Looking for advice on first bass purchase!

[Ongo Gablogian]

Hello, long-time lurker, first-time poster here. Been a guitar player and producer for many years but am looking to buy my first bass. The tone I am mostly chasing is that of D'Angelo's Voodoo. So I would suppose I'm looking to emulate Pino Palladino's bass mostly. After a bit of online research, I've determined I'm looking for something similar to a '63 P-Bass. I'm a strat player so the p-bass was already what I was leaning toward.
Ideally, I'd like to be in the $600-800 range. I have NO problem buying used/online or upgrading pickups/electronics. The only preference I have is to a rosewood fretboard, as both Pino's bass and my fav guitars have em. Any suggestions or models I should be on the lookout for? Thanks!

 

[Gorn]

You're looking for a precision bass with a rosewood fretboard? The world is your oyster. My unpopular opinion is that any one of the millions out there will essentially sound the same in any practical sense if it's in proper working order. A used Japanese Fender would be my first choice. Second would be a used American Standard which used to be a dime a dozen for $800 but now are getting more expensive. A used Mexican Fender could be had for less than your budget or a new one would fit right in. No mods or new parts necessary for any of them if nothing's broken.

 

[Ongo Gablogian]

You're looking for a precision bass with a rosewood fretboard? The world is your oyster. My unpopular opinion is that any one of the millions out there will essentially sound the same in any practical sense if it's in proper working order. A used Japanese Fender would be my first choice. Second would be a used American Standard which used to be a dime a dozen for $800 but now are getting more expensive. A used Mexican Fender could be had for less than your budget or a new one would fit right in. No mods or new parts necessary for any of them if nothing's broken.

Thanks for the quick response! My fender strat knowledge was already pointing me in somewhat the same direction. Although, new MIM is not on the table, due to their restriction of rosewood to higher-end models(which are of course also off the table new due to price). I'm always hearing great things about MIJ Fenders. Any tips on good years/series to keep an eye out for?

 

[Standalone]

If you're new to it, just try to get into a music shop and play a few until one in your price range sings in your hands. Basses are made out of organic material. There is variability. We bassists are also made of organic material. Plenty of variability there!

Let this be a starter bass. Learn what you like and then shift to a better bass.

 

[Standalone]

For Sale - G&L SB2 White w/extras Fullerton USA

 

[wysiwyg248]

Thanks for the quick response! My fender strat knowledge was already pointing me in somewhat the same direction. Although, new MIM is not on the table, due to their restriction of rosewood to higher-end models(which are of course also off the table new due to price). I'm always hearing great things about MIJ Fenders. Any tips on good years/series to keep an eye out for?

I used to own a MIJ Donald Duck Dunn signature, which was great. If you can find one of those in decent shape I am confident you will like it. Price wise, they may be a bit over $800.

 

[Killing Floor]

Lots in your price range. I'd recommend the same old boring thing every time. Pick up as many as you can, in store, friend's bass, whatever. The one that feels good in your fretting hand is the best.

 

[BarfanyShart]

It's a shame the current MIM Player Series only come with maple or Pau Ferro boards (although I like Pau ferro more than Rosewood), because otherwise you'd probably be very happy with one of those. Check out Yamaha BB series basses, if you want new, they are very, very good P/J basses for the money, and likely have the tone and features you are looking for.

 

[Standalone]

Lots in your price range. I'd recommend the same old boring thing every time. Pick up as many as you can, in store, friend's bass, whatever. The one that feels good in your fretting hand is the best.

It's interesting — I've come around to believing the feel in your plucking hand is almost more important. That probably us a lot to do with my overall approach and playing style.

Both are very important. Strings can have a lot to do with it I guess

 

[buldog5151bass]

Have you checked the classified here? You are likely to get an instrument that is well cared for.

Especially in that price range, I wouldn't worry about year or fretboard material. Finding one in good condition, and better quality (and hopefully local, so you can try it in person) is much more important.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

My humble suggestion is to look for the best / most resonant wood within your price range. Ensure that the bass isn't heavy (for you), and doesn't have typical problems like:

• Significant dead spots, especially on the G strings between 5-9. frets
• Weak sounding G string
• Dead sounding E string
• Hard to fix defects on the truss rod (that's untypical though)

The rest can be upgraded easily if needed.

So - ideally, you got to try before buying - with new strings.

 

[Bassiclees]

Unpopular option: Squier + DiMarzio pickup upgrade.
Totally Pino sounding, under budget.

 

[sonojono]

Unpopular option: Squier + DiMarzio pickup upgrade.
Totally Pino sounding, under budget.

+1

I did this on all the Squier basses I've owned and has given me the tones from what the OP is wanting to achieve.

 

[sethlow3]

If you wait it out long enough, you'll be able to talk someone down to about $900 shipped for an MIA precision. Possibly lower depending on the situation.

 

[pbass2]

Hello, long-time lurker, first-time poster here. Been a guitar player and producer for many years but am looking to buy my first bass. The tone I am mostly chasing is that of D'Angelo's Voodoo. So I would suppose I'm looking to emulate Pino Palladino's bass mostly. After a bit of online research, I've determined I'm looking for something similar to a '63 P-Bass. I'm a strat player so the p-bass was already what I was leaning toward.
Ideally, I'd like to be in the $600-800 range. I have NO problem buying used/online or upgrading pickups/electronics. The only preference I have is to a rosewood fretboard, as both Pino's bass and my fav guitars have em. Any suggestions or models I should be on the lookout for? Thanks!

Any decent passive pbass, Fender or Squire, will do. Put flatwounds on it and a hunk of foam under the strings down at the bridge and you're there. Then you can always try different pickups later on, but likely not necessary at first(or maybe ever). For that sound I would suggest Labella Deep Talkin' Flats. Pino used pretty heavy ones but honestly I can get that sound with the lighter gauge Labellas as well. He also downtuned for that album, but again, that isn't a detail you need to replicate all the time (downtuning would be better with the heavier strings though if you're gonna do that a bunch).

 

[pbass2]

Unpopular option: Squier + DiMarzio pickup upgrade.
Totally Pino sounding, under budget.

Yep, a Squier even stock can get you in the zone(with the right strings and a foam mute), but different pickups may get you closer. I like the DiMarzios too but also recommend the standard-wound Lindy Fralins.

 

[StatesideRambler]

The only preference I have is to a rosewood fretboard, as both Pino's bass and my fav guitars have em.

In your price range I recommend eliminating this as a priority. Your choices of quality basses will expand greatly. These days it's a premium $$$ item that doesn't affect playability or sound, particularly at an intermediate skill level.

 

[ashtray]

You came to the wrong place!

Prepare to get 200 different opinions on what you should get, including 75 suggestions you buy more than 1 bass to start. (you'll need a 4 string P, Jazz, fretless, 5 string, 6 string, active... are you taking notes?)

 

[pbass2]

You came to the wrong place!

Prepare to get 200 different opinions on what you should get, including 75 suggestions you buy more than 1 bass to start. (you'll need a 4 string P, Jazz, fretless, 5 string, 6 string, active... are you taking notes?)

So true. This OP's search is one of the easiest to solve though in bassdom! All he needs are three things, and he's still way within budget:
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass - Olympic White
La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Strings - Standard
Foam rubber - Wikipedia

Boom. Done.

 

[Ed Byrnes]

If you want a P-Bass, get a P-Bass. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Player-Precision-Bass-Pau-Ferro-Fingerboard.gc Easy to upgrade with pick guard, pups, bridge when ready as you like.