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Buying new bass, any suggestions?

G

gksquf

Oct 27, 2014
3
0
30
#1
Hey guys! I was introduced to the electric bass about a year ago and decided that it was the instrument for me. After playing about a year on a pretty crappy yamaha and a cheap fender jazz ripoff somebody gave me (threw it away to me) that sounds terrible, I'm looking to buy a new bass. I play fingerstyle and slap funk and jazz. I'm thinking about a fender jazz bass (a real one this time), I was able to play one a while ago and I remember to have really liked the feel. Otherwise, I have no clue on whats good and what should be avoided. Any tips?


Edit: Budget <$2500 USD
 
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#4
My suggestion would be to go to the nearest instrument store and try the basses there to see what YOU like, sure there are internet reviews and all that but everybody is different. You might find the best bass according to reviews but when you play it, it can just be terrible for you.

That's a lot of money for a beginner though :O
 
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#5
Redrama said:
My suggestion would be to go to the nearest instrument store and try the basses there to see what YOU like, sure there are internet reviews and all that but everybody is different. You might find the best bass according to reviews but when you play it, it can just be terrible for you.

That's a lot of money for a beginner though :O
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Yeah but I want one to keep since i play 3 nights a week haha
The problem is that there's not much fender dealers in Sydney where I live... gotta look around more though, I guess.
 
#7
No Fenders in Sydney? I'm surprised. Anyway, I don't envy you - the cost of American-made instruments in Australia is crazy. If you can find a decent Fender dealer go in and try as many as you can. Fenders are better made than they used to be but they can still be a crap shoot. You need to find one that suits YOU - regardless of particular model. Something else to consider: there may be some well-made Japanese basses available to you in Sydney (though I don't know what those would be) that could be a cheaper option. Just a guess though, as I've never been bass shopping there.
 
#8
Redrama said:
My suggestion would be to go to the nearest instrument store and try the basses there to see what YOU like
Click to expand...

This can't be repeated enough. Also (and I may get crucified for this), if you are set on a Fender design, you may end up finding that one of the Squier CV or VM models sound and feel as good (if not better) than their Fender counterparts. Don't judge them by their lingering reputation. They've upped their game considerably over the past few years.
 
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#9
Deleted member 269102 said:
This can't be repeated enough. Also (and I may get crucified for this), if you are set on a an Fender design, you may end up finding that one of the Squier CV or VM models sound and feel as good (if not better) than their Fender counterparts. Don't judge them by their lingering reputation. They've upped their game considerably over the past few years.
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Crucified? No. Worshipped? Probably.

To the OP:

When you go in to try (and regardless of brand) -- Start with the cheap, ultra-budget stuff. Then go directly to the expensive, close to your ceiling. Then go for mid-range price, then make a decision on what you liked best.

You'll be surprised with what you might end up with at the end.
 
#10
I played a MIM Fender Jazz bass at a local store the other week. Pretty good. Figured the MIA Fender Jazz may not be much of a difference (although it's twice as expensive)

Boy was I wrong.

Big difference between the two. Maybe it's the different pickups (likely), maybe it's the different bridge or whatever else is different. Most noticeable when you play some chords and harmonics. The MIA is just much more crisp, much cleaner sounding than the MIM.
Not sure how this equates in Aussie dollars, but to me (and this all just my humble opinion) the MIA would be worth the additional premium over a MIM Fender Jazz.

Now if I could only find a store that I could compare it with a Lakland Skyline DJ4 :)

Regards
Mark
 
#12
gksquf said:
Hey guys! I was introduced to the electric bass about a year ago and decided that it was the instrument for me. After playing about a year on a pretty crappy yamaha and a cheap fender jazz ripoff somebody gave me (threw it away to me) that sounds terrible, I'm looking to buy a new bass. I play fingerstyle and slap funk and jazz. I'm thinking about a fender jazz bass (a real one this time), I was able to play one a while ago and I remember to have really liked the feel. Otherwise, I have no clue on whats good and what should be avoided. Any tips?


Edit: Budget <$2500 USD
Click to expand...

Do you have an amp that will allow a $1K+ bass to really shine, or are you playing through an amp similar in quality to your current basses? If the latter, don't spend all your money on a single bass. With that much money, you really can outfit yourself with an entire rig that can play decent sized clubs. You can get a really, really nice bass for a grand. Think in that ballpark, and start thinking about upgrading your amp, whatever effects you use (if any) and think whole package. It's pretty disappointing to play an awesome bass through a terrible amp :)
 
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#15
Run to your local Ernie Ball Musicman dealer, and buy yourself a Classic Stingray. If you prefer skinnier necks, grab a Classic Sterling. You cannot go wrong with either of these instruments. If I had discovered these gems a couple of decades ago, I'd have saved myself a lot of time and money...

ccstingray4_01.jpg

ccsterling_01.jpg
 
#16
Deleted member 269102 said:
This can't be repeated enough. Also (and I may get crucified for this), if you are set on a Fender design, you may end up finding that one of the Squier CV or VM models sound and feel as good (if not better) than their Fender counterparts. Don't judge them by their lingering reputation. They've upped their game considerably over the past few years.
Click to expand...

Don't think you have to buy American. They are great but I've played just as many great squiers. The trick is to make sure you play them before you buy them. Guitars are like biscuits, you never know until you try them and they never turn out the same every time.

Also, remember that any guitar you buy needs a set up. If you can do that yourself, that's cool. If not... I would suggest paying an extra 60-80 bucks to have it professionals set up. whatever you do, don't let guitar center set it up.
 
#17
gksquf said:
Hey guys! I was introduced to the electric bass about a year ago and decided that it was the instrument for me. After playing about a year on a pretty crappy yamaha and a cheap fender jazz ripoff somebody gave me (threw it away to me) that sounds terrible, I'm looking to buy a new bass. I play fingerstyle and slap funk and jazz. I'm thinking about a fender jazz bass (a real one this time), I was able to play one a while ago and I remember to have really liked the feel. Otherwise, I have no clue on whats good and what should be avoided. Any tips?


Edit: Budget <$2500 USD
Click to expand...

gksquf said:
Yeah but I want one to keep since i play 3 nights a week haha
The problem is that there's not much fender dealers in Sydney where I live... gotta look around more though, I guess.
Click to expand...

Invalid Link Removed Either the 55-01 or the Joe Osbourne jazz if you are looking for a 5. If it must be a Fender.. The 55-01 is not a jazz but it is a very nice bass.. If you can find either of these used it would be even better. Personally I like the Lakland necks better than the fender ones out of the ones I have played.
 

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