Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

[Metalman_666]

I wanna buy a bass for our band to use. The guy who would be getting it has $700 tops, and he's a beginner, but we want to buy something that is maybe mid level, and will play well, last a long time, and have a good tone. I don't know anything about bass pickups, but at this point I don't think it matters. Also, we want money left over for a bass amp, but it's not crucial, so prices under $700 are fine.

This bass would be used to play metal and hard rock mostly. That's System of a Down, Offspring, Billy Talent, that sort of stuff. So, any ideas?

 

[Curly]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

I kinda like the mark hoppus bass

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

any other ideas? I'm not too sure about Fender basses for this music. What does Shavo (of SoaD) play?

 

[Indie P Bass]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

I saw Shavo using an Iceman Bass... I would suggest against that. Actually, don't be so quick to dismiss the fenders. The Fender Deluxe J-bass has a set of active pickups, to me, they sound like butt, but to others they may sound pretty good. Also, you could scour e-bay for a P-bass with an EMG in it or something. You can also check the shops around you for P-basses or J-basses with EMGs in them. The fenders with EMGs have UBER-crazy output and such. The Fender active J-bass is pretty crazy loud, too.

 

[StratTom]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

If you want something inexpensive and for a beginner I think those OLP musicman basses are pretty cool. They go for about $230:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...ass/s=electric/search/detail/base_pid/516050/
Or you could go for the real deal and get a Musicman for $700 like this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...ass/s=electric/search/detail/base_pid/511289/
Also check out Schecter:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...g=bass/s=electric/search/c=4428/fc=0/it=AHGO1

Good luck!

 

[ex-250]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

any other ideas? I'm not too sure about Fender basses for this music. What does Shavo (of SoaD) play?

i think he plays gibson thunderbirds....which is wayyy outta your price range. try the epi thunderbird

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

Ibanez BTB series. Those bass's rock!! They have amazing thunderous but sweet tone and sport a nice tag. Will leave you with a huge smile, your hair to the ceiling, your scrotum shaking, and a nice pocket full of cash left over!

 

[Forbes]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

any other ideas? I'm not too sure about Fender basses for this music. What does Shavo (of SoaD) play?

im not sure you should dismiss fender basses, especially the one shown, (although i dont know much about bass pup's) i understand that the mark hoppus bass does have a pretty heavy seymour duncan pickups, so you know your getting quality.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

Ibanez BTB series. Those bass's rock!! They have amazing thunderous but sweet tone and sport a nice tag. Will leave you with a huge smile, your hair to the ceiling, your scrotum shaking, and a nice pocket full of cash left over!

I agree with Guitarist - BTB's are WICKED! Look really nice too
Fooled around at my mates house and was hooked with how playable it was.

 

[msplines]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

Yamaha RBX170 can't be beat. Only weak point is the output jack and perhaps other fittings need a drop of locktite (really technical!) and you can do almost anything with it. If you don't like the feel of it - well, that's another matter. Perhaps there are bad ones, but that applies to all guitars, even the most expensive. it has an Agathis body, but that doesn't seem to slow it down and the original pickups are great once the heights have been adjusted.

 

[Pandemonium]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

www.dpcustom.com

David Pushic in Matthews NC makes great basses at great prices. His work is fantastic.

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

import a Eagle bass, heavy heavy tone!

Or get a Prec. or a Thunderbird

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

Can anyone tell me how much an Ibanez BTB400 would run me? It's the maple/walnut on basswood body, 5 pc. maple/walnut neck, 3 Band EQ, and humbuckers (I think). Approximately how much in Canadian dollars?

 

[nuntius]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

hmm dunno if you want an amp too for that price

i got my patrick eggle for 340 quid it was marked at 500 but nobody else knew what it was so he let it go for that low - would have thought the gorgeous neck and made in england written on the headstock would have given away its more than a low midrange instrument.


personally i'd try a whole load out before you buy them. i think bolt ons suit bass most because they seem more punchy to me. active EQ may also help with that kinda music

 

[Tom M]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

A used MIA P-bass, or a new MIM P and new pickups and a bridge would fit in the budget. The P-bass really can do any style it's put to. It's all in the hands.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

I'm not sure what the price is, but one of my bass players has a http://www.godinguitars.com/godinbgp.htm in 5 string. Amazing for metal and modern hard rock.

 

[vandriel]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

NICK YOUR A HOMO.....oh and yes....BTBS BABY

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

fender p-bass special, seriously, j-bass neck, and the best of both worlds as far as pickups are concerned

or maybe a squire one


if you want something heavier than that, i'd say either a schecter or an esp

 

[nuntius]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

hmm my bassist has one of the cheaper schecters.

its pretty solid and sounds alright, bit too boomy with the bass eq all the way up for any use whatsoever but its not a bad bass.

neck on its big n comfy

 

[joelap]

Re: Buying a Bass.... suggestions?

P-Bass.

Then you can pop in an EMG-P or a Duncan or a Fender Custom Shop Pickup. You absolutely cannot go wrong with a P-Bass.