Steer me towards a new bass...

impactwrench · #1 02-17-2011, 09:04 AM

Right now I have either P or P/J or P/H basses. IMO P basses don't have enough sound versatility, P/J are ok but I get tired of single coil buzz, and my P/H (schecter diamond P) is cool but has a lot of volume drop when both pickups are full on. And maybe I'm just getting tired of looking at P bass bodies. Here's what I'm looking for / open to...

Jazz basses are cool but i'd prefer one with stock humbuckers and I like a wider P neck. I don't know that I want an active bass. Stingrays are nice, and I do like the neck. I played a Honeyburst Ray34 at GC and it seemed pretty cool, but I might like the option of the HH or HS like some american Musicman basses. Are stingrays active? I'm open to something like Lakland 44-01 or 44-02, or a G&L L2000 or SB-2, maybe a tribute. I might try to bag something at the GC presidents day sale if I find something I like.

2 pups (humbucking at least part time if possible)
P neck
passive
$600-700 ish (new or used)

I've really got a thing for rosewood necks, sunbursts, and tort guards. I play blues and rock in a 4 piece band.

Suggestions appreciated!

sgtpepper · #2 02-17-2011, 09:17 AM

Maybe the Lakland 44-94 or 44-02 are the ones for you. Very versatile and J/H pups.

http://lakland.com/44-02.htm
http://lakland.com/44-94.htm

bassbenj · #3 02-17-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impactwrench

Right now I have either P or P/J or P/H basses. IMO P basses don't have enough sound versatility, P/J are ok but I get tired of single coil buzz, and my P/H (schecter diamond P) is cool but has a lot of volume drop when both pickups are full on. And maybe I'm just getting tired of looking at P bass bodies. Here's what I'm looking for / open to...

Jazz basses are cool but i'd prefer one with stock humbuckers and I like a wider P neck. I don't know that I want an active bass. Stingrays are nice, and I do like the neck. I played a Honeyburst Ray34 at GC and it seemed pretty cool, but I might like the option of the HH or HS like some american Musicman basses. Are stingrays active? I'm open to something like Lakland 44-01 or 44-02, or a G&L L2000 or SB-2, maybe a tribute. I might try to bag something at the GC presidents day sale if I find something I like.

2 pups (humbucking at least part time if possible)
P neck
passive
$600-700 ish (new or used)

I've really got a thing for rosewood necks, sunbursts, and tort guards. I play blues and rock in a 4 piece band.

Suggestions appreciated!

You want versatility? You want blues? You want rock? No question G&L L-2000 with single coil option is the ANSWER! Either Tribute (new) or USA (used) is in the price range.

Of course, I love the Laklands too, but while wonderful are not as versatile in my opinion.

So basically, you've already answered your own question!

Tampabass · #4 02-17-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtpepper

Maybe the Lakland 44-94 or 44-02 are the ones for you. Very versatile and J/H pups.

http://lakland.com/44-02.htm
http://lakland.com/44-94.htm

+1 - I've had great experiences with 44-02s (and 55-02s, too). When I grow up, maybe I'll get a 44-94.

impactwrench · #5 02-17-2011, 12:13 PM

The L-2000 and 44-01 look like frontrunners. I think I could get used to active pickups easier than a jazz neck. Does sadowsky do a budget or offshore line? I need to check out Reverends too, but last I saw they were all offshore but not that inexpensive either.

mcm · #6 02-17-2011, 04:15 PM

usa l2000 no question. laklands are great basses too.

impactwrench · #7 02-17-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcm

usa l2000 no question. laklands are great basses too.

why not a tribute? aren't the electronics the same? my experience is 90% with fenders but to me the MIA and MIM are generally close in quality of woods but the hardware and electronics on MIA are better.

mmbongo · #8 02-17-2011, 04:27 PM

G&L, not even a contest here. It's passive, it's active, and it covers all the bases (pun intended!).

mcm · #9 02-17-2011, 04:42 PM

the tributes are good for sure. but the usa's are nearly perfect in every way. but i totally understand if its a money thing.

impactwrench · #10 02-22-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcm

the tributes are good for sure. but the usa's are nearly perfect in every way. but i totally understand if its a money thing.

That doesn't really tell me what is the big difference. Both Lakland and G&L are hard to find in stores. Sam Ash had a 44-01 but I didn't have time to play it. I doubt I'll find a store that has both a US and an offshore L-2000. Plus I'll probably look at used ones anyway if I can help it.

The electronics seem to be the same on both US and offshore basses, either G&L or Lakland. If fit and finish is better on US, I'd get that. As far as fenders go, hardware and pups are usually better on MIA, but fit and finish can be just as good on an MIM sometimes.

invalidprotocol · #11 02-28-2011, 10:49 PM

Something is wrong with your Schecter. It should be way loud. Maybe pickup wiring is incorrect. Our sound guys always have to reduce the house feed in comparison to the p basses the others bring in and I am running my volume knobs 70%P/50%H. H in hum bucking mode. It is the hottest bass I've ever owned.

impactwrench · #12 03-12-2011, 01:49 PM

I finally tried a 44-01 today. It had a jazz like neck. I thought they were wider? The neck also felt a bit squire-ish. I had a hard time finding a tone I was happy with. After that I tried an L-1500 and had a better experience with that one. I think G&L is in my future.