still got to deal with the short scale. The shorter the scale, the thicker the string has to be to have enough tension to be able to vibrate without flopping. Shorter scale means not as much volume, and thicker strings means less tonal range. And once you start putting substantially thicker strings on a guitar, you have to start making the openings bigger on the nut and the string saddles, and now you're into it for way more than $20.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
The screaming eagle has a point. A guitarron or bajo sexto, for example, isn't just an acoustic guitar with drop tuning, it's a larger instrument with thicker strings. When you get an bass guitar, the scale length, string gauge, etc., is specific to the purpose.
The screaming eagle has a point. A guitarron or bajo sexto, for example, isn't just an acoustic guitar with drop tuning, it's a larger instrument with thicker strings. When you get an bass guitar, the scale length, string gauge, etc., is specific to the purpose.
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DepecheMoses
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Well, technically any steel-core string will work on an electric, and even the bronze-wound strings have steel cores. I've been using acoustic strings on my electrics almost as long as I've been playing, because they're easier to find in gauges that don't feel like trash. I've also found I like the way they sound better, which is a weird preference, but I guess will happen if you get accustomed to a thing.
And sir! You don't need to lecture me on the way guitars work, I am literally a guitar technician! That's how I make money. So I guess I wasn't taking into account the cost of a new nut, (because the cost of a new nut to me is zero.) But I also know from constantly dropping tunings and consequently using thicker strings that pretty much anywhere you mount a guitar string to will be able to accommodate .092", because I've measured them. It might get a little hairy on a Strat trem just because of the path the string needs to take, but it also might not? I'll report back.
EDIT: A Strat accommodates at least up to .100", but it's tight.
Well, technically any steel-core string will work on an electric, and even the bronze-wound strings have steel cores. I've been using acoustic strings on my electrics almost as long as I've been playing, because they're easier to find in gauges that don't feel like trash. I've also found I like the way they sound better, which is a weird preference, but I guess will happen if you get accustomed to a thing.
And sir! You don't need to lecture me on the way guitars work, I am literally a guitar technician! That's how I make money. So I guess I wasn't taking into account the cost of a new nut, (because the cost of a new nut to me is zero.) But I also know from constantly dropping tunings and consequently using thicker strings that pretty much anywhere you mount a guitar string to will be able to accommodate .092", because I've measured them. It might get a little hairy on a Strat trem just because of the path the string needs to take, but it also might not? I'll report back.
EDIT: A Strat accommodates at least up to .100", but it's tight.
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BlueTalon
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
I'm not saying it can't be done at all. I just seriously doubt it will work well, and be able to function like a 34" or 30" bass guitar. But I'll be willing to eat my words if you try it and can get it to work well.
However, for a guitar player who wants to have one do-it-all bass at his disposal, and doesn't want to spend much on the bass because every dollar he spends on a bass is a dollar he can't spend on guitars, turning one of his guitars into a can't-do-it-all bass is probably not the optimum choice.
Fair point. You said "accoustic" and my mind thought "nylon", which was not what you were referring to. My bad.
I didn't know you were a guitar tech. But I was trying to explain, not lecture. And my primary point wasn't about the additional cost of a nut/saddles, it was about the infeasibility of stringing up a regular guitar to be a good bass. Was anything I said about that factually incorrect? Even baritone guitars, with a 28" scale, typically only drop 4 or 5 notes from the low E on a 25" guitar. Dropping a full octave without increasing scale length at all, and with the string spacing of a normal 6-string electric guitar, is just bad tone and bad playability waiting to happen, IMO.
I'm not saying it can't be done at all. I just seriously doubt it will work well, and be able to function like a 34" or 30" bass guitar. But I'll be willing to eat my words if you try it and can get it to work well.
However, for a guitar player who wants to have one do-it-all bass at his disposal, and doesn't want to spend much on the bass because every dollar he spends on a bass is a dollar he can't spend on guitars, turning one of his guitars into a can't-do-it-all bass is probably not the optimum choice.
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DepecheMoses
New member
Re: Bass Guys - A question from a guitar player
Ahh lecture was probably not the right word, I didn't take any offense! But yeah, bajo sextos are usually 25.5" or so, sometimes even shorter. They have a little over 20 lbs of tension on the low E, which is not 45, but it's not 15 either.
That is probably a fair point about Aceman's hypothetical bass though.
Ahh lecture was probably not the right word, I didn't take any offense! But yeah, bajo sextos are usually 25.5" or so, sometimes even shorter. They have a little over 20 lbs of tension on the low E, which is not 45, but it's not 15 either.
That is probably a fair point about Aceman's hypothetical bass though.
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