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Decent 4 string

D

driess20

Aug 10, 2008
1
0
#1
Dear fellow bass players,

I have been playing bass for some years now but always on a 5 string (Yamaha BB605), as i used to play death metal, grind and the occasional jazz jam bands it felt very appropriate. But over the past summer i started playing with a pop group and started to record and play live shows. I'm interested in picking up a nice 4 string in the $600-750 range and was looking at some Fenders. I want your professional opinion on the matter as i know some of the members here have had much more experience than i do.

After playing some my tastes lingered towards the 51' P bass. I love that tele neck! My only gripe with Fenders is that they don't typically have 24 frets and i am a big fan of a full upper octave. I did see a 24 fret jazz somewhere on the interweb but i really enjoy playing basses before i'm sold on them.

Suggestions?

p.s. if you want to hear my old death metal band look up Xanthos, Link Removed . If you'd like to hear my new pop band check out Cotton Candy Collective, Link Removed .
 
#2
*Sigh*, why do people always immediately jump to Fenders? :rolleyes: For that kind of money you can also get (in the 24 fret range):

-A nice Soundgear,
-a pretty Cort,
-MAYBE a Music Man Bongo second hand,
-perhaps some kind of MTD (new or second hand)?,
-or, if you are up for a laugh, some kind of Dean or BC Rich :D (would be usable for your metal band too)

Choices abound.
 
#3
LDonnie said:
*Sigh*, why do people always immediately jump to Fenders? :rolleyes: For that kind of money you can also get (in the 24 fret range):

-A nice Soundgear,
-a pretty Cort,
-MAYBE a Music Man Bongo second hand,
-perhaps some kind of MTD (new or second hand)?,
-or, if you are up for a laugh, some kind of Dean or BC Rich :D (would be usable for your metal band too)

Choices abound.
Click to expand...


Why do people always immediately put down Fenders. :rolleyes:

Maybe the OP likes the look and sound of Fenders. Maybe he doesn't like Ibanez or Cort.
 
#5
My active fender jazz is great. very versatile. i got it used for $400, i think they're about $650 new. only 20 frets though. there are usually a couple hanging around at guitar center, and they're definitely worth trying out.
just curious, but why do you feel you need a 4 string? if you like the sound and feel of your 5'er why change? can't that low B be just as useful in pop as in metal? or do you just want a different sound and don't see the need in getting another 5'er?
 
#6
Navybass said:
Why do people always immediately put down Fenders. :rolleyes:

Maybe the OP likes the look and sound of Fenders. Maybe he doesn't like Ibanez or Cort.
Click to expand...

I am not putting down Fender in any way with what I said, on the contruary, I have a P-bass styled bass myself and I plan on having a Jazz somewhere down the road. I acknowledge that Fender set a standard in the bass world, but I am only arguing that people often tend to immediatly think of Fenders when purchasing a new bass. I can't blame driess20 if he wants to buy one though.
 
#7
The Geddy Lee is a great bass for that price - the neck isn't for everyone though. I've got one and it plays real fast - sounds great w/ flatwounds.

$600-700 is a great range for a used CIJ/MIJ Fender Jazz or P. I also just got a used 62 Reissue P for under $600 shipped. It's an amazing guitar. Much thumper, but incredibly lighter than my Geddy.
 
#9
I like the 50's Classic P-bass myself. A great bass for the money. I've played three, all at different stores, and they were all fantastic. I really love a good P/J as well and I think the Aerodyne P is really nice. IMO, 24 frets is overrated. I do wish some Fenders had 21 frets instead of 20, but even then the occasions to go up that high on the neck are pretty rare.

Bottom line though: If you really like the '51 P, I can't think of a good reason for you not to go for it.
 
#10
Check out the Schecter Model-T. Amazing quality, good components, fabulous value - top notch for a fraction of many basses. Robert DeLeo (STP) plays it.

driess20 said:
Dear fellow bass players,

I have been playing bass for some years now but always on a 5 string (Yamaha BB605), as i used to play death metal, grind and the occasional jazz jam bands it felt very appropriate. But over the past summer i started playing with a pop group and started to record and play live shows. I'm interested in picking up a nice 4 string in the $600-750 range and was looking at some Fenders. I want your professional opinion on the matter as i know some of the members here have had much more experience than i do.

After playing some my tastes lingered towards the 51' P bass. I love that tele neck! My only gripe with Fenders is that they don't typically have 24 frets and i am a big fan of a full upper octave. I did see a 24 fret jazz somewhere on the interweb but i really enjoy playing basses before i'm sold on them.

Suggestions?

p.s. if you want to hear my old death metal band look up Xanthos, Link Removed . If you'd like to hear my new pop band check out Cotton Candy Collective, Link Removed .
Click to expand...
 
#13
Navybass said:
Why do people always immediately put down Fenders. :rolleyes:

Maybe the OP likes the look and sound of Fenders. Maybe he doesn't like Ibanez or Cort.
Click to expand...

They don't! Fenders are usually hyped beyond anything else.

If the sound of the '51 P is your thing but you don't like some other aspect of it, you can get pretty close with a Jazz bass, just roll off the bridge pickup and cut the tone a bit. It won't be exactly the same but if you have a nice Jazz it will be close enough.

You could also easily find a used Sting signature model bass in your price range, and that's a '51 P that's made in Japan, which means it's pretty nice. I'd replace the bridge, though. "vintage" is not always a positive remark.
 
#14
LDonnie said:
*Sigh*, why do people always immediately jump to Fenders? :rolleyes: For that kind of money you can also get (in the 24 fret range):

-A nice Soundgear,
-a pretty Cort,
-MAYBE a Music Man Bongo second hand,
-perhaps some kind of MTD (new or second hand)?,
-or, if you are up for a laugh, some kind of Dean or BC Rich :D (would be usable for your metal band too)

Choices abound.
Click to expand...

Fenders are sexy-er than all those basses. (that is IMHO, but i think that is a popular O)
 

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