Calling all Bass Players....HELP

[slashgnr88]

Hey guys I have decided that I am going to start learning bass. So I am in the market for one....But the issue is I have no idea what to look for....I would love to build a Gecko but dont have the funds to put down. so what bass should I get for around 500 bucks? Could possibly go higher...

so what do I look for??

4 string or 5?

frets or fretless?

active or passive?

brands?

woods?


  any help would be great guys!!!

 

[line6man]

I'd start with a P bass or a J bass or something.

 

[swarfrat]

I'm also a NARB (Not A Real Bassist), and have a 5 string and a fretless. And I'm attempting to sell them both to buy a Squire or MIM 4 string P-bass that I intend to tune DGCF.  There are other reasons to get a five besides a few more notes, namely more notes within a given position. But there's also equally good reasons to stay with a 4 string. Like  vastly expanded choices, string spacing, simplicity, and decent tone. (I've never been really happy with my low B string, even when I've gone heavier gauges)

 

[bagman67]

I'm very happy with my squier jag bass.  Picked it up new for a song...well, 249 bucks plus tax.  Got a GK combo amp for another three and a half benjamins and I'm in business.  The squiers are fine gear at the price.  Surprisingly good fit and finish.  Search on posts by me mentioning "squier" to get a photo.

 

[thebutcher85]

I vote P-Bass  :icon_thumright:

 

[thebutcher85]

for 500 or a bit more you could build a decent W P-bass, just go with some of the Guitar Fetish hardware & pickups  :dontknow:

 

[swarfrat]

For $500 I could snag a used Squire P-bass and  be $300 closer to my next Warmoth guitar.

 

[slashgnr88]

Whats the deal with the pro/cons of 5strings? closer spacing good or bad?

also whats the opinion on an Ibanez SR535. I could snag one of these for 3-350 with a fitted hard case.

 

[AprioriMark]

As a bass player, I suggest a halfway point.  Buy a used Squier bass, preferably a Precision Bass Special (also has a J pickup) or any non-Affinity model Squier bass.  You can set these up to be decent enough, but if the *meh* neck bothers you, you can get a Warmoth neck and make it a very playable bass.  I've found the pickups to be tolerable, though I replace them with a Fender Original 62 P pickup (60 bucks or so) for my students. 

You can always upgrade the body eventually, too, if you get seriously into playing the bass and it bothers you.  I prefer the Squier Precision Bass special bodies to American Fenders.  It's Paulowina, and sounds great.  Even replacing the neck, hardware, tuners and pickup(s), you'll be into it less than 500 bucks (if you can score a decent Squier for ~100).  And, you can build it piece by piece, replacing parts as you find good deals. 

Make no mistake, a decently set up cheap bass is 85% the bass of a 2k bass.  Customize it to your needs and tastes with top notch parts, and it's every bit as good without a name pedigree.

-Mark

 

[line6man]

Whats the deal with the pro/cons of 5strings? closer spacing good or bad?

also whats the opinion on an Ibanez SR535. I could snag one of these for 3-350 with a fitted hard case.

It's personal preference.
5 string basses don't always have closer string spacing. Some like their necks wide, some like them narrow. That's why Warmoth does three neck widths for the Gecko basses.

Some like the fact that a five string offers more notes accessible within a given playing position. Some like doing chords, and some like the extra few low notes on a BEADG tuned bass, or high notes on a EADGC tuned bass. Others find the 5th string to be good for nothing more than a thumbrest. Further still, are those, like myself, that can't get past the massive necks on 5 string basses. Even narrower necks are too big for me.

 

[rockskate4x]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/squier-vintage-modified-jaguar-electric-bass-guitar-special/h71306

I just picked this guy up. P and J pickups plus a pretty nifty active bass boost/eq sorta circuit, so you get loads of tones out of it. The neck is a J bass neck, so once it's set up, it should be very comfy to play. I bought it planning on modding it but I like it as is. Take this with a grain of salt as also am NARB

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

If someone had never played bass before, I'd suggest a 4 string P Bass.  Simple controls, easy to make sound good on most amps.  Later on you may want something more versatile and you may also discover you want to stay with the P.  If you're going from bass to guitar, it is tuned similarly and (possibly) fretted, but the strength of the bass is not in copying guitar licks but complimenting percussion.  The simple, boring bass playing can make or break a band more than hot licks and donkity donk soloing ever could.  Being "locked in" is rhythm section 101.

 

[line6man]

If someone had never played bass before, I'd suggest a 4 string P Bass.  Simple controls, easy to make sound good on most amps.  Later on you may want something more versatile and you may also discover you want to stay with the P.  If you're going from bass to guitar, it is tuned similarly and (possibly) fretted, but the strength of the bass is not in copying guitar licks but complimenting percussion.  The simple, boring bass playing can make or break a band more than hot licks and donkity donk soloing ever could.  Being "locked in" is rhythm section 101.

That's what Billy Sheehan says, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p49yndQKoFE

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I guess he lurks on my posts then. :icon_jokercolor:

 

[bagman67]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/squier-vintage-modified-jaguar-electric-bass-guitar-special/h71306

I just picked this guy up. P and J pickups plus a pretty nifty active bass boost/eq sorta circuit, so you get loads of tones out of it. The neck is a J bass neck, so once it's set up, it should be very comfy to play. I bought it planning on modding it but I like it as is. Take this with a grain of salt as also am NARB

That's the exact same one I picked up.  It ROOLZ.  Very slim, comfy neck.  NARBs + Squier Jag bass = Bad-ass-tacular.

 

[thebutcher85]

I too am a NARB  :headbang:

 

[line6man]

NARB, as well. Though I currently have more basses than guitars. :blob7:

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Other things to consider are, what music do you like listening to.  I know, I know, but if you like the bands that use P basses, there you go.  If you like the dirtier tone of a Jazz bass, well, there you go.  I like the grungy tone of the pickups in series, and got a Musicman pickup that I switch in and out of those wiring options.  90% of the time it is in series and dirty.  As Joey said, the neck width can also be an issue.  When starting to learn bass, the thin ones are often easier, like the Jazz necks.  But, if you have played guitar, the P bass necks are not that bad.  I personally don't notice much.  I have fours and fives.  I generally play the five string fretted bass the most because it gives me the most options, and has the mentioned wiring I like.  The four sting is a P bass Jazz hybrid, and great for most other things.  Especially things like faster rock music.  The fifth string does get in the way of riding on the low E note.

But, I would think about what I was most likely to sit down an play or practice, and use that to determine what kind of instrument is best suited to that.
Patrick

 

[swarfrat]

For years I avoided P-bass because I wanted a more articulate tone. But I've finally realized that pretty much all J's do is midrange honk and it might sound cool while chord soloing with Chick Corea, but it just don't provide the foundational wall o' sound that you can bang your head against.  I still lean toward something a little more articulate than your average p-bass thud, but now days its more like an articulate thud - rather than the piano string tone I once pursued. But in any case, nasal honk is most certainly not what I'm shooting for, so pickups marketed in skinny form factor need not apply.

 

[Updown]

This is my only bass (below) I have.
Plays good & sounds pretty good for a Squire.
4 strings is enough for me, as it's what I'm use to from the 70's.  :toothy11:
If I had 5, i probably wouldn't use it.
:icon_scratch: Suppose it depends on what style you play too.