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Help! Need rich, punchy, full, growly bass

Surprise Panda!

Surprise Panda!

Mar 18, 2008
2,274
5
Los Angeles, CA
#1
Hi,

I'm getting a new bass, but can't decide. Right now I kind of want a Rickenbacker :hmm: or a Musicman Sterling. I really can't decide. I want a graphite neck, so If I got the Sterling I'd throw on a Status. Any suggestions? I don't really know if I want the whole exotic woods thing anymore. $1000-$1300 price range.



-Roy
 
#3
A Ric would be the last bass I describe as "full". Definitely growly and punchy but not really "full". In fact what is your definition of "full"? Depending on what it is I'd say that you'd be well off with a MM Sterling or Stingray. Both are great instruments. I'm not sure if the Status neck drops into the Sterling, but I haven't really looked into them that much, all I know is Status make SR4 necks.

Stingrays have the richness, punchiness, growliness and most likely the "fullness" you are looking for. :)
I can't speak for the Sterling as I've never tried one, but they look pretty damn nice! Especially the 5er.
 
#4
ROON said:
A Ric would be the last bass I describe as "full". Definitely growly and punchy but not really "full". In fact what is your definition of "full"? Depending on what it is I'd say that you'd be well off with a MM Sterling or Stingray. Both are great instruments. I'm not sure if the Status neck drops into the Sterling, but I haven't really looked into them that much, all I know is Status make SR4 necks.

Stingrays have the richness, punchiness, growliness and most likely the "fullness" you are looking for. :)
I can't speak for the Sterling as I've never tried one, but they look pretty damn nice! Especially the 5er.
Click to expand...

As in full I mean clear and well defined
 
#11
To be honest, if you're putting a graphite neck in. I'd buy a warmoth body, pickups/electrics to suit and then chuck the neck in.

There's no point buying an expensive Sterling only to pull half of it off IMO, plus the neck on them is great already. I would also think that putting a graphite neck on will take away from the fullness/richness you're after compared to a wooden neck.
 
#12
Suprise Panda! said:
Hi,

I'm getting a new bass, but can't decide. Right now I kind of want a Rickenbacker :hmm: or a Musicman Sterling. I really can't decide. I want a graphite neck, so If I got the Sterling I'd throw on a Status. Any suggestions? I don't really know if I want the whole exotic woods thing anymore. $1000-$1300 price range.
Click to expand...

Again, this is the problem with trying to use words to explain tones, but IMO you are asking for contradicting things. To me, a "punchy" bass doesn't sound "rich" and vice-versa. I say that because to me, punchy (like a Musicman) strikes me as midrangey/trebley and rich indicates a smoother, bassier tone. And your definition of full meaning clear and well defined (which I've experienced with most graphite necked basses) is generally at odds with what I would describe as growly.

That said, the best compromise for what I believe you are looking for might be a Fender Jazz, perhaps a Geddy Lee. It's under your budget range so perhaps some electronics upgrades could be in order, though there's nothing wrong with the stock setup.
 
#13
TheBigO said:
Again, this is the problem with trying to use words to explain tones, but IMO you are asking for contradicting things. To me, a "punchy" bass doesn't sound "rich" and vice-versa. I say that because to me, punchy (like a Musicman) strikes me as midrangey/trebley and rich indicates a smoother, bassier tone. And your definition of full meaning clear and well defined (which I've experienced with most graphite necked basses) is generally at odds with what I would describe as growly.

That said, the best compromise for what I believe you are looking for might be a Fender Jazz, perhaps a Geddy Lee. It's under your budget range so perhaps some electronics upgrades could be in order, though there's nothing wrong with the stock setup.
Click to expand...

+1, i read what he meant as full after my first reply. To me, full is warm and smooth, as in it'd fill a room easily with a warm full sound. Clear and well defined usually make me think of clean/sterile/hollow sounding basses.
 
#18
earlier ric basses were mentioned. that is a great sounding bass but if you play slap or thumb style, that is not the bass for you. that bass is very difficult to play slap on. great sounding bass though. warwick makes alot of very good quality, growling basses. the one that comes to mind is the thumb bass. unfortunately all the basses i can think of with the qualities you want are over 1300 dollars. can anyone think of a lower price growler/punchy bass?
 

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