Help with new bass (unable to test many)

[Charlie8927]

Probably a common first post...

I used to play bass and am looking to get back into it. Lots of great advice here on the forums. Problem is I can't test out most basses in person as selection where I live is very limited. Fairly rural area.

My first bass (courtesy of my dad) was a Fender American Jazz Deluxe. Great bass. Sold it to buy my first camera, as I didn't have the money for one otherwise. After a 5 year hiatus, I went back to a local guitar store lookin for a new bass and found I preferred the Fender American Standard to the Deluxe, so I bought one. Then had to sell it when we moved across country/had a kid... That was dumb in hindsight.

After another hiatus, I'm looking to get another bass. Partly to play on my own (I like blues & funk, and partly to play with my wife, who's the actual musician in the family. She plays R&B/jazz/soul ("neo-soul" in her words--I'm not sure what that actually is... but I'm kind of there to play a supporting role and am actually really happy to do it), so we're looking for that more muted/warm tone. Definitely not looking for something bright.

Are there any basses I should be looking at other than the Fenders? I'd be fine buying a used American Standard. I didn't particularly like how the Professional played--not sure why. Just didn't feel right. The local store didn't have a Performance Jazz. I tried some Warwicks--the cheap ones ($~700) didn't sound that bad to me. That was the extent of their inventory--they really just focus on guitars.

From a lot of the searches here, it sounds like Yamaha makes some basses that could be a good fit, but I've never been able to test any of those out. I find all the numbers and letters rather confusing with the Yamahas as well, so just looking for advice if any of those are really a step up from a Fender American Standard, or if there's anything else to look at.

I'm just looking at 4-string basses. I'm not interested in beginner models--we're doing ok enough now we can afford a good one (ideally under $1500-2000).

 

[Michael Jewels]

Hello, and welcome to Talkbass, Charlie8927.

Yes, Yamaha makes very good basses.

So does, Schecter.

Here's my CV-5 $699 new.
The four string is $599.

Very underrated, and very Fender-sounding.

 

[Michael Jewels]

Here's a video. Good luck in your search.


Mike

 

[elgranluis]

You can still buy a beginner bass for 1500-2000 if you aren't careful!

my top 5 options would be :

1.- buy the bass that feels/plays the best out of everything that you can try locally, it doesn't matter if it's a Warwick.
2.- buy a squire vm or cv (don't let the squier badge confuse you - they are not beginner instruments , and you'd be saving money if you bought one)
3.- buy a used American fender (they're easy to come buy , and easy to sell in case you don't like it). Also, you already know you like them.
4.- buy a rickenbacker . Again , you can get a used one For less than 2k, and they are very easy to sell in case you don't like it. This one is only because I like rics.
5.- buy a squier Bronco. No , I'm not kidding. They're like 150 bucks, and extremely comfortable! The smaller body balances great, and if you don't like it , you still have 1850 bucks for another bass. I know I love mine. Maybe even more than my rickenbacker (just don't tell anyone I said that)

 

[JimmyM]

I'm a little biased since I now endorse Yammy, but I bought a BB235 a few months ago, replaced the P pickup with a Duncan CS SPB1, and it is terrific for me. Bottom of the Yamaha line but quite good for the money.

 

[bholder]

Both Sire and Ibanez are brands worth adding to your list, both give way more bang per buck than anything Fender does (imho).

 

[bholder]

Worth checking out for comparison: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Charlie8927]

So when it comes to Yamaha, how do you sort out all the letters? BB vs TRB vs RBX? Is primary difference that BB's are sort of a combined P & J bass? TRB's seem to have the J pickup setup. Is one going to be better quality, or more suited for the genres I'm looking at playing?

What about all those numbers/stuff after the initial letters, like BBP34 vs BBG4AII? The latter has more "stuff" in the name yet online is 1/3 the cost. It sounds like the P stands for "pro" and is the better quality bass.

From what I can gather, the "II's" are made in Japan and the better quality basses--is that correct?

 

[Jack Deth]

G&L is another one to investigate (Leo Fender's 3rd company).

 

[Al Rivera]

I also play in a neo soul band, a 5 string is preferred,I play a fender precision and a Sire p7. The Sire is a great inexpensive choice. Also as mentioned a squier cv70s is also a great choice for under $500.00. No need to spend 2k on a good bass.

 

[Corigan]

I've seen a few MIM jazz basses in the for sale section that would cut the bill. Even if you have to swap out pups you still would be well under your range for a good playing instrument. I have a mim jbass with Seymour duncan quarter pounds on it. I play that bass way more than any other bass I have. I have some rhat are worth 5-6xs as much.

Since we are talking Yamaha here too I just bought a tbx504 a few weeks back. I wanted a 24 fret with a thin neck, dual pickups, small radius, and plenty of space at the neck base for popping and slapping. This bass so fits the bill. Was only 500 new, and plays and sounds great. Really good value for what I can tell and its a fine instrument.

Good luck. Since you know you like jazzes, I would find a used MIM personally.

 

[Jack Deth]

If you are willing to experiment with multiscale, a Dingwall Combustion can't be overstated (vids out there showing everything from R&B tones to hardcore metal).

Not sure why everyone seems to be giving you cheaper alternatives when you stated $1500-2000 is fine, and you are not exactly a beginner. Saving money is great, but can narrow your options.

 

[mrperkolator]

in that range, in addition to the ones mentioned, I've heard stellar sounding clips online for Public Peace basses

of course you could always get a status graphite neck, warmoth body, and your favorite pups, etc and build one yourself. that'd be an awesome J.

....d%*mnit. I got GAS again...

 

[GTHintz]

Welcome back to the bass! So first thing I'll mention is that I think 5 string is going to be great and even if you're not using it a lot for the low b the rest of the strings sound bigger to me. More meat in the tone. This is across the board. Also the string spacing is usually narrower especially on Warwick basses. If you want that then 5 string will feel better. You've got experience on fender jazz basses and those can be wider spacing. I'd say put the most thought into what you want your bass to feel like in your hands and then everything else will fall in line. If you got a German built Warwick streamer or Corvette they are very versatile and would do anything you wanted musically. 16.5mm string space on the 5 strings. More narrow. Used German basses are really great steals due to the market not really caring about them like they would if it's an old fender. Prince among others played Warwick so that means they can't be that bad lol. Another one I'd look at would be either music man or g&l basses. They were both designed in collaboration with Leo fender and that could be your ticket right there. Your tone is really easy to get so just about anything will do that for you. Broken in GHS boomers or tapewound strings and more rolled off tone knobs and you're there. Spector, MTD, Yamaha, Carvin, Schecter, peavey would all be great basses. I hope you find one that you'll love enough to want to stick with.

 

[theduke1]

My top choice is always G&L next in no certain order are
Schecter, Carvin, or Ibanez
Duke

 

[commonplayer]

Can't go wrong with a used Fender MIM, always tons for sale. If you try guitar center's used site, you can even return it to a local store for any reason (even used) if it's not what you're looking for.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Probably a common first post...

I used to play bass and am looking to get back into it. Lots of great advice here on the forums. Problem is I can't test out most basses in person as selection where I live is very limited. Fairly rural area.

My first bass (courtesy of my dad) was a Fender American Jazz Deluxe. Great bass. Sold it to buy my first camera, as I didn't have the money for one otherwise. After a 5 year hiatus, I went back to a local guitar store lookin for a new bass and found I preferred the Fender American Standard to the Deluxe, so I bought one. Then had to sell it when we moved across country/had a kid... That was dumb in hindsight.

After another hiatus, I'm looking to get another bass. Partly to play on my own (I like blues & funk, and partly to play with my wife, who's the actual musician in the family. She plays R&B/jazz/soul ("neo-soul" in her words--I'm not sure what that actually is... but I'm kind of there to play a supporting role and am actually really happy to do it), so we're looking for that more muted/warm tone. Definitely not looking for something bright.

Are there any basses I should be looking at other than the Fenders? I'd be fine buying a used American Standard. I didn't particularly like how the Professional played--not sure why. Just didn't feel right. The local store didn't have a Performance Jazz. I tried some Warwicks--the cheap ones ($~700) didn't sound that bad to me. That was the extent of their inventory--they really just focus on guitars.

From a lot of the searches here, it sounds like Yamaha makes some basses that could be a good fit, but I've never been able to test any of those out. I find all the numbers and letters rather confusing with the Yamahas as well, so just looking for advice if any of those are really a step up from a Fender American Standard, or if there's anything else to look at.

I'm just looking at 4-string basses. I'm not interested in beginner models--we're doing ok enough now we can afford a good one (ideally under $1500-2000).

Welcome to the board. I'm going to let others make instrument suggestions. What I would suggest is that you consider looking at used basses at Guitar Center online. They come with a 30 money back guarantee and shipped to your door. They also have a condition rating system so you have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

good hunting.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Go with a used Fender Jazz. You can always turn down the tone knob and/or use flats to keep the brightness down. Used prices, you'll see, aren't as good as they used to be. Just my opinion, but I would look for a 2012-2018 American Standard model. That year range seemed to have something extra special over the newest models. Individual model variances can happen, of course.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Sire, G&L, Ibanez, Yamaha, Schecter - all really good values. It's actually pretty hard to buy a bad bass at around a grand nowadays. I also particularly like Warwicks, but they can be a specific vibe that's not for everyone, like a Rickenbacker or a Thunderbird.

For $1,500-$2,000, you could buy a new Reverend or a used Nash. If it were me, I might lean in that direction. Somebody also hipped me to this model recently, Electra Bass Series - Sandberg Guitars , which is like a modern take on a P bass made lightweight with a 14" radius. Looks dope.

 

[Charlie8927]

Go with a used Fender Jazz. You can always turn down the tone knob and/or use flats to keep the brightness down. Used prices, you'll see, aren't as good as they used to be. Just my opinion, but I would look for a 2012-2018 American Standard model. That year range seemed to have something extra special over the newest models. Individual model variances can happen, of course.

This is where I'm leaning right now. I like passive pickups and wasn't a fan of the MIM Fenders. But looking into Warwick/Yamaha and others kind of just adds a lot of complication/uncertainty.

Good advice from others regarding GC, as the return policy would help. I think the closest one is about 3hrs away, but if I was unhappy with the bass that would help.

I appreciate everyone's advice so far.