That Cort looks amazing, and the Rockbass too generic. Buy the Cort
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Choosing a first bass guitar
- Thread starter Alexgregory
- Start date
Tough to make generalized statements like that. I have a Chinese Squier Jazz 5 that has a quartersawn neck with rosewood neck and 6 piece Alder body that has never needed adjustment since installing American pick ups and hardware in 2011.
Fact is, I sold the US Fender Jazz 5 I had at the same time because the cheapy was tonally superior and the neck nicer to play and overall, a lighter bass.
I would never sell it because the proceeds could never replace its feel, quality and sound. Like it or not, China is a competitor.
Having said that, I did own a first generation Warwick 5 string from that period as well as owning a German made Warwick Thumb as my main player and the Rock Bass was lighter overall, well balanced but the pick ups were a little harsh, mid foreward sounding compared to the MIG version. Back then GC sold them for $250 and it was a great value for that price.
To the OP, Consider buying both and sell the 2nd place winner.
It pays to remember that feel is tough to create but electronics and hardware are always the easiest solution.
They will both do Reggae. The Reggae "sound" is mostly EQ, technique and deader strings. For $450, they are both good choices. Yeah I know, a lot of help I am.
I own a MIG Warwick Corvette STD 5 string and what I like about it is the the finger board is not as wide as some at the nut. Relatively speaking it is a little heavy but I don't notice it.
A while I played a RockBass double buck and it was hot signal wise. It played great.
One last comment, make sure your amp/speakers are capable of doing the Reggae sound before spending a lot of money on basses.
Best wishes on a successful hunt!
Either one will work fine for reggae. I have worked and toured in that genre and seen everything from vintage Fender Jazzes, to modern $$$ boutique five strings, to the most budget models imaginable. Roll off the treble, favor the neck pickup and then it's all about your technique.
Honestly, if there's any shops near you at all, I'd favor going in and picking up a bunch and just seeing how they feel/play, and buying something in your budget there. If not, it will at least give you a comp to say "I want the one closer to x..."
Either way, if you're stuck between the two options, I think the advice of "don't overthink this, your taste will change over time" is the most relevant. Getting your first bass is awesome, but it's never as awesome as your NEXT bass!
Either way, if you're stuck between the two options, I think the advice of "don't overthink this, your taste will change over time" is the most relevant. Getting your first bass is awesome, but it's never as awesome as your NEXT bass!
For the money you could get a Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass and a nice set of flatwound strings.
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I own a Cort guitar. I really, really like it. So far, everyone who gave it a try afterwards remarked about what a lovely player she is. People seem surprised. I guess many are put off trying because it's a Cort.
Otherwise, I think Ibanez are a good entrypoint for new players. If you're set to be limited to those two, I follow the flock: Cort.
Otherwise, I think Ibanez are a good entrypoint for new players. If you're set to be limited to those two, I follow the flock: Cort.
To Lance's point, I'd recommend having a good listen to both instruments through headphones to see if one in particular stands out to your ears. Personally, I've always really loved the sound of a Jazz bass as described in this SBL video but understand if that's not your vibe.
I don't know your experience in playing in general (guitar or other instruments etc), but one thing I always recommend when picking a first bass is to also pick one that makes you want to play when you look at it. Anything that hedges in favor of more frequent practice when it's still not yet fun to play.
I don't know your experience in playing in general (guitar or other instruments etc), but one thing I always recommend when picking a first bass is to also pick one that makes you want to play when you look at it. Anything that hedges in favor of more frequent practice when it's still not yet fun to play.
Well that cort is lovely. I think it's going to sound great and I think it's better construction. However the rockbass is nothing to sneer at. I have one of those and it's a fun fat sounding and great bass too. So for the same price cort is my pick. It looks like a neck though Ibanez SR and I really like those too. See if the Warwick owner will take $300 otherwise get the cort.
Well, I know nothing about reggae, and I've not laid hands on either of those... but the Cort is gorgeous!
Best I can do mate, sorry. 
Let us know how it goes. Good luck! 
+1 on that Cort. It's definitely a higher-end instrument.
And remember, Cort is the biggest guitar maker in the world. Ibanez, Paul Reed Smith, Schecter, ESP/LTD, and a whole bunch of other brands have several of their instruments made in Cort factories. So that's why a higher-end Cort costs you less than a similarly-spec'd higher end bass with a popular name, because you're not paying for the brand name.
And remember, Cort is the biggest guitar maker in the world. Ibanez, Paul Reed Smith, Schecter, ESP/LTD, and a whole bunch of other brands have several of their instruments made in Cort factories. So that's why a higher-end Cort costs you less than a similarly-spec'd higher end bass with a popular name, because you're not paying for the brand name.
Not trying to derail the consensus as I know next to little about Cort basses, but anytime I think of Warwick and reggae, I think of this gal in this band:
If it's your first bass, let me add that I think I remember reading somewhere here on Talkbass that if you leave an active bass plugged in it drains the battery . . . or at least I think I remember seeing that 
Somebody that knows what they're talking about is bound to see this and set the record straight if I'm wrong
I only play passive basses, so what do I know
Somebody that knows what they're talking about is bound to see this and set the record straight if I'm wrong
I only play passive basses, so what do I know
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