First bass?

majewsky

majewsky

New member
hello!

I'm thinking about buying my first bass, but I'm short on cash and would like to buy something used.
So far I've found a few nice basses and have no idea which one is better

First one is the MIK Squier P-Bass. Are the 90's Squire's better than current production models?

Second one is Sterling by Music Man RAY 4

Third one is Cort B4 either mahogany or swamp ash

And the 4th one is YAMAHA RBX270J

I'm not going for a certain type of sound. For the beginning I'm gonna play it through my C30, but I was planning to replace the speaker by the WGS Reaper 55Hz, so I think it would work for some time.

So the question is... Which one is the best :D But really I want something reliable and versatile for some simple groovin' and maybe a little slap. Nothing hardcore or something.
 
Re: First bass?

Squire is one company where the new stuff is much better than the old, its arguably better than the current MIM fender stuff. I have a squire Jaguar bass that I got for under $200 new and I love it, it has the p and j pickups and works for pretty much any style
 
Re: First bass?

Squier has been through successive phases production in different countries and varying quality control.

In my opinion, a Korean-made Nineties example is unlikely to be as good as early Japanese or recent Indonesian production.

The Cort and Sterling By Musicman are both manufactured in the same facility and to similarly high standards. Finish and fretwork should be excellent. Pickups and control electronics may leave something to be desired in the long run. These are easily upgraded.

Budget Yamaha instruments are as well assembled as their expensive equivalents. As with Cort, you get an immediately playable instrument. The pickups are almost certain to disappoint. Again, these are easy to upgrade in the future.

Missing from your shopping list - and also made by Cort - is the Squier Vintage Modified series. The usual Precision and Jazz styles are offered. Also of interest might be the Jaguar Bass. Given your interest in the SBMM RAY4, I suggest the Jaguar Bass H model.
 
Re: First bass?

Is the squier vintage modified series better build than the Affinity? VM seems like a great instruments, but I hate the feel of a lacquered fretboard.
 
Re: First bass?

It looks like you have thought this through pretty well. My thoughts on a new bass:

Avoid entry level stuff -- something I'm not worried about, given the basses you mentioned.
Feel is the most important aspect. That means a straight neck, one that's comfortable for your hands; a good setup; and one that fits your body comfortably when resting on a strap (or on your lap). The sound is important, but it can always be changed/upgraded by replacing the pickups. I wouldn't get a bass that sounds bad, but if you have to choose, make sure you get a bass that feels good to you.
I would look for a bass with 24 frets and two humbucking pickups, for maximum flexibility. But not everyone agrees with that.

I like Jazz basses, but I don't like dealing with the noise issues of having single coil pickups. So I would either get a Jazz that has split-coil J pickups in it, or be prepared to change out the pickups. Otherwise, I'd consider the Yamaha, ESP, MusicMan, or Ibanez (anything in the SR series).
 
Re: First bass?

I would place my faith in Yamaha in that selection. And never overlook LTD.
 
Re: First bass?

BlueTalon said:
I like Jazz basses, but I don't like dealing with the noise issues of having single coil pickups.
Click to expand...


Considering how many well-known players have used them, and how many recordings have them, single coil noise doesn't seem to be a big issue.
 
Re: First bass?

Some Cort-built bass guitars use Bartolini MK1 narrow soap bar pickups - usually in combination with an active EQ. In my opinion, these OEM-only pickups are not Bartolini's best.

The pickups on the LTD bass are to the same standard dimensions as numerous EMG and SD/Basslines replacement pickups. Upgrading would be fairly simple.
 
Re: First bass?

blueman335 said:
Considering how many well-known players have used them, and how many recordings have them, single coil noise doesn't seem to be a big issue.
Click to expand...
For recording bass, many engineers will roll off the top end, and/or use a noise gate.
These days, many computer anti-noise algorithms will incorporate power-line buzz (50 or 60 Hz) killers.
If it's the instrument of a pro-level session/touring player, that bass will be quiet as a mouse out of the box, or he'll make it so.

The wiring for traditional Jazz pickups creates a hum cancellation when both pickups are adjusted to the same volume level. A lot of guys play using that setting, creating that crisp "snappy" sound during a slap performance.

Tim Schmitt of the Eagles had a sig Carvin made J-style with a single volume knob, and both pickups were wired together to cancel hum.

Blue Talon hit it on the head: SD has some stacked coil Jazz pickups that imparts much of the traditional sound while reducing noise.

As for the original question, those all good "starter" instruments. If you select wisely, they may act as a platform for your sound for years to come.
I'd avoid Cort, for my own (non-forum-appropriate) reasons. Google it...
 
Re: First bass?

blueman335 said:
Considering how many well-known players have used them, and how many recordings have them, single coil noise doesn't seem to be a big issue.
Click to expand...

Single coil pickups on a Jazz are not a source of single coil noise when both pickups are on full, as I'm sure you're aware. It's easy to say single coil noise isn't an issue... until it is, when your bass doesn't play nice with the amp or the room. And if the only way to combat it is have both pickups on full, you lose any flexibility two pickups would otherwise provide.

Honestly, I don't care what people used in the past, successfully or not. If there are better options today, it's foolish not to consider them.
 
Re: First bass?

ginormous said:
I'd avoid Cort, for my own (non-forum-appropriate) reasons. Google it...
Click to expand...

Reggie. I currently work seventy plus hour weeks on an oil refinery turnaround. Can I count on your support?
 
Re: First bass?

Ugh. I did a lot of that when I was active duty Navy and Marines. At least you make a decent salary, I'm guessing.
 
Re: First bass?

Evan Skopp said:
Here's a maxim that's true far more often than it's false: you get what you pay for.
Click to expand...
Sometimes true sometimes you're paying more just for the name on it. I'll take a Squire VM series over a MIM Fender standard series. My VM Jag bass sounds and plays far better than a $180 bass should (I did get it on sale at GC) I also had a Squire tele that I sold and replaced with a MIM Fender tele and the fender is nowhere near as good. I'd also buy an epiphone long before I'd buy an entry level Gibson that costs $300 more.
 
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