First of all: thanks for all the responses!
I've picked some out here but all of them are useful.
get an american p deluxe. seriously my favorite long scale bass i've ever played; and i have played many, including vintage legend basses that left me fairly disappointed.
used they'll commonly go for 500-800bucks and they are super versatile, comfortable, and look great too. i recommend a 90s model if you can find it since i haven't played one of the new new ones yet but they look pretty good too.
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Those do look awesome. If I'd get a Precision this would certainly be an option.
Me wants to tell you that the T-Bird is the best choice... But I wont. The P-bass would be better for your style of music, and it's an easier-to-maintain overall bass, with more tonal range and better fret access.
On the other hand; nothing, IMO, beats a T-Bird. I play higher on the frets too, but my hands have found a way of compensating for the poor access (mind you it'll one day be the end of my wrist, lol).
What's odd though, is that I've never had a problem butting my Bird in a regular guitar stand. Just put the strap peg against the left arm of the stand (on a right handed bass, obviously) so that the "Y" arms of the stand (you know, the cradle that holds your basses body) tilts down to the left, and then lean her back into the neck rest. In fact, I rarely even have trouble putting it into a standard 5-guitar rack.
Okay, I thought it would work, I'll scrap that from the cons list
And that's exactly what I'm thinking right now. P-bass is the 'obvious' better choice, but, the other's a Thunderbird.
Rickenbacker. 'nuff said.
Had that on my list for a while, but the looks and sound don't really match what I want.
Think about what makes the Thunderbird so cool.........not everybody has one! If you want to separate yourself from the average player, then strap on something that stands out. The tone of both basses is similar, dark, midrangey, nice low-fundamental. Remember that while some say the T-Bird is a one-trick pony, it actually has two pickups, which can equal lots of different tones. Dont get me wrong, the Precision is great and in a perfect world, I would get both, matter of fact, I have both, and use them both, myself. But if you want to be an individual, then go for the T-bird. They do fit on stands, BTW. They are fragile, that is true, but its wood, its repairable, so if you want a trophy to hang on your wall, dont get one, but if youre gonna go play the crap out of it, dont worry about snapping the neck, cause it can be fixed! Hope this helps!
It helped a lot in fact
Wiped away some of my worries.
It's true not everybody has one - but this could also be a con. I know about two bassists that have one (Entwistle and Kings of Leon's Jared Followill), so you'd possibly look like you got one because
they have got one. But of course it's stupid to buy or not buy one because of what others do
listen to me and no one else. Go play both and decide
Both are great rock, pop, blues, metal and punk basses. One of them is more versatile than the other due two pickups although both are called one trick ponies.
If you have a good, powerful amp both are going to deliver the goods.
Oh, I totally mean to! Definately should when buying things for 1500+ dollars. But I don't know where I can try the Thunderbird right now. I'm in the Netherlands
you'll have an easier time getting laid if you go w/the T
So, where did you say I have to transfer my money to...?
a P is much more price worthy to you,and they usually are just as good of quality as a T,however,i think that YOU should pick which bass feels the best to YOU.if you want the T,and think its worth saving up for it,then do it.both of them are great basses,and im sorry but i disagree with most of the people calling the T crap.cause ive played them before and they actually have a great feel to me,and its NOT muddy,only unless you have your lows in your EQ turned up all the way,or alot for that matter.but id say go with a P cause they cost a lot less,and have just as good of a sound,but if you think you want the gibson,then go for it.its your money.
Well, I'm taking money out of the equation here. I want to buy my first 'real' bass and I'm planning to use it solely when I get it. I own a Ibanez SGR500 right now. It's a pretty good bass imo, but I'm a band and I'm thinking 'man, I just want an awesome guitar'.
Many thanks for your reply
Live you will have an easier time nailing the various tones from the bands you have cited (and the Kings of Leon's bassplayer's tone is not necessarily one that really needs a 'bird to recreate), and it might serve you better in the long run for other kinds of music.
I'm not buying any guitar because I want to recreate any bands tone. It's just that they both sound great in other bands - with the T-bird having its distinct, low sound which is just brilliant in KoL tracks.
