best bass for reggae

[Jezz8me]

this one look good?
http://www.rondomusic.net/spj62.html

That one is great i use it i have managed to get some great funky, reggae suitable tune out of it

 

[Robbie S.]

Fender Jazz Bass

 

[bassnug47]

im in a reggae band, and i use a Jazz bass w/ rounds (TI). and warwick fretless, it works perfectly

 

[bassman314]

Steinberger! Just like Flabba Holt!!

A friend of mine plays sax in a reggae band locally. His bass player uses a steinberger. I used to give them **** about it, but DAMN it sounds great in the mix..

 

[mongo2]

I've seen many diferent basses used for Reggae and they all work (it's the player, not the instrument). But if I was just starting out and wanted to concentrate on Reggae I'd get a hold of about $1000 and...

I'd buy the following bass:

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Remove the pickup and bridge covers if you like...

Or this bass...

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Since I like the black blocks and the pickups would be eaiser to upgrade since they are the Fender standard sizes.

Or this one:

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If you prefer pearl blocks. The pickups would also be easy to upgrade.

And I'd spend the rest of the money on a setup using medium gauge D'Addario Chomes flatwound strings, a small practice amp and, most importantly, start with some lessons. The lessons will be a continuing expense but they're best long term musical investment you could make.

 

[Ric5]

Justin Wilson used to respond to the question ... what wine should you have with a certain meal? He would say the wine you like.

What bass should you use for a certain style of music? The bass you like!

 

[vinxbass]

I saw Robbie Shakespeare back in the late 70's and early 80's and I believe he was playing a Jazz Bass. I've been playing reggae music since the late 70's and I know this, you've got to have a passive bass with flatwound strings to really capture that sound for reggae.

 

[fx_weiss]

I know its often asked what kind of bass he's playing, but does anyone know what freaking model this is, or maybe Mr. Barret made it himself? its killing me.

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[fx_weiss]

disregard i saw the other post - a Hohner B Bass, sweet.

 

[jsingles]

Since you know nothing about bass, just look for a comfortable instrument and getting to practicing. Any good bass should be fine for reggae.

yea.. agreed, there really arent many basses which I would consider bad for reggae... I probably wouldn't use a Ric, but anything else would work fine for me.

 

[jsingles]

I know its often asked what kind of bass he's playing, but does anyone know what freaking model this is, or maybe Mr. Barret made it himself? its killing me.

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i find it interesting to see the bridge pickup so very close to the bridge for reggae.

 

[psychotiger]

You may also want to pick up Ed Friedland's book "Reggae Bass". You can see Ed talking Reggae here:



Looks like he is playing his Lakland Joe Osborn in the video.

Ed's a great writer and well-known teacher. Good luck!

 

[Timbo]

If you end up getting the SX bass from Rondo music have a guitar/bass player friend tweak the neck and intonate it for you. It'll help a lot and almost undoubtedly be necessary. Other than that you should be rocking it! Most of the reggae sound in my experience can dialed in through the amp. Drop that funky riddim and it'll be reggae regardless of what bass you're playing.

 

[dls59]

A friend of mine plays sax in a reggae band locally. His bass player uses a steinberger. I used to give them **** about it, but DAMN it sounds great in the mix..

My wife and I went on a cruise a couple years ago, and the deck band played a TON of reggae. The bass player played a Steinberger. Sounded great.

 

[One Drop]

i find it interesting to see the bridge pickup so very close to the bridge for reggae.

He probably rolls off the bridge PUP 3/4 of the way like he does on his Jazz basses.

 

[gingerbeer]

my tools are : my steinberger or my pbass with black nylon strings with a piece of foam under the strings to dampen the sound,a nice strap,one book for practice:bob marley bass collection from hal leonard,one book for cooking jamaican food and a bottle of ginger soda .then you get a reggae flavour.

jamaican bassist denis bowell who have played with linton kwesi johnson ,john kpiaye & alpha blondy (among others) use them on a tokai Pbass he favored .i like is sound.

 

[Mazatleco17]

Jazz with Flats. IMHO

 

[Mazatleco17]

My wife and I went on a cruise a couple years ago, and the deck band played a TON of reggae. The bass player played a Steinberger. Sounded great.

I have seen reggae bass players using steinberger, there a chilean reggae band called "gondwana" and the bass player uses one.

 

[Bassosaurus]

why does everyone assume P-basses with flats for reggae?

but the actual truth of the matter is, most reggae players will play just about anything....

Yup, I remember a period where a lot of reggae guys I saw were playing Steinbergers. I don't even think flats are requisite. Amp and eq are more important - lots of power to push all that glorious bottom! An SVT will always get the job done here!

Contrary to what others have said, I think a Ric w/ flats and full on neck pup would make a killin' reggae sound.

 

[SongBird12]

Hi! I'm a newbie and am really glad I found this forum!

My husband plays bass in our reggae band and I want to buy him a new bass (upgrade) for his birthday. I am looking for a bass with the deep rich sound and I have read these posts with much interest. I am heavily leaning toward a Steinberger Spirit XT-2 Standard but came across a Spirit XT-2DB Standard Bass with a DB tuner.

Can someone please explain the difference between these to me? Also, if someone can make a better recommendation to me in the $400 range I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you very much in advance!