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Help me select and find a bass!

S

shad0wboxer

Guest
Aug 14, 2016
11
3
#1
So, I'm more of a jack of all trades than a full-fledged bass player.
The bass in question will mostly be used for recordings, and the occasional live fill-in gig.

I've enjoyed P-Bass tones, especially really juiced tones. I also love Chancellor's tones with his Wahl's, as well as Ed Breckenridge's sounds on his Grabber.

My EQ usually looks like low end bumped up a notch or two, low-mids fairly cranked, mids closer to flat, high-mids scooped out, and treble about on par with bass (doing this from memory, so I may not be precise).

I like FAT tones, clean or dirty. Not too much slapping, but it does happen from time to time. I'm usually playing fingerstyle or with a pick.

I'm hoping to find a 5 string to use on upcoming recordings with two projects- one will be pop-rock/folky/punky, the other will be experimental, heavier.

I had a Schecter 4 string Diamond P that I enjoyed but had to sell at the time.
USA Peaveys and G&Ls are kind of what I'm leaning towards. Maybe a Peavey 5-er with super ferrites.
I'd prefer to keep it under $200 if possible. Cosmetics aren't a huge concern.

Any thoughts?

I appreciate it!
 
#4
Yeah, you won't get a USA G&L for much under a $1000 or $1500 if you want a 5. They make Tribute models with the same electronics for less. Squire and Ibanez make some very good intro basses, you should be able to find something used for the price you want to pay.

I have a great Ibanez bass that isn't worth more than about $100. But it's a great bass, doesn't have quite the depth of tone, but plays and sounds ridiculously good for what it's worth. I could play any gig I've done and no one would know the difference. There's lots of good cheap basses out there.
 
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#6
A little clarification on my end is needed.

G&L I know even their tribute models will run me at least 400 used.
Good leads on the Rondo and the Yamaha especially. I'll look into that.

I know Peaveys normally come up rather inexpensive, so I'm hoping someone could point me in a direction there, even if it's an existing thread.
I'm definitely willing to up my own price range, but if I can find some inexpensive but not cheap, that plays and sounds well, I'll go for it.

Thanks for all of the replies so far, everyone!
 
#8
shad0wboxer said:
A little clarification on my end is needed.

G&L I know even their tribute models will run me at least 400 used.
Good leads on the Rondo and the Yamaha especially. I'll look into that.

I know Peaveys normally come up rather inexpensive, so I'm hoping someone could point me in a direction there, even if it's an existing thread.
I'm definitely willing to up my own price range, but if I can find some inexpensive but not cheap, that plays and sounds well, I'll go for it.

Thanks for all of the replies so far, everyone!
Click to expand...
You may find a Peavey Fury or Foundation at that price, but well used if you do.
As they are going up in price as well.
 
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#13
shad0wboxer said:
So, I'm more of a jack of all trades than a full-fledged bass player.
The bass in question will mostly be used for recordings, and the occasional live fill-in gig.

I've enjoyed P-Bass tones, especially really juiced tones. I also love Chancellor's tones with his Wahl's, as well as Ed Breckenridge's sounds on his Grabber.

My EQ usually looks like low end bumped up a notch or two, low-mids fairly cranked, mids closer to flat, high-mids scooped out, and treble about on par with bass (doing this from memory, so I may not be precise).

I like FAT tones, clean or dirty. Not too much slapping, but it does happen from time to time. I'm usually playing fingerstyle or with a pick.

I'm hoping to find a 5 string to use on upcoming recordings with two projects- one will be pop-rock/folky/punky, the other will be experimental, heavier.

I had a Schecter 4 string Diamond P that I enjoyed but had to sell at the time.
USA Peaveys and G&Ls are kind of what I'm leaning towards. Maybe a Peavey 5-er with super ferrites.
I'd prefer to keep it under $200 if possible. Cosmetics aren't a huge concern.

Any thoughts?

I appreciate it!
Click to expand...

I tried and really liked the Ibanez Talman TMB-100. I'm a fan of 5 string basses too. I'm thinking of getting a TMB-105 to leave at a family member's house so I don't have to risk one of my ATK basses when I visit.
 
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#16
shad0wboxer said:
So, I'm more of a jack of all trades than a full-fledged bass player.
The bass in question will mostly be used for recordings, and the occasional live fill-in gig.

I've enjoyed P-Bass tones, especially really juiced tones. I also love Chancellor's tones with his Wahl's, as well as Ed Breckenridge's sounds on his Grabber.

My EQ usually looks like low end bumped up a notch or two, low-mids fairly cranked, mids closer to flat, high-mids scooped out, and treble about on par with bass (doing this from memory, so I may not be precise).

I like FAT tones, clean or dirty. Not too much slapping, but it does happen from time to time. I'm usually playing fingerstyle or with a pick.

I'm hoping to find a 5 string to use on upcoming recordings with two projects- one will be pop-rock/folky/punky, the other will be experimental, heavier.

I had a Schecter 4 string Diamond P that I enjoyed but had to sell at the time.
USA Peaveys and G&Ls are kind of what I'm leaning towards. Maybe a Peavey 5-er with super ferrites.
I'd prefer to keep it under $200 if possible. Cosmetics aren't a huge concern.

Any thoughts?

I appreciate it!
Click to expand...
You are not going to find G&Ls for under $200. How much do your guitars cost? Because good basses pretty much cost as much as good guitars.

There are deals to be had, but you can't expect something priced as a budget beginner bass to really be comparable to a Wal (which would cost thousands) or a USA G&L.

I would look for used Peaveys if I were you. They're good mod platforms.
 
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#18
Can I suggest 2 basses? And maybe if you go used you can even buy them both.

Yamaha trbx in 5 strings, for when you need a modern tone and a decent low b string. Round strings.

Precision, squier or whatever 4 strings. For when you need the precision tone that generally goes for most cases. And maybe letter can swap the pickup for a good one. Flat strings.
 
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#19
Not a 5'er, though for $200, and I'm not even joking here.... Try to track down an early 2000's "old headstock" SX Precision. It records, gigs and plays equally awesome. A bit on the heavy side.

FAT

You might get something out there similar to Wal tones, but you won't get anything close to an actual Wall bass, unless you add a 0 and bump up the initial digit a couple.

I think you're right with the Precision (SX or Squier), by your description/budget.
 
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