Help!!! (considering buying a new bass)

[Byzcat]

Since winter started, I'm having a problem with my Ibanez SR-300. The problem is, I can't keep the neck adjusted. Depending on the humidity level in my room, it can go from almost backbowed to ready for the archery range in a matter of hours. I've been keeping the cover off the truss rod because I'm having to adjust it, like, twice a week and I don't think that's good for it.

I have a vaporizer in my room (as much for health reasons as for my bass, I have asthma and when it gets too dry, I'm in a world of hurt), but keeping the humidity at one level is a real hassle (unplug for a couple hours, plug back in for a couple of hours, I really need to put this thing on a timer).

I was wondering if the problem wasn't that the instrument has such a skinny neck, there just isn't enough wood in it to stand up to the variations in humidity. My teacher thinks I just got a low-end bass and might do well to get a higher-end SoundGear. He thinks maybe the factory used wood that hadn't been properly cured, but looks good.

I'd like to stay in the Sound Gear line because when the instrument is properly adjusted, it plays like a dream, plus I have very small hands, so the skinny neck is a plus, but I wouldn't rule out getting an entirely different instrument.

Right now my options seem to be

1) A higher end SR (right now, zZounds has a blemished SR-700 for $530, which is about my price range)
Downside, I couldn't play it before buying, but for me, the neck would be the biggest factor in what I would want, and I know I'd be getting an instrument with the same dimensions as I've got now. Of course, if I wasn't happy with it, I could return it within 30 days.

2) G&L Tribute SB-2. I've played an SB-2 before and loved it. The neck is thicker than the SR, but it's the same width at the nut.
Downside- no G&L dealers near me, so again, I couldn't play one before I bought it. But then, zZounds carries it, and if I wasn't happy, they have that 30-day guarantee.

3) Fender J. I'm thinking this may be my best option. The music store where I take my lessons is a Fender dealer, so I could play it before I buy. The neck dimensions are right, and hell, Ian Hill played a J back in the '70's.

4) Swallowing my pride and going short-scale.
Downside, I don't know from short-scale basses, though I've heard good things about the Epiphone viola. Plus I've heard that short-scale basses are, ah, deficient in tone.

I really don't know what to do at this point. My first choice would be to stay in the SR line, but I don't want to find myself in the same position, with a neck that's a b#@$* to keep adjusted.

Anybody have any advice?

 

[Solarmist]

I've never heard that one before[?] My SR's sit in a room that changes temps from the low 40's to upper 90's throughout the year with notable humidity changes, and mine
only need very minor readjustments (if any), but then again I don't have a vaporizer. Can't you store the bass in another room till you play?

I'm pretty sure the Tribute has a 1.75" neck (not 1.5" like the SR), and is considerably thicker than the SR. If you like the more slender neck on the SR - you might not like the G&L. The neck on the J is closer in feel to the SR, and all three basses sound different from each other.

Like I tell everybody here; it's best if you try them out first.

 

[splitcoilsenior]

Ibanez SR700's are so awesome, just buy it..before I do. Necks= Jesus-like. Sounds- Semi Jesus-like. Get it.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

maybe keep your bass in another room?

 

[Byzcat]

Keeping the bass in another room is not an option, because I share an apartment with my mother, who does not want my stuff outside of my room, and that goes double for anything used to make noise with.

So, if the Tribute has a wider/thicker neck, I guess that's out.

So, I guess now I'm down to the SR-700 or a J Bass.

I'm leaning toward the SR-700, and hoping it's a wood quality issue rather than a wood quantity issue.

Which would be my third bass in less than a year (the first one was a no-name piece of crap with a baseball bat neck that I gave a way because my conscience wouldn't allow me to take money for it- it was that bad).

The SR-300 seems to handle temperature changes well, it's the variations in humidity that cause the hassle.

 

[Solarmist]

The SR700 is an excellent sounding/feeling bass, and sounds nothing like a J. That's the same bass I've been thinking about for a step up from the 400 series I have now. I'd go for the SR700 while you can, but that's me.

Doesn't zZounds let you pay in 4 incremental payments?

 

[bhunt1]

You could also look for a used USA G&L SB2 or other model (L2000 or SB1 - I think there are some in the TB classifieds right now). They don't have good resale value and they do come with 1.5" nut (optional).

 

[Byzcat]

Yeah, a used G&L would be nice, and I did see an ad for one that looked tempting.

I think the Ibby knows I'm thinking about trading her in. She's being a very good girl today. I think she's trying to make me feel guilty.

I think if I could lay my hands on a late '90's SB-2, that would do nicely, and I'd hang onto the Ibby as a backup (like a shower bassist needs a backup instrument )