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Help buying first bass

S

stringent

Sep 29, 2018
59
144
#1
I’m new to bass. I’ve been practicing on a borrowed Diamond jazz bass copy and a little, guaranteed-not-to-disturb-the-downstairs-neighbors amp for a couple of months. I play with the bridge volume turned down or off. I can’t seem to find a use for it.

I love the old Motown sound, so my first bass has to nail the p-bass vibe, but it should also sit well in other contexts. Slap sound is not a high priority, though. The bridge pickup should be useable alone, not just in conjunction with the neck pickup. It should sound good in passive mode.

I have drawn up the following list of candidates. Unfortunately, none are available in my area, so I have no first-hand experience with them. Am I ignoring some worthy model or pickup configuration?

Sandberg VM 4 or 5

G&L Tribute L-2000 / 2500

Reverend Mercalli 4 or 5

Warwick $$ (Double Buck) 4 or 5

I am undecided as to whether I should buy a five-stringer as a first bass.

Comments very welcome, thanks in advance!
 
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#3
stringent said:
I love the old Motown sound, so my first bass has to nail the p-bass vibe, but it should also sit well in other contexts. Slap sound is not a high priority, though.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you want one of these:

H76524000002001-00-500x500.jpg


I'm sure there's a reason the thing you say you're looking for isn't on your list.
 
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#4
Welcome to TalkBass.

You're going to get over 100 replies of differing opinions and you won't be able to stop it even if you change to the thread title to 'thanks please stop replying'....but it's all good.

Tremendous amount of knowledge here. Enjoy the ride.

To give my two cents, a P bass that also has a Jazz style pickup near the bridge seems to be what you're describing. PJ configuration, there are lots of basses out there. It's also very common to buy more than one bass over time, and another one, and another one.
 
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#6
I dunno. My P-Bass is the most versatile bass I own. There's really been no situation for which it's been less than adequate and many that it's been exactly right for. My suggestion is the notion of a guitar with a "variety of tones" is greatly over-hyped compared to that feature's actual musical value. Besides, P-Basses have tone knobs. I can get about 5 distinctive sounds on mine.
 
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#9
saabfender said:
I dunno. My P-Bass is the most versatile bass I own. There's really been no situation for which it's been less than adequate and many that it's been exactly right for. My suggestion is the notion of a guitar with a "variety of tones" is greatly over-hyped compared to that feature's actual musical value. Besides, P-Basses have tone knobs. I can get about 5 distinctive sounds on mine.
Click to expand...
problem is, he also said this:
stringent said:
The bridge pickup should be useable alone, not just in conjunction with the neck pickup.
Click to expand...



Reedt2000 said:
If you want a traditional p bass tone then this is a no brainer... get a p bass. I really dig my G&L L2500. Very versatile, bridge pickup solo is punchy and funky. Doesn't sound like a p bass though.
Click to expand...

have you tried soloing the neck pickup in Series mode?
 
#11
Rib 13 said:
have you tried soloing the neck pickup in Series mode?
Click to expand...

I always run in series mode for all configurations. Most of the time I keep the pickups 50/50. For funky-er, syncopated stuff where I want the bass to cut the mix a little better I'll solo the bridge pickup. For a bluesy-er, rounder tone I'll use just the neck. Again most of the time I use both.
 
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#12
My vote is for the L2500. I know you mentioned the L2000, but I think the B string will grow on you.

A solid P bass will help you achieve what you're looking IMO, but I'm also of the opinion that if you can afford it (seems like you can), you should start on something that'll keep you excited about playing.

The tones you can get from the L2000/L2500 are just downright fun to play with and explore, thus keeping you excited to pick it up and play it.

I have a couple P basses and a P/J and don't get me wrong, they have their place, but the L2000/L2500 is the most bang for your buck IMO.

My recommendation: If you were looking at getting a USA L2000, get a Tribute model instead and take the leftover budgeted cash and get a MIM or Squier P bass as well...because who are we kidding; we all know you're going to eventually have more than one bass anyway :D
 
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#13
Greetings and welcome to TalkBass!

It's a long-shot, but I can't help but wonder if a Fender Blacktop Jazz might fit the bill, especially if it's armed with some kind of flatwound strings. They can be pretty aggressive with both pickups cranked up, but soloing the neck will mellow it out considerably.

(Mine after a tiny bit of DIY cosmetic enhancement…)
W8ybXXW.jpg


Sadly, it's a discontinued model, but they still pop up from time to time. And if you should try to track one down, don't get schnookered into paying too much. After all, they went for $500 brand new when they were in production.

Otherwise, it sounds like some sort of Precision/MusicMan-Humbucker pickup configuration would fit the bill.
 
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#14
If I were you I would go with the Sandberg VM or the G&L L2000. Also, starting on a 5 string bass is not a bad idea. It's easy to switch back to 4 if you decide. But definitely a safer bet to start on a 4. Let us know what you decide!
 
#15
stringent said:
I’m new to bass. I’ve been practicing on a borrowed Diamond jazz bass copy and a little, guaranteed-not-to-disturb-the-downstairs-neighbors amp for a couple of months. I play with the bridge volume turned down or off. I can’t seem to find a use for it.

I love the old Motown sound, so my first bass has to nail the p-bass vibe, but it should also sit well in other contexts. Slap sound is not a high priority, though. The bridge pickup should be useable alone, not just in conjunction with the neck pickup. It should sound good in passive mode.

I have drawn up the following list of candidates. Unfortunately, none are available in my area, so I have no first-hand experience with them. Am I ignoring some worthy model or pickup configuration?

Sandberg VM

G&L L-2000

Reverend Mercalli

Warwick $$ (Double Buck)

I am undecided as to whether I should buy a five-stringer as a first bass.

Comments very welcome, thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
G&L L2000.
You'll never have to buy another bass.
33ae23t.jpg

As for Reverend, you should check out the Thundergun. Same pickups and electronics as the Mercalli but with a set neck.
Mine has the Blackwood Tek fretboard.
21272u0.jpg
 
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#16
I tend to think you can get pretty close to a P-bass sound with either a Jazz or G&L 2000/2500 with the neck pickup solo'd. Not exact but in the same sonic ballpark: that wooly mid range sound which can also be reinforced by plucking near the end of the fretboard.

The Jazz and G&L sound amazing with both pickups up, too. As far as bridge-only, I find with my playing I'm just not into that sound. Others can certainly pull it off, though. You could always try a Stingray, too, if you want to try something completely different.

4 vs 5 is a question only you can answer by trying both. Do you like notes below an E? Do you want to play those notes with the greatest degree of flexibility and not give up the G string? Then get a 5. If you don't want the extra neck width, don't need/hear those notes, or can get used to a workaround (such as D-tuner or tuning BEAD) then get a 4. You can always change later or eventually adopt both instruments.
 
#17
You seem to want pbass tone, but are reluctant, probably because is seems so one dimensional. I was that way for years. You’re probably more of a jazz bass guy. More options to twiddle with. Try a jazz with flats. Or a p with the additional bridge pup.
 

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