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Do Basses Fall Into Categories?

Davealicous

Davealicous

Sep 23, 2023
33
35
#1
Hey all! Some of you may instantly recognize me from another thread that just wrapped up. If not, I thought I'd start a new thread on the topic that one showed to be the next step in my journey. Rather than go on and on there, I thought I brand new thread just about this new direction is the best way to go. Here's what I'd love to understand and some context:

I really don't know much about bass guitars. I have a Squier Classic Vibe '70s P bass, and I have no idea what it's build quality is, how I'd work on it myself, nor even what work it actually needs. I understand there are plenty of written and video tutorials to learn how to set up your bass correctly, and I plan on doing all of that. However, things like some or all of the frets being all different (and incorrect) heights and what to do about that, as well as other build quality issues are things I'd rather avoid by purchasing a bass that is well built, and then I'd learn how to set it up myself and double check that set up at the seasons change.

On top of that, I don't even know what bass I should be owning. I've only owned a Fender Jazz, a Squier Jazz, and now this Squier P bass. So far, I like the sound of the P bass the best, but I really don't know if this is what I'd choose if I really knew what was out there.

So, the advice I have gotten and will follow is to drive to the Sweetwater super store in Fort Wayne and take my time playing as many basses as I can out of the same amp I have at home. Why then am I posting again here for advice? Well, because I'd love to go in there armed with some basic knowledge of how basses are categorized. I imagine there are categories, right? For instance, I'd imagine they can be categorized by the type and number of pickups they have. Are there any others? I do see specs on neck thickness, width, shape, ect, but is that a category to know about? Also, once I settle on a short list of basses I love the sound and feel of, how do I determine if that particular bass is a quality build? Would this be something the guitar tech would have to determine for me? What are even the telltale signs of a quality constructed bass over a poor quality one?

Anyway, that's about it as far as I can tell. If you can immediately see other considerations for me to be aware of, please voice them! What I'm ultimately hoping for is to have a bass in my hands whose sound and feel I love and I know for sure that I'm playing one that has quality construction and is set up correctly. I can't wait to have that! Thanks in advance.
 
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#2
You know what, there's no need to comment on this post. I see there is a ton of Googlable info out there right at my fingertips. I just posted here without searching for what I asked because I was already on this site for my previous post. I'll just read all the info and watch the videos of the already publicly available information. I'd delete this post if I knew how, but I don't see that as an option under the edit tab.
 
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#3
Yeah, you seem to know already that the best thing to do is just play a bunch that take your fancy. I would encourage you to set up and repair your own instrument. That way you can get a better feel for, not only what is right for you, but also enable you to recognize a bass that is set up poorly causing you to reject it out of hand. Good luck on your quest.
 
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#6
Your plan of action to try lots of different basses is spot on.
"should be owning" is the most misplaced notion in your write-up. Should I be playing a FSO? According to the flock I should, but I don't graze.

How an instrument feels to you is paramount. Does it feel effortless, does the sound make you want to play more? Does the build of the instrument instill confidence that it won't fly apart at the most embarrassing moment? This is how you determine that it is right for you.

Don't approach this as if you absolutely must modify anything. Many instruments are great as-is, and some people just like to tinker. As you become more acquainted with the multitude of differences, you may want to try it as well, but don't convince yourself that it is a necessity. I haven't modified a thing on my '98 Tobias Growler.
 
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#7
abarson said:
Your plan of action to try lots of different basses is spot on.
"should be owning" is the most misplaced notion in your write-up. Should I be playing a FSO? According to the flock I should, but I don't graze.

How an instrument feels to you is paramount. Does it feel effortless, does the sound make you want to play more? Does the build of the instrument instill confidence that it won't fly apart at the most embarrassing moment? This is how you determine that it is right for you.

Don't approach this as if you absolutely must modify anything. Many instruments are great as-is, and some people just like to tinker. As you become more acquainted with the multitude of differences, you may want to try it as well, but don't convince yourself that it is a necessity. I haven't modified a thing on my '98 Tobias Growler.
Click to expand...

Great advice! What's an FSO, though? Yeah, I don't want to modify anything. I want an off the rack bass whose sound and feel I love that is quality constructed so that all I have to do is the setup and check in with that setup as the seasons change. I'm sure there are more than one off the rack basses that I'll love just the way they are. It'll probably feel like I have to choose between which Swedish bikini model I prefer :laugh:;)
 
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#9
Davealicous said:
Great advice! What's an FSO, though? Yeah, I don't want to modify anything. I want an off the rack bass whose sound and feel I love that is quality constructed so that all I have to do is the setup and check in with that setup as the seasons change. I'm sure there are more than one off the rack basses that I'll love just the way they are. It'll probably feel like I have to choose between which Swedish bikini model I prefer :laugh:;)
Click to expand...

FSO=FENDER SHAPED OBJECT Any myriad take on a Leo Fender design built by Fender or others.
 
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#11
animals are divided into:
  1. those that belong to the Emperor,
  2. embalmed ones,
  3. those that are trained,
  4. suckling pigs,
  5. mermaids,
  6. fabulous ones,
  7. stray dogs,
  8. those included in the present classification,
  9. those that tremble as if they were mad,
  10. innumerable ones,
  11. those drawn with a very fine camelhair brush,
  12. others,
  13. those that have just broken a flower vase,
  14. those that from a long way off look like flies.
 
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#12
I find basses to be either:

1) An inspiring instrument that makes me want to play so much that I'll practice more, or....

2) Useless to me.

OK, sometimes I have successfully modded a #2 into a #1. So there's hope for some of them.
 
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#13
Probably the main thing to know about is the differences in scale length.
The “standard” is the long scale (34”) that the majority of basses come in.
There will be some variations, but “short scale” generally means 30” scale length. There are shorter scale lengths, medium scale lengths, and longer (35”) scale lengths. There are even multi-scale length basses (fanned fretboards)

To me, this is one of the most significant categories to put basses in. After this, you can group by a number of different types; body makeup, pickup configurations, neck profiles and more.

…not sure if this was covered in your previous thread, but you got my two cents here
 
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#14
Yes. There are three categories:
  • Basses you own
  • Basses you do not own but want
  • Basses you do not own and do not want
Seriously, everything else is superfluous compared to the advice you've already been given to go try out as many basses as you can.

However, the appropriate number of basses is b+1, in which b is the current number of basses you own. Hope this helps.
 
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#15
How it feels in your hands is the only real thing you need to worry about. If it feels right you can do whatever you want with electronics. You can take a good playing bass with crap electronics and upgrade, or maybe even find a good player that also sounds good. That would be the preferable way to go but it's not the only way to get to bass nirvana. You can tweak a bass to feel better under your hands, but if it goes beyond simple setup, it is like peeing in a cash register, it soon runs into money because it requires special tools and experience to get it right. If OTOH it's just the output that's lacking and you can solder and run a screwdriver and nut driver, it's just a matter of replacing electronics.
 
#16
Its another level when you can "accept" a "decent playing" bass but buy it based on the ease of which you can modify it yourself with different pickups, new e.q, change from passive to active pickups, electronics, or both. As mentioned in previous post, educate yourself on maintaining your own equipment. If wary of hacking around on a new bass, thats what pawn shop wrecks are for. IMO dont be fixated on one particular configuration of bass. One might work for one band, but not for another. The short answer is: Buy Two Of Everything!
 
#17
Davealicous said:
So, the advice I have gotten and will follow is to drive to the Sweetwater super store in Fort Wayne and take my time playing as many basses as I can out of the same amp I have at home.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice. Keep in mind that playing comfort is as important (arguably more important) than tone. Since you are fairly new to bass you may not yet know your preferences for ergonomics (balance), string spacing, neck thickness, etc... that's why it's important to try a bunch of instruments.

I recommend starting with standard long scale bass, 34" scale. It's still the norm. Anything else, you'll have challenges such as fewer options for string sets. Nothing against fanned fret/multiscale, but it's far easier to stay within the 34" norm.



Gentle suggestion: consider 5 string bass. They are extremely common these days, definitely within "normal" category, and most music stores carry string sets for them. The great advantage IMO is having more range in each fingering position. Of course the immediate practical advantage is having lower notes which will allow you to play keyboard bass lines. Not only that, many modern songs have bass lines traveling below four-string territory. This isn't just true for metal: extra low bass lines are now often found in country, blues, pop, pretty much everywhere.

All that said: it's OK if you want to restrict your choices to four string, which is never wrong. :)
 
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#20
Davealicous said:
I have a Squier Classic Vibe '70s P bass
Click to expand...

Davealicous said:
hat I'm ultimately hoping for is to have a bass in my hands whose sound and feel I love and I know for sure that I'm playing one that has quality construction and is set up correctly.
Click to expand...

I don't think you need to keep shopping. Squire CVs have a great rep around TB, it's probably solid quality.You like it best of what you have. Just invest in a setup, and get some gigs

after a few years if gigging you will have a much better grasp of the possibilities
then you can go to the music store and try things out with some perspective
 
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