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Help me select and find a bass!

#21
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!
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I would suggest scooping the low mids here and boosting the high mids if you want that type of tone. But it does depend of course.

Have you looked into the Ibanez ATK300? Very versatile bass and it will give you tons of tone shaping, power, EQ control and also offers an array of sounds from a MM style to almost a P type sound and back to a convincing J. They usually aren't too expensive as long as you can find them.
 
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#22
In addition to the many fine suggestions above, consider a used Yamaha BB424 or BB425.
It has both a P and a J pickup. Good luck in your search.

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#25
gregmon79 said:
I would suggest scooping the low mids here and boosting the high mids if you want that type of tone. But it does depend of course.

Have you looked into the Ibanez ATK300? Very versatile bass and it will give you tons of tone shaping, power, EQ control and also offers an array of sounds from a MM style to almost a P type sound and back to a convincing J. They usually aren't too expensive as long as you can find them.
Click to expand...

Again, none under $200
 
#27
gregmon79 said:
I would suggest scooping the low mids here and boosting the high mids if you want that type of tone. But it does depend of course.

Have you looked into the Ibanez ATK300? Very versatile bass and it will give you tons of tone shaping, power, EQ control and also offers an array of sounds from a MM style to almost a P type sound and back to a convincing J. They usually aren't too expensive as long as you can find them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation as well as the EQing advice. A friend of mine swears by Ibanez basses, so I'll definitely consider and see if he even has one I can play on!
 
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#30
RickyWoo said:
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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Thanks a ton. Any clue what I should look for in the old headstock?
 
#32
Lots of good info here, everyone. Even with guitar, I've had a lot of luck with lower cost instruments that sounded and played great, or just needed a few upgrades that I could make over time as finances allowed, so that's the approach I'm hoping I can take here. If I were moving to bass as a primary instrument or had a bit more disposable cash I'd definitely be willing to take the plunge, but as it stands now, I'm happy to go out and track down some of these suggestions to play on for myself.
 
#33
Also- I fully comprehend something 10% of the price of a higher end bass isn't necessarily going to come close to the playability or tone of a finely crafted instrument, but I figured including descriptive terms for tones I'm kind of into might help. Peavey, Ibanez, Squier, Yamaha and SX/Rondo are all on my shortlist.
 
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#34
shad0wboxer said:
Lots of good info here, everyone. Even with guitar, I've had a lot of luck with lower cost instruments that sounded and played great, or just needed a few upgrades that I could make over time as finances allowed, so that's the approach I'm hoping I can take here. If I were moving to bass as a primary instrument or had a bit more disposable cash I'd definitely be willing to take the plunge, but as it stands now, I'm happy to go out and track down some of these suggestions to play on for myself.
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This is huge IMO. I have 4 Squiers and they all play wonderfully. I started small and today I think a couple of them play and sound better than a brand new mexi made bass and so forth. So the little things go a long way with that type of thing. It has in my experience anyway. Good call
 
#35
gregmon79 said:
This is huge IMO. I have 4 Squiers and they all play wonderfully. I started small and today I think a couple of them play and sound better than a brand new mexi made bass and so forth. So the little things go a long way with that type of thing. It has in my experience anyway. Good call
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Yeah man- I had a Squier VM Jazzmaster for a while. All I did was change the bridge for a Mustang bridge and throw in some Antiquities, and it was one of my best guitars.

My main axe has been an Epiphone Sheraton that I upgraded over time. I wouldn't say it compares to a 335, but it's a great sounding and playing axe. I just had a guitar custom built by a local luthier, since I finally figured out what I like and don't like and thought it was about that time. But, honestly, I'm a firm believer that good things can be found at low cost, especially if you're willing to invest in them over time.
 
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