How long will you try it out?

[timendous]

Questions: How long will you spend working with a bass before deciding if it's a keeper? How much are you willing to spend to investigate? New strings? New pickups? New preamp? New hardware? Are you willing to try and "get used" to changes in string spacing, number of strings, etc?

I've got this Allen Eden Disciple and I love the looks of it, the feel is nice, hardware is quality. The tone just isn't quite there. I use a small pedal board so I can get pretty close to the sound I'm looking for but there's something always not quite there. It still has the stock strings on it and they don't feel too nice so I'm thinking about slapping some quality nickels on it. I'm also considering trying to get some money together for an Audere preamp. I'm just hesitant to spend around $175 on a $200 bass (I got a good deal on it when Allen Eden was closing them out from their website) to figure out if I can gel with it.

The instrument in question (she's a real looker):

 

[TrustRod]

I spent about $800 on a bass that was $115 new and I'm quite pleased with it.

There's no good answer on how long you try it. I've had basses I didn't like and tried to sell but then tried it with a different band and now love it, my Tobias Renegade for example. I wasn't thrilled with until I was If you like the look and feel and it seems like quality gear you may love the tone out of a different amp or against a different drummer etc.... If you're that close on tone strings may be enough.

The real answer is keep it and buy another bass.

 

[bholder]

The real answer is keep it and buy another bass.

Always.

 

[thewildest]

My experience has been that I’d spend a proportional amount of time to the amount of $ I’ve invested. Looking back, the extra time “trying to like” expensive basses rarely changed the perception I got after 5 minutes playing.

So, to answer the question, about 5 minutes. If if sucked at first, it’ll forever suck.

 

[Jeb]

So, to answer the question, about 5 minutes. If if sucked at first, it’ll forever suck.

I agree with this. I have 4 basses and they are all stock, never modded anything and haven't bought a new bass in years. I like what I have. I've changed strings every now and then but if I like it, I like it and if I don't, I don't.

 

[Britsie]

Swapping the strings is a no brainer, anything else is up to you.

 

[JRA]

How long will you spend working with a bass before deciding if it's a keeper?

for me, if the neck feels right = probably a keeper....

How much are you willing to spend to investigate? New strings? New pickups? New preamp? New hardware? Are you willing to try and "get used" to changes in string spacing, number of strings, etc?

i'd be willing to change (spend!) anything i thought would help. i only play 4s and i don't have string spacing issues.

i have a loose list of preferences that i like to check off, but i'm fairly flexible, too. looks and sound aren't deal-breakers for me. if it feels good to play, i'm gonna hang with the ax. IME, the other stuff can be easily changed.

 

[pepj]

As always you have to be reasonable with expectations so I'll only buy and consider upgrading if that's reflected in its resale value.
I improved a CS considerably in this regard imv.

It can take me quite a while to fine tune it, but if it has the quality in the first place, I'll work on it.

I've never had to sell on a bass quickly because I choose poorly.

 

[Matthew_84]

I would definitely throw on a new set of strings (preferably ones you already know you like, that you think should work well on the bass) before making any judgement about its tone.

for me, the feel and looks of a bass is 90% of my “keep-it factor”. The sound has to be good of course, but with the right strings, technique, and EQ/effects, I should be able to find some tone I like.

I also only own two basses and never really wanted more than four. I get basses to fill specific gaps. If I had multiple basses fighting for similar roles, then tone would probably mean a lot more to me.

 

[two fingers]

Yeah putting on strings that you already like is the next step....BEFORE you even delve into anything else.

 

[el murdoque]

It takes me about five minutes to reach the point where my inner child wants that bass and the discussion with my inner adult (and the voice of reason) begins about rational reasons of acquiring that bass. Is there a need for it?

 

[AlexanderB]

A couple of minutes to check for "incurable" issues like imbalance, dead spots, unpleasant neck, feedback (acoustic or hollow body) and basic tone profile (ADSR).

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

Questions: How long will you spend working with a bass before deciding if it's a keeper? How much are you willing to spend to investigate? New strings? New pickups? New preamp? New hardware? Are you willing to try and "get used" to changes in string spacing, number of strings, etc?

I've got this Allen Eden Disciple and I love the looks of it, the feel is nice, hardware is quality. The tone just isn't quite there. I use a small pedal board so I can get pretty close to the sound I'm looking for but there's something always not quite there. It still has the stock strings on it and they don't feel too nice so I'm thinking about slapping some quality nickels on it. I'm also considering trying to get some money together for an Audere preamp. I'm just hesitant to spend around $175 on a $200 bass (I got a good deal on it when Allen Eden was closing them out from their website) to figure out if I can gel with it.

The instrument in question (she's a real looker):

View attachment 4755568



View attachment 4755570

On a bass that plays well and looks as sweet as that, I’d definitely at least try a pickup swap, if tone is the only issue.

 

[uOpt]

I would run a pair of quality passive pickups to establish whether there is hope in the wood for me.

And new strings go on within half an hour of unpacking.

 

[DrBnz]

I can tell within minutes of picking it up whether I'll spend ANY time on it. If it doesn't "FEEL" right (especially in the neck) then it's not a candidate at all. I'll keep / play a bass for up to 6 months before deciding to pass it along or not. I'll wait (try) the existing strings for a month or so before changing to something else. But "strings" are often replaced. Upgrading "tuners" is ok.... but anything past that and there better be some special MOJO goin on.

 

[garp]

As a fellow Disciple owner, I can attest that swapping the factory strings with something different can definitely help, so that’s where I’d start. I’ve currently got D’Addario XLs on mine.

 

[One Way]

I’ve picked up basses in music stores, played them, and instantly knew they weren’t for me.
First time I played my Sire V7 I knew the neck felt better than any 4 string I’d played previously and it’s a keeper, I changed strings to really dial it in for me.
My Fender P Bass took a number of years and numerous mods to finally sound and play right for me.

If the neck plays and feels good to you, if the weight and balance of the instrument suits you, and you like the way it looks, it’s probably worth keeping and modding to suit you. Just remember modifications are done to suit you and won’t necessarily add value to the next buyer should you choose to sell it in the future.

 

[Stewie]

I bought a Jazz Bass in 1975? Changed the neck to fretless, Schaller tuners, Badass bridge,EMG active pickups. Realized a couple years ago that I don’t like J Basses. Kept the neck. So, I guess it took me 45 or so years to decide it wasn’t for me.

 

[smtp4me]

Questions: How long will you spend working with a bass before deciding if it's a keeper? How much are you willing to spend to investigate? New strings? New pickups? New preamp? New hardware? Are you willing to try and "get used" to changes in string spacing, number of strings, etc?

I've got this Allen Eden Disciple and I love the looks of it, the feel is nice, hardware is quality. The tone just isn't quite there. I use a small pedal board so I can get pretty close to the sound I'm looking for but there's something always not quite there. It still has the stock strings on it and they don't feel too nice so I'm thinking about slapping some quality nickels on it. I'm also considering trying to get some money together for an Audere preamp. I'm just hesitant to spend around $175 on a $200 bass (I got a good deal on it when Allen Eden was closing them out from their website) to figure out if I can gel with it.

I always try to learn and know as much as possible about an instrument before I buy it. I read about it here at TB, and online. I watch YouTube videos about it. There is a Guitar Center and Sam Ash store within 30 minutes from home, and I will check if they have the instrument in stock so I can play it before I buy. Etc...

When I do buy something new, I play it, a lot, for the first few days. I always put my favorite brand of strings on it, and set it up to my preferences. I usually know within the first week or two if it is a keeper, because I've done a lot of homework up front.

 

[Green Knight]

When I deviate from my favourite scale bc everything else checks out, I always regret it. Probably the only variable like that. You can change pickups but not scale, at least not without a headless kit and bigger gonads/ovaries than I got. Tone can change completely with new pickups and strings. I’ll always spend a few hundred to make a bass closer to my ideal, but some stuff costs half the bass and can even lower its resale value. In your case, it sounds like a pickup swap is what you’re after. No biggie: just be patient and research w text and video if available.