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how do you know what a good bass is?
- Thread starter Lanso3000
- Start date
You just know. The bass will tell you how great it is.
Unless its your first, in that case, get anything you can that will make some noise and figure out what you don't like about it, and fix those problems with your next bass.
Unless its your first, in that case, get anything you can that will make some noise and figure out what you don't like about it, and fix those problems with your next bass.
Its all your own opinion. you could search through all these threads about the different brands for hours, but what it comes down to is what feels right to you
run you fingers along the edge of the neck and make sure there are no sharp frets. Press each fret and pluck it and listen for a couple seconds for dead spots. Adjust the tone knob and see how much it affects the tone. Check the weight. Check the sustain. Check to see how firmly the neck is in the neck pocket (assuming its a bolt on) and that there is no noticeable gap. Check the finish. See what kind of tuners they have on there. Check for buzzing when playing through an amp.
Most of all, check for tone that YOU like.
Most of all, check for tone that YOU like.
well im very biased to Fender P basses so i would say that but if you want something a bit faster and with more tonal options i would go with a Fender Jazz bass.
StingRays can also give you a very versatile tonal options but i would go with HH stingray (ive owned the single pickup and i really did not enjoy how bright it was)
it all depends on how much your willing to spend and what feels right when it comes down to it
StingRays can also give you a very versatile tonal options but i would go with HH stingray (ive owned the single pickup and i really did not enjoy how bright it was)
it all depends on how much your willing to spend and what feels right when it comes down to it
Since you're not sure..... try as many as possible. Stick to Fenders and musicmans, because they'll work and sound good in any given type of music. Plus, if you change your mind they retain their re-sale value. When you hear or see a good bass player ask him what he uses and more often than not he'll help you out.
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
- Feels good
- Sounds good
- Quality is better than other basses of the same price (i.e. good value)
Other than that, it just boils down to personal preferences regarding scale length, fretboard radius, string spacing, pickup configuration, wood choices, etc.
For rock/blues/jazz, well, pretty much anything will work. I wouldn't recommend a Warwick in particular, but a Fender Jazz or P would be fine, or any Lakland, or a million others. Just play a bunch of basses and find one you like. You might have to go through a few to narrow down what you like and what you don't. Just give it time. People spend too much money and effort on this. A bass is a bass and unless you have something really out there, like a BC Rich in a CWM band, it will get the job done.
ErebusBass' post is spot on. When you are first starting out you don't know what you like and what you don't like, so find a bass that fits your budget. If you are taking lessons perhaps your teacher can go with you. I was fortunate enough to have that experience. Fender Jazz basses are versatile and reasonably-priced.
Meanwhile, keep playing different basses as much as possible. You will start to develop preferences in feel, weight, neck, string spacing, tone, etc.
Meanwhile, keep playing different basses as much as possible. You will start to develop preferences in feel, weight, neck, string spacing, tone, etc.
Try making a list of the things about a bass that YOU think are important, like weight, tone, active/passive, brand, color, whatever....everyone has their own spin on what is important and special....then try out ONE a day or ONE a week and really rate it in a note book or something according to those criteria. After a period you choose, go back and retry the two best and make a final choice.
I'd say avoid trying too many at once since you'll only end up mucking all the details together....and DON'T skip the discipline of writing your ratings all down - since you won't remember all the details if you do.
I'd say avoid trying too many at once since you'll only end up mucking all the details together....and DON'T skip the discipline of writing your ratings all down - since you won't remember all the details if you do.
I had a fretless MM Stingray in my hands 1-2 weeks ago, I have never felt this "I want you" feeling so strong and so fast. I just grabbed the bass, played it for 4-5 minutes, and it was like puppy love.
You just know, test the axe and if you feel it, it's for real ..
D.Don
Im into Funk/Jazz/Rock. I got a Warwick Thumb. Beautiful bass. Try out the bass on several occasions before buying it. You might notice something wrong in one session that you didnt notice in another. Look around for a month or so.
Back in 1983, I walked into L&M in Vancouver BC, saw the first series 1982 JV Squire Jazz bass, picked it up and fell in love. An hour later a salesman said plug it in, I did and it sounded like crap. I bought it anyway and replaced the pickups.
