• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Could you help me choosing a new bass?

I've played the bass guitar for some time and I'm looking for a new one.
Actually, I play some very different kinds of music, and I'm looking for the bass that can be adaptable for each genre.
I've chosen four main basses(I want a bass between $1500-2500):
Rickenbacker 4003,
MIA Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass,
MusicMan StingRay or Sterling,
G&L L-2000.

I need some experienced opinions about the one that is the best to play songs by The Beatles and Rush, for the heavy and clear sound(IMO, the most beaultiful sound), songs by RHCP and by Green Day, Paramore and so(for the band).

Sorry for my poor English and thanks for helping;).
 
I was reading some posts about them and everybody said that the L-2000 was the best one choice, but it was too expensive. Then i got to ebay and the prices are the same and most times the Rick was slightly more expensive...
I'd b grateful if you could tell me the difference on the sound and feel of the basses, as I don't have a place to try the basses near home...
 
i would say the Fender should do it. Geddy Lee is playing one for years now so that part is covered. With the deluxe you will be able to get a good slapsound, so RHCP are covered. The Beatles and Green Day..I think you can rock out on a jazzbass
 
I just read that the G&L is the fusion of the Jazz and the StingRay, is it true? Its sound is like what? I've heard a guy playing it(it sounded like heaven) but he used too many pedals and another guy, without pedals got a terrible sound...
 
G&L all the way, browse the classified here and you can have a US made one for much cheaper then those other basses. Also the bass has so many sounds that its hard to really judge it off any one video.

Also Ed Friedland reviewed a G&L Tribute, which is the overseas version of the G&L.
 
I'm still in doubt between the Fender and the G&L. Could you say the vantages from them, please? I really can't decide, Fender is Classic and beautiful, L-2000 is so adaptable, and sounds great if well used...

Kyon`

Thanks for the vid, it helped alot... I really liked the G&L, but its design isn't good although it sounds really great...
And, are the US made better than the Tribute?
 
I actully have a tribby l2500, and you get great humbucker and single coil sounds/tones and I love it, also the active passive switcher. It would be nice if it possible with 2+volume with pushpull for hum/single swich for each pickup, 1 tone, 1 bass tone and 1 active and passive switcher B)
 
I didn't know Ed Friedland and I've just watched his preview for the MM Sterling and I just fell in love with its sound too...
The more I look for the best bass, the more confusing it gets...
I think I will let the Rick, and reduce my choices to the FEnder Deluxe Jazz, MM Sterling or StingRay and the G&L L2000.
 
I didn't know Ed Friedland and I've just watched his preview for the MM Sterling and I just fell in love with its sound too...
The more I look for the best bass, the more confusing it gets...
I think I will let the Rick, and reduce my choices to the FEnder Deluxe Jazz, MM Sterling or StingRay and the G&L L2000.

Just to get a last word in, Rics are far more versatile than popular perception allows. They have a broad range of tones. I love the way they play, but that's personal preference.

Good luck with your search!
 
I've become a huge fan of music man, all their basses are great value for money and have a pretty diverse sound, i definitely don't think you'd regret getting one of them. They're gonna sound great doing any kind of basic rock sound and i fiddled around on one of them at my local music store and it sounded awesome being slapped too.
 
I've heard from a few people on here that they are able to get a good slap sound out of a Ric. I'm not a slap player so I can't comment on that, but I have a Ric on layaway that I should be paying off in the next couple weeks. I would definitely say with confidence that it can handle all the other stuff that you mentioned.

All the basses that you listed would be ideal for the sounds you're saying that you're going for though.
 
Of those choices and the groups you like, I'd go jazz bass. Personally, I don't care for G&L necks since they tend to be on the thick side, front to back. Though they sound and feel nice. The Ric wouldn't be the easiest bass to slap on, if you're interested in RHCP stuff. And I think the Musicman's wouldn't really give you the kind of tone you want. They do what they do well, but IMO they're more of a one trick pony than any bass out there, unless you go with the two pickup version, which helps. But overall it just sounds like the jazz bass would fit your musical interests, and possibly a MIA Standard rather than a Deluxe? I'm not a fan of Fender electronics, in any of their models.
 
If you want less sustain than get a hofner beatle bass but if you want something to the equivelent to a les paul get a hofner club bass (les pauls are amazing for info)
 

Attachments

  • image-1023993222.png
    image-1023993222.png
    33.4 KB · Views: 60
  • image-2867971993.png
    image-2867971993.png
    108.9 KB · Views: 80