• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

First band; first practice. Which bass to take?

#22
Thespis said:
That's exactly what I've decided to do. :)
Click to expand...
Cool! The Jag SS is a great gigging bass, by the way. I’ve seen several local bands gig with it. I’ve recorded with it. It’s a good bass at any price but at THAT price, it’s ridiculously good and can play anything. If this is your first band, you might learn about playing in a band, which is that you need a tone that works. With flats, especially, you might find that the Jag gives you more definition you need in a band mix.

To me, the PJ is the ultimate combination. The P by itself is 90% suitable for 90% of my needs, but the extra J brings me to 100% because it can tame the mids a bit of the P and can give you a more aggressive sound soloed. I play flats myself and I swear by PJ. I’ve tried lots of things: J, P, double hum, MM. The only other configuration I remotely like as much is an MM style with a really good preamp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thespis and Richard Cranium
#29
20180224_143100.jpg
lpbfender said:
I play in a working Pink Floyd tribute band in the NYC area....so if I were you I would play any of the basses that are both black and your comfortable to play.

Did I say Black?
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: juancaminos, Arnel M., Crowd crusher and 4 others
#31
Thespis said:
I'm a high school teacher and a group of us were asked to play at the beginning of the school talent show (we're not competing; somebody thought it would be fun.) We're playing Comfortably Numb.
This is my first "band" experience, so I'm wondering which bass to take with me. Here are my options:
1. Gretsch 2202 - My first choice. I love this bass and feel very comfortable with it.
2. Squier SS Jag - The closest thing I have to a P bass.
3. Ibanez Talman SS - I think this might have too much growl for the song we're playing.
4. 1967 Mustang Bass (all original) - definitely has the cool factor, but needs some work and buzzes in places.
Help me out here TB!
:)
Click to expand...
The Squier.
 
#38
Thespis said:
I'm a high school teacher and a group of us were asked to play at the beginning of the school talent show (we're not competing; somebody thought it would be fun.) We're playing Comfortably Numb.
This is my first "band" experience, so I'm wondering which bass to take with me. Here are my options:
1. Gretsch 2202 - My first choice. I love this bass and feel very comfortable with it.
2. Squier SS Jag - The closest thing I have to a P bass.
3. Ibanez Talman SS - I think this might have too much growl for the song we're playing.
4. 1967 Mustang Bass (all original) - definitely has the cool factor, but needs some work and buzzes in places.
Help me out here TB!
:)
Click to expand...

Never take just one bass

So take your favorite and a backup

Wait until you get to be my age and you have 15 bases ... then trying to figure out what bass to take gets harder
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thespis, Ross W. Lovell and Richard Cranium
#39
Thespis said:
The Mustang has tapewounds. The rest are flats. :)
Click to expand...

What happens if the music is in sharps?

I like the Squire with flats for Pink Floyd..... I don’t know anything About Gretch basses to offer an opinion, but might suggest that in
Comfortably numb, you not playing a lot of notes, so I wouldn’t be overly concerned
about comfort. You certainly don’t want a bass that may crap out on you, so forget about the mustang, and if you don’t like the tember of the
Inenez, that leaves the
Squire.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dmt and Thespis
#40
Go with what you’re most comfortable with.

That said, I’ve got a Gretsch 2202 strung with GHS Pressurewounds that’s easily one of the most versatile and best sounding basses I own. And I’ve got nine other basses, most of which are far more expensive and ostensibly “better” to choose from.

Whenever I’m in doubt about what to bring, or I’m doing something different, I’ll pack that little Junior Jet along. Because for anything I’ve ever used it for, it just sounded great. And I never once got a complaint or a negative reaction from anyone to it.

You really can’t go wrong with a Gretsch 2202 based on my own experiences with mine.

Bring the Gretsch. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thespis

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back