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Best Church Bass

#42
I have been playing primarily a Peavey GV (similar to a Fury, VFL pups and Cirrus electronics) through a Fender 400 Pro 2x10 / 1x15 in a 1200 seat church venue. Occasionally I swap out with my Fender Victor Bailey V, my Moses-necked 2TEK-bridged EMG-equippied PJ or my '73 Fender PJ. All do quite well, but the GV seems best suited for the kind of stuff we do. A Peavey Fury V would probably do about as well for little scratch.
 
#48
Interesting thread, I expected to see that many people felt that a 5 string was mandatory. I used to be one of them until I started playing the 4 string at church. I played last Sunday and this last Wednesday. Of the 7 tunes we played on Sunday I counted 1 where a 5 sting might have been of benefit to the music and on Wednesday I did not think any song really needed it. I have been considering putting a drop D tuner on my Stingray so I can down to D when warranted. All of this to the point that I was considering selling my 5 string because it had been mostly in its case since November! I played it last night and kind made me want to play it again though. It's really nice to have choices!

With all that said I had played a 5 sting in church for the previous 2 years I have been playing in churches.

So back to the OP's question: I play...
Warwick Corvette $$ 5 string
Musicman Stingray 4H (as seen at church in my avatar)
Conklin Groove Tools Rocco Prestia (this one is nice and light!)

I had a Lakland 55-01 and the B string absolutely slayed on it but at the time I felt like the 35" scale was a problem for me. However the D and G strings sounded pretty crappy. I'd love to try it again as well as a 55-02/94.

Play what you are comfortable with that is what I have done and I am playing more at church than anywhere else these days as a result.

The other bass players in our church for the record are typically playing Ibanez and Carvin.
 
#49
scowboy said:
Interesting thread, I expected to see that many people felt that a 5 string was mandatory.
Click to expand...

Nope, not mandatory but helpful with some of the tunes we play. With the number of instruments on the platform I usually stick to the root at the end of the song because we have LOTS of others wailing away.

For the record, there is a rhythm section with bass, drums, guitar(s), two keys and two percussionists, anywhere from 25 to 50 horns, a URB, 9 lead voices and a 85-120 voice choir on the platform. Not a huge sonic space there for bass.

Dan K.
 
#51
Wow, huge group!

Dan Knowlton said:
Nope, not mandatory but helpful with some of the tunes we play. With the number of instruments on the platform I usually stick to the root at the end of the song because we have LOTS of others wailing away.

For the record, there is a rhythm section with bass, drums, guitar(s), two keys and two percussionists, anywhere from 25 to 50 horns, a URB, 9 lead voices and a 85-120 voice choir on the platform. Not a huge sonic space there for bass.

Dan K.
Click to expand...
 
#52
Hopper said:
I would have thought you could use any old bass. Surely you don't need a special 'church bass' because you play it in a church?
Click to expand...

Right on!!

Although I'm the primary bass player at church (play 5 stringers), we do have three others that fill in from time to time. They all play 4 stringers and sound fine, and all of us play different makes. I think the biggest factor here is what's available for the money. None of us are wealthy and can afford boutique equipment.
I will say this though. Whenever I hear a bass sound that I really like, more often than not I find out that it is a Stingray (4 or 5'er, doesn't matter). I don't have a Ray, but I can do my job with what I have. Just personal preference.
 
#54
The only thing that is important when selecting a 4-string church bass is to use one that has all four of the tuning keys along the top of the headstock, rather than the 2+2 arangement. This is because the former is symbolic of following a straight path in our lives (as "you know who" wants us to) whereas the latter is suggestive of our lives being scattered and misguided and not having any direction, which can send the wrong message to the congregation while they watch you play. (This is clearly spelled out in First and Second Corinthians.)

:p:D;):D:p;):):cool:

And of course, if you play a six string bass, never strum a six note chord six times in a row!! The combination of those three things together will wreak havoc on any Sunday morning!! (Book of Revelations)
 
#56
I play in my church's worship band, I currently play an EB MM Sterling but it's only a 4 and as many have already stated a 5 comes in handy- i recommend a 5 string for sure, but any bass will work. I myself prefer not to play real "Flashy" bodies basses like the BC Rich's and stuff when playing worship music (even new praise music) - I would reccomend a Fender 5 string Jazz can't go wrong with Fender!
 
#57
Fender Jazz:

2101845284_2f4de5b323.jpg
 

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