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How to choose a bass?

A

aplusk

Nov 17, 2013
18
0
#1
Hello!
First off, my native language is Russian, so sorry about mistakes in my topic.

I'm relativly a newbie in a world of bass. I've been playing electric guitar for 5 years, then decided to switch to basses. I don't know almost anything about basses, amps, pickups...So I tried to figure out by myself. I bought a cheap Jay Turner bass simply to learn how to play. I think, I'm doing well since I learnt basic slap and pop and finger picking. But I need help in choosing my next real instrument.

What to choose? I love playing RHCP, pop-songs with distinctive bass lines, other slap parts that I improvise by my own. And also, sometimes enjoy playing metallica, iron maiden, RATM, Megadeth (ver rarely).

I love Music Man basses for it's beautiful shapes and thin neck. My limit is 500-600$. I'm going to buy via ebay or any online shop. I'm moving to the U.S. so model and manufacturer is not a problem. What should I do? What bass to choose? And how to choose a right bass for me in this vast world of bass guitars?
 
#2
To me, the first thing I look at when I pick up a bass is the neck/fretboard. I am picky about that type of thing and need what feels comfortable to me, after all, my left hand (fretting hand) is going to be doing a great deal of the work and needs an instrument that feels right. I personally do not like a glossy looking neck, I do not like much of a curve to the neck either. The thickness is something I also consider in a neck. Also, one of the first things I consider is the pickup configuration. Do I want a P bass, J bass, buckers, combinations of such. I most enjoy a J bass but a P bass is also very versatile.
The look, body shape, paint job, headstock are all important to me but that only gets looked once I decide on the first two factors. Oh, and obviously, the way it sounds is very big deal ;)

In the U.S. I have seen Sterling by Music Man Ray 34 basses that are Indonesian made going for just under $650.00. I am not a big fan of them but they are the more cost effective, economic priced Music Man type of bass. If it suits you, you can always check to see if you can test one out.

Fenders have and seem to always be one of those basses that most people will own (myself excluded). A nice Mexican made P or J bass can go for under $600.00. They are always worth taking a look at / listening too.
 
#3
I have a big prejudice that all basses made from other than USA or Japan are bad.... I don't know what to expect from a bass from Indonesia or even China. Will it not break into parts when arrives to me? I don't know. I have no experience in this aspect
 
#4
aplusk said:
...how to choose a right bass for me in this vast world of bass guitars?
Click to expand...

First - Welcome to TB !

There are some obvious major categories - like fretted vs fretless... 4 strings? 5? 6 ?

But really - the right bass for you will call to you. You can get a lot of mileage by looking at what is being used by the players who play the kind of music you want to play. They've faced these decisions and made choices. If you start to see a consenus - there's your guidance.

Try everything you can. You'll get a feeling for what fits -you-. This is personal. You may find that you are drawn to a style that is not well represented by your major influences - this is fine - it is -your- choice. My first bass is not a popular choice among any of the major player in this century. I don't care. I like it.

You'll find that there are some major categories separated by price. Decide what you can afford to spend. You must still shop wisely - there are bargains to be had - by which I mean some makes that represent excellent value. But there are also lines where workmanship, fit, finish, weight, balance, and good sound are challenges.

There is more of everything with more strings. Weight, cost, complexity, neck width -- but also musical versatility. Witness the plethora of threads here on the 'proper' number of strings... There's no consensus here on 'P' vs 'J' - and that's just among the people who are already in the Fender style vs non-Fender style...

The thing is - it doesn't have to be a permanent choice. It will; probably be a life-long learning and adapting process. If you make a choice and it turns out you don't like it, you can make another choice...
 
#5
My current bass is a J-bass. At least, a close copy of it. It has 4 strings and I totally love it. I don't love 5-string bases (at least, on my current level). The thing that I dislike is that the body is way too big and the other side overweights the body. So I always feel uncomfortable playing it.
 
#6
Welcome to TalkBass!

Based on the artists and styles you play, a Jazz Bass would be perfect for you. It can pull off most if not all of those bands/sounds, and has the elegant shape and thin neck you like in the MusicMan basses. I'd recommend a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz; it has a reputation around here as one of the best basses for the money, and is arguably just as good or better than the USA Fenders.

Whatever you choose, good luck on your bass-playing journey, and I hope you find what suits you! :bassist:
 
#7
I would recommend a Fender Precision bass (Steve Harris and David Ellefson both play them.) Most varieties have the same nut width (1&5/8") as a Stingray. The Fender Standard model is around $560 at most stores and MUCH better quality than Squier!
 
#8
I prefer USA made Fenders but I also own several Czechoslovakian made Spectors and Korean made Ibanez basses that play and sound great. I think the issue you are going to have is that if you bay through ebay, you are not going to have the opportunity to try the bass first. Everybody has their own opinion as to what feels right. The only way to know for sure is to try different basses and see what works for you.
 
#9
I GUESS that P-basses will be more uncomfortable to play due to its wide neck. I love shapes of Music Man's basses. And I also consider Flea bass. What can you say about these ones? And can I buy something worthy for 600$?
 
#10
aplusk said:
I have a big prejudice that all basses made from other than USA or Japan are bad.... I don't know what to expect from a bass from Indonesia or even China. Will it not break into parts when arrives to me? I don't know. I have no experience in this aspect
Click to expand...

German made products, in my opinion, are also amazing amazing.

It depends on the company. I trust Mexican Fenders as long as they are actually Fender (Squire has been doing very well but I am too much of a snob). My first bass, lasted about 8 years without any issues was a low end Indonesian made Ibanez. I do not have much experience with Chinese made basses.

I hear the Yamaha BB424x is a good bass in its price range and I think they are made in Japan. People don't always think it but Yamaha makes a lot of great high end products, especially keyboards.
 
#12
I have four pieces of advice:

1. Buy from a store or a private seller, not from the internet. Buy an instrument you have actually played yourself and know you like everything about.

2. Don't buy the first one you like. Unless it's really, truly love.

3. Buy used. Because there is a chance that six months from now, you'll have a better idea of your requirements, and may want to buy something else. If you buy used, you can sell it to someone else for more-or-less what you paid for it.

4. Pay absolutely no attention to the opinions of others. Musicians are a strange bunch, and for every guy that tells you one thing, there's someone who will tell you the exact opposite. Do some searches on TB and you will find passionate users of every brand and model you can think of. Just find one that works for YOU.
 
#13
How about one of these if you like the MusicMan
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ray4-bk-lrg.jpg
 
#16
aplusk said:
I have a big prejudice that all basses made from other than USA or Japan are bad.... I don't know what to expect from a bass from Indonesia or even China. Will it not break into parts when arrives to me? I don't know. I have no experience in this aspect
Click to expand...

Many basses claimed to be made in the USA, actually aren't.

If you can't find a proper factory tour video on Youtube, chances are it was actually made in China or Korea. In fact, even if you can find a factory tour video, it might not be made in the US or even Japan.

You can't actually tell where your bass was made, or by who, even if it's officially licensed and manufactured.

There is a strong likely hood that if your bass costs less than say, $2000 it's component parts at the very least are imported into the US, if not outright manufactured abroad. Sad but true.

I'd say get over it.
 
#18
Sterlin' Ray 34 is the way to go

I agree with american made quality instrument, but the thing you honestly thought about import basses, is somethin' I fear from secondhand ones

I mean: who can get rid of a beautiful instrument just jumpin' out of bed havin' changed his mind overnight?

I always think somethin' went wrong with it...

I dont't act like that... if somethin' in my collection is available for a better trade, here I am, but this is just me... if it's not the same for everybody (how could it be?) why another one should sell his hard earned bass? hidden defection? overcomin' bad maintenance fails? who knows?

Some of my basses are secondhand: they're are the cheapest ones and, generally, mod platforms, so who ever minds?

Sterlin' by MusicMan offer good tonewoods and hardware, thin neck, classy finish, gigbag, and they come for a very reasonable price, because of bein' made in Indonesia.

Just like Ibanez (Prestige apart) G&L Tribute, Lakland Skyline, Yamaha (BB2000 and signature model apart) Peavey Epiphone

Think about it...

And save for a more proficient amp... what do you do with a mid quality bass thru a poor quality amp?

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#19
Along with advice given about pickup style choices, buy a bass based on neck profile, fretboard curvature, string spacing at bridge and nut width. That would cover the basis of left and right hand comfort, playability, etc. Balance, weight and ergonomics are something to consider as well.

If you are spending below $1k, don't be too concerned with country of origin. Buy a reputable brand(since this would guarantee reasonably good QC even if produced in Asia) and series within your budget. Buying used helps to get a better model at much more competitive prices.

Trying before buying always beats buying sight unseen unless, you are very familiar with the feel of a similar model but there is still some risk.

You won't need a high powered amp for home practice. A combo between 50-100 watts is decent. Mainly something with an aux input and headphones out. That way it's portable, can be used for low level jams, and for practice at home without disturbing the neighbors. You can get a separate high powered cab and head for gigs later.
 
#20
darrenmt said:
Along with advice given about pickup style choices, buy a bass based on neck profile, fretboard curvature, string spacing at bridge and nut width. That would cover the basis of left and right hand comfort, playability, etc. Balance, weight and ergonomics are something to consider as well.

If you are spending below $1k, don't be too concerned with country of origin. Buy a reputable brand(since this would guarantee reasonably good QC even if produced in Asia) and series within your budget. Buying used helps to get a better model at much more competitive prices.

Trying before buying always beats buying sight unseen unless, you are very familiar with the feel of a similar model but there is still some risk.

You won't need a high powered amp for home practice. A combo between 50-100 watts is decent. Mainly something with an aux input and headphones out. That way it's portable, can be used for low level jams, and for practice at home without disturbing the neighbors. You can get a separate high powered cab and head for gigs later.
Click to expand...

+1
or some "active" speakers... now back on track after awhile...

Why "active speaker"? for they're added "sub" to play live, but retainin' your "bedroom sound" to fulfil your confidence.

Great piece of advice from darren, really

Cheers,
Wallace
 

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