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Looking for a new bass again

lkngro

lkngro

Feb 4, 2010
388
3
Hockessin, Delaware, USA
#1
Well, after a disappointing 2 month stint with an MTD Kingston Heir 5, I've decided that I'm going to sell it and get it something else.

Mainly, I don't like the way it feels. The asymetrical neck is awkward (I know some people love it) and the string spacing feels like I'm crossing the Grand Canyon sometimes, especially with five strings.

Now, I know that Ibanez SRs have the slimmest necks in the game, and I've played several of them. I know that I would like playing them fingerstyle, but I would have to completely re-learn slap because you have to get your fingers into all sorts of small cracks and crevices to make it work.

So my point is, and I do have one, would getting an SR505 (or whatever) be worth it, considering that I would sacrifice slapping for ease of fingerstyle? Or, since I can't seem to find bridge/string spacing info on any basses, are there any that have a nice medium between my MTD and an Ibanez SR?
 
#5
gforce9 said:
You don't want to go backwards in quality. For thinner spacing, look at a Spector. You may want to look at a used Warwick $$, too. a Fender Jazz in that range would serve you well...lots of options. It's a shame you don't like the MTD (I've never played one, so I can't comment on it).......
Click to expand...

Yeah I was really underwhelmed with the MTD for whatever reason. I don't really want to go for a Jazz bass because I want a ballsier sound and single coils just don't do that for me.

But a Spector, eh? I didn't think of those. I think I'll have to check them out. Not a fan of the body shape and I've heard mixed reviews about the EMG pickups, but I'll live with it if it plays well and sounds good.
 
#6
I have a 90's SR506 that has string spacing of 16.9mm (core to core). It is on a B106 Bass Bridge I believe. I use this bass strictly with a pick for chords and the such.

The newer ones may have similar string spacing and just compare that with what you have currently. My TRB has 19mm string spacing (like your [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]) and both basses are like night and day. You may be looking for something around 18mm. For your sacrificing one style for another question... some people use different basses for different styles completely.. I know I do. If you're looking for 1 instrument for everything, then check out an 18mm bass or without the asymetrical option.

**edit** And as Mound said above, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].... it may be something you'd like to try.
 
#7
lkngro said:
Yeah I was really underwhelmed with the MTD for whatever reason. I don't really want to go for a Jazz bass because I want a ballsier sound and single coils just don't do that for me.

But a Spector, eh? I didn't think of those. I think I'll have to check them out. Not a fan of the body shape and I've heard mixed reviews about the EMG pickups, but I'll live with it if it plays well and sounds good.
Click to expand...

I bought a cheap ended Spector 5 (I think it's called Legend), bolt on neck with EMG cheapies and a Tone Pump preamp for ~$550. It was ok sounding, but played really well!. I dumped the cheapie EMG's and the Tone Pump for EMG TW's (push/pull pots for single or dual coil in both positions) with no additional pre. It sounds fabulous and I can get a lot of different tones on a great playing bass all for under $700 (after selling the EMG/Tone Pump)!
 
#9
Another vote for spector.
Try one yourself, don't let the reviews decide for you.
I think the neck and string spacing is just what u are looking for.
Try one at stores, but look up for used rebops and euros in order to get a good deal ;)

The SRs are a good choice too.
 
#11
Bump.

I've become very interested in the Spector Legend Custom 5 and Classic 5 and the only differences I can really find are that they have different EMG pickups (the Custom having 40HZs I think. I don't remember what the Classic has) and different preamps (the Custom has an Aguilar OPB-3 I think and the Classic has a TonePump Jr.). Would paying the extra cash for the Custom be worth it in your opinion? Of course, I'm still looking around at other basses, but I'd like to know more about these.
 
#13
mmbongo said:
G&L L2500. Most versatile bass out there, and not a step down in quality. In fact, if you can swing a USA it would be a step up from the MTD and a HUGE step up from the Ibanez.
Click to expand...

+1 L-2500 is a top notch bass. Great spacing for a 5 and that thing can do pretty much anything tone wise.

I don't know why I see so many people wanting their Jazz to be more ballsy. Mine has balls to spare.
 
#14
Spector Legend Custom has an EMG pre Invalid Link Removed

If you can find a used Rebop, go for it. Personally, I love the Tone Pump. I put the treble at 1/3 and the bass at 1/2, then use the mid-scoop contour on my Carvin head, and blamo - sick slap tone.

 
#15
The tone pump jr is the weak link in the classic imo. Replace it with a basslines, emg BTS control or an aguilar. And your likeily to find the pups (emg passive) are actually better then you thought. The stock ones are good crunchy type rather then smooth type for voiceing). The spector would be a good choice imo. Another that might be worth checking out is the ESP LTD F series fiver. Its 35 scale wheres the B series is 34 scale.
 
#17
Not sure if the SSDs are custom designed by EMG for Spector - but they're OK, not great from what I've heard (never played a Legend Classic). Tone Pump Jr, I've not heard much praise for them either. I like the HZs - pretty even and cutting sound. They're not 'warm' - they have a modern sound to them. They sound great when slappin' and poppin' though.
 

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