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Getting a new bass that matches my style...

coolvirgin69

coolvirgin69

Mar 11, 2019
27
10
#1
How do I determine playing style exactly? I could say I like playing with slap and I like to get funky, but just as much I love to get a little avant-garde and get weird with tone. I could play both ways on any bass, but what I am finding is that the basses I often get don't quite accommodate both styles. I think I have been getting p-basses when i should be getting a different style. Both of my basses have wayyyy high action, and I broke one trying to adjust that. I am awful with tools. Also, how the hell do I get a good bass that isn't upwards of $500 bucks?!?!?!?
Edit: The only electric bass I've had experience with before it broke (I will fix it one day) had high action, a very bright tone, and passive pickups. Not sure what tone wood. It was a Dean Custom Zone in nuclear green if you are curious. Fun, good, love it, but I want to try something different, but not too different.

ANNNND I should definitely mention that my current bass is an acoustic for $80 from a company called "Best Choice Products." It's got a good deal of flaws but...$80 bucks for a bass, and an acoustic one at that...I couldn't slap until I muffled the hole with a square of shelf lining. Other people had the same complaint that you just "can't" slap on that bass. Well I fixed it. It worked.
 
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#2
Welcome to TalkBass!
"Good" is very subjective.
Squier, Ibanez, Schecter, ESP LTD, Yamaha etc. ^All make a very affordable, very playable bass for cheap. Shop for used and you can really get a killer deal on something great.

Perhaps the best thing you can do is try before you buy. See what feels right in your hands and sounds good to your ear and go from there.

Also, a bad setup will make playing any bass a chore. There are countless videos on YT, many of them posted here.

If you're really uncomfortable with taking tools to your bass, have someone who is experienced show you how to do it. You could pay for a setup at a shop- but seriously tell them you want to watch.
 
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#3
CatchaCuda said:
Welcome to TalkBass!
"Good" is very subjective.
Squier, Ibanez, Schecter, ESP LTD, Yamaha etc. ^All make a very affordable, very playable bass for cheap. Shop for used and you can really get a killer deal on something great.

Perhaps the best thing you can do is try before you buy. See what feels right in your hands and sounds good to your ear and go from there.

Also, a bad setup will make playing any bass a chore. There are countless videos on YT, many of them posted here.

If you're really uncomfortable with taking tools to your bass, have someone who is experienced show you how to do it. You could pay for a setup at a shop- but seriously tell them you want to watch.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the welcome and response! I will definitely make sure to try before buying next time; I hadn't before. Just bought online. I'm sure craigslist will help in my area considering the culture...any vids or quick tips/no no's on setup?
 
#6
coolvirgin69 said:
How do I determine playing style exactly? I could say I like playing with slap and I like to get funky, but just as much I love to get a little avant-garde and get weird with tone. I could play both ways on any bass, but what I am finding is that the basses I often get don't quite accommodate both styles. I think I have been getting p-basses when i should be getting a different style. Both of my basses have wayyyy high action, and I broke one trying to adjust that. I am awful with tools. Also, how the hell do I get a good bass that isn't upwards of $500 bucks?!?!?!?


ANNNND I should definitely mention that my current bass is an acoustic for $80 from a company called "Best Choice Products." It's got a good deal of flaws but...$80 bucks for a bass, and an acoustic one at that...I couldn't slap until I muffled the whole with a square of shelf lining. Other people had the same complaint that you just "can't" slap on that bass. Well I fixed it.
Click to expand...
Sooner or later someone will mention the king of versatility, so...
Link Removed
 
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#9
Some great value bands were referenced early in this thread already. If you're open to second-hand instruments, you can usually find good deals on used basses. Your location is not included in your information, so I'm not aware whether you have local music stores.

If possible, it is always best if you can actually test one. Test an instrument both sitting down and standing with a strap, so you can judge the weight of the instrument. (If you happen to get a gig for an evening you could be standing with this bass weighing down on your shoulder for 3 hours.)

If a test is not possible, go through TalkBass Classifieds, Music Go Round, Guitar Center, etc used instruments.
 
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#11
As already noted - a bass that is set-up correctly is a must to be able too determine if you like it or not. Once that is factored in, it comes down to playing as many basses in your price range at local shops/stores or owned by friends. Usually the right bass for you will be the one that feels great and sounds good to your ears regardless of brand. If you will use it live, how it balances and what it weighs will need to be considered. But testing any bass - trust feel and your ears before your eyes.
 
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#12
Depends on your budget but an Ibanez Talman TMB100 costs only $199 brand new so used is around $150 and those are pretty versatile basses. Both P and Jazz pickups and it's also an active bass so you can use the 2 band EQ to dial in a greater variety of tones. There's also G&L, Sire, quite a number of basses to choose from but again, depends on your price range and what kind of features you prefer ie. slim neck, light bass etc.
In terms of set up, perhaps spending $20 to get it set up correctly and watching how they do it is my recommendation. In particular, watch how they do truss rod adjustments, intonations etc.
Sterling Ray4 basses are around $299 - those are pretty awesome slap machines.

Here's the Ibanez Talman TMB100

Ibanez.IbanezTalmanSeriesTMB10027866.jpg
 
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