A second Bass

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Funny thing is if i got to $800 I'd know EXACTLY what id get haha. Thanks for the input Mantis

PS it would be thisView attachment 798952

I've never played a p/j. I would recommend kind of a solid all around average bass. Play the heck out of it for at least a few years. I bought a EBMM Sterling and played it for about 22 years. Over time, you will find your playing style and find a bass that suits you better perhaps. You want a good quality workhorse that is fairly versatile. If the p/j works, then that's awesome. Have fun playing bass!

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

If it were me, I'd save for one good bass. I gigged one bass for over two decades, and no one ever told me I needed to get another sound. This is a tool, not a toy.

YMMV.

Like times a million

 

[dls119]

You have a nice versatile bass already - the PJ configuration can cover almost all the basics. I think you'd be better served by sticking with the one you have for now and saving up for something really nice down the road.

 

[Bodeanly]

2 right basses is better than one right bass.

And three right basses make one lefty bass.

OP, if you need something right now, with similar pickup config and within the same price range as your Jag, have a look at the Talman series from Ibanez. After that, my vote goes to saving money towards a future purchase.

 

[JakobT]

And three right basses make one lefty bass.

No, not really.

 

[fermata]

I'll add another vote for play what you got, and save for what you want (and I think it takes a while to really figure out what that is.)
That said, I'm really enjoying my SUB Ray4. I haven't any problems with the preamp clipping (it's hot, but it's clean). When I bought it, I tried it next to a bunch of other (new) basses in the $200-$500 range, and I liked it best. I disagree with the idea that it's limited in sound. After spending some time figuring out how the preamp interacts with my amp EQ, I can get a nice range of sounds--and it's very (I mean very) responsive to where one plucks the strings. I can get bitey/burpy by the pickup and warm and thumpy closer to the neck. (I'm using GHS Pressurewounds.) Is it perfect? No. I swapped the bridge (just for aesthetic reasons), I'm planning on doing the volume mod (because the volume control is almost useless; volume compensation is helpful when making boosting bass or treble), and I'll likely switch to an alnico pickup.

 

[frsbdg]

TRY A 5 STRING BASS

My second bass was a 5-string. Opened up several songs I couldn't play without tuning down. In my situation, that was a more important consideration.

 

[sikamikanico]

While there's pros and cons to each strategy (fewer expensiver basses vs. more cheaper basses), I'd agree with those who say stick with your Jag for now. Get to know it really well, and you'll develop a clearer idea of what you like and don't like about it.

In the meantime, you can fairly cheaply experiment with strings... there's lots of tonal differences in different types (e.g. flats, rounds), materials (nickel, stainless steel), and gauges (to some extent). This can be integral to your developing a better undesrstanding of what each component does. (the oposite suggestion would be to let your strings age, as they develop a different character over time... i like old nickel strings...)

Finally, if you're a beginner, now would be a good time to get an instructor (if you haven't already). Best money I spent years ago (and it was years after I started playing). But it's definitely less exciting than getting a new bass

 

[hrodbert696]

My opinion is that it's your money and if you can afford it and have a use for it, no reason not to get it. You don't need our approval. On the other hand, don't spend money just to spend money. Save it until you're sure that what you're thinking of buying really is important for your goals.

 

[Rib 13]

My opinion is that it's your money and if you can afford it and have a use for it, no reason not to get it. You don't need our approval. On the other hand, don't spend money just to spend money. Save it until you're sure that what you're thinking of buying really is important for your goals.

I think the issue here is nothing more than a case of GAS.....the OP says that he just started playing so this just may simply be one of the first of a lifelong series of GAS attacks to come ....

 

[Nephilymbass]

I have a question regarding getting a second Bass when I can. I just started playing and have a Squier Jaguar Troy Sanders Sig model. I love playing and want to get another Bass to use different string type, different pickup(s) and different materials (I want a Maple fretboard on Bass 2) so I'm looking at the Sterling SUB Ray4. So the question is whether it's worth it or not? I don't have much of a budget to move up to like a Fender or a MM. But is buying multiple $300 basses a waste of money? I certainly have no problems withy Squier I think it's great and could love the SUB just as much potentially. Just Wondering what TB thinks since I've got so much solid advice on here so far.


Throw in a picture of what I currently have and what I want...just for fun

Want!! (Top) Have (Bottom)View attachment 798767 View attachment 798768

I'm a big musicman guy these days and have played and owned musicmans ranging from $300-$2100. Skip the sub and try to find a used sterling by musicman Ray 34 used or as a demo model. I got my ray34 as a blemished model new from Sweetwater for $450.

And the tiny joke of bubble in the paint dropped the price that much

Here's my main player

The top of the line sterling by musicman basses are a great bargain in my opinion. The difference between them and the sub basses is huge. We're talking totally different basses with different body woods and drastically different hardware and electronics . But the difference between the top of the line sterling by musicman Ray 34 and ray35 and the top of the line Mia nusicman stingrays is in small details. For example no compensated nut. You get a traditionally glossy finish neck instead of the super nice oil/wax finish on the high end models. Pickups are much better than sub although the 4 string only has a 2 band EQ like the old old stingrays, the ray35 does have a 3 band. Another noticeable difference is weight. Out of the two basses above the high end stringray 5h is actually lighter than the 4 string. They both have maple necks and ash bodies. But maybe they get the wood from a different source or don't dry it as much they do in the factory in California.

 

[DanAdams]

buy a used Ibanez ATK300. They routinely sell $200 - $300. I sold my real Stingray after playing an ATK for awhile.
Best bass value bar none. They are also super cool, gorgeous chunky solid Ash with fairly flexible electronics.

 

[pbass2]

You have a nice versatile bass already - the PJ configuration can cover almost all the basics. I think you'd be better served by sticking with the one you have for now and saving up for something really nice down the road.

I second that! The P/J config is great if you have just the one bass. Just play the heck out of that one for a while, and try other basses out whenever you have a chance. Even later on down the road when/if you have more basses, that Jag could still be a total keeper (plus, it looks badass. Upgrading the pickups could be worth looking into perhaps, but I wouldn't even worry about that now since you just started, AND you like how it sounds currently.
I have some basses that are high-end, expensive, etc., yet as I sit here I'm regretting letting go of an ugly beater parts pbass I had a while back for like, $200. It was a real mutt. Yet I just listened to a track recorded with it and it sounded incredible.

 

[Maxdusty]

I think the issue here is nothing more than a case of GAS.....the OP says that he just started playing so this just may simply be one of the first of a lifelong series of GAS attacks to come ....

No kidding - for 30 years I was content with 2 basses but ever since joining this site, I've had around 50 in the past 3 years! Not rich by any means as everything really started from trading a $50 bass (sort of a paperclip experiment), but perusing CL and garage sales, I was able to buy, flip, trade my way into trying a lot of basses in that time. You'll be amazed at how people price their basses sometimes!
I have to mention to the op, do not let this detract from your time with learning the instrument, as GAS is a different hobby altogether. Let this come later, concentrate on playing the instrument and having fun with it, keep the money you save in a jar, opportunities to get a great deal will come and usually unexpectedly, at least you'll be ready for it should you decide to jump on one.

That being said, what I discovered is that while you can get some pretty amazing basses (for more money I may add), the everyday beater bass I always kept handy next to the sofa was a P/J bass variety of some kind - first an Ibanez, a Fender JP-90, then a Squier VM Jag, and what replaced that recently was an Ibanez Talman TMB100.

 

[BassAt33]

I think the issue here is nothing more than a case of GAS.....the OP says that he just started playing so this just may simply be one of the first of a lifelong series of GAS attacks to come ....

Haha that may be likely. What is OP?

 

[BassAt33]

I'm a big musicman guy these days and have played and owned musicmans ranging from $300-$2100. Skip the sub and try to find a used sterling by musicman Ray 34 used or as a demo model. I got my ray34 as a blemished model new from Sweetwater for $450. View attachment 799112And the tiny joke of bubble in the paint dropped the price that muchView attachment 799113
Here's my main player
View attachment 799114
The top of the line sterling by musicman basses are a great bargain in my opinion. The difference between them and the sub basses is huge. We're talking totally different basses with different body woods and drastically different hardware and electronics . But the difference between the top of the line sterling by musicman Ray 34 and ray35 and the top of the line Mia nusicman stingrays is in small details. For example no compensated nut. You get a traditionally glossy finish neck instead of the super nice oil/wax finish on the high end models. Pickups are much better than sub although the 4 string only has a 2 band EQ like the old old stingrays, the ray35 does have a 3 band. Another noticeable difference is weight. Out of the two basses above the high end stringray 5h is actually lighter than the 4 string. They both have maple necks and ash bodies. But maybe they get the wood from a different source or don't dry it as much they do in the factory in California.

Yeah I would certainly love a Sterling Ray! That is the tiniest imperfectiin ever too! I'm just gonna hang with my Jag for a while as so many people advise until I have more $ and know exactly what I want. As with my Troy Sanders Jag, I knew exactly what I wanted and it didn't disappoint.

 

[Maxdusty]

Haha that may be likely. What is OP?

op=original poster of the thread.
GAS= Avoid at all cost, it's highly contagious here!

 

[BassAt33]

op=original poster of the thread.
GAS= Avoid at all cost, it's highly contagious here!

On haha. I thought it was for someone new to playing Bass or new to TB. I learned GAS my first day on TB! I got it one day in too, when I went to buy an amp the shop owner handed me an American Standard Jag to try it out.

 

[phillybass101]

My Nephew has a 5 string Sub. He put in a Nordy Big Man with and Aggie OBP3 and with a nice setup it is a killer bass. Don't believe the Naysayers. The SUB is Bang for the Buck.

 

[BassAt33]

I second that! The P/J config is great if you have just the one bass. Just play the heck out of that one for a while, and try other basses out whenever you have a chance. Even later on down the road when/if you have more basses, that Jag could still be a total keeper (plus, it looks badass. Upgrading the pickups could be worth looking into perhaps, but I wouldn't even worry about that now since you just started, AND you like how it sounds currently.
I have some basses that are high-end, expensive, etc., yet as I sit here I'm regretting letting go of an ugly beater parts pbass I had a while back for like, $200. It was a real mutt. Yet I just listened to a track recorded with it and it sounded incredible.

My Jag is definitely a lifelong keeper! It's my first and I'd never get rid of it. Unless my 2 year old wants it one day when he's older. And it looks bad ass