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Best Bass for around $700

I

iplaymetal

Jun 14, 2010
103
0
#1
For around $700 what is the best bass for technical death metal, like Gorod, The Faceless, Necrophagist etc.? I play in full Drop D(DGCF), and will probably use [This invalid link has been removed]
A few that stand out to me would be
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I have had a few Invalid Link Removed' but they sound muddy, they don't have very much growl, they feel nice, but the two that I have had the knobs do nothing, almost no tone control(pretty sure they broke a few months back). You can turn the bass all the way up but then it just sounds muddy, if u turn the treble up it has no balls, or any growl. Overall quality is low with my that bass, one of the tuning pegs broke, the action is high.
I have played the ESPs and they feel nice, and have a nice defined sound, nice thin neck.
The Warwick I haven't played, and haven't heard much about.
The Spector looks nice and I have heard mixed reviews, like the EMG HZ' suck.
The Ibanez looks nice, I have a few, they feel nice, but will it have the big growl I want with the Barts & Bart pre? Will this one break like the last ones I had?
I played the Stiletto at Guitarcenter, I liked the sound, but I didn't really like the neck all that much, too thick. Which probably means I shouldn't get this one because you can change the electronics easy but you can't change the feel.

Overall I want your opinion on the feel of the Spector/Warwick, the sound of all of them (I like a really clean articulate sound with lots of growl in the lower end) And your opinion on the overall quality of them all, any long time issues, etc. Which stand out in the mix and have nice tone?

Thanks in advance.:bassist:
 
#2
iplaymetal said:
For around $700 what is the best bass for technical death metal..I play in full Drop D(DBCF), and will probably...
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Did you mean that you tune down a whole-step, i.e., DGCF?

In any case, despite the fact there is "no best bass" for any style, IMHO, the Spector is a nice instrument, and the Warwick probably has a bit more growl. That said, I'd get a used Lakland 44-01 or 55-01. Same approx price (or less), way better instrument, IME.
 
#3
woops went up instead of down when i was thinking it, yeah DGCF... The Lakand 44-01 has the Bartolini MK1 pickups and preamp combo, like the Ibanez, what are the differences for the price increase there?
As for the whole Genre thing, thats just the kind of sound and looks I like..
 
#5
For what you play, I'd pick up a Warwick or Spector. You should look into getting a non-rockbass Warwick, you could pick one up for that price if you do a bit of looking around.

While the 44-01 and 55-01 are nice basses, I don't think I'd recommend them if you're drop tuning and playing metal. I had a 44-01 once and to me it didn't seem like it would do the greatest in that style.
 
#8
Corvette standards are cool basses, as long as you like the look of them. I'd suggest getting one with active electronics for sure. I had one once with passive electronics and I just never liked it very much.
 
#12
Dub56 said:
...While the 44-01 and 55-01 are nice basses, I don't think I'd recommend them if you're drop tuning and playing metal. I had a 44-01 once and to me it didn't seem like it would do the greatest in that style.
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OK. FYI, the 55-01 is a 35" scale 5-string instrument. The longer scale would make it far superior for drop tuning. The 44-01 is well-known as one of the most customizable basses available and has legendary quality--especially the neck. Many players use it in drop tuning, though of course it may not work for everyone. Before dismissing an instrument, IMHO giving reasons might be helpful. :p

If your opinion is based on looks, OK, fair enough--each of use wants what we want. But to just write off something with no explanation is not that useful, IMHO. Can you elaborate? :cool:
 
#14
Jim Carr said:
OK. FYI, the 55-01 is a 35" scale 5-string instrument. The longer scale would make it far superior for drop tuning. The 44-01 is well-known as one of the most customizable basses available and has legendary quality--especially the neck. Many players use it in drop tuning, though of course it may not work for everyone. Before dismissing an instrument, IMHO giving reasons might be helpful. :p

If your opinion is based on looks, OK, fair enough--each of use wants what we want. But to just write off something with no explanation is not that useful, IMHO. Can you elaborate? :cool:
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First off, I've owned a 44-01, along with two other Laklands, I'm fully aware of the scale length and how it benefits drop tuning. :eyebrow:

The scale is good for the tuning aspect, but I just don't see the Bartolinis having the low end growl and sound he's looking for. I also know the 44-01 is a very customizable bass that can change character quite a bit if a different preamp is dropped in, etc. but no mention of modding the bass was made. Every time I've played Bartolini pickups, whether J style or these soapbars, they were always pretty clean and smooth sounding to me. I think the stock 44-01 is better suited for other styles of music, but thats just my opinion.
 
#18
iplaymetal said:
sounds like a used warwick is the way to go, gotta keep my eyes open for the next few months and get one with active electronics, not the cheaper passives. Thanks for the help :)
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By the way, I'm not saying the passive circuitry is BAD, but I know I preferred the active, so maybe you will too. I think you should try to test them both out and then you'll know which one is right for you. Who knows, maybe you'll prefer the passive and could save yourself a bit of cash.
 
#20
Jim Carr said:
Did you mean that you tune down a whole-step, i.e., DGCF?

In any case, despite the fact there is "no best bass" for any style, IMHO, the Spector is a nice instrument, and the Warwick probably has a bit more growl. That said, I'd get a used Lakland 44-01 or 55-01. Same approx price (or less), way better instrument, IME.
Click to expand...

+1. Sounds like you really want a 5-string bass. I'd go with a G&L L2500 Tribute.
 

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