Guitar player - looking for Bass

D

Denverdude

New member
Looking for some input here. I'm a guitar player - for the last 20 years off and on. I play mostly rock - looking to start making some recordings at home using Pro Tools which I have been learning. I've got a great drum machine, lots of guitars and amps, but no bass. I'm looking to get a 4-string off craigslist with an amp but honestly I don't know where to start.

So my question is, with a $500-$600 budget, what should I be looking for? I like the look of the Fender Jazz bases - as far as Amp's go - no idea. I'd like something that is good for recording at home, I would probably never use it for anything other then that.

Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Depends on whether you're going to use this live ever or for band practices. For just recording at home, I'd say spend the money on the bass and don't worry about an amp. Instead, plg it into a good preamp and then add some EQ if you need.

As for the bass, i'd look at a used Schecter session of some sort.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

VinceT said:
I'm with Johnny, if it's not for live, don't worry about an amp - you'll be able to use plugins for Pro-tools for bass amp emulation. For the budget you have, you might want to consider a used Reverend, easily best quality for value around. There's a used one just listed on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reverend-De...375042?hash=item2120a17d42:g:51YAAOSw32lYpmqZ


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

In my recording classes we never use a bass amp. I always use the 7 band EQ or the Sansamp for my bass tones. The EQ if I need something to sit in most mixes. If I'm doing something heavier I'll use the Sansamp to get a grindier sound, but I usually add some EQ to the sound anyways.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

I do the same; interface for recording into my MacBook. It's under your budget, but I think the Squier VM Jazz is GREAT. Then again, for $600 you can find a used American Jazz.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Decide first whether you like which one the general sound classes - Jazz bass, Precision bass (split pickup) or random actives/soapbars etc.

Lots of very good very cheap basses out there, especially if you are willing to change pickups. MIJ Ibanez and Yamaha for starters.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Hi Denver Dude,

I too am a long-time guitar player recently recruited to bass duty.

I recommend you try a Fender Jazz Bass. The neck profile is very similar to an electric neck. It is surpisingly comfortable to go back and forth between my Jazz and my Strat.

I agree with the others that you don't need an amp unless you plan on playing clubs with weak sound systems. A direct box or amp modeler such as Jamup or Bias is really all you need for the home studio.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

That depends on a lot of things. What kind of music is it? What sound(s) are you looking for? How picky are you about how the recording sounds, especially in reference to the bass guitar?

I spend way more time on recording sites than I do here. A lot of the guys at those places are way more anal about the equipment used in the recording process than the dudes in the pickup forum are about magnets.

And a lot of them would say you can't get anything acceptable if you're not moving air - meaning, a good tube amp with a good speaker recorded with a quality mic using proper mic technique into a decent interface.

I'm not one of those people. But then at this point in my life, I know what I like, what I want, and what I'm willing and able to do to achieve that. I know how good my ears aren't anymore. And I know it's just going to be me listening to me.

So you're the only one who can answer the questions above. Answer them, and then I'll put my .02 in, because my advice would depend on your answers.

Or I may not have any, based on you're answers, because of the type of music, etc.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

NotCardio said:
And a lot of them would say you can't get anything acceptable if you're not moving air - meaning, a good tube amp with a good speaker recorded with a quality mic using proper mic technique into a decent interface.
Click to expand...

One could argue that for guitar (I'd happily argue that modeling technology has reached Moore's Law levels and it's not necessary to have a big tube amp pushing a lot of air) but bass guitar is one instrument where less is more in my opinion. A good preamp and some EQ is really all you need.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Johnny the Kid said:
One could argue that for guitar (I'd happily argue that modeling technology has reached Moore's Law levels and it's not necessary to have a big tube amp pushing a lot of air) but bass guitar is one instrument where less is more in my opinion. A good preamp and some EQ is really all you need.
Click to expand...

Well, I said I'm not one of those people. But they're out there. Actually, starting in the '70s, a lot of big time commercial studios started recording direct through the board, especially with the advent of the SansAmp bass unit. It was actually seen as an improvement, but like everything, the pendulum eventually swung the other way. Like SS amps were seen as an 'improvement' over noisy and unreliable tube amps.

But for me and my situation, adequately micing an amp for bass would be extremely difficult, prohibitively expensive, and ridiculous overkill.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Rather than pick P or J-style, go for a used neckthrough Charvel 3B or a Jackson bolt-on import that has both pickup types.

Then there are the Jackson C4 basses with a more traditional 2x2 headstock and Duncan Designed bar-style pickups which sound great, IMO (better than the stock Jackson pickups, anyway). They're comfortable to play, sound good, and can be had fairly cheap.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Most people start with a J or P bass and then evolve from there. You are not obligated to go that route. Some people like Ernie Ball basses and others Ibanez basses and others Gibson style basses. I am no different.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Ibanez makes some great SR series basses
Brand new Sr500 is $600

Should be able to find a 300 under $200 used

As for amps
My behringer pa came with presets for just plugging straight in
My modeling pedal has presets for bass amp sims

You should find something for the recording without having to push air
Or keep up with a drummer or deaf guitarist
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

I am/was in a similar situation. Back around '96, I was looking for a bass, just to have around the house. Kinda had my eye on a used Peavey Unity or Dyna-bass, but wound up buying a used Fender Precision Lyte bass. I was at Mike Lull's shop in Bellevue, Wash.; this guy was trading it in on one of Mike's custom basses. It's MIJ, a beautiful instrument, and I've been very happy with it...especially the light weight. It has an active PJ setup, and sounds darn good to me...very versatile.

I found an old '70s SS Randall Commander 115 combo for $40 at a garage sale and that works fine for home play practice but it's a little under-powered for anything other than a coffee house. Not a bad guitar amp either, if you dig that big 15" for blues.

But a few years ago, I lucked out and found a pristine '90s Peavey Combo 300 BW 115...the white panel model, and got it for $200. I really like old Peavey stuff--it sounds good, it's reliable, and if you are patient you can get it cheap. Adding a extension speaker gives me 300 WRMS, or I can use use the built-in crossover to create an efficient bi-amped system. (BTW, a bi-amped rig like this is KILLER for keyboards!) I've used it both ways. Played outdoors with it...no problems. No...it's not an SVT, but it didn't cost me $1,500 either. I've got a couple of Radial Direct Boxes if I need to go to a PA.

For a inexpensive rig, I can strongly recommend Peavey.

Bill
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

I have 2 basses. my 4 string is an 80's model Charvel model series. Plays amazing and sounds great. very reasonbly priced. my 5 string is an Ibanez Sr305 and it was very inexpensive and plays/sounds great too
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Another guitar player here that picked up a bass for studio and jam situations. I picked up one of the new import Tobias 4 string basses for $150 and spent about the same on the MXR bass DI and the combo sounds amazing. It actually blows our bass player's sound out of the water and he has a couple grand invested in his setup.
 
Re: Guitar player - looking for Bass

Are you looking for long scale (34 inch) or short scale (30 inch). Short scale is closer to an electric guitar. I prefer long scale, but I have a couple of 32 inch scale hollow body basses. If you are looking to save a few bucks and like Fender Jazz basses, you might try a used American made Peavey Foundation. I got one a few months ago for 3 bills in great condition and it came with a case.
 
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