I like the P bass tone, but with a jazz neck. The Ric neck profile is totally different and probably does feel weird to you. Try a J bass, which has a narrower profile that you are used to.
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Getting the right bass the first time
- Thread starter garritynet
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I will say that my favorite neck I've ever played on was my 57 reissue P-bass, which is about as thick and wide as bass necks get. The strange thing is, that I also absolutely love the feel of my current #1, a Warwick Star Bass, which is a semi-hollow with a 32" scale and relatively skinny neck. So those two necks are nowhere near similar, but I feel really comfy on both and like them for different reasons. I think there's a good chance the P bass will grow on you over time. Either way, that's a great pair of basses to own.
Don't worry about it. I have more than a dozen basses, all different scales, configurations and pickups. Some are stupid easy to play, some take a little more time to feel comfortable but they all sound and play different, which is why I bought them. Just keep playing. Get a good setup, relax and enjoy the differences
Hey guys, I just started playing bass last summer; but I'm serious about anything I do. I have to admit that I started out with a video game, Rocksmith, but I didn't let my learning and experience end there. When I grabbed my first bass, I had on idea what I was looking for, but I did understand quality builds and quality components. Thanks to Craig's list and the generous Guitar Center return policy; I have been through about 25 bass guitars in the last several months. I play for an average of 3 hours each day and constantly learn and adjust to mimic the artists that have played before me.
There is no doubt that many used instruments have been improperly stored or mishandled. This may lead to warped necks or uneven fret alignment. Those two problems alone will make an instrument almost impossible to properly set up. However, my experience has been that with proper setup, tuning, intonation, and technique can make a low budget bass meet most needs.
One thing I truly believe is that a player should understand and properly learn how to set up an instrument. The only investment I have not yet made is for a quality set of nut files. Other than that; feeler gauges, micrometers, quality rulers, and depth gauges are standard equipment that are easily attainable and relatively affordable.
Another lesson I learned is that a brand name does not make or break the instrument. I had a "quality" MIM Fender P bass that I could never quite get right, and it was replaced with a dirt cheap 1994 Peavey Fury that is easy to adjust and tune. I once owned an Ibenez SR500 that played like a dream, but I just couldn't get the pickups and electronics to produce the tone I'm into. I have a Squier VM that sounds like a dream; but I prefer and play better on a Schecter Riot Session.
I suppose my point is that for a new player, it will be quite difficult to find an instrument that you will prefer after many experiences.
My best advise would be to learn what you expect in a quality bass, play several different instruments, keep a keen eye on the used market, and don't be afraid to trade or sell for another.
Eventually, you will find a preferred instrument. I have, but also I've found a couple that I intend to keep around because they are almost as good to me. The others just got passed on to hopeful other players that may prefer them more.
There is no doubt that many used instruments have been improperly stored or mishandled. This may lead to warped necks or uneven fret alignment. Those two problems alone will make an instrument almost impossible to properly set up. However, my experience has been that with proper setup, tuning, intonation, and technique can make a low budget bass meet most needs.
One thing I truly believe is that a player should understand and properly learn how to set up an instrument. The only investment I have not yet made is for a quality set of nut files. Other than that; feeler gauges, micrometers, quality rulers, and depth gauges are standard equipment that are easily attainable and relatively affordable.
Another lesson I learned is that a brand name does not make or break the instrument. I had a "quality" MIM Fender P bass that I could never quite get right, and it was replaced with a dirt cheap 1994 Peavey Fury that is easy to adjust and tune. I once owned an Ibenez SR500 that played like a dream, but I just couldn't get the pickups and electronics to produce the tone I'm into. I have a Squier VM that sounds like a dream; but I prefer and play better on a Schecter Riot Session.
I suppose my point is that for a new player, it will be quite difficult to find an instrument that you will prefer after many experiences.
My best advise would be to learn what you expect in a quality bass, play several different instruments, keep a keen eye on the used market, and don't be afraid to trade or sell for another.
Eventually, you will find a preferred instrument. I have, but also I've found a couple that I intend to keep around because they are almost as good to me. The others just got passed on to hopeful other players that may prefer them more.
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to be fair you don't really know what bass you like best if you've only ever played a p and a ric even if you really like the ric
a guy i used to play with has owned a single instrument - with his first job, he bought his martin, and that's the only guitar he's every owned. but it really doesn't work like that often, and if it were going to happen, sounds like it would be the ric. but styles and preferences change over time, although i must admit that if it hadn't been too heavy for me after some injuries, i'd still be playing my ric.
Yeah, I'm sure I'll buy other guitars in the future but in the meantime I'm just really content with the Rick.
Setup is important to learn but there is a very reputable tech near me and for the moment I'll leave it to them. They know their craft.
I don't really have a tone in my head that I'm looking for either. One thing I picked up from guitar is that some music sounds good one way and other music another way. I'm just not a tone hound. Like I LOVE the Rick sound through my Ashdown tube amp but what sounds good to me at home may not sound good in a bigger room or at higher volumes or when other people are playing or whatever. Anyway right now I have a lot to learn about music in general so I'm not too worried about trying 25 different basses right now, plenty of time for that later.
Setup is important to learn but there is a very reputable tech near me and for the moment I'll leave it to them. They know their craft.
I don't really have a tone in my head that I'm looking for either. One thing I picked up from guitar is that some music sounds good one way and other music another way. I'm just not a tone hound. Like I LOVE the Rick sound through my Ashdown tube amp but what sounds good to me at home may not sound good in a bigger room or at higher volumes or when other people are playing or whatever. Anyway right now I have a lot to learn about music in general so I'm not too worried about trying 25 different basses right now, plenty of time for that later.
LOL! Same with me. Bought a Ripper back in '74. That was my first. It was also my only bass for about the first 25 years after that. And it still is my goto despite the dozen or so fine basses I've acquired since.
Maybe I should have just taken my winnings and left the table after that first one? I'd be just as happy, and certainly have a lot more money in the bank today if I did.
I think the scale length probably has quite a lot to do with the feel. But ask yourself how much more did the Rick cost than the Mexican Fender. 3x / 4x? You are comparing a massed produced instrument made south of the border because labour costs are low with an instrument made in a much smaller factory by crafts persons. A bit like comparing a bog standard Ford Focus with say a Porsche.
I've owned several Precisions all US but not all great players, unfortunately sometimes even well known and respected makers produce dogs. You may have one. Why don't you go to a large stockist and get several P basses off the wall and try them, see how different they are.
I've owned several Precisions all US but not all great players, unfortunately sometimes even well known and respected makers produce dogs. You may have one. Why don't you go to a large stockist and get several P basses off the wall and try them, see how different they are.
