Coming back after 16 years... little help?

[bfields]

Do you have any leads on local reggae bands?

One thing I've found as I go along is that the people have come to matter more, and the genre less. So I wouldn't box myself in.

I mean, not that either of those basses would limit you, obviously.

 

[govknoc]

I just want to say welcome back to playing. I stopped for about 6 years till my nephew got a guitar for Christmas — I ended up playing it more then he did. Needless to say, when I went home I picked up my bass and haven't set it down since.

 

[Steve LaMantia]

OP: Like you, I also experienced a rejuvenated interest in music after a 10+ year absence from when I last played actively. It certainly helped when I discovered TalkBass. Reading through the first few threads, I quickly observed that little to nothing changed in relation to playing techniques or performing. Then all the posts of people showing their beautiful basses. I contracted GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) almost immediately, and started buying instruments again.

Pickup either the Spector Q5 or Sterling MM. You should be happy with either. You mentioned they are local to you, so at least you should get a chance to try them first.

Do you already have an amp? Or is this something you also hope to find?

No amp yet. I plan on grabbing a decent practice amp for now until the need arises and I begin to play with others.

 

[Steve LaMantia]

For reggae Id choose the Spector of the two choices simply because it has a neck pickup. When I do Reggae (on my jazz bass albeit) I use the neck pu and roll the tone off

Yes, definitely considering the Spector a bit more due to the neck PU. I’m not finding any MM’s with a neck PU within my current budget. I don’t even want to play an EBMM with neck PU right now because I don’t wanna drop that kinda money just yet. I’m a terrible impulse buyer... lol

 

[Steve LaMantia]

IMO:
Consider a gently used upper end of the EBMM / Spectre models...already broken-in, seasoned etc. Obviously, it's up to you, just throwing it out there. Agree with other commenters; get what "feels" the best for you.
BTW, what's "White Boy" reggae? Babylon's closin' in.

Lol, think Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Tribal Seeds, etc

 

[Steve LaMantia]

What bass did you play in the past? I took about 10 yrs off. I never sold my old bass but have to added others to the collection. It is odd how much more comfortable I am on the old bass.

5 string Ibanez Soundgear

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would be much more concerned with which instrument is more comfortable for you to play. For example, I much prefer the thicker necks on a Precision bass, and find certain basses (such as a Hofner, which is very narrow string spacing at the bridge) extremely difficult to play. EQ is your friend.

 

[chadface]

5 string Ibanez Soundgear

Have you considered going that route? Neck size and string spacing are pretty good reasons to stick with it. If you have ruled that out, I vote for the spector. I have a legend and the neck is close to a sdgr, not as thin but still fast.

 

[FishDub]

I’m finally getting back to playing after about 16 years! My background was from my late teens/early 20s playing in a rock/metal band. I’ve gotten a little older and my choice of music has grown even heavier and darker. However, lol as crazy as it sounds, I have a huge love for Reggae! More specifically the kind that some call “white-boy Reggae”, West Coast Reggae or SoCal Reggae.

Before I dive in and spend thousands on gear, I’m setting a low budget for now just to see how serious this becomes. I’ve done a bit of research over the past few days on some guitars and I think I have it narrowed down to a Spector or Music Man... now I’ve already searched the forums on comparisons between the 2 or “which are better”, but only the higher end versions are compared. Remember I’m setting a low budget for now so I’m talking specifically about a Spector Q5 and a Sterling MM. I have the opportunity to purchase either one locally. I realize it’s going to come down to playing them and seeing which fits me best, however I won’t know for sure till after I choose my gear and some EQing.

So, for Reggae with more low end tone, what would you guys choose? Any help is appreciated.

Just my opinion on this...I play a lot of Reggae as well, and all types of it. In the past I have really tried to like the Stingray but lack of a neck pickup, ESPECIALLY for reggae, never worked for me. Currently I play either my Steinberger XL2 or my Fender Flea jazz, which both destroy the reggae vibe effortlessly. I realize these two may be out of your price range but I would consider a Jazz bass, either the MIM or the Squier. Both are great and you will be satisfied. Again, just my 2..

 

[Holdsg]

For me, I'd go Spector, or the above-mentioned jazz-style basses.
Stingray/Sterling would be too much high-end brittle-ness clanki-ness for Reggae, IMO, even if you roll the treble all the way off and play with flats, you'd get close.

If you get a Euro Spector with the Tone Pump, you'll want to roll off tone and boost the bottom, but with the Tone Pump a little goes a long way.

 

[RichT]

As others have said, you have to go and try some out just to get a feel for what you do or don't like. I've been playing for over 30 years, but only seriously came back to it about 18 months ago after barely touching my bass for over a decade. It occurred to me this year that I'd bought my one bass in 1989 and after 30 years I really ought to see what else was out there.

So I tried several different styles out, and found slightly to my surprise that some were exceedingly uncomfortable for me to play while I glided around others, and I'd never have guessed which was which beforehand. Certainly try out MM and Spector, but don't neglect Ibanez, Fender, Yamaha and the rest. I ended up with an Ibanez SR500e which I absolutely love but probably wouldn't have predicted before I tried it out. Ultimately you've got to get what feels right for you regardless of brand. And for a thunderous, fat warm reggae tone, I'd guess you'll want one with a neck pickup at the very least. Don't rule out a single pickup MM before you've tried it, but they are known for their brighter zingy sound.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I would imagine that this, an EB-3 bass would fulfill both the Reggae and the budget criteria.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/epiphone-eb-3-sg-bass

Mike

 

[H2okie]

I’m finally getting back to playing after about 16 years! My background was from my late teens/early 20s playing in a rock/metal band. I’ve gotten a little older and my choice of music has grown even heavier and darker. However, lol as crazy as it sounds, I have a huge love for Reggae! More specifically the kind that some call “white-boy Reggae”, West Coast Reggae or SoCal Reggae.

Before I dive in and spend thousands on gear, I’m setting a low budget for now just to see how serious this becomes. I’ve done a bit of research over the past few days on some guitars and I think I have it narrowed down to a Spector or Music Man... now I’ve already searched the forums on comparisons between the 2 or “which are better”, but only the higher end versions are compared. Remember I’m setting a low budget for now so I’m talking specifically about a Spector Q5 and a Sterling MM. I have the opportunity to purchase either one locally. I realize it’s going to come down to playing them and seeing which fits me best, however I won’t know for sure till after I choose my gear and some EQing.

So, for Reggae with more low end tone, what would you guys choose? Any help is appreciated.

Since you’ve played before. Pick up and play/ demo before u buy. I would encourage used inexpensive USA Peavey. And they actually resell fairly well if you later want to upgrade. However truth be told my $150 fury & foundation hold up well next to my $1k stingray or fender. That being said my son plays in a band where the young bass player bought a entry level music man. I was pretty impressed. I know that level bass doesn’t resell very well if u buy new. Perhaps there’s some on The used market that will get u in cheap enough it doesn’t matter.

 

[Bodeanly]

Just wanted to say that you should buy a bass then quit using this website or else you’ll end up with 20.

 

[MrLenny1]

IMHO any bass will do but speakers is where you might
be more specific. Reggae has the fat low end boom.

 

[Ian McLaughlin]

I think I have it narrowed down to a Spector or Music Man

Did you look at G&L Tribute series?

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Lol, think Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Tribal Seeds, etc

Oh, okay.
...ever notice how Sublime's "Date Rape" was never played on much of anything other than "Alternative" independent radio, colleges and the such? Irie Justice!
Good luck in your search for sound.

 

[bumperbass]

Choose wisely. Most of us TB'ers spend too little money, multiple times. Get what you want.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

I’m finally getting back to playing after about 16 years! My background was from my late teens/early 20s playing in a rock/metal band. I’ve gotten a little older and my choice of music has grown even heavier and darker. However, lol as crazy as it sounds, I have a huge love for Reggae! More specifically the kind that some call “white-boy Reggae”, West Coast Reggae or SoCal Reggae.

Before I dive in and spend thousands on gear, I’m setting a low budget for now just to see how serious this becomes. I’ve done a bit of research over the past few days on some guitars and I think I have it narrowed down to a Spector or Music Man... now I’ve already searched the forums on comparisons between the 2 or “which are better”, but only the higher end versions are compared. Remember I’m setting a low budget for now so I’m talking specifically about a Spector Q5 and a Sterling MM. I have the opportunity to purchase either one locally. I realize it’s going to come down to playing them and seeing which fits me best, however I won’t know for sure till after I choose my gear and some EQing.

So, for Reggae with more low end tone, what would you guys choose? Any help is appreciated.

Jazz bass, flat wounds, bridge pickup off, play over the neck pickup.

 

[bearfoot]

I tried out a Sterling MM the other day and freaking love it. Very thin, "fast" neck, and a metric ton of tone. I was able to get "my sound" easily with it. Only downside in my book is the lack of upper frets.

I can attest you can get enough low end with the active EQ for reggae, even with rounds. For your main music styles I think it'd be a great choice in bass.