Need Help Starting My New Bass Search

[Bass4ThePublic]

But, if you do want another bass, I’d recommend either a jazz with some flatwounds or maybe a stingray. Stingrays are cool live.

 

[Davealicous]

You could yes, but I would do what some others have said and learn to do a setup. With practice, you can do setups in as little as 20 minutes. I like Dave’s World of Fun Stuff on youtube. Sweetwater could do it for you as well.

Not all techs are created equal. I am a guitar tech part time while my main gig is mostly construction. I’ve had a lot of customers say that they’d paid for a setup only for the instrument to not play super well. If your squier was made in the last 20 years, I doubt anything is super wrong with it. You should invest in lessons. Learn chords, chord tones, and various voicings/modes. All music is is chords and numbers, and to be relatively successful, even in a blues band, the bass player needs to be not only solid but immovable.

I appreciate the advice. I guess the place to start is get the tools and get on it. That's the only way I'll even begin to know if my bass isn't "good enough quality" for me or not. thanks so mcuh

 

[Whale]

I have no clue who the tech is at your local GC, but if it were me Guitar Center would be the very last place I'd take my bass for repairs. They're primary goal is to sell instruments, so it is in their interest to downplay what you currently own while suggesting you purchase one of their basses. A qualified luthier, on the other hand, can/should give you the straight poop on the status of your bass while also being able to make any necessary repairs or corrections.

A quick Google search tells me that the following luthiers are available in your area....

• Moreno's Guitar Clinic
• Tremelo Guitar Shop
• Ember's Guitar Repair Station

All three have Yelp ratings of 4.5 or higher.

 

[Davealicous]

I have no clue who the tech is at your local GC, but if it were me Guitar Center would be the very last place I'd take my bass for repairs. They're primary goal is to sell instruments, so it is in their interest to downplay what you currently own while suggesting you purchase one of their basses. A qualified luthier, on the other hand, can/should give you the straight poop on the status of your bass while also being able to make any necessary repairs or corrections.

A quick Google search tells me that the following luthiers are available in your area....

• Moreno's Guitar Clinic
• Tremelo Guitar Shop
• Ember's Guitar Repair Station

All three have Yelp ratings of 4.5 or higher.

poopie, I feel like a dumb ass for not googling that. Googling stuff is always my go to. I'll hit em up!

 

[Whale]

poopie, I feel like a dumb ass for not googling that. Googling stuff is always my go to. I'll hit em up!

Not a problem. Your message is the exact reason this site exists... we are all here to help one another as fellow bass brothers and sisters.

 

[GTHintz]

Everyone who has pointed out to set up and strings is dead on. Even if you get a new bass you'll still need to do strings and setup to get it playing the way you want. There's a lot of awesome bases within your budget and especially used. The market is more saturated with good bases than ever thx to how good even the cheapest bases have become. I would take the time to look at everything in the bass department at guitar center and get oriented with all the different basses. There's quite a few good ones they probably won't carry but I'm sure they will have a p bass jazz bass, stingray, Ibanez, schecter ESP maybe a Warwick or 2. Get them all in your hands and see what looks good and what sounds good. Keep in mind they probably will need strings and setup so don't let that be your only reference for sound but at least you'll get a feel for what's out there. Best of luck and have fun in there.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

What did he say were the “bigger problems”? That usually means neck issues, not a lot else that can go wrong with a bass. Fretwork? Trussrod? Given how good even cheap new basses are now, if it’s more than $300 in repairs, probably good money after bad. The problem with trying out basses at GC is they typically do NO setup, it’s just out of the box and up on the wall unless/until you commit to buy the bass. I’ve never seen the same “tech” twice at my local GC, the turnover in employees appears to be 100% every six months or so, it’s luck of the draw on who you get. Get the guy to put a price on the repairs, that should clarify your next step quite nicely. If the bass is toast, welcome to the giant Candy Store of 2024 basses, it’s truly a buyers market.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I could use some clarification, if you would be so kind: What is your current bass? The GC tech said they could pull the frets out with his fingernail?!?! Have you checked to see if that's true? I regularly gig basses that run $300 or less and they are perfectly serviceable, in fact, very enjoyable. I tend to agree that a proper set-up is the first order of business. That being said, the dead spots on your "G" and "D" strings are not uncommon on Fender-style basses. I've been doing my own (and other folks') set-ups for decades. Once you de-mystify the process, it's a great skill to have. Jut be careful with the truss rod...

BBB

 

[Davealicous]

Hey all. I hope you all get alerted I posted this as I don't know if I have to multi-quote you all or not. I've made a decision. The luthier I just saw says there's nothing wrong with my bass other than four high frets and a good setup. Oh, and it needs strings badly. He's asking just over $100 to fix those four frets and do the set up and $147 with strings thrown in. So, I could spend $150. What I'm going to do is spend another $250 more and grab this dudes 2000/2001 MIM precision with a bunch of upgrades that's got brand new stings and is already setup correctly. He's been playing for years, works on them himself, and is super excited to talk shop with me, and wants to keep in touch. For all the experience I have on FB Marketplace, my gut says this dudes legit. Obviously, I could be wrong, but I not hurting for money so an extra couple hunge ain't gonna kill me. Just going to go with my gut here. Obviously, working on my technique, and getting comfortable keeping my bass set up correctly is my next order of business. Well, that and researching strings down the road. Thanks everyone for your advice and opinions. I love this forum.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Nice looking bass, Not a P guy myself, but I’m a sucker for that color with tort and a dark board, and a virtual Big Box store of drop in compatible parts available for Fenders. OHSC looks good too. Learn the setup routine anyway, it just makes sense to be able to do it yourself, and it’s just not that hard. Keep the old bass as your beater and a science platform for practicing stuff…. like gluing down high frets. You’ll find every conceivable repair has 1k dedicated videos on YT, or just post questions in Luthiers Corner, some really experienced Pro Luthiers dispense free advice over there on a regular basis.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Going to Sweetwater. I understand you're not an expert player. Perhaps have one of their bass players demo a few things for you back-to-back? Take your playing technique and ability out of the equation for a bit and see how the basses sound to you, in real-time as a listener? Your last stated criteria was liking the sound and not being too expensive.

Being a Fender and Stingray guy, I'd pull at least a $500-ish or mid-level Precision Bass from either Squier or Fender, and similar Jazz Bass, and start there, and maybe a Sterling Ray5 as an economic competitor that's not quite "F Style" and see what you like, sound and pricewise- through a decent amp. Then try to narrow it down from there. I think you'll like the sounds of all of those basses a lot more than you think you do, in someone else's bass playing hands, and you might even find something sounds NOT BETTER OR WORSE, but "more preferrable" out of those three.

I like ALL of those kinds of sounds and over the years, I continue to find they all have value that keeps me holding on to them. See avatar pic, of course.

Good luck with it!

 

[Whale]

What I'm going to do is spend another $250 more and grab this dudes 2000/2001 MIM precision with a bunch of upgrades that's got b

If my math is correct you appear to have found someone selling an upgraded MIM P Bass for $400. If so, that's a pretty darned fair price.

MIM basses (and guitars) can be quite good. Some, in fact, can be absolutely fantastic! The most common upgrades to MIMs typically involve swapping pickups, the bridge, tuners, or the pickguard. Sometimes people will add a preamp or install better pots. That being said, the stock MIM hardware is decent. I've owned/played a few MIM basses that played/sounded every bit as good as the USA Standard models.

It wouldn't cost you anything more than a bit of gas and time to check out the MIM bass. Besides that, it's always a good idea to personally play and listen to an instrument to see if it fits your needs/desires.

 

[ravelax]

I hear what you're saying and you're probably on to the truth more or less. I took my bass to GC to get looked at because of what I don't like about it. I thought he'd make sure it was set up correctly and I'd see what I thought after. However, he called me and said it needed a lot more work. I can't recall exactly how he phrased everything, but was saying he would have to pull all the frets off, dick around with the slots they sit in or mess with the frets themselves (can't remember) and then re-seat them so they don't fall out. He was saying he could easily pull most of them off with just his fingernail. Not sure if that's bad, but he certainly didn't say it just needed the rod and action adjusted. In my post about this, everyone shat on GC techs, but maybe he was right? I don't know.

Long story short, I can sell the one I have anytime I want to family member for $250. I was thinking the only way I can be sure I have a good bass for the money I want to spend is to drive down to Sweetwater and have someone who understands bass quality help me zero in on one I like that's won the luck of the quality draw. Wonder what your thoughts on this are? Oh, and what would you say about this bass near me other than it's overpriced. It's a 2000/2001 MIM p bass (image inserted of the post): Log into FacebookView attachment 7069593

Of course the GC tech may be correct in your bass having multiple issues - it's an economy model after all. I sincerley doubt the frets were loose enough to be pulled out with a fingernail, though. Either way, you've decided to move on and that's your decision to make and not ours, and either way a better instrument (if it's really better and not simply more expensive) will undoubtedly inspire you more to play and thus to improve as a player. I think your idea of trying out some basses at Sweetwater is a good one. The best way to find an instrument one is comfortable with is trying a lot of them! The bass you've found on Facebook Marketplace looks really good too. I'd definitely try to check it out in person if you can. Overpriced... Not necessarily. A new MIM Fender is more expensive, this one looks to be in very nice shape and has upgraded pickups and bridge (and that 70's pickguard, if it's really a vintage 70's pickguard, adds some value too). The case is nice.

Edit: It seems you've decided to go with that MIM P-bass - That seems like a good decision. It does look really good!

 

[GIBrat51]

Well, it looks like you've resolved your problems - for now. In the future, though...
- Yes, definitely learn how to set up and maintain your bass yourself. The tools required for a simple set up are minimal; if you work on a car or motorcycle (or a snowmobile), you probably already have most of them. And, honestly? It AIN"T rocket science.
- Strings. If you decide you like round wounds - or any permutation of rounds, like ground wounds; compression wounds, etc. - know that they will "Die" quicker than other types of strings. When they sound... dull; they won't stay in tune, and they won't intonate - at all, anymore? They are well and truly DEAD. Change them. When most people here say that their round are "Dead"? They aren't, really; what they mean, is that the bright "zinginess" of new rounds, is gone. Those strings aren't "dead"; what they are, is "Broken in". They sound like they are supposed to sound, but... a lot of players don't like that sound - so they replace them. Personally? All but one of my 27 basses wear flat wounds - or tape wounds. Flat wounds are more expensive - sometimes a lot more expensive - but, with minimal care? They will last for a decade or more, before they die. I have some that are more than 15 years old - and still sound like they're supposed to. Tape wounds? They can last a very long time, too; the ones on one of my violin basses are... geez; over 20 years old, now. Still sound great, though... But, flats and tapes don't sound much like rounds; so, it just depends on the sound you're after. I'm pretty much stuck in the musical world of... oh, pre-1975 or so. Most of what I like to play was originally played/recorded on a bass with flats - or on an upright bass. So, flats and tapes work great - for me... The String Forum here discusses the pros and cons of just about any bass string ever made, and there are a zillion demo videos on YouTube, as well. I've bought a few strings, based on demo videos - and I'm glad I did, too. So, if you want to know about a particular set of strings? Just ask - or watch...
- Sweetwater campus. I live about an hour's drive away from Ft. Wayne - if I take back roads, and I'm not in a hurry. I go there... well, more than I probably should, TBH. It's a pretty amazing place. To answer your question? YES, they do have used basses. They have all kinds of used musical stuff. My only complaint, is the one I always have about any music store - hardly a left handed anything in the place. Especially used lefty basses. They had 5 new left handed basses - in a whole "Bass Guitar" room - the last time I was there. But, they were not what you'd expect to find. A high-end Fender P-Bass; a high-end Fender Jazz Bass; a Schecter Stiletto Studio; a Really high end acoustic/electric bass; and a left handed Dingwall Combustion Bass. I did not know Dingwall even made lefties... Anyway; yes, they're definitely worth a visit...

 

[HelpImaRock]

Hey all. I hope you all get alerted I posted this as I don't know if I have to multi-quote you all or not. I've made a decision. The luthier I just saw says there's nothing wrong with my bass other than four high frets and a good setup. Oh, and it needs strings badly. He's asking just over $100 to fix those four frets and do the set up and $147 with strings thrown in. So, I could spend $150. What I'm going to do is spend another $250 more and grab this dudes 2000/2001 MIM precision with a bunch of upgrades that's got brand new stings and is already setup correctly. He's been playing for years, works on them himself, and is super excited to talk shop with me, and wants to keep in touch. For all the experience I have on FB Marketplace, my gut says this dudes legit. Obviously, I could be wrong, but I not hurting for money so an extra couple hunge ain't gonna kill me. Just going to go with my gut here. Obviously, working on my technique, and getting comfortable keeping my bass set up correctly is my next order of business. Well, that and researching strings down the road. Thanks everyone for your advice and opinions. I love this forum.

$400 for an MIM Precision with upgrades is a good deal. And you mentioned you can sell your current bass for $250. Sounds like it'll all work out. Good job looking at all of your options and making the right decision for you. Hope you enjoy the new bass!

 

[Ostie]

I highly doubt that you could pull the frets out with you fingers. And I also doubt that the GC “tech” knows what he’s talking about. There’s not a lot of difference between a GC tech and a GC sales associate, TBH. Pretty sure your bass could be vastly improved with a decent setup and stringing with flats. Now, if there’s other things you don’t like, such as scale length, pickup tone, weight, etc then that’s a different matter.

 

[Iridescentone]

I hear what you're saying and you're probably on to the truth more or less. I took my bass to GC to get looked at because of what I don't like about it. I thought he'd make sure it was set up correctly and I'd see what I thought after. However, he called me and said it needed a lot more work. I can't recall exactly how he phrased everything, but was saying he would have to pull all the frets off, dick around with the slots they sit in or mess with the frets themselves (can't remember) and then re-seat them so they don't fall out. He was saying he could easily pull most of them off with just his fingernail. Not sure if that's bad, but he certainly didn't say it just needed the rod and action adjusted. In my post about this, everyone shat on GC techs, but maybe he was right? I don't know.

Alright stop right there. Don't let that "tech" do anything like that. If that isn't the biggest upsell dick move ever...

Find an experienced, HONEST tech somewhere else. That probably won't be easy, that line of work is riddled with idiots and ripoff jerks. Also, GC's may be the worst places to look for good techs. Have some other people look at your bass until you're sure you're not being *****d with. Good luck.

 

[bherman]

Question about the setup, it looks like I can do that myself with the videos above, but I did bring my bass to GC for them to set it up earlier this year, and I was told it has bigger problems that just needing a setup. Given that I don't know how skilled and experienced he is, I'm at a loss for what to do now. If I did drive down to Fort Wayne Sweetwater, maybe I could bring it down there and have a real good tech look at it?

Honestly, GC is the LAST place that I would take a bass for a decent setup. All of the posts suggesting that you learn how to do it yourself are well-meaning, but at this point I would be looking for a good local tech to get it set up properly for you. Buy a set of nice flatwound strings (maybe LaBella Low Tension Flats) and get a good setup. Going to Sweetwater might be a good idea, you'd be able to try lots of different basses and see if any of them feel right to you.

 

[bherman]

Hey all. I hope you all get alerted I posted this as I don't know if I have to multi-quote you all or not. I've made a decision. The luthier I just saw says there's nothing wrong with my bass other than four high frets and a good setup. Oh, and it needs strings badly. He's asking just over $100 to fix those four frets and do the set up and $147 with strings thrown in. So, I could spend $150. What I'm going to do is spend another $250 more and grab this dudes 2000/2001 MIM precision with a bunch of upgrades that's got brand new stings and is already setup correctly. He's been playing for years, works on them himself, and is super excited to talk shop with me, and wants to keep in touch. For all the experience I have on FB Marketplace, my gut says this dudes legit. Obviously, I could be wrong, but I not hurting for money so an extra couple hunge ain't gonna kill me. Just going to go with my gut here. Obviously, working on my technique, and getting comfortable keeping my bass set up correctly is my next order of business. Well, that and researching strings down the road. Thanks everyone for your advice and opinions. I love this forum.

I am a P bass player and that seems like a good move.

 

[jd56hawk]

Hello. I'm not a super talented bass player, and I'm only going to be playing with friends in a blues and blues rock cover band locally. However, I'm ready to ditch the starter bass I have now which I really do not like and buy one that I love playing and inspires me with the way it feels. I posted once or twice a while ago and have received some advice that I'd like to build on. The best advice is that I need to hold and play basses until I find what I love. For that, I am going to make the two hour drive to the Fort Wayne Sweetwater megastore. However, I have learned a couple of things from my old bass that I don't like which your hive mind experience might help me show up armed with a starter list of basses to try first.

Here's my main two gripes:

First, and I don't know if it's due to my playing style (I use my fingers and don't slap), but I can't stand how much percussive noise is generated when I play. Rather than hearing the note being played, you hear the note and the noises from my fingers on the strings. If I mute with my right hand, there's a percussive sound I don't like and just alternating fingers playing lines is too noisy for me. I want more note and less right hand noise.

Second, the G string and to a lesser extent the D string sound flat and without sustain in the lower/mid fret area (like 4-9 or so). When playing octaves or switching up an octave during a song, it suddenly sounds weak and tinny (tin-like) and less audible.

I'm happy with another "starter" bass as long as I love it. I have money but don't want to spend a lot due to my skill level and how engaged I'll be. I know for sure that there are at least a handful of basses under $700 that I'll love so I'm hoping that between you all and the bass playing sales person I'll be able to find one of them. Also, is there a certain type of string that will help me achieve the sound I've described?

I first bought a classic vibe squier jazz bass off Marketplace. I didn't love it due to what I described above so traded it for the same line but a p bass. The percussive noise was better, but still noticeable and I wished I could be even less. My problem with issue #2 remained. I just sold it so I've burnt that bridge. I am going to buy a new bass.

Advice I've received in a past thread about basses:

• Try the G&L lb-100
• The Lakland skyline 44-64 was suggested but is pretty pricey
• The Yamaha BBP34 was suggested but is pricey also
• Graphite reinforced necks were suggested to reduce dead spots at least a little
• Many used basses were suggested and best years discussed. I'm not sure how many used basses Sweetwater has, but if I'm going to go play a bunch of basses, I'm thinking most of them will be new

I don't care what brand or style it is as long as I like the sound and it's not too expensive. I'm happy to go used for sure. Hopefully reading over your responses will help me develop that list of where to start. Thanks so much!

Some good suggestions, but if you don't try out one of these, you'll regret it for the rest of you life.
Sweetwater has them in stock in two finishes.
Reverend Thundergun, one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world.