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Looking for a new bass

vitinho.aps

vitinho.aps

Jun 5, 2014
7
1
33
#1
Hi, i know that this used to be post so many times at this forum...
But i'am searching for a new bass, my old bass is just a crap (believe me) that i used to learn to play bass.
I love Geddy Lee, Flea, JPJ, but my favorite is Gezzer Butler, if i could have a bass that is similar to that sound, would be great.
I like Rush, RHCP, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Foo fighters, Pink Floyd, the Who and some new stonerocks bands if it helps.
So, what bass should i look for? I'am not rich, but i dont mind about price.
Any opnion would be great, thanks!



btw, i have an Ampeg Micro vr
Sorry for my bad english
 
#2
Don't get hung up on your heros unless they will be playing the bass. You can't even be sure one is playing the bass with his name on it. He just gets a check for the use of his name.
You didn't say what kind of bass you learned on, what your budget is, nor what kind of music you are/want to play. That could make a difference.
Many people on TB, including me, have brand preferences, so you may get losts of suggestions based on what they like.
The best thing to do is read some posts in the bass forum here and go to music stores and try out eveything that looks interesting to you or that you have read something about.
So, if you ask me, I will suggest something from the Squire VM series up to the American Standard series. If you noticed I didn't include the Deluxe line. That is because I don't care for active pickups.
So, I give you my opinion, which you asked for, and some other things to think about.
 
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#4
Gravedigger Dav said:
The best thing to do is read some posts in the bass forum here and go to music stores and try out eveything that looks interesting to you or that you have read something about.
So, if you ask me, I will suggest something from the Squire VM series up to the American Standard series. If you noticed I didn't include the Deluxe line. That is because I don't care for active pickups.
So, I give you my opinion, which you asked for, and some other things to think about.
Click to expand...

+1 This ^

Play anything and everything you can get your hands on, that you can justify budget wise anyways... Then select the bass that you feel is the best fit for you.
 
#6
A lot of people will tell you to go with a Fender/Squire Precision, based off of the names you've listed as a reference point for tone. I'd slightly agree with them, though I'd look more into the direction of a Dean Edge, given that it's two pickups are "P's" housed in a soapbar enclosure. Another option would be a Fender Blacktop Jazz. Of course there are other options out there from many more manufacturers.

What kind of budget are you looking at?
 
#7
See, I told you. The brand name fans are already out.
Two options, now:
  1. Ask each responder who suggests a specific brand if he owns one and what does he like/not like about it.
  2. Take it all in, then go play eveything you can put your hands on and buy the one that speaks to you. You will know it when it happens. It is a lot like falling in love only less expensive.
 
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#8
I will say, find a bass that you're comfortable with (that's key- it's no use getting a bass that your hero uses if it's uncomfortable to play for you). I love the Rickenbacker sound but upon trying it, it just wasn't my cup of tea and I found it uncomfortable to play so it's not the right bass for me. Glad I tried it out though as that wisdom saved me a lot of money.
What I would suggest is going to a music store and trying out as many basses as you can. See if you can play it comfortably. Weight an issue? Neck length, wide or slim frets? String spacing.. find out what works for you.
It sounds like you listen to a lot of music I like myself so I can recommend one bass to try out. Don't take my word for it, I don't know what your hands are like.. just try this bass out amongst the others. Establish a budget, and keep that in mind when you walk in the music store.
Also consider that you can probably get more for your money if you buy used. A bass that seems unaffordable brand new may suddenly fall within your budget if you find one used. Just make sure it's in good condition- (there are threads in this forum as to what to look for in a used instrument, and what to watch out for)
The one bass I suggest you include in basses to try out, is a passive Jazz Bass (either MIA Fender, MIM Fender, Squier or a derivative of ). A passive bass in my mind, sounds more "natural", less electronically enhanced to my ears. I do have both kinds, and I find myself preferring the sound of passive basses overall.
Hope this helps somewhat, but ultimately, it's your choice to make.
 
#9
Gravedigger Dav said:
See, I told you. The brand name fans are already out.
Two options, now:
  1. Ask each responder who suggests a specific brand if he owns one and what does he like/not like about it.
  2. Take it all in, then go play eveything you can put your hands on and buy the one that speaks to you. You will know it when it happens. It is a lot like falling in love only less expensive.
Click to expand...

I got you bro, but i just want some opnions.
I think i would play rock, but what rock..... i really dont know, as i said, i really like stone rock, but i love the others roles.
I have searched some basses, i listened to some Musicman, fender jazz and p bass and others, rickenbacker, warwick, gretchen and gibson. I liked they all but its all about preference, and i would say that my favorites were p bass and rickenbacker, but i would like to listen some opnions to expand my mind, if you can understand :)
 
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#10
vitinho.aps said:
I got you bro, but i just want some opnions.
I think i would play rock, but what rock..... i really dont know, as i said, i really like stone rock, but i love the others roles.
I have searched some basses, i listened to some Musicman, fender jazz and p bass and others, rickenbacker, warwick, gretchen and gibson. I liked they all but its all about preference, and i would say that my favorites were p bass and rickenbacker, but i would like to listen some opnions to expand my mind, if you can understand :)
Click to expand...
Oh, sure. Wasn't trying to steer you any way at all. Just trying to offer some useful information.
 
#11
vitinho.aps said:
I got you bro, but i just want some opnions.
I think i would play rock, but what rock..... i really dont know, as i said, i really like stone rock, but i love the others roles.
I have searched some basses, i listened to some Musicman, fender jazz and p bass and others, rickenbacker, warwick, gretchen and gibson. I liked they all but its all about preference, and i would say that my favorites were p bass and rickenbacker, but i would like to listen some opnions to expand my mind, if you can understand :)
Click to expand...
Quick question op, did you try the p bass and rickenbacker out or just listen to it? As I mentioned, it comes down to feel and how you play on the instrument.
Also, what is your playing style, do you use a pick, slap, finger pluck etc? These will also help determine the right kind of bass for you.
 
#12
Maxdusty said:
Quick question op, did you try the p bass and rickenbacker out or just listen to it? As I mentioned, it comes down to feel and how you play on the instrument.
Also, what is your playing style, do you use a pick, slap, finger pluck etc? These will also help determine the right kind of bass for you.
Click to expand...

Let me say that... i live in a city that doenst have all that "expensive" equipment...

So all i know is from internet, and when i decide i will just buy from internet too...

I play finger style all the way!
 
#13
vitinho.aps said:
Let me say that... i live in a city that doenst have all that "expensive" equipment...

So all i know is from internet, and when i decide i will just buy from internet too...

I play finger style all the way!
Click to expand...
Ah got it... a great source of info too is here on TalkBass- check out the threads relating to the basses you're looking at. You'll get some valuable insight into the particulars and nuances of the basses. All this info from other bassists like you and me.

Here's an example of a thread about the Rickenbacker.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/rickenbacker-finger-playing.747811/

It's a pretty tough situation you're in as ideally you should try the basses out, or examples of them before you buy it. Actually pretty difficult in my opinion.
 
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#20
vitinho.aps said:
But i'am searching for a new bass, my old bass is just a crap (believe me) that i used to learn to play bass.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, what kind of a "crap bass" have you been learning on? Putting aside how it sounds, does it feel comfortable in your hands? That could give us a little more to go on, especially since you plan on buying online. You may end up with something that doesn't work for your hands, and that's a great way to lose interest.

When I started shopping around for my first bass, I'd already decided I wanted two things;
  • A Jazz neck. I wasn't completely sure, but I guessed a slimmer neck would work best for my hands.
  • A Precision/Jazz pickup configuration. I wanted to take a "best of both worlds" approach, which is another way of saying, "I'm not sure which sound I'll like best".
If nothing else, my "indecisiveness" worked out very well for me. I ended up with a used Fender Aerodyne and I love it. However, such an instrument might not be what works for you. And that takes me back to my original questions; what do you already have and how does it feel?
 
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