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I need more help!

H

HoosierBassist

Dec 18, 2010
132
1
#1
Hey everyone,

I am planning on buying a new bass, (maybe used) with a budget of about 700$ or less. I really think I will walk away with a Fender of some sort, or a Sterling RAY34 or SB14. If anyone has a bass to sell, it has to be 700$ or less, right handed and 4 strings only. I play lots of alternative rock, grunge, a little pop punk, and occasionally metal (the metal I am talking about is like Metallica) . I really want to aim toward a Fender, but would be open to other manufacturers. I am trying out an Aerodyne Jazz this week hopefully. I also plan to try a Precision, Jazz, and Stingray. I have small to medium size hands, but hopefully even a stingray neck won't be a problem. I don't want something super heavy. I have an Ibanez GSR200 it was my first bass and I have been playing almost 2 years.

Which is the best choice?

Precision

Jazz

Aerodyne Jazz

Sterling (cheaper MusicMan)

P/J setup


Other

Is any one of these more versatile than the other?

Which is most versatile?

Which is best for the type of music I play?

I like P/J, since my Ibanez GSR200 is a p/j, but I can live with a different setup.

Also maybe a (Fender) Jaguar bass?
 
#2
At least $700 puts you in the position of buying a good bass. After not playing for many years I bought a Fender Jazz (active) not made in USA for $499 on sale from
Music 123. Nothing like a new instument, however you can get a nice used bass for that amount. Fenders are to be had, as are others( I like Washburn) . Take your time and shop around, in person if possible . . . .Good luck :cool:
 
#4
The Jazz Bass neck is nice and slim. I have medium hands also and love the Jazz Bass for that. For your style music, I think the Jazz or MM/Sterling will give you the punchy, aggresive sound you need.
I played a Precision for a while in a grunge/metal band and always found myself wanting more "edge".

I bought a GSR200 as a backup a few years back, then sold it. I didn't get enough to make it worth selling. I wish I had kept it. If you can, keep yours as a backup.
 
#5
I do plan on keeping my GSR200 as a backup and also if I ever get married and have children (I am a teenager right now) I will give my kids that Ibanez to play on. What about the Deluxe Active Precision? It has a Jazz neck and a p and J pickup setup. Is it true that the Precision body is lighter/smaller than a Jazz body? Also, can you elaborate on "edge".. you said you wanted more edge? I have heard that the Jazz is more versatile than a Precision. I wouldn't be opposed to a Hoppus bass but it has no tone knob, only a volume knob.
 
#6
Fellow player with not-so-big mitts. Always went for slimmer necks. Point-I bought a SBMM Ray 34 and love it to death! It's a bit heftier than, say, An Ibby Soundgear, but certainly not baseball bat proportions. And for the price, they're awesome basses, and can do everything from mellow/mild to total agression. If you like the Ibanez, there's always better Soundgears out there for prices that are well within your budget. And I can't say discount a Fender, either. If you like a slimmer profile neck, I'd stick with a Jazz, or one of the P-specials(which has the J-neck). Hope this helps. Cheers!
 
#7
If you have small small hands then the jazz bass is perfect for you. I would also say jazz basses are probably the most versitile basses, mainly because it's been heard in genres from reggae to alternative to metel etc. Me I personally like the Ray34 cuz of it's thick neck, and growl to it. But on the other hand it's heavy! If you like the stingray style but not the neck, then by the sterling sb14 which has a similar neck to the jazz bass.

Hope this helps and good luck!
 

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