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Future Bassist

S

SWiTCH

Jul 20, 2004
35
0
#1
Hi guys.
Today, on a whim, I decided to take up bass guitar. I've been playing guitar for years now, and I'd like to expand my horizons. I record music onto my computer with guitars and drums, and a bass would complete my songs.

So anyway, I went on ebay looking to buy, but I realized I don't know anything about basses.
I don't know the good brands and how many strings I want and what not.

I was hoping you guys could tell me what the good brands are. Maybe the Gibson equivalent in the bass world (think SG).
I'm not looking for a beginners guitar because I have lots of experience with regular guitars, so that should give me a good head start. Something under 1000 bucks, so I can get get a used one on ebay in the 400-600 dollar range.

So if you guys could give me some brand names, or even specific guitars, it would help out a lot. And if you're feeling especially helpful, I could also use some info on bass amps and effects. Thanks a lot.

By the way, if your'e wondering what kind of music I'll be using this bass for, it's punk rock (NOFX anyone?).

So... Yeah, sorry for the ignorance.
 
#2
Hmm, you have quite a few choices in this price range. American Fenders are one, P for a fat, mid-rangey tone and J for a brighter growl. G&L's are another good choice, with one or two humbuckers for punch (and tonal variety on the 2 pickup model). Lakland Skylines can be had for that price too, among others, and are highly regarded around here.

If it were my choice, I'd go with the Fender. P Bass for pure oldschool punk rock tone, or J bass for more tonal variety and a more modern sort of sound. Fenders have been used from the Ramones to AFI, and some bassists like Randy Bradbury of Pennywise use Fender clones by Ibanez or whatever. I'd personally suggest the J in case you want some extra tone options, and possibly for different styles of music, but the P is amazing for punk.
 
#4
Whenever people ask me what type of bass I think they should get I always say they should get a spector if they have the money, because they are somewhat resonably priced, sound great, and are built to last.
 
#5
Most punkers I've seen play a Fender Precision (stickers optional). For your price range, you could get a used USA made one. If you are going into the computer, skip the amp and just get a nice DI box, such as a SansAmp Bass Driver. That should let you dial in nice tone and go into the computer.
 
#6
get a music man (ernie ball/music man if you want one made between mid 80s and now), i find my stingray great for rock and punk, and my sabre is good for pretty much everything. but since they dont make sabres any more, the stingray is a good one, you can get em ebay for arround 800 or maybe less (last time i checked)...
 
#7
That sounds great, I'll look into the P. Bass.

After some thought, allow me to specify what I'm looking for.
Not the tone you get in the background that you can barely hear. I'm looking for punch. I'm looking for Bass intros that make you bang your head without any help from the drums.

... Know what I'm talking about?

Hardcore punk rock. :bassist:

:D
 
#13
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64401&item=3736707120&rd=1

Here's one I'm lookin at.
comments/suggestions/objections?

And would someone tell me why these things are so cheap?
I mean... Logically, if a guitar only costs $200 it sucks, right?

And most of these P basses are that cheap. Unless they're from the 70s or somethin'.

And I'd also like to comment on how fender makes the lamest, most generic guitars looking guitars on the planet. Which is why I'm opting for the baby blue.
... Nothing a little "customization" can't fix though.
 
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#16
you've played a Japanese made one?

Too bad... It's cool lookin'.

My regular guitar is an 80s Japanese ripoff of a Gibson SG.
It plays just as well as the real 80s gibsons and better than the new ones.
 
#18
SWiTCH said:
That sounds great, I'll look into the P. Bass.

After some thought, allow me to specify what I'm looking for.
Not the tone you get in the background that you can barely hear. I'm looking for punch. I'm looking for Bass intros that make you bang your head without any help from the drums.

... Know what I'm talking about?

Hardcore punk rock. :bassist:

:D
Click to expand...


This fits the description of what you're looking for to a T.Basses with an active preamp onboard tend to be punchier.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3736881519&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
 
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#19
Dude,

The reason Fender looks generic is because everyone and their mother have ripped off their designs and bastardized them to death. Fender is the original, that's why everyone has copied them. Lots of people in the know say that the 80's Japan Fenders are better than the USA products of that time. I have a couple of old Japanese basses and they are rock solid. The HW 1 bass has not yet met the reserve price. The minimum you will pay for that bass is probably alot more than $200. It can't be bought or won until the bidding goes above the reserve price. Check the local stores. It is hard to tell if an instrument is really playable without playing it. Pictures don't always tell the truth.

Good luck.
 

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