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Best bass for gigging Top 40

#22
Active jazz 5'er.

5 strings are good for covers - if a song you usually play in E gets dropped down a semitone because of a guest singer etc... it wont bust yr balls.

Don't get the thumb if you want versatility. They're GREAT basses..... but they don't cover a broad range of tones.
 
#23
I vote 5 strings as well. I make a percentage of my living playing corporate events and weddings. Between having to transpose songs and actually performing material that includes notes lower than "E" it's a pretty easy decision. I'm not saying a 4 string won't work, I'm just saying a 5 works better for me.
 
#24
thmsjordan said:
I am 51 and still a very active East coast freelancer. I have to play a really wide variety of things (Broadway, road tours, pit orchestras & classical work) and have done so for many years. I am no stranger ( although I am stranger than most) to top 40 "GB" type gigs. And by the way, these usually mean Top 40 from the 60's - 70's - and 80's in my experience.

After a lot of experimentation, I have gone back to Precisions. They cover it all and do it quite well. I get complaints when the P bass isn't there from more than a few contractors and I have have had several different basses at some of these gigs. Invariably, after the director, conductor, tour director, band leader has heard a few of them, I will get the nod of approval when the P is being played. It just works. I don't even bother bringing another electric to the gig anymore. I already know what the choice guys writing the check will make.
Click to expand...

Wow...And here I am venturing more into Jazz Bass land than my Precision because I can hear it better, more definition and felt it is more flexible for me. Then a PRO comes in.... Maybe I should reconsider getting rid of my P bass :hmm:
One of the things I appreciate about this Forum is learning through others experiences. Thanks! :cool:
 
#25
Hmm... I wonder what makes it ok to ask the question "whats the best bass for gigging top 40 hits",when the question "whats the best anything for metal" always leads to a flame-fest free for all..? Strange... Oh well,just thinking out loud,carry on.
 
#26
VWbug08' said:
Wow...And here I am venturing more into Jazz Bass land than my Precision because I can hear it better, more definition and felt it is more flexible for me. Then a PRO comes in.... Maybe I should reconsider getting rid of my P bass :hmm:
One of the things I appreciate about this Forum is learning through others experiences. Thanks! :cool:
Click to expand...

Goodness, let the flaming begin eh?

My friend, I think you'll notice that I couched everything I said in terms of "my experince". I didn't blast other basses, I happen to really love J basses. I don't play one because I get requests for the P far more often from those contractors & bandleaders that hire me. THEY like it better. I just thought that might be a useful piece of information.

Maybe your experiences as a working musician are different? I for one would welcome your input rather than your sarcasm. I love to hear what has worked for other players. I am not a soloist or an 'artiste' on the bass. I play the jobs that come in, and I look for ways to please the people that hire me - that includes letting them make some decisions about what type of sound they prefer. I have had some luck with this approach and so I thought I would pass along my $.02.

The poster has asked what works best for top 40. I gave my experience with this. What is yours?
 
#27
Whey your asked to play "Don't Stop Believing" and "Living On A Prayer" 5 or 6 times a year and have to do them in D because nobody has the vocal chops to handle them in E you'll either be a "drop D expert", or be glad you have a 5 string. Also, whatever you get make sure it's something you really enjoy playing. The load-in through the smelly mile-long labyrinthian bowels of hotels, early set-ups, cramped stages with abundant foliage poking you in the eye, sweaty tuxedos, ball soup and playing songs you don't really like over, and over, and over will really seem like work after awhile. It's really comforting to have a bass you really enjoy playing.

In all honesty I enjoy what I do and feel very fortunate to have as much work as I do, sometimes you just gotta beotch a little.
 
#28
I'd just say any bass that feels good, and is of reasonable quality. You'll be covering 30 to 40 tunes a gig, all recorded with different basses and players. I have never had someone come up to me and say, "you should of had a P bass etc. for that tune". All the recommendations here are good ones, but the best bass is the one that feels right to you and you are comfortable playing. You can tweak tone on your bass and amp, so in my opinion that about covers it. 99.9% of the listeners will never know the difference what bass you are using, or even care. Just groove.
 
#32
thmsjordan said:
Goodness, let the flaming begin eh?

My friend, I think you'll notice that I couched everything I said in terms of "my experince". I didn't blast other basses, I happen to really love J basses. I don't play one because I get requests for the P far more often from those contractors & bandleaders that hire me. THEY like it better. I just thought that might be a useful piece of information.

Maybe your experiences as a working musician are different? I for one would welcome your input rather than your sarcasm. I love to hear what has worked for other players. I am not a soloist or an 'artiste' on the bass. I play the jobs that come in, and I look for ways to please the people that hire me - that includes letting them make some decisions about what type of sound they prefer. I have had some luck with this approach and so I thought I would pass along my $.02.

The poster has asked what works best for top 40. I gave my experience with this. What is yours?
Click to expand...

Whoa! Whoa!!! I was not being sarcastic! I REALLY DO appreciate your perspective as a PRO! LOL I'm a serious part timer LOL :D Sorry you took it the wrong way. I have been wrestling myself between getting rid of my P or just going over to My Jazz basses. Just thought what you said was relevant LOL :)

Bob. :)
 
#33
I love my soundgear sr700. Very versatile, great sound, and it looks awesome too. I also like mm stingrays a bit but have a lot of bite to em so they are mainly good for slap IMO but still a fantastic bass. My vote goes to sr700 and it's not to expensive for what it is
 
#34
lowphatbass said:
Whey your asked to play "Don't Stop Believing" and "Living On A Prayer" 5 or 6 times a year and have to do them in D because nobody has the vocal chops to handle them in E you'll either be a "drop D expert", or be glad you have a 5 string. Also, whatever you get make sure it's something you really enjoy playing. The load-in through the smelly mile-long labyrinthian bowels of hotels, early set-ups, cramped stages with abundant foliage poking you in the eye, sweaty tuxedos, ball soup and playing songs you don't really like over, and over, and over will really seem like work after awhile. It's really comforting to have a bass you really enjoy playing.

In all honesty I enjoy what I do and feel very fortunate to have as much work as I do, sometimes you just gotta beotch a little.
Click to expand...

Ain't THAT the truth!!! :)
 
#35
VWbug08' said:
Whoa! Whoa!!! I was not being sarcastic! I REALLY DO appreciate your perspective as a PRO! LOL I'm a serious part timer LOL :D Sorry you took it the wrong way. I have been wrestling myself between getting rid of my P or just going over to My Jazz basses. Just thought what you said was relevant LOL :)

Bob. :)
Click to expand...

Oops - so sorry. I took what you said wrong - apologies all around. Please forgive me - I guess I was just being a little too sensitive - I should drink more or something...lol.

BTW - J basses are fantastic instruments and I've been thinking about this issue. I think more soloists play them because they stand out so well. You are right they are more definitive than P's - much more articulate. J's are more versatile and can do a pretty good P bass impersonation with the neck pickup soloed.

I am not a soloist. I get payed to blend in - not stand out. I think that's why I find P basses more appropriate for what I do.

Cheers
Tom:bassist:
 
#38
#40
I play in two bands.

In one I'm expected to take a solo on about every other song, and I prefer my Jazz bass.

In the other group I'm just in the groove, and prefer my P.

For the 50's-60's-80's stuff we play, I would say I prefer any Leo Fender design.
 

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