Help me choose my next budget bass

[grisezd]

Not on the list but a Warwick Rockbass with active pickups might be nice. The one I have has a sliver of a neck, great quality, medium light, and looks great with a nicer top than most come with. It's a Corvette Delux (or something like that), jazz pu setup. Mine did not have the funky adjustable nut, if that helps to date it?

[oldcatfish]

Quote from Roadkill "You know you want it - give in to the G.A.S."

---Right now, that's the top choice.

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

Oh, this is mostly just a GAS purchase...as I said, just looking for something a little different--for a little variety.

Depending on what I go with though, I am considering tuning one of my basses to BEAD. Just haven't decided for sure yet.

So the SX/Douglas have noisy electronics? If so, I'll cross them off the list.

Right now, I am really leaning toward something with active pickups, just because I only have passives now. And the RAY is leading the pack, because it would be the most different.

OK, well if you have the money for GAS fun, go for it.

What I meant was that the SX with the Jazz/humbucker pickup arrangement is a little noisy. At least, mine is. Not hugely so, but enough that I'd say the Squier Jag I had was a better bass. But it's also twice the price, and it's not deal-breaker noisy.

I've never owned a Douglas. Rondo imports them but they're made by a different company than SX, so I wouldn't assume anything said about SXs applies to them.

Still, for variety, I think the Ray will be the biggest change in your stable.

[39-Bassist]

I have played just about all those basses and actually the Sterling and
squire VM play very well with a good pu installed they are a good deal.
BTW have you tried a Dean Hillsboro?....Jazz neck good balance and good price @$300, just a thought.

[Meddle]

A Yamaha BB424X might be a wise choice.

[4StringsEnough]

Originally Posted by pocketgroove

Just get a Ray 4 and call it a night.

This.

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

OK, well if you have the money for GAS fun, go for it.

What I meant was that the SX with the Jazz/humbucker pickup arrangement is a little noisy. At least, mine is. Not hugely so, but enough that I'd say the Squier Jag I had was a better bass. But it's also twice the price, and it's not deal-breaker noisy.

Still, for variety, I think the Ray will be the biggest change in your stable.

Exactly what kind of noise are you talking about? SX J's do need shielding, but all J's do. If you can't do a shielding you probably don't want an SX, but if you can, and can do a setup, they are good values.

[oldcatfish]

Quote " SX J's do need shielding, but all J's do. "

I setup my own basses and guitars, so that part is no problem. I've only owned 2 jazz basses...one was my Peavey 5 string. It was a bit noisy, but I only liked it's tone with both pickups on full-so I never bothered shielding it. My current jazz is a Squier VM jazz--I think it's already shielded. There is very little noise even with only one of the pickups used on full, even at loud volumes.

If I were to buy the SX jazz with humbucker, the HB would probably be used mostly by itself.

[ejaggers]

Not on your list, but you have solid body covered. Get you a hollowbody. And next get a Tbird. And then a short scale. Or take a short cut, and get a short scale hollowbody.


057912

[thunderbird66]

I found the Epiphone les Paul bass's pretty comfortable but after sayin that my main bass' s are thunderbirds. Both really not the first choice for comfort, weight,etc. for most players especially players that lean jazz/p bass. I liked the first one i got so much i got 2 more! Guitarcenter usually has em in stock so try one out. I would suggest testing it out with strap standing up to see how it hangs on you for sure cause i think the feel a little different. I up grade mine with active emg's ( but stock pu's ain't bad ) and they kill.

[oldcatfish]

Quote "I found the Epiphone les Paul bass's pretty comfortable but after sayin that my main bass' s are thunderbirds. Both really not the first choice for comfort, weight,etc. for most players especially players that lean jazz/p bass. I liked the first one i got so much i got 2 more! Guitarcenter usually has em in stock so try one out. I would suggest testing it out with strap standing up to see how it hangs on you for sure cause i think the feel a little different. I up grade mine with active emg's ( but stock pu's ain't bad ) and they kill."

--I'll definitely try one. As I said, I loved the tone and looks of the Les Paul guitar that I had...but couldn't deal with how uncomfortable it was. And I have played a thunderbird before-I did like the tone, but it was very uncomfortable.

[BassClefJean]

Originally Posted by 39-Bassist

BTW have you tried a Dean Hillsboro?....Jazz neck good balance and good price @$300, just a thought.

Hello Music has a blue Hillsboro for $148.

Get 2!

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

Quote " SX J's do need shielding, but all J's do. "

I setup my own basses and guitars, so that part is no problem. I've only owned 2 jazz basses...one was my Peavey 5 string. It was a bit noisy, but I only liked it's tone with both pickups on full-so I never bothered shielding it. My current jazz is a Squier VM jazz--I think it's already shielded. There is very little noise even with only one of the pickups used on full, even at loud volumes.

If I were to buy the SX jazz with humbucker, the HB would probably be used mostly by itself.

I'm pretty sure the noise I'm talking about is two things; one is that it needs shielding and I haven't put it in yet. The other is that with a single-coil and a humbucker, there's no way to balance the two single-coil pickups like on a standard J to eliminate the single-coil hum. If the neck pickup is on, you have the hum. It's not that bad, same as if you played any other J with a pickup soloed, just saying that it's there. If you solo the humbucker it's a non-issue, of course.

[bassmanrocke]

Find an old US Peavey Foundation. Like a jazz, but better.

[chronrondo]

You need a Ray or a hollow body in your stable. But also try an Ibanez Jet King. Mahogany body, 2 humbuckers, maple neck with a satin finish. Thunders like a big bad bass, rocks out, hits pop sounds, and has a great slap tone using the bridge pickup alone. I found one on Craigslist for $150.

[SBassman]

First of all, you need to go spend more time in a store.
You are talking about basses that you have never played, that you
are contemplating buying.

Cure that with some time in store, than buy what You like.

My other suggestion would be - with a 300 dollar budget, don't forget Yamaha. They build a mighty fine bass.

[oldcatfish]

Quote, "First of all, you need to go spend more time in a store.
You are talking about basses that you have never played, that you
are contemplating buying.
Cure that with some time in store, than buy what You like."

--I plan on playing before buying...just trying to narrow my options. I work a lot of hours and don't have a lot of free time.

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

Oh, this is mostly just a GAS purchase...as I said, just looking for something a little different--for a little variety.

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

Because I am also a guitar player and used to own a Gibson Les Paul. I loved the tone but hated the weight, so I got rid of it. I assumed the Les Paul style basses would be even heavier. Are they actually lightweight?

The go REALLY different & consider a Rogue VB100, an Epiphone Viola or a Hofner Ignition.

COMPLETELY different that the solid bodies, short scale (more guitar-like), and you can't beat the weight.

[tastybasslines]

Catfish, use the quote function...it's hard to follow sub threads and to see who said something.

[Systolic]

Originally Posted by tuBass

Squier VM jaquar

+1 replace the J pup though. Fit and finish is quite nice. Very happy overall. J pup is a bit weak though. In general, I am very very happy with mine.

The squier jag HB was perfectly fine if you like an excruciatingly bright tone. With a soft touch you can get a pleasant tone
or two from it. You will certainly not get the tonal flexibility of a MM from it.