Best Guitar for Bassists?

**pringlw** · #1 10-12-2009, 04:44 AM

Ok I need some advice. I've been playing bass for 30 years and really haven't played guitar since I was 10. My daughter is just starting guitar lessons and I've promised to learn with her - to keep her interested. Beyond that, learning rhythm guitar can only help my bass playing improve.

But of course for 30 years I'm used to hitting strings a certain way with my big fat stubby bass player fingers. I need to find an electric guitar that's got a solid neck width. Any model suggestions for a bassist picking up a guitar? Looking for electric not acoustic.

Wademeister63 · #2 10-12-2009, 05:28 AM

As a guitar player who graduated to bassist a few years ago I'll suggest you pick up a Strat. It's going to take some getting used to no matter what you get so you might as well go with a "normal" guitar. To me the Strat necks feel bigger than a lot of the others and it seems a lot easier to fit a strat tone into a mix.

Webtroll · #3 10-12-2009, 07:07 AM

Started on guitar but I never thought of myself as a musician until I picked up the bass (started both in the 70s). I like Strats well enough but I'm most comfortable on a Les Paul, and the new "Vintage Mahogany" Les Pauls are very nice for the price. Here's my '74 Standard:

I started a thread on it on the MyLesPaul forums to try and find out more information about it (if you care to see it in more detail):

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/norl...-included.html

The weight is comfortable at 9.7 pounds possibly due to it's compact size, and the humbuckers have a nice full tone that my Strat doesn't have. I also have a T60 which I recently acquired and sent to a shop for a pro setup and a Vandenberg that I need to pull the tremsetter from (sure they help keep you in tune, but the floating tremolo wankiness is all gone, and since it's a toy and not a tool...). Over the years I've owned other Les Pauls and Strats, L6s, an SG, an RD, and am currently considering buying and modding a Hello Kitty Strat.

**IvanMike** · #4 10-12-2009, 07:31 AM

play a ton.

my vote goes for the strats with the big chunky necks circa 1979 or so. Most of the custom shop strats from the late 90's had those huge necks as well, but both of those options are expensive.

if you play a bunch, you'll find one that fits right. don't sweat it.

Rawkabilly · #5 10-12-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanMike

play a ton.

my vote goes for the strats with the big chunky necks circa 1979 or so. Most of the custom shop strats from the late 90's had those huge necks as well, but both of those options are expensive.

if you play a bunch, you'll find one that fits right. don't sweat it.

Yep. I'd say try out as many guitars as possible and see what feels "right". Personally, I love Telecasters.
Rondo has some killer guitars for very cheap. All they'll need is a good setup.

chrisisnotevil · #6 10-12-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawkabilly

Yep. I'd say try out as many guitars as possible and see what feels "right". Personally, I love Telecasters.
Rondo has some killer guitars for very cheap. All they'll need is a good setup.

This.

I love me a Telecaster too, I can't deal with the seemingly tiny SG and Les Paul fingerboards. Problem with a question like this is it's like basses. Everyone's different, while some are happy with an SX 4banger, some want a boutique coffee table, and you never know what's right till you play it. Play many, buy a cheap one in case you decide you hate it and wanna change.

Phalex · #7 10-12-2009, 09:01 AM

I have a classical guitar that's just about the only guitar I can play anymore! The wide neck is so much easier than a skinny electric.

jive1 · #8 10-12-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I have a classical guitar that's just about the only guitar I can play anymore! The wide neck is so much easier than a skinny electric.

Before I started gigging on a electric guitar, a classical guitar was the most comfortable for me because of the wider neck and string spacing.

jive1 · #9 10-12-2009, 09:18 AM

Try some guitars on for size to see if it fits. No matter what, the string tension is less, the spacing is narrower, the strings are skinnier, and the tuning is different.

For me, it's a strat or tele. They balance better on me when sitting down or with a strap. I love the sound of Les Pauls, PRS, etc, but they just don't fit me as well as a Tele or Strat.

megadan · #10 10-12-2009, 09:43 AM

The only guitar that ever really felt comfortable to my bass hands was the Fender Jags and Jazzmasters. They seem to have wider string spacing than normal, and the ones I played were stiffer than most. Maybe that's just cause they were expensive guitars.

Now I play a Dano baritone guitar the feels ok.

Kobaia · #11 10-12-2009, 09:52 AM

i'd have to say a Bass Guitar

WalterBush · #12 10-12-2009, 10:12 AM

Try a long-scale guitar, of any kind. They don't need to be strung baritone, and I love the way they feel; it allows my "bass hands" to move more comfortably, and the larger string size feels a bit better.

I love classical-style guitars; would a nylon string with a pickup work for your needs?

Honk'n_down-low · #13 10-12-2009, 10:37 AM

I was thinking of one of the Chet Atkins Model Gibsons - Classical styled neck with electronics - I have been looking as well. Right now I have an Ibanez Artcore Custom - I still have trouble with the spacing due to my Large Hands and thick fingers.

The Long Scale Baritone is of interest if it can be strung like a standard Guitar and allow for more room. *Disclaimer* I have no desire to play guitar except to accompany my Bass work.

Webtroll · #14 10-12-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I have a classical guitar that's just about the only guitar I can play anymore! The wide neck is so much easier than a skinny electric.

+1 For acoustics I love classical guitars. Every one I've owned has played better and sounded better (to me) than every steel string I've played (with one or 2 exceptions). The spacing and feel of the gut strings just works for me.

EagleMoon · #15 10-12-2009, 04:29 PM

I like the Agile guitars from Rondo. I had one of the AL-3000's with the spalted-maple tops and it was every bit as good as a Gibson.

bassybeenz · #16 10-12-2009, 04:39 PM

the newer squire vintage vibe strats are a pretty good deal and have a fairly chunky neck compared to most tele's. for a squire they sound decent, i keep mine strung with 13's just cause im used to bass strings (i use 50-110).

MNAirHead · #17 10-12-2009, 04:52 PM

Semi Hollow --- Ovation Tornado if you like vintage gear
T-60 is a great investment right now.

I'm still thinking you're discussing a nylon string.. there are some incredible Yamaha solid tops around right now.

**pringlw** · #18 10-12-2009, 07:25 PM

Alright. I took the advice of the group and went down a different direction than I started. I ended up with a Cordoba 55FCE (Flamingo Acoustic/Electric). The 2 inch nut width was part of the attraction, but also I kind of figured that if I'm going to learn guitar, why not learn classic guitar? It's more likely to help my bass playing. Besides all that its a beautiful little instrument. Thanks for the advice all.

jollygiantchris · #19 10-12-2009, 11:09 PM

http://www.rondomusic.com/product1123.html
^^^^^
Rondo started making wider neck les pauls. Personally I have the AL-3100 wide neck and its pretty badass the wider spacing helps with fretting a LOT. If you buy one you WON'T be disappointed hell mine didn't even need a setup upon arrival.