Buy a second bass or . . .?

[TedH]

I think I already know the answer to this one, but I'd love to hear others' opinions. I've been studying bass seriously for a few years now, having played classical guitar (and some bass) before that, and, way before that, having been a very serious (and pretty darn good) trombonist for years and years. So yeah, I'm a musical guy, and I'm picking up the bass reasonably fast, although I still absolutely consider myself an intermediate level player. I'm not gigging regularly, but I do play a lot and I am in two bands.

I'm lucky enough to be taking lessons from an amazing teacher who is also a brilliantly talented bass player. My budget is limited at the moment (damn those college tuition payments), so I do one lesson per month.

I play a Lakland Skyline P-bass. It is an excellent axe. I love it. But as we all know, there are lots of different types of basses in the world, and many of them have more tonal versatility than a p-bass. I have a birthday that ends in a zero coming up in about 9 months, and, naturally, I've thought about buying a second bass, maybe a used Lakland 44-14 or something like that.

Here's my question (sorry for the long introduction): is my limited budget better spent on a second bass, or on additional lessons (like stepping up to weekly lessons)? My right brain is lusting after a new bass, while my left brain is telling me that I will ultimately benefit more from investing in lessons.

So, what say you all?

I agree that the lessons are generally much more useful, with the key question being - what do you really need to learn that your lessons thus far are not getting to? E.g. I had a long music background in saxophone, and so my main goal with formal bass lessons was chord theory and style concepts, improvisation, and learning to sight read again. I'm a Lakland owner, so I agree that you have an excellent axe!

Beyond that, I enjoy using my ears to further that training and I buy sheet music here and there to learn from. So more lessons is usually very helpful, and that's why given you're description of your background, you likely have very specific questions and concepts that you would want to address in lessons. If they are all addressed, or will not take long to address, then maybe a 2nd guitar is in the works for you.

Just a thought.

 

[Jhass]

If you already have a Music Background and are already taking lessons adding more Lessons is overrated. Buy yourself another bass but get a 5er or a 6er or Fretless. There are many budget basses around these day that will satisfy your pallet and your budget. I quit taking lessons years ago because my teacher was focused on what he wanted me to learn, not what I wanted to learn. You can still take lessons on a monthly basis but get that new axe man!!!! If you already have a P, expand by getting another kind of bass like a JB or one with Humbuckers. Look at Bass Mods, Sire, Lakland, Music Man, etc if you want to go high end there is a plethora of choices. If you decide go with more lessons, branch out and get another teacher to add to your current learning. I've always though that a Student should have more than one instructor. It gives you a new and yet another perspective on the instrument.

I'm lucky, I guess, in that my instructor always focuses on what I want to learn, while emphasizing the theory and technique behind it.

 

[Jhass]

No bass for you. Sorry, you probably have deserved it, it sure sounds like you have, but if we make an exception once, then we'll never see the end of it will we? I'm sure in a few years we'll all agree and laugh about this. But, no, no bass for you.

 

[Antisyzygy]

I think I already know the answer to this one, but I'd love to hear others' opinions. I've been studying bass seriously for a few years now, having played classical guitar (and some bass) before that, and, way before that, having been a very serious (and pretty darn good) trombonist for years and years. So yeah, I'm a musical guy, and I'm picking up the bass reasonably fast, although I still absolutely consider myself an intermediate level player. I'm not gigging regularly, but I do play a lot and I am in two bands.

I'm lucky enough to be taking lessons from an amazing teacher who is also a brilliantly talented bass player. My budget is limited at the moment (damn those college tuition payments), so I do one lesson per month.

I play a Lakland Skyline P-bass. It is an excellent axe. I love it. But as we all know, there are lots of different types of basses in the world, and many of them have more tonal versatility than a p-bass. I have a birthday that ends in a zero coming up in about 9 months, and, naturally, I've thought about buying a second bass, maybe a used Lakland 44-14 or something like that.

Here's my question (sorry for the long introduction): is my limited budget better spent on a second bass, or on additional lessons (like stepping up to weekly lessons)? My right brain is lusting after a new bass, while my left brain is telling me that I will ultimately benefit more from investing in lessons.

So, what say you all?

I'd say it's important to have a backup, and it's always nice to have a one or two different basses to achieve different tones or for extended scale stuff.

I wouldn't turn down a Squier or other budget brands (Ibanez) just because of the name. These days they are excellent instruments if properly set up. CNC manufacturing and other modern technology has evened the playing field quite a bit in terms of quality control, fit and finish.

Anyway, you can get yourself a cheaper backup that gives you a bit more versatility, then put some money on lessons if you have any remaining. If you're looking at having the budget for a Lakland 44-14 I'm sure you'd have money left over for lessons if you pick up a cheaper bass.

Another benefit of owning a cheaper bass is you aren't afraid to lose it as much. They're perfect for gigging in environments where your bass can get damaged or stolen. You can keep that nice Lakland safe and sound at home.

What's your total budget? We can probably get some good recommendations.

Without more information I'd suggest :

Squier Vintage Modified PJ -> Better backup for your P, but you get a bridge pickup to blend in

Squier Vintage Modified 77 Jazz Bass -> Hey, having a Jazz bass is nice sometimes

Squier Vintage Modified P 5-string -> Extended scale, you have the Low B string

Ibanez SR400 -> Comes in 4,5,6 strings and is just a good all-round active bass

Ibanez SR650 -> Comes in 4,5,6 strings. Bit more expensive, but is the most versatile PJ you'll ever find

Sire Jazz Bass -> Crazy good value, high quality parts, very versatile active/passive Jazz basses

People on TB have given glowing reviews for most of those basses.

With the Squiers or Sire at least you can upgrade them later with new tuners, bridge, pickups, etc. pretty darn easily. A wealth of parts for standard Fender dimensions are out there. You can let the Squier or Sire grow with you.

Lots of people dig those Sire basses though, they're incredible for what you get for the price.

 

[Antisyzygy]

I'm really asking for it, but seriously? How can people say this? Throw a pedal in between your guitar and amp. Is that tone still in your hands? Move the pickup from the bridge to the neck, is that tone still in your hands?

The whole tone being in your fingers thing is so blown out of proportion, it drives me nuts. You know what grinds my gears!?!

Sorry. But I had to vent.

I agree. Fingers can't control the frequency spectrum the same way a preamp can. Fingers can't change the length of string the pickup is "picking up". Fingers don't change the number of windings, or resistance of a pickup. Fingers can't change the size, strength, or material in your pickup magnets.

Can your fingers do everything your amp can do? The fact people select amps and cabs for the different tones they produce, as well as for EQing, already debunks that theory.

I don't mean to belittle the effect that your fingers can have on the tone, but you can't do everything with them. If you play with your fingers closer/further from the neck you're simultaneously changing the attack characteristics as well as the dominate frequencies. Preamps don't do that, they only affect the frequencies that are dominate without modifying the attack so much.

 

[Antisyzygy]

The only argument I could see for buying a different bass would be that you have a very simple, very "one dimensional" instrument now. Gigging bassists anymore really do need to have access to a five string and often need a fretless. Something to think about.

You can make a P a bit more two-dimensional if you just configure it right. I think G&L did a great job with their SB-1. The pickup is bright and growly at times, but the tone is configured in such a way you can roll it back to a traditional P sound, or something rounder/warmer.

I don't typically like the sound of slap bass on P-basses, I much prefer Stingrays or Jazz basses for that. However the SB-1 is one P style bass I can get a decent slap sound on.

Anyway, an SB-1 isn't as versatile as a Jazz bass in terms of the variety of tones you can achieve, but it's getting much closer just by having the right pickup and tone knob setup.

Another thought would be to buy an external preamp (or install an internal one) for more versatility.

 

[wisconsindead]

amps and cabs for the different tones they produce, as well as for EQing, already debunks that theory.

Right. I don't get why people need to perpetuate this bogus myth. It is clearly a false statement to make. End of story.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

You can make a P a bit more two-dimensional if you just configure it right. I think G&L did a great job with their SB-1. The pickup is bright and growly at times, but the tone is configured in such a way you can roll it back to a traditional P sound, or something rounder/warmer.

I don't typically like the sound of slap bass on P-basses, I much prefer Stingrays or Jazz basses for that. However the SB-1 is one P style bass I can get a decent slap sound on.

Anyway, an SB-1 isn't as versatile as a Jazz bass in terms of the variety of tones you can achieve, but it's getting much closer just by having the right pickup and tone knob setup.

Another thought would be to buy an external preamp (or install an internal one) for more versatility.

Agreed - but if the OP wants something beyond "tone" - he, 5 string is probably the next move. Or fretless. FWIW, I VASTLY prefer a J-bass over a P-bass - yes, TB heresy, but they can sue me!

 

[Eilif]

Here's my question (sorry for the long introduction): is my limited budget better spent on a second bass, or on additional lessons (like stepping up to weekly lessons)? My right brain is lusting after a new bass, while my left brain is telling me that I will ultimately benefit more from investing in lessons.

What a wonderfully thoughtful question. I say keep going with lessons. It will benefit you far more as a musician than more gear. If it's possible to go to two lessons a month I highly recommend that as well.

Don't get me wrong, I love gear, but I know far to many "musicians" who have so many axes to play with and knobs to turn that they haven't actually spent time to really learn their instrument. I'm a pretty lazy musician, and I was NEVER a great student but I can't tell you how much I value the 9 years of instruction (mostly upright bass) that I had in my pre-college years. Really gave me the foundation that I have leaned on ever since.

 

[Jhass]

Another thought would be to buy an external preamp (or install an internal one) for more versatility.

I did pick up a Boss BB-1X pedal, which I think is essentially a pre-amp plus overdrive. I'm just starting to play with it. So far, it gives me a "bigger" sound, but it doesn't do much to change the tone. Fun toy, though.

 

[Antisyzygy]

Agreed - but if the OP wants something beyond "tone" - he, 5 string is probably the next move. Or fretless. FWIW, I VASTLY prefer a J-bass over a P-bass - yes, TB heresy, but they can sue me!

Jazz basses are great. I wish I still had one.

Actually my SB-1 has a Jazz neck and the body is a bit slimmer and sleeker. I guess those preferences carried over from my Jazz bass days! I played a Fender Jazz for a long time as my only bass. I think what I had was a '99 MIA that I bought new the year it came out. I was in high school at the time. I traded that Jazz bass about a year ago for my SB-1. I don't regret getting the SB-1 but I regret losing that bass for sure.

I've personally found when I'm working with wall-of-sound / heavily-layered stuff it's a bit easier to just use a P-bass for slotting in the mix, however when there is one or two guitar players the Jazz bass slots right in pretty great. Jazz basses also work much better for "lead bass" in my opinion. The slap sound is also something you just can't quite get with anything else.

I had to get a SB-2 as well because I missed the bridge pickup!

 

[Malak the Mad]

If I were in a two-band sitch, along with occasional gigging opportunities/responsibilities, I'd want to have a second bass as a backup. Bob forbid something untoward should happen to my one-and-only instrument at a crucial time.

What to get for said backup? For me, I'd want something that felt just as comfortable in my hands as my main player. Furthermore, that "something" should fulfill my sonic needs, but be just different enough to keep things interesting. (e.g.: Main = P-bass, Backup = P/J)