Need a bass guitar, come on inside...

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Ventura

Ventura

Well-known member
So, I need a bass for laying down fairly simple tracks in my recordings. I'm a complete quality laden gear whore when it comes to all things 6 string; but in the case of the bass (heh, that's a rap), I need something that'll sound good, play well, and play easily enough. It'll be DI recorded, no amplification.

Thanks for your suggestions.

V. :thumbsup:
 
Ventura":1a1wqmap said:
So, I need a bass for laying down fairly simple tracks in my recordings. I'm a complete quality laden gear whore when it comes to all things 6 string; but in the case of the bass (heh, that's a rap), I need something that'll sound good, play well, and play easily enough. It'll be DI recorded, no amplification.

Thanks for your suggestions.

V. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I'm in the same predicament right now. I need to buy a bass! I've been drinking the OldEnglund kool aid and have decided to lay down some bass tracks along with the stuff I write on Logic. I can't believe the starting prices for a new Fender American Bass. I've always liked the punchiness of the Jazz basses by Fender, but everyone seems to get the P-basses. There must be some logic in that other than rock bassists liking P-basses more for rock.

I really want to just by a MIM Fender bass, but I also don't want to regret it! I hate investing in gear that has nothing to do with my rig. :thumbsdown:
 
I love Jazz basses and Rickenbackers. My good friend is using a Rick on a current project, it is absolutely pure BALLS
 
budget?

Used US Fenders are hard to beat, The MIM Fenders with hardware upgrades are nice, an old Spector NS2A are a steal for the prices they go for, I LOVE mine, G&Ls used or the Tribute series are great as well, Musicman Stingrays ALWAYS sound amazing, shit there are so many kickass basses out there....
 
If you're going direct I'd suggest something with active pickups. You'll have a better control of the sounds you're getting. Look at the higher end Ibanez soundgear SRX basses with two pickups. Lots of tones and slim necks that setup low for easy action.

Classic basses like ricks and fenders sound awesome but you have to play them like you mean it.

Id equate it like this. Going direct with an active bass will hide your flaws as a bassist similar to how a high gain amp with high output pickups does for guitarists. Picking a classic bass with passive pickups is more like plugging a Les Paul straight into a plexi.
 
I have a nice made in Japan sdgr Ibanez I think its about 12 yrs old..5 string
375.00 shipped.
 
Wow!! :shocked: Ask and ye shall receive!!!

Alright, got some research to do on the above mentioned goods. Any more thoughts on this, or afterthoughts, keep 'em coming. Thanks a ton!!

Mo :thumbsup:
 
i have an American p bass and i love it! they are pretty standard. what is ur budget like?
 
GODDAMNIT REZA! GASGASGASGASGAS!

that sounds GREAT. I have a cheap 5string squier jazz bass that serves the purpose, but the neck is TOO huge for me, I'll exchange it for a 4 string MIA P bass when I get the chance. MY interface has REALLY REALLY nice pres (Metric Halo) but I notice it need something else for the bass to stand out.... I have to play with the EQs and amps sim too much to get it to really pump.

THIS is what I need..... shit. I gotta spend those 200 bucks on Izotope's Ozone 4 though....so it'll have to wait
 
sinestro":cf8lqv7e said:
If you're going direct I'd suggest something with active pickups. You'll have a better control of the sounds you're getting. Look at the higher end Ibanez soundgear SRX basses with two pickups. Lots of tones and slim necks that setup low for easy action.

Classic basses like ricks and fenders sound awesome but you have to play them like you mean it.

Id equate it like this. Going direct with an active bass will hide your flaws as a bassist similar to how a high gain amp with high output pickups does for guitarists. Picking a classic bass with passive pickups is more like plugging a Les Paul straight into a plexi.
Click to expand...

+1

I know Fender basses are all the rage now along with Ricks because that's what I see in the hands of every bass player of every group that gigs on late night TV. It's a really simple solution to get an active and just plug it straight into your board. It's an inexpensive solution, and luckily for you, there is not nearly as much tone-snobbery that revovles around the bass. People just get pissed off when it cuts into the guitar. At least, that's what people get pissed at me for when I use an active.

I would seriously say Peavey Millenium AC 5. I've got the 4, and it's a good bass. The pups are Active VFL, the same thing they put on Peavey Cirrus basses. It's made in Indonesia, and the wood is Agathis, but it's fairly well made. You WILL have to really work at getting those saddles adjusted because this thing is tough to get in tune.

It's all very workable though. Let me know, and I'll do some DI clips with my Millenium AC 4. You can tell me if you like the sound. They run about $360 brand new, but eBay always has some cheaper, especially if you don't care what it looks like.
 
Gooseman":2u939och said:
Ventura":2u939och said:
So, I need a bass for laying down fairly simple tracks in my recordings. I'm a complete quality laden gear whore when it comes to all things 6 string; but in the case of the bass (heh, that's a rap), I need something that'll sound good, play well, and play easily enough. It'll be DI recorded, no amplification.

Thanks for your suggestions.

V. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I'm in the same predicament right now. I need to buy a bass! I've been drinking the OldEnglund kool aid and have decided to lay down some bass tracks along with the stuff I write on Logic. I can't believe the starting prices for a new Fender American Bass. I've always liked the punchiness of the Jazz basses by Fender, but everyone seems to get the P-basses. There must be some logic in that other than rock bassists liking P-basses more for rock.

I really want to just by a MIM Fender bass, but I also don't want to regret it! I hate investing in gear that has nothing to do with my rig. :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

Fender MIM instruments are quite good for the money, especially with some upgrades like a badass bridge and new pickups. I had the Jazz bass and it was nice, and I had Custom shop pups and electronics and the bridge. I bought it used for $250, like that. I highly recommend looking used for an old ESP Jazz style or a USA BC Rich sort of P Bass. I don't know what BC Rich called them. They were traditional shaped, and sort of like a cross between a p bass and a super strat I guess. I saw one on ebay a few years back and bought it for $250 also. USA, 5 string, Bartolini pickup with active electronics. I don't know much else because, well I don't really play bass :lol: :LOL:

The thing is a while back I need to sell stuff and I had my basses for sale, except the BC Rich, because I won't sell it. This really serious Fender bass cat comes over. He has been playing for decades and only played Fender. He had a bunch of vintage Fenders but needed something for crappy gigs. He wanted to check out the MIM, and he liked it a lot but said it didn't compare to the high end Fender or vintage...duh. I told him to try the ESP. He told me he didn't want to try that Japanese crap. Now this bass was like $1500-$2000 new back in the day. After I explained that, he tried it and couldn't stop smiling. He said that was more like what he was used to and bought it. I told him to try the BC Rich, and it was his favorite but I wouldn't sell. My point is that there are a lot of really high end basses out there from back in the day, that just can't sell. They are tremendous value and are your best bet if you want something really great with high end features, great sound, and playability at a low price. If you need a certain bass..that is a different story. Good luck on your search.
 
My vote is for a Fender as listed above.... they're easy to find, thus relatively cheap used, and they get a very workable sound.

If you do a lot of low tuned guitar work, you'll probably want to opt for a 5 string bass. Still a ton to choose from there too.

How much you want to spend will determine a lot ;)
 
Fender Precision Deluxe used, 2000-2009 series. They have a slightly smaller, lighter and more streamlined body than the regular P-bass, they 'upgraded' it in 2010 back to a bigger body size, bad move imo and in others on Talkbass. The 5 string version is similarly awesome, although rarer used.

It sounds great on fingers and slapping, nice pillowy full tone that fits perfectly in the mix with bass and drums...but on griitty Ampeg-esque tones with a pick ie Helmet/Queens/Kings X, it absolutely rules...it really is 'it', no lie! I've got Warwicks, Musicman and MM-J's as well, played almost everything available, for one awesome bass to do it all, this is my pic (and my personal favourite.) More pickup selections look like more value, but really they just don't sound as good as the one P-style pickup in my experience.

You can pretty much always find them used for good prices (around $850 shipped) on the Talkbass classifieds (safely too, I got mine off there):

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/

Product Review: http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/showpro ... t/232/sl/f

deluxe.jpg



Less money than this, the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series P-bass get lots of great reviews also for sub-$500 prices new.
 
lolzgreg":1we4ycfz said:
Rickenbacker 4003, G&L L2000, or a Fender Marcus Miller Signature Jazz Bass :)

I own 2/3 and they rock.
Click to expand...

Ricks are the balls, only piece of gear I miss is my old 4001.

Marcus Miller = bass tone of the gods.
 
Ibanez BRB.

Monster tones

Active pups

Great action and playablity.


They are the shit for the price used.
 
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