Best Tone for Direct

[ElectricMainlin]

I have about $400 to spend on a bass and have been looking at a Squier Jazz and a Hofner.
I will be using this bass for recording Only, and given my budget at the moment, it will be recorded Direct.

At the moment I prefer the Hofner because its easier to play, but aside from that, I havent spent enough time with either of them to come to any conclusion

What are your thoughts on the 2? Is there something else I should be looking at ?

thanks

 

[mmbongo]

I'd suggest grabbing one of these before they go back up to $800:
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Real EMG pickups...Music Man at bridge, P at neck, bridge coil tapped so it covers pretty much any ground you need. Jazz, MM, Precision, you name it. EMG's are dead quiet too, so it's perfect for recording. Neck is thin and fast. It's a great bass that will mop the floor with any Squier or Hofner.

 

[PurpleDrank]

What styles are you going to record?

If you only had one to use for a broad range of styles, jazz bass all the way. The CV Jazzes in that range are awesome too. I'd personally look for a Yamaha BB424 in that price range. Jazz and Precision tones, great neck, great construction and great for recording.

If you are only recording Beatles sounding stuff on the other hand...

 

[lowendrv]

I'd suggest grabbing one of these before they go back up to $800:
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Real EMG pickups...Music Man at bridge, P at neck, bridge coil tapped so it covers pretty much any ground you need. Jazz, MM, Precision, you name it. EMG's are dead quiet too, so it's perfect for recording. Neck is thin and fast. It's a great bass that will mop the floor with any Squier or Hofner.

+1000

 

[Nedmundo]

I agree about that ESP. Those are very cool basses, and it's an amazing deal.

 

[dmaki]

You should be able to pick up a used Squier VM Jazz and a used Sansamp for under $400. Simple, reliable, and consistently great playability and timbre shaping for recording and gigging.