So I'm back after almost a year and I've decided to upgrade my gear. I currently have a Jay Turser Jazz bass(got it on sale from 200 to 150 euros or from 230 to 170 dollars) and I'm really satisfied with the quality of it, but it isn't exactly the bass for recording... So, like before I need advice on what bass I should buy. It doesn't matter if it's precision or jazz, I need it for recording so I want some good quality. My price range is now from 300-400 euros or in dollars from 340 to 450. So throw all your suggestions at me!
Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
- Thread starter pyrotbag
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Fender has a good selection of MIM Jazz and Precision basses in that price range. You can get Jazz 4 or 5 strings, and with two single coils (Standard), two split coils (Blacktop), & two HB's (Modern Player). Plus there's MIM Precision, Dimension, & Jaguar basses.
Fender has a good selection of MIM Jazz and Precision basses in that price range. You can get Jazz 4 or 5 strings, and with two single coils (Standard), two split coils (Blacktop), & two HB's (Modern Player). Plus there's MIM Precision, Dimension, & Jaguar basses.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
For value-for-money and playability straight out of the box, it is very difficult to beat the Squier Vintage Modified series. Precision, Jazz, combinations of both in various outlines or the occasional humbucker model.
In January, I was pretty impressed by the Squier Dimension IV bass. With a pickup and EQ upgrade, it would be fine.
On the other hand, if you are willing to spend money on component upgrades, consider applying them to your Turser. Duncan/Basslines offer both passive and active pickups plus active EQ systems. Since your expressed main interest is recording, I suggest any of the following:
SD/Basslines AJJ-1 Pro Active pair
SD/Basslines AJJ-2 Lightnin' Rods pair
SD/Basslines STC-2C-BO Blackouts for Bass 2-band EQ, Concentric pots
If you are willing to buy pre-owned, there is a vendor on eBay UK, right now, offering a pair of the old Active EQ series "switch" pickups. (No. For once, it isn't me!) 90GBP, excluding shipping.
EMG-JX pair
EMG-BTC 2-band EQ, Concentric pots
EMG-ABC Active Balance Control
One of the advantages of these active systems is that they are supplied new with the necessary pots and TRS jack socket. In fitting these, you are upgrading your controls as well as your pickups.
My suggestions may appear disproportionately expensive compared to your instrument but they can be obtained for well within your budget.
For value-for-money and playability straight out of the box, it is very difficult to beat the Squier Vintage Modified series. Precision, Jazz, combinations of both in various outlines or the occasional humbucker model.
In January, I was pretty impressed by the Squier Dimension IV bass. With a pickup and EQ upgrade, it would be fine.
On the other hand, if you are willing to spend money on component upgrades, consider applying them to your Turser. Duncan/Basslines offer both passive and active pickups plus active EQ systems. Since your expressed main interest is recording, I suggest any of the following:
SD/Basslines AJJ-1 Pro Active pair
SD/Basslines AJJ-2 Lightnin' Rods pair
SD/Basslines STC-2C-BO Blackouts for Bass 2-band EQ, Concentric pots
If you are willing to buy pre-owned, there is a vendor on eBay UK, right now, offering a pair of the old Active EQ series "switch" pickups. (No. For once, it isn't me!) 90GBP, excluding shipping.
EMG-JX pair
EMG-BTC 2-band EQ, Concentric pots
EMG-ABC Active Balance Control
One of the advantages of these active systems is that they are supplied new with the necessary pots and TRS jack socket. In fitting these, you are upgrading your controls as well as your pickups.
My suggestions may appear disproportionately expensive compared to your instrument but they can be obtained for well within your budget.
Last edited:
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Cheap quality value basses:
- Kramer focus (heavy hardware, though)
- Ibanez Blazer and some Roadstars IIs
- those MIJ Fernandez, including newer ones. A bit messed up with finish but solid
Put a Fender American Vintage bridge which is cheap and improves them a lot.
Cheap quality value basses:
- Kramer focus (heavy hardware, though)
- Ibanez Blazer and some Roadstars IIs
- those MIJ Fernandez, including newer ones. A bit messed up with finish but solid
Put a Fender American Vintage bridge which is cheap and improves them a lot.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
OP is in Macedonia. Many makes and models that we take for granted are simply not available over there. The limited selection that is available may seem priced extortionately.
Meanwhile, here is another nomination. The Overwater/Tanglewood Aspiration series. Affordable, eminently playable. Go for one with hum-cancelling pickups and active EQ.
OP is in Macedonia. Many makes and models that we take for granted are simply not available over there. The limited selection that is available may seem priced extortionately.
Meanwhile, here is another nomination. The Overwater/Tanglewood Aspiration series. Affordable, eminently playable. Go for one with hum-cancelling pickups and active EQ.
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Yes, indeed I hail from Macedonia. I did some checking today in the shops....The price of a Mexican Fender Precision bass is 625 euros. Bit much in my opinion. On the other hand to the other gentlemen's replies, I'm not really looking to add better hardware parts to my Turser. Because well, it isn't worth it. You can't make a Porsche out of a Lada Niva. The Squier Vintage Modified precision bass, has been a favorite for a long time, but unfortunately they don't sell it here and if they did they would jack up the price very heavily. A question the Squier, do they still make the VM P-bass? Not the PJ-bass, just the P-bass?
Yes, indeed I hail from Macedonia. I did some checking today in the shops....The price of a Mexican Fender Precision bass is 625 euros. Bit much in my opinion. On the other hand to the other gentlemen's replies, I'm not really looking to add better hardware parts to my Turser. Because well, it isn't worth it. You can't make a Porsche out of a Lada Niva. The Squier Vintage Modified precision bass, has been a favorite for a long time, but unfortunately they don't sell it here and if they did they would jack up the price very heavily. A question the Squier, do they still make the VM P-bass? Not the PJ-bass, just the P-bass?
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
The Squier VM P Bass is still in production. Retail price should be in the region of EU350, give or take local purchase taxes.
The Squier VM P Bass is still in production. Retail price should be in the region of EU350, give or take local purchase taxes.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Many Squier, Ibanez, Schecter and Cort instruments are made in the same factory.
Many Squier, Ibanez, Schecter and Cort instruments are made in the same factory.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Funkfingers is the man with the plan. I would trust his advice on this one because he knows the market and his gear here in Europe especially.
Funkfingers is the man with the plan. I would trust his advice on this one because he knows the market and his gear here in Europe especially.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
^
Thanks, SA. The bribe is in the mail.
^
Thanks, SA. The bribe is in the mail.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
If possible, I would suggest a Dean John Entwistle Bass. Based on the "Fenderbird" design with an extremely playable 22 fret Precision bass neck and Thunderbird bodies and electronics. I played one a bit ago and it was wonderful in my hands.
If possible, I would suggest a Dean John Entwistle Bass. Based on the "Fenderbird" design with an extremely playable 22 fret Precision bass neck and Thunderbird bodies and electronics. I played one a bit ago and it was wonderful in my hands.
Last edited:
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
For that price, you can get a neck-thru Epi Thunderbird with either active electronics or Gibson mini-HB's. Mine's pretty nice.
For that price, you can get a neck-thru Epi Thunderbird with either active electronics or Gibson mini-HB's. Mine's pretty nice.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
I'll take flac for suggesting this, cause it's a very heavy instrument, but the Peavey T-40 is a killer bass. Very solid, with great pickups, two volume and two tone controls, three way switch, and bullet proof hardware.
When the tone controls are set from 7 to 10, the pickups are single coils. Below 7 on the tones, either pickup will become a humbucker. You could nail the stage together with one, and still nail almost any tone you want with different pickup and coil combinations.
I'll take flac for suggesting this, cause it's a very heavy instrument, but the Peavey T-40 is a killer bass. Very solid, with great pickups, two volume and two tone controls, three way switch, and bullet proof hardware.
When the tone controls are set from 7 to 10, the pickups are single coils. Below 7 on the tones, either pickup will become a humbucker. You could nail the stage together with one, and still nail almost any tone you want with different pickup and coil combinations.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Nice looking basses. I think the one PU may be too close to the neck to be used as full HB, but since it comes with spin-a-split (what a great idea!) that's not an issue (unlike with SG basses). Why are T-40's so heavy?
Nice looking basses. I think the one PU may be too close to the neck to be used as full HB, but since it comes with spin-a-split (what a great idea!) that's not an issue (unlike with SG basses). Why are T-40's so heavy?
jtougas
New member
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
Depending on who you ask, and when they were made, they're built either out of northern hard ash, or oak.
Or pure lead (which, for all intents and purposes, is what your spine will think you're carrying around).
A friend of mine has one of the guitars, and it weighs.
Depending on who you ask, and when they were made, they're built either out of northern hard ash, or oak.
Or pure lead (which, for all intents and purposes, is what your spine will think you're carrying around).
A friend of mine has one of the guitars, and it weighs.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Upgrading from a beginner bass to a better bass! Advice needed
True, but I'm not a huge fan of the Tbird necks. Plus the Dean has active EQ. The EMG's aren't active though.
True, but I'm not a huge fan of the Tbird necks. Plus the Dean has active EQ. The EMG's aren't active though.
