Best bass for gigging Top 40

[plankspanker13]

I would normally say Presision but I have been gigging Jazz basses in my Top 40 band lately and it sounds great. It gives me more upper register clarity that I can't get out of a P.

I am a P guy, but I really like passive Jazz basses for Top 40 and Classic Rock.

This

 

[plankspanker13]

A vote for a good P/J if you're gonna be covering funky or slappy stuff. I'm a huge fan of passive P/J's wired V/V/T, which can provide a huge range of tonal variation and cover the 1960's through today...without your battery ever crapping out.

{SIC}

Of course, you should also consider a 5-string, which may give you more range on covering pop tunes from the "80's on, but it also limits your good P/J choices. This perhaps points you toward Lakland 55-94 or 55-02, which emulate (but to my ear, do not nail) a range of Fender/MM sounds. However, in this context I think that if you are close on tone, your ability to groove the tunes will far outweigh any quibbles over tonal fidelity to the originals.

...and this.

 

[thmsjordan]

My opinion comes from 27+ years of doing these types of gigs. So,IMHO,I'd definitely go with a 5-string,active pre-amp't bass. Remember,you gotta cover them l-o-w notes,too! If I were in your shoes?? I'd be lookin' really hard at two of Carvin's latest offerings. Wow. Such great basses for the $$$$!! :

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...8Abqr6StBw&page=1&ndsp=37&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0

Brian Bromberg Model:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...88gaR1LSlBw&page=1&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0

This just goes to show you. Two bassists can have similar experiences, gig for ~30 years and come up with totally different conclusions. I ended up going back to 4 string, passive P basses, and this bassist took a totally different route with 5 string active basses, and I bet we both sound pretty good.

Variety - gotta love it !!

 

[bassist4dalord]

Another +1 for the Mighty P-Bass. I would suggest a 5-string Precision, if budget allows. That way you've got the ultimate in versatility.

 

[pudgychef]

Whoa! Whoa!!! I was not being sarcastic! I REALLY DO appreciate your perspective as a PRO! LOL I'm a serious part timer LOL 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.

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

Cool. Thanks Tom.

glad this was sorted - as I was reading through the thread I thought "Uh-oh, this looks like a perfect storm of misunderstood posts/intents in which two nice guys - trying to help find themselves pitted against each other in a life or death internet battle"

 

[john_g]

I love a good P or J (or P/J lol) but Ill throw another +1 to a G&L L2000/L2500. Stock, they cover alot of ground and if you do the simple single coil mod, even more. And if you get a used Tribute model, which are fantastic basses for the money, it will only run you approx $300+.

 

[Snarf]

Any bass as long as it's got five strings. And not a Stingray because it's only going to fit with a few songs.

 

[TRichardsbass]

I'm gonna agree with and add to Audiojorge75 from the stand point of a good preamp/eq in either rack mount or pedal plus a P or J style bass. If you think the top 40 you will be playing includes lots of slap or tap, round wound string.

Most will say P is the most universal for this, which is a good thought. Since many of the top 40 hits over the years have also been recorded with a J, then a J is good too. I would refrain from basses with active electronics from the stand point of a good passive bass and a good pream or pedal (I use the Hartke VXL Attack) will allow me to dial in quickly all the usuable tones I would need, from clean to overdriven, bright to upright flat, quickly and easily.

I own many active basses, and I even use the pedal with it. However, normally when I'm using my active basses I keep my amp flat and control tone using only the onboard electronics. Usually fine. On my Kubicki Factor I can even get good slap tones using the onboard electronics and flatwound strings!

So, I guess what I could have taken a sentence to say was any passive bass with a P or J pickup configuration and a good eq/pre-amp/pedal.

 

[Kyon`]

G&L l2000

 

[chump stain]

I love my Geddy. I can get some precision type tones, by rolling off the bridge pick-up. And with both pups full on, you have that classic aggressive Jazz Bass tone. It's great! Roll back the tone pot to get some nice dub bass. Lot's of tone options, and no batteries!

 

[thmsjordan]

I'm gonna agree with and add to Audiojorge75 from the stand point of a good preamp/eq in either rack mount or pedal plus a P or J style bass. If you think the top 40 you will be playing includes lots of slap or tap, round wound string.

Most will say P is the most universal for this, which is a good thought. Since many of the top 40 hits over the years have also been recorded with a J, then a J is good too. I would refrain from basses with active electronics from the stand point of a good passive bass and a good pream or pedal (I use the Hartke VXL Attack) will allow me to dial in quickly all the usuable tones I would need, from clean to overdriven, bright to upright flat, quickly and easily.

I own many active basses, and I even use the pedal with it. However, normally when I'm using my active basses I keep my amp flat and control tone using only the onboard electronics. Usually fine. On my Kubicki Factor I can even get good slap tones using the onboard electronics and flatwound strings!

So, I guess what I could have taken a sentence to say was any passive bass with a P or J pickup configuration and a good eq/pre-amp/pedal.

+1000

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

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.

What strings do you use to please your employers? New or old strings, etc?

 

[mcm]

a good p, a good j, or an l2000 - all are great

 

[thmsjordan]

What strings do you use to please your employers? New or old strings, etc?

For most general gigs on the Precision, I usually use roundwounds that I change when they start to feel dead. For more period style gigs where they are looking for a classic sound, I use Thomastik flats. they give a very 60's vibe. My fretless P bass is a custom build and I used madagascar ebony on the fingerboard. This stands up better to roundwounds which is what I use on it. The upright bass usually gets Thomastik spirocores or Pirastro Jazzers. Both are good for doubling classical - jazz.