Headed to guitar center right now! Which bass should I get?

[ronlitz]

None - you already have the best bass in the world!

[rust_preacher]

The one they have behind the desk "right out of the box"

The one that Salesman "Craig" gets the best commission out of.

The one they only made a special run for GC of.

The one that says "Clearance" on the price tag.

Or, if you go there with your mother, it's going to be a "Burnwood" or some such no-name POC.

[MetalcoreBP]

Originally Posted by Sid Fang

Do not set foot in Guitar Center with that mindset! The sales droids can smell GAS.

Last time I went there ready to shell out some cash they couldn't be pulled away from their conversation to help out a paying customer. I can't stand GC.

[wraub]

Was at my local GC just yesterday, saw a used SUB for $299 and a used Dean JE Hybrid for $499, a new Sterling 'Ray for $499 and a new MIA P bass with the Hand Rubbed Stain finish for $699.
Seems pretty typical.

+1 to looking at the used stuff, often amazing deals there.

wraub

[Cshanks5]

I mainly play worship music. I know guitar center doesn't have them but I've also been looking at a nash bass.

[Ric5]

Headed to guitar center right now! Which bass should I get?

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Get this one here

[ggvicviper]

As others have said before, going to GC and walking out with a bass without an idea of what you want or anything is a BAD idea.

Research what you think you like first, then check out music stores and sellers everywhere, not just GC.

[Cshanks5]

I'm kind of looking at the new vintage jazz basses!

[fkh006]

Originally Posted by 4001

I'll bet that most of the basses you try out wont be set up properly, if at all. Good luck with that.

Sadly, this is true most of the time.
I usually take a few tools and adjust to my liking.
I never goof with the truss rod at the store though.
I just take it over to the "tech" on duty and ask for a little more or less bow.
They are usually happy to oblige.

As always, the perfect setup for you will probably not make everyone happy.
But at least you will have a better idea about the bass in question.

[4001]

I just cannot understand how a place can be called "Guitar Center" and not have setup/repar techs in each store and how so many of the guitars and basses hanging on the wall are completly unplayable. It's like going to a car dealer that dosent have a service department and cars on the lot that are not driveable. It just dosen't make sense.

[bassgod0dmw]

As in the American Vintage series? They're more than likely not going to have those. GC Manhattan has a 62' AVRI from last year, but that's the only GC that I've seen one in.

[HeavyJazz77]

I'd recommend going to a real music store. There are plenty of privately owned and bass specialty shops nationwide where you can buy from somebody who didn't get their sales chops from a Mars Music alum. They may not only know how to play better than you, but also experienced enough to assist you with set ups, string and electronic recommendations/installations, etc...

[gjbassist]

If you want something a bit more modern sounding check out the Ibanez SR series.

[qervo]

Never go grocery shopping when your hungry.

[Habilis]

Go to Guitar Center, try out some basses, and then buy the bass you like from someone online who doesn't charge you the state sales tax. Here in sunny CA sales tax adds another freaking 10% to the cost. I consider myself a responsible citizen but that's outrageous. In general, I agree with the above posters about finding some gems in their used section from time to time--it's always worth a look.

[SteveC]

You have a good passive 4 string P bass so I'd get something active maybe, or how about a fretless?

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by SteveC

You have a good passive 4 string P bass so I'd get something active maybe, or how about a fretless?

A fretless at GC? Good luck finding that!

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by Cshanks5

I'm kind of looking at the new vintage jazz basses!

Look for other offerings besides just Fender. I just got a Lakland Skyline 44-60 custom with blocks/binding and great sounding vintage style pickups. I a/b'ed it with several MIA Fender Jazzes and it blew them away. G and L and others also have great Jazz style basses and you will not likely find them at GC.

+1 on finding a real music store. Where are you? Maybe we can recommend one.

[Loki182]

why guitar center? Support a local store.

[sobie18]

get a fearful