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I humbly ask for your opinions

B

BassBart

Guest
Dec 11, 2013
18
1
#1
Hello everyone,

I'm in need of some advice, it's a general "which bass should i buy" question but I think I can help with the discussion so it shouldn't be too hard to get things pointing in the right direction.

Been playing electric bass since about 1981, started when I was in 8th grade (maybe 7th?) and have played on and off ever since. I still have my second bass guitar that I bought when I was in 9th grade, it's a Westone Thunder 1A that was purchased new. I've always loved everything about it but it's stale and doesn't call me to play much anymore.

I figure my options are to either completely re-outfit my Westone by adding a second pick up along with a replacement for the original, change up the hardware to add some punch, and then maybe paint it a nice metallic sparkly charcoal with the layers through the center remaining natural. It would be awesome.

My other option is to throw maybe $750 on the table and buy something else. Either a good used or new bass. I don't love the funky styles of most of the newer bass guitars but don't know what might offer the meaty mid-range punch that I'd want having grown up listening to a lot of Who and other rock/alternative music.

So I ask, what has the punch, great action, classic styling, and might fit my budget? I haven't shopped for a new bass since I was a young teenager so I need help! We'll work on picking out a new amp when we get the bass figured out!

Thanks in advance,
Bart
 
Last edited:
#2
Modding such a treasured bass, with hindsight may be a mistake.

Sounds like you want to be in P bass territory. Deffo not a funky new style, plenty of options open these days. From squires (cheap import fenders) through fenders ranges, right up to custom builds most companies offer a P or J style bass.

Id say have an afternoon (if you can) at your nearest guitar conglomo, have a go of various styles of bass that catch your eye.
Dont be afraid of brand predjudice, the squire stuff at the moment is pretty good.... A little fretwork and thwy are usually good to go.
 
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#4
thanks for the replies, modding the Westone wouldn't be so bad. it's got a brass screw broken off where I tried to mount a thumb rest shortly after getting it only to learn about soft metals and hard woods. and it didn't have a proper case until about a year ago (!!) so it's all there but not in perfect condition. besides, i like the idea of keeping the old girl around a while longer even if it means a full custom project.

now that i think about it, there's a guy not too far away that does custom pick-ups. i should ask him if he's comfortable working with the pre-amp & eq that are in the bass and adding a second pick-up and replacing the original. if it isn't too expensive then i can sand everything down and find a shop to do the paintwork. a new bridge and tuners and we're moving along again, probably for a lot less than $750.

I've kinda been thinking Fender Jazz but are G&L's any good?
 
#7
BassBart said:
"are G&L's any good?"
Click to expand...

American G&L are superior to American fender, but if you're just wanting to dive back in (w/o aspirations to become professional bass player), (as a former professional vintage guitar dealer person), my idea is that the G&L Tribute line is ideal for you.

(i give you my best advise from years, and years of vast experience, and as a custom G&L owner)
 
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#9
BassBart said:
Hello everyone,

I'm in need of some advice, it's a general "which bass should i buy" question but I think I can help with the discussion so it shouldn't be too hard to get things pointing in the right direction.

Been playing electric bass since about 1981, started when I was in 8th grade (maybe 7th?) and have played on and off ever since. I still have my second bass guitar that I bought when I was in 9th grade, it's a Westone Thunder 1A that was purchased new. I've always loved everything about it but it's stale and doesn't call me to play much anymore.

I figure my options are to either completely re-outfit my Westone by adding a second pick up along with a replacement for the original, change up the hardware to add some punch, and then maybe paint it a nice metallic sparkly charcoal with the layers through the center remaining natural. It would be awesome.

My other option is to throw maybe $750 on the table and buy something else. Either a good used or new bass. I don't love the funky styles of most of the newer bass guitars but don't know what might offer the meaty mid-range punch that I'd want having grown up listening to a lot of Who and other rock/alternative music.

So I ask, what has the punch, great action, classic styling, and might fit my budget? I haven't shopped for a new bass since I was a young teenager so I need help! We'll work on picking out a new amp when we get the bass figured out!

Thanks in advance,
Bart
Click to expand...
The Ibanez ATK800 might fit your need. It's got a big-ish bridge-to-rear-pick-up-cover plate which might turn you off style wise.
.
 
#10
placedesjardins said:
The Ibanez ATK800 might fit your need. It's got a big-ish bridge-to-rear-pick-up-cover plate which might turn you off style wise.
.
Click to expand...

cool, sounds good too but i'm not sure i'd love that bridge pickup being so tight under the strings.

all good suggestions, guess i'll have to do a little playing and then hit a couple of music stores.

@Dash Lashes; the Tribute M, and L look and sound great, will have to research the differences a little bit.

might try to find a good used Fender Jazz....we'll see

Thanks again!
Bart
 
#12
I wonder if a Invalid Link Removed…or for that matter, a Geddy Lee-sig…would fit the bill. The '70s bridge pickup spacing lends itself to a bit more "growl". I had one for the better part of a year and it was excellent. Also, it wasn't ridiculously expensive. The '70s Jazz goes for $800 off-the-shelf, but I got mine used through Guitar Center for a little over $500.
 
#13
If you can, just go to a shop and try as many basses as possible, see what sounds good to you. I'd echo what has already been said, something like a G&L Tribute L2000 sounds like it would tick a lot of your boxes, but only you will know. Trust your own judgement.
 
#14
You might want to consider the Sire Marcus Miller V7. It's a jazz-type bass, but it has some really great features at a truly exceptional price, well within your budget.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

These are getting a lot of love around here lately.
 
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#15
eldoryder said:
You might want to consider the Sire Marcus Miller V7. It's a jazz-type bass, but it has some really great features at a truly exceptional price, well within your budget.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

These are getting a lot of love around here lately.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I think folks are getting tired of hearing me say it. ;)
 
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#16
Maybe you already saw this post - Precision Bass Listening Session - 8 P basses from 1964 - 2015 | TalkBass.com - but it's a cool shootout between P-basses plus a few "P-style" basses. You can listen to 4 sound clips apiece from 9 different instruments and get a feel for their personalities.

At the same time, you obviously want something that feels good to you so you'll be inspired to pick it up and play. I see you mentioned a Jazz or J-styled bass, and those necks do feel awesome.

Have fun snooping around, take your time with it, and good luck with your search.
 
#17
I think what you want is a Squier. Here's why I think that:

You said you want classic styling. Doesn't get any more classic than Leo Fender's designs.

You seem to be open to modding. 90% of aftermarket parts are for Fender specs. Painted bodies, necks, everything

Your tastes seem to change over time. Who's doesn't? With a modded bass you can just upgrade whatever part you aren't satisfied with at the time.

It is easier to mod to your hearts content and just play than to worry about resale value and the hassle of finding a buyer to afford a different better instrument.



Why you may NOT want to get into modding the squire/fender:

You need more than 22 frets.
You need more than 5 strings. (better decide 4 or 5 string now, this isnt easy to change)
You don't have basic mechanical skills.
Even simple electric schematics are greek to you.
You end up perfectly satisfied with the stock instrument.
 
#18
When I see someone with that budget ($700-$800), my mind goes immediately to Craigslist for an Am Std Jazz or P. It still seems to be a buyer's market--cash talks... These other offerings are solid, and well though out, but with the same budget I found an extremely clean Am J without too much effort. As others have said, play what you can, but I am a big proponent of buying used when it makes sense. Good luck!
 
#19
Shop til you drop, B-Bart!!!

I've fallen in love with the idea of having a certain sort of bass through my years, but some of those whims have gone "poof" after I've found a not-so-good fit with that instrument. If you can pick up a new candidate and play it unconsciously without even looking at it, then maybe you're onto something. Also see how it sets in for you on a strap. I've had trouble with more than one bass that didn't have a long enough top horn - that forces me to reach too far with my fretting hand down in 1st/2nd position. NOT good when trying to hold up through an entire gig.

Given you budget, you'll come across some fantastic options as long as you take your time and sift through the gear that's out there. The used market always has interesting things to consider. The last bass I bought came from the classifieds here (same budget as yours) and while I couldn't play it before I bought it, I looked over its dimensions and bought it with confidence once I knew that it was pretty much in my comfort zone.

My go-to bass for many years has been a wonderful Jazz bass with passive DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. Fat 'n smooth sounding along with a super comfortable fit for me, but a couple years ago I got the itch to add something different. I'm stuck on 4-strings - the idea of having a 5-string also went "poof" some years back - but I thought I might want to go in the direction of an active bass with a P/J setup and I eventually found exactly that. I got a used custom built rig with EMG electronics that has even more punch than I expected. My guitar player actually asked me to TURN DOWN when I first used this bass at a gig.

Aside from the potentially punchy and aggressive sound of an active P/J layout, I've also been impressed with the strong tone of a couple Music Man basses I've sampled. What I learned with my new bass after playing a couple shows was that a punchy, aggressive sound can certainly help my tone cut through a mix if I need that, but I can also turn down my mids at my amp's eq if I need to smooth things out a bit. If a bass sounds a little on the punchy and aggressive side of the street when you play it by itself, that might be a little better in a band setting than something that sounds like buttah (warm and super-smooth) on its own.

More coffee...
 
#20
I think what you want is a Squier. Here's why I think that:

You said you want classic styling. Doesn't get any more classic than Leo Fender's designs.

You seem to be open to modding. 90% of aftermarket parts are for Fender specs. Painted bodies, necks, everything

Your tastes seem to change over time. Who's doesn't? With a modded bass you can just upgrade whatever part you aren't satisfied with at the time.

It is easier to mod to your hearts content and just play than to worry about resale value and the hassle of finding a buyer to afford a different better instrument.



Why you may NOT want to get into modding the squire/fender:

You need more than 22 frets.
You need more than 5 strings. (better decide 4 or 5 string now, this isnt easy to change)
You don't have basic mechanical skills.
Even simple electric schematics are greek to you.
You end up perfectly satisfied with the stock instrument.

I agree. A classic vibe or even a vintage modified P or Jazz is great bang for the buck, easy to modify if you choose to and small money. You can find them used for low money. I got my CV Precision used still with the stickers on it for 200.00. One of the best basses I've owned in my life.
 

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