Looking for a bass for worship?

[BigRedCaboose]

Hi all!

I’m a guitarist for a new church plant, and I’ve been tasked with helping find a bass for our worship band. I’ve wanted to get a bass personally for a while, but it hasn’t been a priority until now. I’m looking for some advice since bass isn’t really my forte (yet lol).

I’m trying to keep everything under $500 total (minus pedals since we’re just starting out). I’m also planning to get a small practice amp for times when we’re not in our primary location. I’m considering buying secondhand from Guitar Center since there aren’t many local music stores with much variety, their return policy is assuring in case something goes wrong, and shipping is significantly cheaper than a lot of Reverb listings.

As far as the bass itself, I’m leaning toward a short-scale bass, especially since we’ll probably have more guitar players than bass players (I’ve tried a P/J bass before and it felt a bit hefty… even for me, who’s tall and broad). I know it’s not a traditional choice, but I’m currently looking at an Epiphone Newport—I’ve played one and it felt really comfortable. I’ve also tried the Epiphone Embassy, and that felt comfortable too. If it matters, I’m curious how these would sound in a worship mix.

Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Karl Kaminski]

Fender VM Squiers all day long... great value, sound good, and can be left at church with minimal worry. a PJ will cover alot of basses . Since your looking at guitarist doing double duty on bass, Im guessing your looking at 4 strings. (IMO a 5 will cover alot more stylistically, but thats just MO) But overall, a 34"long scale will be appreciated if/when you have a bassist there. YMMV

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I was a church bassist for many years in a few separate churches. I personally like a 5 string. Especially if songs ads in E or F. You are not playing against the nut. But, I have gone back to playing 4 for years at my restaurant gig, I want to audition for my current church. I have been struggling with changing back to my 5 string. Most of the bass players at my church play 4, only 1 guy plays a 5. So, I probably didn’t answer your question!

 

[TheReceder]

For the money, If I was donating a bass in your position, I'd just look at an Ibanez Micro. 28.6 scale and only $219 at sweetwater.
I went shortscale recently with a reverend wattplower and for worship, I might not ever go back to my medium or long scale basses... But they're a bit out of your proce range.

Almost any bass can do the trick with a decent setup.

 

[nickpc]

I'd go with a Squier Sonic Bronco or Mini Precision bass. Inexpensive, good quality, and being Squiers (aka cheap Fenders) no one is going to be worried about what they are.

But overall, a 34"long scale will be appreciated if/when you have a reg bassist there.

I'll disagree - a regular bassist will likely have their own bass. If other guitarists are rotating on bass they'll appreciate the shorter scale.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

If I was coming in to play at a church and they told me a bass was there I'd be more happy with a long scale instr (thats why I keep a 34" Squier V at my church gig) —to each his own YMMV

PS> "reg" was referring to "not guitarist", just a bassist. Mea Culpa for the misdirect.

 

[Ggaa]

A 5er.

 

[buldog5151bass]

1. Save your money and don't worry about pedals.
2. Save your money and buy used. You'll get more instrument, and likely will be set up better than a cheap bass you buy from an online retailer.
3. Most bassists play standard scale, get a standard scale bass.

 

[BassDaddy77]

Any bass can be made to serve your needs with a bit of EQing to serve the song and the room. I played an Epiphone Embassy on WT and it sounded great. A competent sound board operator is far more significant than the particular instruments being used, IMO. If a Newport or Embassy inspires confidence in playing the music because of comfort and/or ease of use, then go for it. Just my $.02

 

[GTHintz]

Hi all!

I’m a guitarist for a new church plant, and I’ve been tasked with helping find a bass for our worship band. I’ve wanted to get a bass personally for a while, but it hasn’t been a priority until now. I’m looking for some advice since bass isn’t really my forte (yet lol).

I’m trying to keep everything under $500 total (minus pedals since we’re just starting out). I’m also planning to get a small practice amp for times when we’re not in our primary location. I’m considering buying secondhand from Guitar Center since there aren’t many local music stores with much variety, their return policy is assuring in case something goes wrong, and shipping is significantly cheaper than a lot of Reverb listings.

As far as the bass itself, I’m leaning toward a short-scale bass, especially since we’ll probably have more guitar players than bass players (I’ve tried a P/J bass before and it felt a bit hefty… even for me, who’s tall and broad). I know it’s not a traditional choice, but I’m currently looking at an Epiphone Newport—I’ve played one and it felt really comfortable. I’ve also tried the Epiphone Embassy, and that felt comfortable too. If it matters, I’m curious how these would sound in a worship mix.

Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Dude for around 500 you should be looking at an Ibanez sr 300, 400, even 500 used. Probably the best you’ll get at the price point. If you can swing a used peavey or Schecter definitely go for it. They are criminally underrated so you can score great basses on the cheap. Any of those would cover any ground musically you could want

 

[merseymale]

Hi all!

I’m a guitarist for a new church plant, and I’ve been tasked with helping find a bass for our worship band. I’ve wanted to get a bass personally for a while, but it hasn’t been a priority until now. I’m looking for some advice since bass isn’t really my forte (yet lol).

I’m trying to keep everything under $500 total (minus pedals since we’re just starting out). I’m also planning to get a small practice amp for times when we’re not in our primary location. I’m considering buying secondhand from Guitar Center since there aren’t many local music stores with much variety, their return policy is assuring in case something goes wrong, and shipping is significantly cheaper than a lot of Reverb listings.

As far as the bass itself, I’m leaning toward a short-scale bass, especially since we’ll probably have more guitar players than bass players (I’ve tried a P/J bass before and it felt a bit hefty… even for me, who’s tall and broad). I know it’s not a traditional choice, but I’m currently looking at an Epiphone Newport—I’ve played one and it felt really comfortable. I’ve also tried the Epiphone Embassy, and that felt comfortable too. If it matters, I’m curious how these would sound in a worship mix.

Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Personally I've always worshipped a 1960s Fender Precision Bass...

Hope this helps? ;-)

 

[micguy]

A 5er.

I'd argue that anyone who can play a 5 well probably has (and wants to use) their own bass - a church bass is almost exclusively going to be used by guitarists "filling in" on bass; a 4 (and maybe a short scale) is far more appropriate for them.

 

[Atknerd]

I play at church every week I use an ibanez atk works great but just find a bass you are comfortable with

 

[Mastermold]

@BigRedCaboose ye shalt not worship thine bass!!

 

[krfoss]

I’ve played at churches for 20+ years. Truly any bass will due. I use my MTD 635, worship pastor uses a squire bronco sometimes, another guy uses a rickenbacker, and other guy uses a music man sub. It doesn’t matter. Play with joy and the sound won’t matter.

 

[Church-Bass]

As people have said, in the end, for church worship music, it's less about the bass, and more about the attitude and spirit.

Having said this, for modern worship songs, there is leaning towards either Precision-type basses or modern active basses, 5-strings, with modern Bethel and Elevation bassists popularising the use of synth pedals as well. But plenty of church bassists use passive 4-strings with no issues.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Either of those Epis should sound great. They use the same pickups as the some of the newer Thunderbirds. I play Thunderbirds and have no problem covering a variety of styles and sitting wherever needed in the mix.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Remember a "regular" 34" scale length 5-string is a short scale bass if you play at the 5th fret!

 

[NaH]

A Peavey Grind was an awesome transition bass when I was starting. I did start with a short scale, but in reality I didn't need it and the Grind sounded a ton better than those Mikros.

 

[Mastiff_5]

As stated above, keep it simple.
Standard scale passive 4-string workhorse. Don’t bother with an active pre / bells and whistles.
Light, passive 4-string.