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"Common Sense" Bass

#101
Dr. Cheese said:
You are right Mark. I just don't know if I have it in me to save like that for a luxury. I can do it for a house or car, but my will breaks down when it comes to fun stuff!:hmm: Like I said, getting a Sadowsky will be more like a 1-2 years saving instead of a few months.:help:
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Dr. C,

Have you looked for a used Sadowsky Metro. I see them going pretty cheap in relation to a new NYC. I played both the NYC and the Metros and there is very little sonic difference. My Metro is very cool, hands down.

James
(the former lakland Lover)
 
#103
Dr. Cheese said:
I will admit that a big part of my "bass roulette" has been a tendency to listen with my eyes instead of my ears.

...I should never be afraid to rock and uncool or unpopular bass.

What I'm also trying to say is that I agree totally with the idea of being more into improving as a bassist, instead of worrying about buying cooler gear. I hope I am beginning the transition from gearhead to musician.
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I think we can all identify with these statements - especially as we gain experience (get older :)) Sometimes easier said than done, but I think I am at this point. I've owned abut everything there is to own, now I need to just settle (I don't mean settle as in poor quality, but settle as in just pick one of any number of really good basses that there are to choose from) and play. The Yamaha BB605 is a very under rated bass IMHO.

Dr. Cheese said:
I have had a bunch of basses. I'm not opposed to getting something that I had before again.:)
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I've done it more than once. There's probably a reason you are thinking of going back to it - it probably worked great and was fine until something else caught your eye - not your ear. I am VERY guilty of that.

A few more posts to this thread and I'll have talked myself into selling my Sadowsky.
 
#104
SteveC said:
...A few more posts to this thread and I'll have talked myself into selling my Sadowsky.
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As I always say, keep your Sadowsky. If you sold it today for absolute top dollar, and did all the responsible things a Dad and husband should do, there would be another batch of things you would need to do that cost just much with a few months, and what would you sell then?

The bottom line is, that within reason, we all deserve a few pleasures in life, and a nice instrument is a mighty fine way to spend some time.:bassist:
 
#105
Brad Johnson said:
Coming from a guy who doesn't have a clue as to how many basses he currently owns, this may seem odd:smug::

Don't buy another bass yet. Spend your free time on your craft instead.

I mean no offense and this is the same general advice I'd give anyone. Some spend so much time on the hunt that they don't spend enough time figuring out why things are as they are... or how to make them better.

It's a journey that, for me, won't end until I do. Because of the time I've spent exploring the instrument, the basses I play sound better. Regardless of cost. I have no doubt that's what Sharay did and any other player out there that has impressed you. It wasn't simply the bass, it was more about them and the time they spent than anything. That's something that you can do to. For for less than the cost of another instrument.

If you need a solid, do it all instrument, I'd get a newer used MIM active Jazz 5. Or wait for a good deal on a used MIA Jazz. I played a slightly used MIA Jazz Deluxe 5 yesterday that would put most boutique J's to shame.

In this economy, there are some absolutely bizarre deals that pop up frequently. You could find a $3k bassed used for $1k... but if nothing else changed, would you really appreciate it?

I found my Marleaux JB Deluxe 5 used locally for a crazy price... after it had been dismissed by at least a dozen of my friends/peers as "nothing special". I played it and it was clear there was far more there than they saw. Bought it, tweaked it, put new strings on it. Total cost to do that? Around $35. Now everyone wants it after they play it:D

Until the last 10 or so years I played one bass and really delved into how I could make it do what I wanted it to do. That involved experimenting with techniques, strings, amplification, learning how to fine tune them and just generally seeing what I could get away with. All of those learned skills translated over to every instrument I've played since. That to me is worth it's weight in gold.

So spend less time looking for a bass and more time looking at one.
:cool:
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The more I think about it, this post settles the thread. I know that whatever I buy, I will like it. I've been playing longer than alot of you guys have been alive, and I know what I like. I seriously just need to practice a whole lot more, and a whole lot smarter so I can sound as good as the great bassists who post on TB. Thanks guys, there were a bunch of great suggestions, and I will be happy whatever I chose.:)
 
#108
At the reccomendation of a friend I went to the carvin website to check out the SB4000 and 5000. That is their new jazz bass inspired model designed with Sieku Bunch (don't know if that spelling is correct).
He has some demo videos of the 4 stringers and they sound killer! I would guess the 5's would be nice as well and I think they are in the $1,100-1,400 range depending on the options.
I also recently tried a MM sterling HH (I have an SR5 H and never really thought much about the sterling). I loved it!!! I've seen them used in your price range. I wouldn't hesitate on one if I were looking and found a used one.
The G & L's are an awesome choice as well IMO.
 
#109
Brad Johnson said:
I know you can do it and who knows? You could be the guy that inspires other players to rock a pink Foundation (the Foundations I've played have been excellent basses and a giveaway on the used market). It could happen.


Good luck.
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My current Foundation is the black one in my avatar.:cool: It slams just as hard as the old pink did (I sold it to a TB'er from Evansville, IN.:)):)

As for fives, I have a bead on a nice used Jazz. Jazz and Stingray are my favorites tones, so I might as well stick with what I know I like.:smug:
 
#110
I have decided to make peace with my current five, a BB605, and I am having Sadowsky pickups installed. If I like how it sounds, I will eventually have a Sadowsky preamp w/VTC installed. I am guessing that it will sound somewhat like a Sadowsky modern when I am done.

I would still like a Jazz or SR5, but frankly I can't afford everything I want!:help: If I get one or the other, I will be happy.:bassist:
 
#112
:DI simply changed the pickups in my Yamaha, and I am shocked at how good it sounds now. For anybody who wants to upgrade a bass with J-style pickups, jump on the sale that Sadowsky is currently having on distressed pickups. They are almost half off because of some pretty light scratches, and they work like a charm!:bassist:

What I said about not worrying about high end gear anymore still stands. I won't rule out dropping serious coin in the future, but given the fact that I am at the mid point of my work life, I really need to focus more on reducing debt and building savings, than spending money on luxury items.

The first seventeen years flew by, and I want to be sitting pretty when they show me the door.:smug:

That said, there is a really nice, but heavy, MIM J5 at my local GC. GAS never dies!:D:hiding::rolleyes:
 

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