Drummer/Studio Owner Needs Bassist's Advice

[gapurvis]

I am a drummer and own a project studio. My Stingray was recent stolen. I loved that bass but it seemed to be geared more for a funk/slap approach. My work mostly involves country and blues. Before replacing my Stingray, I'd like a few tips on basses that are geared toward a Nashville/Memphis sound. Am I even right about the Stingray sound? Thanx

[Aaron]

I've seen stingrays in some modern country stuff, but I'd say that a Fender Precision is going to be the most popular model by a long shot. I'd guess that almost all older Nashville stuff is played with a p-bass, most of the time with flats.

Across all genres, Fender Precisions have been the most recorded basses.

[agreatheight]

Fender.

Either a Jazz or a Precision would work fine, although I find Jazzes a bit easier to sit in a mix, and they are a bit easier for most bassists to play. If you got a new MIA (made in America) it'll cost you just about 1K, or you can get a used for around $600 - $650. You can also go CIJ (created in Japan) or MIM (made in Mexico) for less than the American made basses. The Japan builds are usually pretty good, Mexican are said to be hit and miss. So depending on your budget and your preference to US or foreign manufacturing / buying new vs. used you could save a bunch of money OR buy BOTH a Jazz and a Precision. Having a Jazz and a Precision will cover lots of ground, especially in country.

Good luck!

[Gegatso]

Fender Jazz or Precision...same post as the one above.

~Mark

[Dbassmon]

I think it has more to do with the archer than the arrow if you get my drift. Stingray is pro quality bass as is P or Jazz Fender. They all will sound great in the hands of a great player, they all will work well in country track in the hands of great player. You can't really go wrong with any of them. Jazz has a smaller neck than the others and therefore, may be a little easier to play for a non bass playing producer who want to throw down a bass track.

Don't bass players usually bring there own basses?

BTW Lakland has a new pickup/pre system that mimic all of these basses very closely. Check out http://www.lakland.com/multimedia/ac_5502.htm
There was a video posted at one point, which did a side by side comparison of all three basses against LH3 electronic and pickup package. Damn if this bass didn't get very close to capturing all three basses dead on.

[Dave Martin]

If you're talking about classic Memphis stuff (Duck Dunn, Jimmy Johnson), it was usually done on a P Bass, as was most of the classic Nashville stuff that used an electric bass.

By the mid 80's, though, Nashville guys were playing the same variety as everywhere else.

[RandallFlagg]

I tend to agree with the consenus.....I swear by a Jazz, but the Precision is legendary.

Years ago, however, I remember a lot of country bassists using Peaveys.....for what it's worth..


My money is on the J or the P....

[Dave Martin]

Originally Posted by RandallFlagg

I tend to agree with the consenus.....I swear by a Jazz, but the Precision is legendary.

Years ago, however, I remember a lot of country bassists using Peaveys.....for what it's worth..

Yep - Peavey gave away a lot of basses here....

[Cactusgrant]

I'm pretty surprised, I thought warwicks and BC richs were used quite alot in old country/nashville type stuff. Learn somthing new every day huh?!

[BellBottomBlues]

Get a Fender P, IMHO they sit in the mix the best of any bass with the most minor EQ tweaking.

I'd suggest buying an American Vintage 62 P-bass used as they are fantastic basses.

[MysticMichael]

Yep, a Precision and/or a Jazz would be a no-brainer - assuming it's a nice one. Hint: Buy used/vintage if you can.

If you want to go a little more high-end, any of the quality Fender-style makes, such as Sadowsky, Celinder or Lakland, could be very sweet too...

MM

[louieeadg]

For county/blues stuff....I'd get something fretless. And put nylon tapewounds on it. That sounds is so sweet. And with a P, the thump would sound very much like an upright....so sweet....

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by louieeadg

For county/blues stuff....I'd get something fretless. And put nylon tapewounds on it. That sounds is so sweet. And with a P, the thump would sound very much like an upright....so sweet....

I'm not sure if fretless would be a great idea. There is somewhat of a learning curve for intonation on a fretless bass. Also, I generally associate fretless sounds with having their own niche, rather than working across genres and styles.

[louieeadg]

Very true, there's a learning curve but the original sounds of country and blues were uprights...or was I dreaming that?

And if you have good intonation you cant tell if someone's playing a fretless or one of those other things....

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by louieeadg

And if you have good intonation you cant tell if someone's playing a fretless or one of those other things....

Actually, I can. They are completely different instruments. For one thing, electric basses can't reproduce the resonance of double basses. There is a reason why I own an upright and a fretless bass.

As far as the original sounds are concerned, uprights were definitely common in Nashville through the 60s, but I'm pretty sure electric basses had also been used starting in the mid to late 50s. I'm not sure about Blues.

[RandallFlagg]

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

Yep - Peavey gave away a lot of basses here....

Funny......I used to do some session work in Nashville and knew a guy by the name of Dave Martin.....could this be you, Dave??? If so, I was under the impression that you had retired about 5-7 years ago!?!?! If not....YO!!!!! LONG TIME NO SEE!!!!!

[Stuggi]

Get a MIJ P-Bass and a MIJ Jazz Bass. That would cost you about as much as a new Ray or an American Jazz Bass, and together the P-bass and J-bass are the most recorded basses ever.
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