• 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.

Getting my 1st Bass....suggestions please!

C

charley

Apr 8, 2006
25
0
SF Bay Area
#1
Hi,

I am a full time stage/studio musician. I have been playing guitar, banjo, and mandolin for many years, but am hoping to add my 1st bass to my toolbox.

I think I have decided to go a more classic/vintage vibe route. I had previously considered the possibility of getting a longer scale (35' plus) 5/6 string bass...figuring it could cover some serious territory and work in any situation.

I think, for now, I am going to start with something a bit more traditional. I am thinking about a 5 string Jazz Bass or 5 string P Bass. I want to get something decent quality, american made, and will probably upgrade the electronics down the line...

Can anybody tell me more about the differences between a P and a J?

It seems like the 5 string versions are not popular...why?

Thanks!!!
 
#2
You've been on talkbass for 8 years and you don't know the difference between a jazz bass and a precision bass and you think 5 string basses are unpopular?

Assuming you're not being silly, you should go to Guitar Center and try out a Fender American Standard 5 string precision and 5 string jazz and see which you like better.
 
#4
Unless you need the low B thing I'd highly recommend getting a regular (4 - string) Jazz or Precision bass.

The nut width and string spacing is different on both so go try them and see which one your hand likes the best. Let that be your guide.

Great music has been made on them for decades.
 
#5
There's a 10 string bass near me on CL. lol!!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

5 strings basses are very popular, as mentioned above, best to go to GC or your local music store and try a Jazz and a precision out. Different sound and feel altogether. I don't know what your price range is but you can also go look at the classifieds here or on CL for a used bass (once you've tried them out and decided which one to go with).
 
#9
Really, with the Fender J or P, I am just curious if any more experienced bass players have had problems with the low B sounding too loose/farty.

And, as far as comparing a P and a J, just curious which offers the most versatility of sound. I have played, and enjoyed, both a P and a J. While I am very comfortable hearing a bass in a band mix, my serious attempts at bass are few. Curious less about overall tones, and more about the nuances that make one different from the other....

And yes, I have been a member here for some time, but not a very active one. I have the same name over at thegearpage, where I am much more active...I am mainly a guitarist, picking up bass as a secondary instrument.
 
#10
Well, I just shared this on another thread, may as well copy it here too... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKEHQdONP90

(no, it's not me).

Do you have a budget?

For versatility, if you're going to buy one and only one bass, I'd go with a five-string and something with two pickups. Carvin does have some great options, like the SB5000 or the new PB5 (adding a bridge pickup). I'd also suggest trying something in the Yamaha BB series. Yes, some 5ers have floppy B strings, and there's no solid rule for which one won't - try before you buy. But when worst comes to worst, you can play a 5er like a 4 and treat the B string as a thumb rest, and only use it when you need to.
 
#11
charley said:
Really, with the Fender J or P, I am just curious if any more experienced bass players have had problems with the low B sounding too loose/farty.

And, as far as comparing a P and a J, just curious which offers the most versatility of sound. I have played, and enjoyed, both a P and a J. While I am very comfortable hearing a bass in a band mix, my serious attempts at bass are few. Curious less about overall tones, and more about the nuances that make one different from the other....

And yes, I have been a member here for some time, but not a very active one. I have the same name over at thegearpage, where I am much more active...I am mainly a guitarist, picking up bass as a secondary instrument.
Click to expand...

Well I'm not sure why you think that an old school sound is the only thing for you without acually having tried more modern basses, but that's your choice and it's valid.

Which brings up the number of strings question. And that has to do with just how "old school" do you want the music to be? If it's the classic basslines of yore, a 4 string bass is going to be the answer because that's what the masters of that era played.

Now for me, not so much into the old stuff, I prefer a 5 or 6 string. And no matter how many times people will tell you this, it's not about a couple of extra low notes. As a guitarist you are familiar with moving patterns up and down the neck (capo or otherwise) but not side to side, string to string. That's because a guitar has that nasty B string. But basses are tuned in 4ths and you can move patterns sideways from string to string as well as up and down the neck to change keys.

Now that doesn't work so well on a 4 string because there are not that many strings and room to move sideways too, but on a 5 or better a 6 you can shift all over the place without going up and down the neck like mad. It's really a different instrument with a different approach to playing although if you choose, yes, you can play a 5 string as if it's 4 string with the B string ignored.

So that said, let me now point out that in spite of couple of brief forrays by Fender into 6 strings basically "old school" basses are not 6 stringers unless you spend a LOT of cash (SX 6 string being an exception I'd HIGHLY recommend for a 6 string noob). And furthermore Fender B strings pre 2008 tend to be "meh" at best and floppy at worst. That how long it took Fender to get serious about building 5 string basses! They still don't sell 5 string PJ Fenders!

What I'm getting at is you've created a kind of situation by wanting 5 or 6 strings AND "old school" (Means Fender jazz or p-bass) at the same time. Now that happens to be what I'm into at the present moment by owning three of those SX 6 string jazz bass clones. Does it work? Don't know. My jury is still out. I do know so far I love it. The 6 stringers I've owned for a long time are all the standard active, "modern" thing: Ibanez, Alembic, Ken Smith, Modulus.

My view: In my opinion you are making a noob mistake by trying to pick your bass for life and spending alot of money on it BEFORE you've had the experience of what bassworld has to offer you. Unless you have cash coming out of your ears, I'd strongly suggest that you TRY a few things for lower money like the SX Jazz 6 string or an Ibanez SR series 5 or 6 string, and so forth until you have the bass experience as to what does and does not work FOR YOU, and THEN whip out your wallet and say THIS is what I want as my "bass for life".

Choose wisely! ;)
 
#14
bassbenj said:
Well I'm not sure why you think that an old school sound is the only thing for you without acually having tried more modern basses, but that's your choice and it's valid.

Which brings up the number of strings question. And that has to do with just how "old school" do you want the music to be? If it's the classic basslines of yore, a 4 string bass is going to be the answer because that's what the masters of that era played.

Now for me, not so much into the old stuff, I prefer a 5 or 6 string. And no matter how many times people will tell you this, it's not about a couple of extra low notes. As a guitarist you are familiar with moving patterns up and down the neck (capo or otherwise) but not side to side, string to string. That's because a guitar has that nasty B string. But basses are tuned in 4ths and you can move patterns sideways from string to string as well as up and down the neck to change keys.

Now that doesn't work so well on a 4 string because there are not that many strings and room to move sideways too, but on a 5 or better a 6 you can shift all over the place without going up and down the neck like mad. It's really a different instrument with a different approach to playing although if you choose, yes, you can play a 5 string as if it's 4 string with the B string ignored.

So that said, let me now point out that in spite of couple of brief forrays by Fender into 6 strings basically "old school" basses are not 6 stringers unless you spend a LOT of cash (SX 6 string being an exception I'd HIGHLY recommend for a 6 string noob). And furthermore Fender B strings pre 2008 tend to be "meh" at best and floppy at worst. That how long it took Fender to get serious about building 5 string basses! They still don't sell 5 string PJ Fenders!

What I'm getting at is you've created a kind of situation by wanting 5 or 6 strings AND "old school" (Means Fender jazz or p-bass) at the same time. Now that happens to be what I'm into at the present moment by owning three of those SX 6 string jazz bass clones. Does it work? Don't know. My jury is still out. I do know so far I love it. The 6 stringers I've owned for a long time are all the standard active, "modern" thing: Ibanez, Alembic, Ken Smith, Modulus.

My view: In my opinion you are making a noob mistake by trying to pick your bass for life and spending alot of money on it BEFORE you've had the experience of what bassworld has to offer you. Unless you have cash coming out of your ears, I'd strongly suggest that you TRY a few things for lower money like the SX Jazz 6 string or an Ibanez SR series 5 or 6 string, and so forth until you have the bass experience as to what does and does not work FOR YOU, and THEN whip out your wallet and say THIS is what I want as my "bass for life".

Choose wisely! ;)
Click to expand...


Well, I figure I just can't go wrong with a Jazz Bass. Plus, I think wanting 5 strings is reasonable, for the added versatility. No this is not the "bass for life," but I do want to start with something decent quality. A used American Deluxe Jazz V is about as high in price as I want to go for now. I do think this should get me a quality piece of gear that is both capable and tuneful.

Thanks for the bit about the low B being better post 2008....that is extremely helpful.

I will, most likely, upgrade the bridge, tuners, and electronics as I go...so eventually the bass will get better. But, I want to get something good from the outset, hence the desire for a Deluxe Jazz V.
 
#15
charley said:
Well, I figure I just can't go wrong with a Jazz Bass. Plus, I think wanting 5 strings is reasonable, for the added versatility. No this is not the "bass for life," but I do want to start with something decent quality. A used American Deluxe Jazz V is about as high in price as I want to go for now. I do think this should get me a quality piece of gear that is both capable and tuneful.

Thanks for the bit about the low B being better post 2008....that is extremely helpful.

I will, most likely, upgrade the bridge, tuners, and electronics as I go...so eventually the bass will get better. But, I want to get something good from the outset, hence the desire for a Deluxe Jazz V.
Click to expand...

You're definitely on the right track there.
 
#16
charley said:
Hi,

I am a full time stage/studio musician. I have been playing guitar, banjo, and mandolin for many years, but am hoping to add my 1st bass to my toolbox.

I think I have decided to go a more classic/vintage vibe route. I had previously considered the possibility of getting a longer scale (35' plus) 5/6 string bass...figuring it could cover some serious territory and work in any situation.

I think, for now, I am going to start with something a bit more traditional. I am thinking about a 5 string Jazz Bass or 5 string P Bass. I want to get something decent quality, american made, and will probably upgrade the electronics down the line...

Can anybody tell me more about the differences between a P and a J?

It seems like the 5 string versions are not popular...why?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

You are already a musician, and already know (hopefully) quality instruments. So get yourself a 5 string quality instrument. No, you don't need a Fodera or similar high end boutique bass, but if you have the bank for it and you (think) you already know what you want (based upon the kind of work you do and the music you play I imagine), then spring for a better quality instrument. Don't go down the road of upgrading pups and electronics, go try a bunch of quality basses and pick the one that feels best and sounds best.

I suggest you go used if you can, and don't necessarily buy something because someone tells you it is the ultimate bass for you. You have instruments and thus know what feels good to you, your bass neck should at least feel as good in your hands.

In my own meager case, I have tried a lot of basses (and frankly I am by no mean much of a bass player), and in the end my main basses are a Zon 519 fretless and a Sadowsky Metro VJ 5 string limited edition. I own these primarily because I love fretless, and I love the neck shape on both nbasses. In fact, the first time I ever held a Sadowsky I knew I would own one. And I just got one.

My basses have rather flat necks. You may like rounded necks more. Who knows. Like has been said before, go visit Guitar Center and try a few, but pay particular attention to what feels good in your hand (neck radius) and later you can but the build quality you want around that radius.
 
#17
(About Low-B being Farty: If U get a Bass which allows to have the strings through.... Only have the B strung through and the others kept normal..... done in a Carvin, one of my friend plays)

Why would all P/J's be Fender? All strats be Fender's?? All 'Pauls be Gibson's?

If U like the vintage vibe... U might as well love both of the P and J! I would Highly recommend Going for a CARVIN PB5!

When U would be ordering in the Custom shop.... Choose both the P and the J pup! It's gonna be a custom-instrument made for Ur liking and would be American made! Not all P-J's needs to be made by Fender! :P

and as for Tuners/electronics upgrade go.... Carvin does give a already-hi-end stuff in a much more reasonable price! :)
The pickups are a bit confusing though! It sounds awesome but it will make you wonder is it's active or Passive.

As Mr. Drumsnbass said, U maylike different features than others.... Carvin will let U choose some of the features! :) Like I prefer more sting spacing than normal on a 5-string..... the Carvin's hip-shot bridge's allows us to get so...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back