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Best Basses

Bass Boy J

Bass Boy J

Mar 3, 2020
309
113
#1
Hello. I am going to be buying my first bass soon, and I was wondering what basses I should consider. I am an intermediate player, and I am going to be playing in a Show Choir Combo Band, High School Jazz Band( I am going into high school next year), and maybe join a local rock band.
This my guitar center's inventory-https://www.guitarcenter.com/Cedar-Rapids?N=18171#narrowSideBar
Which out of the 26 basses on this list are the most versatile? I study just about any genre, but Jazz, Rock/Metal, and Pop are the genres I study the most.
 
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#2
Well arguably the most versatile will be the Fender Special Edition Deluxe PJ Bass they have in stock but ... if it were me I'd go with the Mezzo, Cool basses, 32' scale so it has great comfort for someone who I assume is not 6'4 .... Now you do know they'll ship out some stuff to you from other stores right ? Want something cool ? You can get yourself a cool Carvin or Gibson EB4 or Stingray 5 from the Rockford store ? They have some nice stuff there although not quite 'right' for studying but the Fenders won't steer you wrong and neither will the Musicman.
 
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#3
Bass Boy J said:
Hello. I am going to be buying my first bass soon, and I was wondering what basses I should consider. I am an intermediate player, and I am going to be playing in a Show Choir Combo Band, High School Jazz Band( I am going into high school next year), and maybe join a local rock band.
This my guitar center's inventory-https://www.guitarcenter.com/Cedar-Rapids?N=18171#narrowSideBar
Which out of the 26 basses on this list are the most versatile? I study just about any genre, but Jazz, Rock/Metal, and Pop are the genres I study the most.
Click to expand...

Cool you landed the choir gig, and are into so many styles. What is your budget for a bass?

Are you planning on 4-string or 5-string?

Are you taking lessons? Are you also playing double bass?
 
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#4
If no one's mentioned it, try out as many basses as possible...but to narrow it down, I'd start with these two.
The Fender's very nice for the money and the Squier has been a big favorite around here for as long as I've been a member...seven years, I think.
Plenty of "Which is better, P bass or J bass?" threads here, too, so you'll be able to come up with your own opinion.
Sure, it might change next year, but...
Photo-Collage-1591596214630.jpg
 
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#5
I own an Ultra which is not too different from the Fender Deluxe(considering it's very different in price). The P/J setup is VERY versatile and if the Deluxe plays anything like the Ultra it's super comfortable. You should be trying before buying though.
 
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#7
RogerTheAlien said:
Well arguably the most versatile will be the Fender Special Edition Deluxe PJ Bass they have in stock but ... if it were me I'd go with the Mezzo, Cool basses, 32' scale so it has great comfort for someone who I assume is not 6'4 .... Now you do know they'll ship out some stuff to you from other stores right ? Want something cool ? You can get yourself a cool Carvin or Gibson EB4 or Stingray 5 from the Rockford store ? They have some nice stuff there although not quite 'right' for studying but the Fenders won't steer you wrong and neither will the Musicman.
Click to expand...
I have already eliminated the Fender bass, mostly because of it’s really sharp frets.
 
#8
I know practically everyone here will say Fender and having played those basses i understand your point on the playability and fret ends and non rolled fretboard. IMO the ESP or the Schecter will be the best playing basses on your list and should be versatile enough. I don't include the ibanez basses, because those are lower end models im unfamiliar with.
 
#9
Bass Boy J said:
I have already eliminated the Fender bass, mostly because of it’s really sharp frets.
Click to expand...


That isn’t a “fender bass” thing. Pretty much any bass can get sharp fret ends.... it’s more of an environmental factor, humidity/temperature changes. Any tech can fix it, and a retail store can (and should !) fix it before you buy.

Think about it... Fender wouldn’t be the most popular musical instrument company (for Guitars and basses) if they all had “sharp fret ends”... right ?
 
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#10
Bass Boy J said:
I have already eliminated the Fender bass, mostly because of it’s really sharp frets.
Click to expand...

Probably not a wise decision, as Horse said, that could happen to any brand.
Squire gives you a awful lot of bass for the money, especially if it's your first.

You said, "mostly", so what's your other reasons?
It's easier for us to advise you if we had more facts.
As Carr said, knowing your budget is very helpful as well.

057912
 
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#11
chris_b said:
If you're playing shows, Jazz and Metal I'd be seriously considering 5 string basses. IMO a 5 string Jazz would be the most flexible and versatile instrument.
Click to expand...

From a versatility standpoint, that's pretty true. A jazz 5 will get you lots of mileage.

Dark Horse said:
That isn’t a “fender bass” thing. Pretty much any bass can get sharp fret ends.... it’s more of an environmental factor, humidity/temperature changes. Any tech can fix it, and a retail store can (and should !) fix it before you buy.

Think about it... Fender wouldn’t be the most popular musical instrument company (for Guitars and basses) if they all had “sharp fret ends”... right ?
Click to expand...

Also, very true.

One other thing to consider is how much the physical comfort of a bass matters to you. That's something I didn't value when I started down this road, but I've learned more about what I prefer and it's made me enjoy and look forward to playing more, and after adding a few pedals, I've more than made up for the sonic shortcomings of my preferred bass.
 
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#12
Bass Boy J said:
Hello. I am going to be buying my first bass soon, and I was wondering what basses I should consider. I am an intermediate player, and I am going to be playing in a Show Choir Combo Band, High School Jazz Band( I am going into high school next year), and maybe join a local rock band.
This my guitar center's inventory-https://www.guitarcenter.com/Cedar-Rapids?N=18171#narrowSideBar
Which out of the 26 basses on this list are the most versatile? I study just about any genre, but Jazz, Rock/Metal, and Pop are the genres I study the most.
Click to expand...

Any bass can play any genre music. The only thing that matters is what you like and what you can afford.

Go there and play all 26. Buy the one that sounds and feels best to you.

Easy peasy.
 
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#14
When you’re new to something it’s very common to ask “what’s the best” to ensure you’re getting as much bang for your buck as possible and to ensure you aren’t buying junk.

With instruments, however, the onus is really on you to go out and try as many as you can to figure out what you like. Everyone is different, and you might find yourself preferring basses or brands that might not be getting recommended as much because they aren’t chic or considered classics.

It might be hard depending on where you live, but I highly recommend you go to a store and try as many models as you can within your price range. Once you narrow it down to a few then you can reach back out and ask for opinions. But ultimately, you’ll be the player of whatever you buy, and I’d hate for you to buy something you end up disliking because it comes highly recommended from people who aren’t you.
 
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#16
I was going to say thet you should look used but the CL adds for bass in Cedar Rapids ... well they kind of suck. If you traveled a little there's a Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass V, in Oskaloosa. $400. Not sure if that's a good or bad price. BTW.. I lean towards the Sterlings.. but I'd have a hard time saying they were vers atile. The Fender Jazz is probably the one to go to for versatliitythat route. If it was me though... I go with a G&L l2000
l2000 | Sweetwater


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#18
+1 to get out there and try them. Im a big proponent of choosing a bass on feel. Especially the neck, and how it balances on a strap. You can tweak the sound various ways, but if a bass doesn’t feel right there’s not much you can do. Bass A might look great on paper, but bass B might have the “it” factor.

+1 to look at 5 strings. You might want it for metal, you might need it for show band.

IMHO, versatility is an illusion. Look at the Precision bass. One pickup, two knobs; and one of the most played and recorded basses in history, in just about any genre. You can get heaps of versatility from hand placement, technique and EQ. Now, if YOU like variety, knock yourself out- but don’t feel like you need 3 pickups and 10 knobs n switches to play in all those settings.

good luck!
 
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