Getting back into bass

[Jeff Scott]

The 4 I've narrowed it down to are the Lakland, G&L, Fender American Elite, and Ernie Ball.

Expensive taste, I know, but go big or go home. Now to just go check them out somewhere

You won't be sorry. Of those brands, I'd choose between G&L, and Ernie Ball.

 

[dmt]

The 4 I've narrowed it down to are the Lakland, G&L, Fender American Elite, and Ernie Ball.
Expensive taste, I know, but go big or go home. Now to just go check them out somewhere

If checking out Fenders, do yourself a favor and while you’re at it also check out an American Professional and an American Original version of whichever bass you’re looking at. I mean, I can afford an Elite but I specifically wouldn’t want one. Why? Because they’re getting away from the basic concept too much for me. However, I’m not saying they aren’t good basses and that they don’t suit some people (possibly including you) perfectly. I’m just saying to also check out the more standard models.

Put it this way, would you pay extra (or even be interested in in any way at all) a "Les Paul Elite" guitar with, besides the two humbucker pickups, an extra [special noiseless version] P-90 pickup* and a 5th control knob, an onboard preamp with two batteries in the body, a compound radius neck and compound radius fretboard? If not, then an Elite may not be what you want to aim for in a bass. However, if the things I listed in fact sound good to you (and they certainly would for some), then you’re probably on the right path with the Elite. Buy whatever suits you, of course. Just saying that more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean "better" here, but rather "different". If you like the differences involved, then get it, but not because it’s better in and of itself.

*In relation to the extra pickup, I’m making a comparison to the Elite Precision - the Elite Jazz has the normal Jazz compliment of 2 pickups

 

[beatdatthang]

The 4 I've narrowed it down to are the Lakland, G&L, Fender American Elite, and Ernie Ball.

Expensive taste, I know, but go big or go home. Now to just go check them out somewhere

If possible, I’d say try as many of those listed as you can. When spending that type of coin it’s all about how it feels in your hands. All of those basses will probably sound great, but their balance, weight, and neck profiles, and neck feel (which is very important to me) will be in some cases very different and even can change from year to year of the same model.

I’m a fan of EBMM tone and their roasted maple or beeswax and oil neck finishes. Lakland has the best neck profile for me. The G&L L-2000 is probably the most sonically versatile, etc. Try as many as you can.

 

[Justin Askins]

Fender Aerodyne or Music Man Sterling 4? I've played a Sterling by music Man but not the big dog. Does that make a difference?