Those sound awesome. Thanks!
Thanks. I just didn't want to make the trip completely blind so I'm trying to do as much research as I can beforehand.
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Need bass guitar recommendations (All details inside)
- Thread starter tunabolt
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Those sound awesome. Thanks!
Thanks. I just didn't want to make the trip completely blind so I'm trying to do as much research as I can beforehand.
Seriously, you should include a Fender Jazz bass in your hunt at Guitar Center - give one at least a quick try as that seems to suit the type of music you’re talking about the best.
Nevertheless, if you don’t want a Jazz, don’t get one! Not everyone has to play the bass most common in their style. Personally, I know what you mean - I like a deeper sound than the Jazz gives. Accordingly, my own favorite is the Precision, but while one can certainly slap on a Precision, they’re not well known for that.
You seem attracted to the Thunderbird, so by all means check one out; they’re great looking basses. The Stingray may suit what you want to do too.
Good luck and happy hunting! Let us I is how it goes
Nevertheless, if you don’t want a Jazz, don’t get one! Not everyone has to play the bass most common in their style. Personally, I know what you mean - I like a deeper sound than the Jazz gives. Accordingly, my own favorite is the Precision, but while one can certainly slap on a Precision, they’re not well known for that.
You seem attracted to the Thunderbird, so by all means check one out; they’re great looking basses. The Stingray may suit what you want to do too.
Good luck and happy hunting! Let us I is how it goes
When you’re trying out the Thunderbird, play around with the pickup blends. They are far more versatile than most people think.
That doesn't mean they're not good for it, though.
I have a Gibson Thunderbird, so I can recommend with the benefit of first hand experience;
MM Sting Ray
IMHO the parts that the performer has control over (technique, choice duration and placement of notes) are way more important than the gear. Marcus Miller sounds like Marcus no matter what he plays. Same with Vic Wooten.
Master the technique first and let that make your gear choices.
the perfect gear will sound like garbage if you dont know how to play.
My personal choice is 35 inch scale 5 strings with active electronics, medium gage round wound stainless steel strings and at least 18.3mm string spacing at the bridge.
I have to chime in as well - seriously consider a Jazz of some kind. IMHO, a nice passive Jazz will tick all the boxes you want, and still do any other genre and style, from punk to funk to jazz to reggae to country, you-name-it. I emphasize "passive" because I think the classic passive bass is more versatile, because you can always experiment with various outboard pres if you want an "active" sound.
any chance you could post a pic of that Kramer?View attachment 3648767 Ahh, but you had one - and that was my point.I, OTOH, have never had one - but, I have a suitable substitute - for me. The Dimarzio "Twin J" pickup in my Kramer Duke Special can be split into a Bridge-only Jazz bass (does it very well, too). Or I can split it into a P-Bass split-coil p/u; does that very well too. I usually just leave it there; looks kinda freaky to have a P-Bass sound come out of that headless thing...
Since you've narrowed it down to a Stingray or Thunderbird......
The Stingray is your sweetheart. With a $1500 budget, I'd look at a nice used USA EBMM. The music selections you referenced suggest you have a preference towards classic slap funk. Check out Louis Johnson (slap) and Bernard Edwards (fingerstyle). You guessed it......that's the sound of the Stingray. You'd only ever need a 4 string for sfuff from that era. I love Thunderbirds, but it would be a lot harder sonically and ergonomically to capture those sounds you're after with one, IMO. Good luck on your quest!
The Stingray is your sweetheart. With a $1500 budget, I'd look at a nice used USA EBMM. The music selections you referenced suggest you have a preference towards classic slap funk. Check out Louis Johnson (slap) and Bernard Edwards (fingerstyle). You guessed it......that's the sound of the Stingray. You'd only ever need a 4 string for sfuff from that era. I love Thunderbirds, but it would be a lot harder sonically and ergonomically to capture those sounds you're after with one, IMO. Good luck on your quest!
truth.
Most basses can cover a variety of styles and sounds IF you take the time to set the signal chain up. Sure, some are better than others at some things, but still...
I did; But, just for you, here's another one:
It's a surprisingly hard bass to take a picture of, frankly. Even out of it's little case, it doesn't photograph well. My New Year's resolution is to make a serious effort, and get some much better pictures of my stuff...
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
None of your proposed basses are exactly known as slap monsters. I would say a Fender jazz needs to be tried.
If Stingrays and Thumbs (the bass is named Thumb, for Pete's sake!) aren't slap monsters, I'm curious as to what basses you consider good for slap.
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Before you head into Hollywood, check online for what that GC and the Sam Ash across the street have in stock. Frankly, I’ve been underwhelmed by the bass selection at that GC the last few times I’ve been in it.
A Jazz Bass with 60's pickup placement doesn't sound like the example in that video, that was a 70's Jazz. Also, with a Jazz Bass, play around with the volume knobs because they sound pretty scooped when both pickup volumes are the same. Don't forget the tone knob, either.
People will hit you with everything they like and nothing that will do what you want.
We all would achieve what you are are trying to do with the instruments that work for us.
You need to learn to play first. Then pick your instrument of choice.
But until you understand a good instrument from the wrong one you’re never going to get what you’re looking for.
scottfeldstein
Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Those who try to tell you that they know something are all imposters leading you into error. There is no up. There is no down. There is no right and no wrong. There is only you, your ears, and the guy at Guitar Center trying to get $300 from you as quickly as possible. Good luck.
Or... maybe the collective wisdom of a group like this really does have something valuable to relay. If you like to play slap bass you might do well to choose one of the instruments that are popular among players of this style. A Jazz bass. A Stingray. I like slap on a P-bass or even a cheap Ibanez. But when people tell you that you're likely barking up the wrong tree when you are looking at that Rick or that Thunderbird, maybe they're on to something. It's true that there are no hard and fast rules here, but if you're just starting out why not take the advice of those who have been around for a few decades? I would.
Or... maybe the collective wisdom of a group like this really does have something valuable to relay. If you like to play slap bass you might do well to choose one of the instruments that are popular among players of this style. A Jazz bass. A Stingray. I like slap on a P-bass or even a cheap Ibanez. But when people tell you that you're likely barking up the wrong tree when you are looking at that Rick or that Thunderbird, maybe they're on to something. It's true that there are no hard and fast rules here, but if you're just starting out why not take the advice of those who have been around for a few decades? I would.
I'd get a decent-but-much-cheaper instrument first TBH. Learn some basics of playing (including other styles than just slap, you might be surprised) including a) is what you think you'll like playing really it, b) do you stay with it or is not what you thought it would be. Once there, you'll be in far better position to spend serious money (unless $1500 really isn't serious to you) wisely.
