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Need bass guitar recommendations (All details inside)
- Thread starter tunabolt
- Start date
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
I've kind of always wanted one. Problem is, the ones I would want are well over $1200 on the used market. That's double what I've ever spent on a bass guitar. (So far.)
A lot of slap player like the Marcus Miller signature active Jazz. The Sire range is definitely worth looking at, too, as GIBrat51 mentioned.
Why is that? I've never done that style so I have no idea.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
That isn't really true. If the Warwick Thumb isn't good for slap nothing is.
Musicman Stingray would be my first choice
You might want to look at a G&L L-2000 or a Lakland Skyline. With the Lakland you'd save a little cash.
You might want to look at a G&L L-2000 or a Lakland Skyline. With the Lakland you'd save a little cash.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
That Lakland 55-01 seems like a lot of bass for the price.
Yeah, this one's pretty easy. Stingray, esp with it in your final four and Bernard Edwards in your tune list. Very common used and new, plenty of customization options, versatile, often considered one of the best basses for slapping. Considering your budget, and that this is your first bass, I'd suggest a Sterling by Music Man Ray34. Better than the Sub4 and Ray24, way cheaper than an Ernie Ball Stingray which new, is out of your price range.
Another bass to consider along that line would be a G&L Kiloton, and the Tribute series would fit very well in your budget. However, I'd still think a Stingray would be the place to start.
And I'm a fan of that Guitarbank video too. I've found that I'm not into the Jazz bass sound, and that video helped confirm that feeling in comparison to other basses.
Another bass to consider along that line would be a G&L Kiloton, and the Tribute series would fit very well in your budget. However, I'd still think a Stingray would be the place to start.
And I'm a fan of that Guitarbank video too. I've found that I'm not into the Jazz bass sound, and that video helped confirm that feeling in comparison to other basses.
Those videos are not slap, you know that right? Forget the the Ricky and Thunderbird. It seems you prefer synth bass not slap bass based on the videos you posted. IMHO, the Precision is one of the best for 70's type funk. The warwick is a little thin sounding so out of those 4 I would concur with others, the Stingray would be the best choice.
The Fender jazz bass (a model name, not a required style) and the Stingray are probably the two most recorded basses with slap incorporated. As mentioned, there are many clones of the jazz bass at all price points. They both have necks that are quite different, so it’s best to try in person.
The standard reply to people in your position is to buy a used model from a recognized brand. If you decide bass is not what you were expecting (hint, it’s a lot harder than what a typical guitar player thinks) you can sell it for no loss.
You can get something very serviceable for much less than your budget. I’d put the rest of the money into an amp, as its much more satisfying than going through headphones.
The standard reply to people in your position is to buy a used model from a recognized brand. If you decide bass is not what you were expecting (hint, it’s a lot harder than what a typical guitar player thinks) you can sell it for no loss.
You can get something very serviceable for much less than your budget. I’d put the rest of the money into an amp, as its much more satisfying than going through headphones.
I wouldn’t take that video too seriously. I’ve watched it and I’m pretty sure they ran all those basses into the same amp with the same settings. That may sound like a good idea in theory, but in reality you don’t even have an accurate clue how a bass will really sound in actual use until you hear it played through a rig that is set up to make it sound it’s best. IMO this video only does the p-bass and Thunderbird any kind of reasonable justice. The others are capable of sounding much better than they do here.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Thanks for the input, everyone. I have narrowed my choices down to two now.
Lastly, can I get some recommendations for strings? I'm assuming I need some kind of roundwounds, but what brands and models?
- Sterling Stingray Ray34
- Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro
Lastly, can I get some recommendations for strings? I'm assuming I need some kind of roundwounds, but what brands and models?
While I agree a Rick or Thunderbird are not ideal choices for funk, still it's possible, just not good or easy for a beginner. Nothing wrong with those basses mind you, but they're better for other genres.
From the list, I would of course recommend the Stingray but also add a Fender P or Jazz bass on the list. Not necessarily Fender, could be Sire etc. Another brand/model is the G&L L2000. The Warwi
Slapping on a Rick? This guy can do it.
This was the right answer all along.
We can’t know what you want better than you do. Good luck, and welcome to TB.
