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Need help with first bass

WookieeDck

WookieeDck

Dec 30, 2013
6
0
www.facebook.com
#1
Hello everyone I'm currently a drummer but lately I have found myself drawn towards bass. I'd like to start playing and understanding the role of a bass player better but with all the options I'm a bit lost. I've been looking around for a good starter bass in the $250-$400 range and I found these if any of you have experience with one or all of these your input would be greatly appreciated.

Intended use: I just want to get started most of what I will be playing with friends will be more along the line of metal/hardcore but want something suited for jazz/funk as well since that is more of the route I'd like to go as a bass player.

What I have found:
DV016_Jpg_Large_H74331002_red.jpg


Spector Performer Electric Bass Guitar
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/spector-performer-electric-bass-guitar

$400
Features
Body

NS-bass™ shape
Basswood body construction
High gloss finish

Neck

1-piece rock maple neck construction
Rosewood fingerboard:
24 frets
34" scale length
16" radius
Pearl dot neck inlays

Hardware

Color: black
Spector® performer bridge

Electronics

Passive tone circuit
Bridge pickup: EMG SSD™
Neck pickups: EMG SSD™

DV016_Jpg_Large_H70430001_natural-1.jpg


Ibanez ATK200 Electric Bass Guitar
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-atk200-electric-bass-guitar

$400
Features

Ash body
ATK4 3-piece bolt-on maple neck
Rosewood fretboard with pearl dot inlays
Medium frets
34" scale
ATK4 chromed bridge
CAP double humbucker with 3-position switch
ATK N2 onboard EQ
Through-body stringing
Chrome hardware

DV016_Jpg_Large_516169848_midnight_purple.jpg


$270
Features

Bolt-on construction
34" scale
Basswood body
Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
40mm standard nut
Thin, U-neck contour
24 XJ frets
Chrome hardware
ESP tuners
ESP DB-4 bridge
ESP SB-4 (B&N) pickups w/ESP ABQ-2 2-band active EQ

DV016_Jpg_Large_1331921974523_A.jpg


Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Bass Guitar
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-s.u.b.-ray4-bass-guitar
$300

Features

Solid hardwood body
34″ full scale maple neck (rosewood fingerboard with some finishes)
Medium jumbo frets
Satin tinted neck finish
Narrow 38 mm nut width
Low noise humbucking pickup
2-band onboard active preamp, cut & boost
Large heavy duty bass bridge with full adjustments
Easy access truss rod adjuster
6-bolt super strong neck joint
Top-mounted, heavy duty output jack

They are all aesthetically pleasing to me so that doesn't matter I'm just wondering if any of you have advise on one or all and how they preform and hold up over time and their tones. I have no idea what I'm doing haha.

Thanks for your time and patience.
 
#2
My first bass was a Spector NS2000/4 (kind of like the first one in your post, slightly different shape.) They're really comfortable to play, and pretty versatile tonally.

I'd go for either the Spector or the ATK. If you can find any of these at a Guitar Center or wherever might sell them locally, try them out.
 
#3
LagBox said:
My first bass was a Spector NS2000/4 (kind of like the first one in your post, slightly different shape.) They're really comfortable to play, and pretty versatile tonally.

I'd go for either the Spector or the ATK. If you can find any of these at a Guitar Center or wherever might sell them locally, try them out.
Click to expand...

I've been trying to find any of these at my local GC/ Sam ash but every time I go in all they seem to have in their store is basses ranging from $500-$1000+ which is a bummer because i fall in love with something and BAM can't afford that one haha. I'd like to get my hands on them and see how they feel I'm going to NAMM next month so I think that will really be the time to get my hands on some stuff and check out new gear.
 
#7
I would recommend getting a passive bass with a simple control layout (volume and tone) as a your first bass. less things to fiddle with means more time focusing on playing, and less time trying to get the tone right, not to mention no batteries to worry about. less is more
 
#8
If it is an option, my advice is to postpone your first bass purchase as long as you can. If you can borrow one from a friend to start learning on, you'll be in a better position later to try out new ones in a store and determine what you like or don't like about them, and you can make a better decision about what to spend your money on. Plus, if (in the unlikely event) you decide after a month or two that bass isn't really for you after all, it won't have cost you anything.
 
#10
DannyBob said:
Either the SUB or the Ibanez ATK. Both work well for the metal/hardcore (I play an Ibanez SR300 in a metalcore band) and the bridge pickups will work well for the funky jazz
Click to expand...

brad houser said:
make sure it looks good to you, as in pleasing to YOUR eye. if you like the way it looks, you are more likely to play it more, with greater enthusiasm.
Click to expand...

So far The ATK and SUB seem to be really well reviewed from what I've seen here and on youtube. I Love the way the SUBs look body wise and that finish is just amazing but from some videos/ sound clips the ATK seems to pack some more punch which I like. I was wondering would it be harder to get that kind of punchy sound with a SUB with adjustments to an amp I be able to come fairly close to that same tone the ATK inherently has ? or is it a safer bet to go with the ATK that already had that tone I'm going for.
 
#12
WookieeDck said:
So far The ATK and SUB seem to be really well reviewed from what I've seen here and on youtube. I Love the way the SUBs look body wise and that finish is just amazing but from some videos/ sound clips the ATK seems to pack some more punch which I like. I was wondering would it be harder to get that kind of punchy sound with a SUB with adjustments to an amp I be able to come fairly close to that same tone the ATK inherently has ? or is it a safer bet to go with the ATK that already had that tone I'm going for.
Click to expand...

Yes, the ATK in my opinion has a naturally punchier sound. To get that in the SUB you would have to raise the mids and lower the highs (as it has a very trebley sound) so an amp setting of: Bass - +1; Mids - +3, Treble - 0.

But that is just me :)
 

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