First bass...narrowed down to two

[rollyolly]

Well, not exactly. I played bass when I was about 13 through 15. Now about 15 years later I'm ready to pick it up again!

I've narrowed it down to two basses. The Ibanez SR-500 and the Squire Vintage Modified Jaguar. I've played both, and they're both completely awesome and completely different.

A few things about me. I have really small hands for a dude. I make up for it with my large....sense of humor. I'm interested in playing everything - funk, doom/stoner metal, indie, 80's rock, punk, jazz - you name it, I'm pretty much just in love with music. I have the discipline now to learn proper technique, including slap, and I'm hoping to start jamming with others within a couple years.

I know these two basses are about a $250 difference in price, but let's just ignore that. What would you suggest? I've been completely out of the game for awhile now, so I'd love to have some opinions from people that aren't earning a commission.

Thanks and cheers!

 

[dlenaghan]

I recall my 34" 24 fret Ibanez Roadstar II being perfect despite having smaller hands. Slim, fast, and somewhat narrower than I've found many American style basses, eg, Fender, to be. The SRs are better than the Roadstars, especially when it comes to electronics. I'd go with the SR. Excellent build quality, versatile electronics, excellent upper-register access, etc.

 

[SurferJoe46]

I own both of those basses and I love them each as much as the other.

The SR500 is sleek, slim and really fast. It's lighter, more balanced and has a great active circuit to pump or cut the frequencies you want to change. It doesn't loan itself to any custom additions like a Fender or Squier, but it has a mystique of it's own to make it unique and yet be able to play in all sorts of venues and musical styles.

I know the SR leans toward a speed-bass with it's metal heritage, but it's also mellow and fills in Jazz and Blues lines well.

The VM-Jazz is a lot more old school to me in eye appeal and voice. It has the Fender charisma and it can play sweet and low and really rip into the the mix.

They are both so totally different that I can't really make an honest comparison between the two - they do have areas of overlap, but never quite getting into each others playing field.

If you were asking to compare the SR500 and a Fender Deluxe Jazz bass, then there's more of a parallel there as they are both active, have slim necks (leaning toward the SR as being thinner and slimmer), fast with the Deluxe having a lot more bling.

I'd buy both the VM-Jazz and the SR500 all over again, I like them that much.

But they are worlds apart as far as instruments go.

 

[Will Wolfgang]

I was once in a bad spot when my fender Jaguar had an electrical issue mid-gig. The opening band was nice enough to lend me their SR-500. Play was good, and the sound was not too shabby either. It was not the best thing i have ever played, but it is one ruggid little thing. A great starter bass. (we covered from dance to blues to metal, just chugged along)