• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

need help picking bass

M

Masterquack

Jul 15, 2007
69
0
#1
Hi there.

As the topic name says I need help picking a bass.

In this new bass I am looking for versatility and quality. I play most styles of music, though mainly I play Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock (Led Zeppelin, Cream), 80s metal and Reggae. I want this bass to be the last bass I buy for quite awhile, or at least until I get a job (maybe awhile, I am in high school), so it needs to do all those jobs, and be sturdy (it will be my main gigging bass).

I have recently been looking for a new bass in the $1500(Australian) range. After looking through almost every music store in Sydney I have made this short list:

Fender Jaguar bass

Yamaha TRB 1004/1005(have not tried, but I am willing to blind buy if you guys think it’s worth it)

Ibanez BTB 670/675

MTD Kingston 4 or 5 string (sorry I don't know the model name)

(I’m not sure of this name) Spector stiletto studio

I know neither a fender jazz bass or precision have been listed but they are a bit out of my price range (around $2200) though I have considered getting them second hand.

Although I am interested in suggestions, at least pick one from this list as well as the suggestion

Thank you for the help!:help:
 
#2
My suggestion is buy second hand, in my experience things I've bought on ebay sell on for about what I paid, so you can afford to try a few and sell on if they don't suit you. For my money a MusicMan Stingray is a versatile bass, pretty simple too, but it's all about personal taste. Given the list of styles you gave I think something a bit more "classic" would suit, P Bass, Jazz Bass, maybe something like a Gibson EB-3, but again, go with your gut feeling about what appeals to you.
 
#3
Out of those I would probably go with the MTD. The Spector I think you mean is the Legend Custom? If so then that would be a good choice as well. But like Subsong said, if you can find a good secondhand bass then I'd go with that.

Charlie.
 
#5
Well I'm not 100% on the Aus->US conversion it looks like your starting with a pretty good amount.

I too agree with the 2nd hand idea. While it is used a majority of basses I have bought/owned used were almost store quality minus a scratch or bump here and there (something you'll happen to do if you keep it for any period of time)

Buying sight unseen or without playing it is fairly risky business. Yes you will read the success stories but for someone such as yourself it may be very helpful to get a feel for what your buying.Those you mentioned are quite different animals from each other. Each with have distinct necks, pickups/sound, weights.

You also need to consider the tone and setting it which you will be playing. If your playing thrash metal then one may be superior to one say you want for a jazz gig.

Almost all you listed are going to give you a fairly modern tone. While the onboard preamps will give you versatility in my time playing I've realized the settings on the amp head often surpassed that of the onboard pre.

Good luck and Enjoy ... New toys are always great :hyper:

Oh..and go after something that just feels right. Don't just seek out a cliche' name for cliche' sake. If a Fender copy feels like the one then :bassist:
 
#8
The Jaguar sounds like a real nice prospect, but do look second hand first. My second recommendation would be the Stingray, but it won't be anywhere near as versatile so I'd go with the Jag.

I wouldn't recommend a Precision in any way or form for Reggae, I really don't think it sounds very good for it, but that's just me, so maybe avoid them. Does sound good for the odd occasion where you play a style of Reggae that's suited to pick style playing, but that's a pretty rare occurrence (although I can name a few ace songs where it suits it).
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back