What bass am I looking for? - Page 2

Musiclogic · #21 12-13-2012, 08:24 AM

Geddy is Slimmer, have seen them Used for $5-700

socialleper · #22 12-13-2012, 08:24 AM

You've got your self a real problem there. The Fender Jazz bass has one of the smaller neck profiles and smaller bodies of most basses out there.
The problem with size and weight are simple physics. The neck has to be longer to support the thicker strings that create the deeper tones. If the neck is longer, to keep it from diving all the time, the body has to be heavier, and even then it can be a crap shoot. The neck has to be a little thicker to resist the pull of the strings and create the right tension.
Basses are bigger and heavier than guitars; that's just how it is.
I suppose you could try and old Steinberg or Hohner bass. They are light. They also look like a futuristic instrumental abortion.

bassgod0dmw · #23 12-13-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socialleper

and smaller bodies of most basses out there.

jumblemind · #24 12-13-2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immigrant

Get a Squier VM short scale Jag and call it a day. best value out there at $160 +/- $10.

Or mod the crap out of it.

They are super light and have a skinny little neck, very easy for a guitarist to switch to.

Bingo bango, why didn't I think of this? Short scale bass = Problem solved.

boristhespider9 · #25 12-13-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeally dan

Currently using a 90s USA fender jazz bass. Love the sound but the neck feels pretty big in my hand and I'm fairly certain it weighs close to 100 pounds.

I'm looking for something with the same great tone, good sustain but with a neck that is a little more comfortable.

I'm a guitarist, so it may just take some time to get used to a larger instrument.

A Music Man Sterling (USA) 4HS. Although the nut width is similar to a jazz, the overall neck is thinner, narrower and much more comfortable. Plus it has more frets so the spacing between the frets is closer and makes it much easier to play. I own Jazz basses and many others and the Sterling neck is simply the most comfortable, least fatiguing, and most pleasurable neck to play on any bass I've ever played.

I happen to be selling one of my three Sterlings in the TB classifieds. And it's only 8.5 lbs! Check it out. Oh, yea, I also have a Fender Geddy Lee I want to sell if you still want the Fender Jazz Bass look but want a slimmer neck than a standard Jazz. PM me if interested.

squeally dan · #26 12-13-2012, 12:43 PM

Plan to use soundman's Geddy for this weekend's gigs

Herrick · #27 12-13-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Yep, nut width and neck thickness.

Nut width if pretty much the same for all J basses at 1.5"
Thickness, meaning from the front to back, is what is different.

I see. That sounds comfortable.

agent77 · #28 12-13-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immigrant

Get a Squier VM short scale Jag and call it a day. best value out there at $160 +/- $10.

Or mod the crap out of it.

They are super light and have a skinny little neck, very easy for a guitarist to switch to.

+1

the wako kid · #29 12-13-2012, 01:01 PM

check out a hofner icon bass,they are pretty inexpensive,they sound awesome,and it's the smallest neck I've ever played in every possible way. they are also hollowbodies,so they are really light.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/...ge-violin-bass

ggvicviper · #30 12-13-2012, 02:15 PM

+1 on the Geddy Lee Jazz

SteveC · #31 12-13-2012, 02:45 PM

I have used my Geddy Lee in a variety of settings and it has worked really well. I play it at church for our contemporary service. I use it for jazz trio/quartet gigs. I am currently recording standards (Moon River, It's Impossible, etc.) with an older crooner and it is working for that as well. I dial the volume and tone back and play differently and while not an upright, everyone seems to be digging the tone so I can't complain.

I have been itching for a Roscoe, but I don't know now...after doing a number of different types of gigs (except for wanting a low B string at church once in a while) with the Geddy and getting good results, I may have to hang on to my money(that I don't have) for a while and see how it goes.

I have gone to IEM's so I have been toying with the idea of spending a bunch on a really nice DI as all my sound is coming from me and my bass - no amp, no pedals, nothing but a tuner/mute between me and my tone.

squeally dan · #32 12-19-2012, 06:54 AM

Used the soundman's Geddy for a gig last night. It was lighter and had a cool sound. Punchier and tighter sounding than my USA j bass. The singer commented that the Geddy didn't sound quite as lively. Weird thing is the flatter neck made my wrist hurt. I actually went back to my j bass after a set with the Geddy and my bass felt like home. Maybe I just need to adjust to playing bass instead of guitar.

boristhespider9 · #33 12-19-2012, 05:26 PM

You want "lively" and the easiest neck in the biz? Music Man Sterling!!!

I happen to have one for sale in the classifieds....

Kmonk · #34 12-19-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

Jazz Bass necks are all among the smallest, narrowest bass necks made. Try to get used to it.

+1

I've never heard anyone say that a Jazz neck felt too big.

Maybe try an Ibanez. They have very thin necks.

arsie · #35 12-19-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeally dan

Maybe I just need to adjust to playing bass instead of guitar.

Another thing you can try is to drop tune the bass to a D standard and put a cappo at the 2nd fret. This kinda turns the bass into a short scale, gives you lower string tension, and an option of the low D and Eb.

boristhespider9 · #36 12-19-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

+1

I've never heard anyone say that a Jazz neck felt too big.

Maybe try an Ibanez. They have very thin necks.

Everyone says this bc Jazz basses are 1.5 at the nut. But the necks aren't really that thin compared to a number of others. Plus with only 20 frets, the stretch for the hand is harder than a 21-24 fret bass. I love my Jazz basses, but there are a number of basses that have thinner, more playable necks (including even another J-Bass--my Lakland Joe Osborn which is 1.5 at the nut AND has a .77 first fret neck depth). Width at the nut isn't everything. Too often neck depth and radius is ignored. Everyone just oversimplifies by saying Js are thin and Ps are thick. There's obviously some truth to that, but if you really examine neck specs, there's more to it. As much as I love my Jazz basses, they are definitely not my most comfortable necks.

Also - the statement that J-basses are among the smallest bass bodies is completely untrue.

Ibanez's SR series is of course known for extremely thin necks. You just have to like the more modern look.

RhynoRock · #37 12-19-2012, 06:22 PM

Ibanez Soundgear. May as well be fretting on a toothpick. Or you can try and find the banjo bass that Vic Wooten has.

MD · #38 12-20-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeally dan

I'm a guitarist, so it may just take some time to get used to a larger instrument.
Maybe I just need to adjust to playing bass instead of guitar.

There ya go.
Check out some left hand technique vids and just play the bass.
Or get a few lessons to get your technique down. It's really important to avoid injury.

fourstringbliss · #39 12-20-2012, 11:28 AM

You said you're a guitar player who has moved to bass, right? Is it the scale length? You could try playing a short scale bass and see if that floats your boat.

spiritbass · #40 12-20-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

You said you're a guitar player who has moved to bass, right? Is it the scale length? You could try playing a short scale bass and see if that floats your boat.

+1 The are some nice 30 and 32" scale basses available in the Fender and Squier lines. Either would shorten your finger-reach noticably...