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Need help choosing the perfect bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by qazwsx, Dec 25, 2014.

  1. Dec 25, 2014 #1
    qazwsx

    qazwsx

    Dec 28, 2006
    Hi, I have been playing bass since 2012 and ever since then I have been trying to find the perfect bass and I need your guys help.

    Right now, I own 3 basses, a Ric 4003, a Douglas VWEB-833 (short scale) and a short scale J bass copy

    It pretty much goes like this

    Firstly; the Rickenbacker is easily the most beautiful of the 3. Other than that I find the neck way too thick and the frets too large.

    The douglas bass I have (from Rondomusic) is the easiest bass for me to play. It has the best neck on any bass I have ever played. The neck is straight and the action is amazing. Unfortunately this bass has issues, huge neck dive, strings need constant adjusting (action wise)

    The j bass is the bass inbetween the two, it's shortscale, tone is kinda crap, was really cheap, also got it from rondo.

    TL;DR version

    Does anyone know of a 30 1/3 scale bass with a good tone, good, thin neck and is relatively inexpensive (less than 300$)

    I've been looking at the Grestch G2220 basses, anyone know anything about them?
     
  2. Dec 25, 2014 #2
    placedesjardins

    placedesjardins

    May 7, 2012
    Considering neck feel is subjective, I would say you should take a road trip to a good music store. I like the feel of yamaha basses, like my bb. I also like ibanez btb neck, warwick fortress rockbass, and fender p bass.
     
  3. Dec 25, 2014 #3
    Mr.Fingers

    Mr.Fingers

    Apr 29, 2009
    Heverlee Hills (Europe)
    Squier Mustang Bass
     
  4. Dec 25, 2014 #4
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    This may be the first time I have ever heard anyone call a Rickenbacker neck "too thick." I don't know your budget, but these are some of the best short scall basses out there: http://www.birdsongguitars.com/
     
  5. Dec 25, 2014 #5
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    Or maybe you just want a little better violin bass and a wide, suede-backed strap?
     
  6. Dec 25, 2014 #6
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    No such thing as a perfect bass for everyone. Finding a or the "perfect bass" for oneself even can be quite a lifelong adventure. That is to say, purely subjective - "know thyself" and all that crap, ya know? :)
     
  7. Dec 25, 2014 #7
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
  8. Dec 25, 2014 #8
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    Unless you shop here: www.theperfectbass.com. :)
     
  9. Dec 25, 2014 #9
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    All nice stuff, I'm sure, but I'd never find the things I'm looking for there (or maybe anywhere).
     
  10. Dec 25, 2014 #10
    OutToPlayJazz

    OutToPlayJazz

    Dec 30, 2007
    Gloucestershire, UK
    30" Fender Rascal is very good and very adaptable, with seven different pickup configurations, but seriously more than you're looking at paying. I'd say that any Mustang you can get your hands on would be a good bet. There's a nice Squier Mikey Way model knocking around at the moment which people seem to rate, as well as the standard model.

    By neck thickness, do you mean the distance from fingers to thumb (thickness), or the nut width?

    Truthfully, if you have good left hand technique, you shouldn't be worried about nut width. It's the distance between fingers and thumb that causes the problems. In terms of sound technique, you should always keep your thumb behind the neck, giving plenty of clearance between the palm of the hand and the neck - As soon as you hook the thumb over the edge of the neck/fingerboard, holding the neck in the palm of your hand, you've lost the battle.
     
  11. Dec 25, 2014 #11
    chris_b

    chris_b

    Jun 2, 2007
    Don't worry about perfect.

    My suggestion would be to play some Lakland basses and see what you think.
     
  12. Dec 25, 2014 #12
    hrodbert696

    hrodbert696 Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 15, 2010
    Like old Hampshire, but New
    They vary. The 4003's these days are pretty clubby - very different from some older versions of the 4003 or especially the 4001.