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Need some bass buying advice

T

ThenameisSid

Jun 29, 2013
4
0
Fort Lauderdale
#1
Hi guys.
I'm a pretty new bassist, been playing a little over a year now, but I love it. I started out with an Epiphone Thunderbird, mostly because of how it looked, not because of how it played. Having gained a little more experience over the past year, I began to understand that my Epiphone simply wasn't the proper bass for the style of music (Funk/Hard-Rock) I find myself frequently playing. That's why, a few months ago, I happily received a 2006 MIM Fender P-Bass. I was and still am quite happy with the P-Bass, but recently, as I've begun to listen more attentively to different bands, my philosophy on playing bass has changed. A P-Bass is great, don't get me wrong, but it is, after all, an icon all by itself, and I'm just another guy playing a Fender. I want something special, a bass much like Les Claypool's six-string fretless Rainbow Bass. I need a bass that looks different, feels different, so that I can begin the process of discovering my own, unique method of playing.
I know that was a very long intro, but I genuinely want help from more experienced bassists on this subject, and I need everyone to know why I want what I want.
So, let's get to brass tacks;
I want a fretless. I'm debating whether to stick with a four-string, move up to a five-string, or just jump straight to a six string. I need a body shape that is unique and makes people pause. It also needs to not break the bank.
For these reasons, I've been looking at Wishbasses. Of course, I've done my research, and I know it's an oft-debated topic on this site.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I look forward to reading what you have to say.
Sid out.
 
#6
ThenameisSid said:
I was and still am quite happy with the P-Bass, but recently, as I've begun to listen more attentively to different bands, my philosophy on playing bass has changed. A P-Bass is great, don't get me wrong, but it is, after all, an icon all by itself, and I'm just another guy playing a Fender. I want something special, a bass much like Les Claypool's six-string fretless Rainbow Bass. I need a bass that looks different, feels different, so that I can begin the process of discovering my own, unique method of playing.
Click to expand...

Good for you. By wanting to develop your own voice and your own identity on the instrument, I think you're definitely on the right track.

It seems the vast majority of noobs here are still trying to become the next Geddy Lee, the next Flea, or the next Victor Wooten - instead of becoming who they are instead. Don't be like them. :rollno:

ThenameisSid said:
I want a fretless. I'm debating whether to stick with a four-string, move up to a five-string, or just jump straight to a six string. I need a body shape that is unique and makes people pause. It also needs to not break the bank.
For these reasons, I've been looking at Wishbasses. Of course, I've done my research, and I know it's an oft-debated topic on this site.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I look forward to reading what you have to say.
Sid out.
Click to expand...

"Unique" might be a bit much to hope for - unless you go fully custom, for big bucks. Would you settle for "distinct" instead? :eyebrow:

I think you could do better than a Wishbass. Almost anyone could do better than a Wishbass.

jim777 said:
A Bongo fretless might work for you Sid; they are fairly out of the ordinary looking, and are extremely versatile.

jim
Click to expand...

How does that saying go? "Great minds think alike"?

These were my thoughts exactly. Specifically, a stealth Bongo 5 or 6 HH fretless. I'll bet that would turn some heads... :cool:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

MM
 
#7
You know what they say about opinions...

So, if you're really wanting a fretless, checkout Roscoe and ZON. They are custom built, but they are not CRAZY money like several other brands out there. Further, they are both known in the industry as being some of the best smooth board basses out there. Additionally, you'll be able to have something very personal built just for you that you'll treasure for years as opposed to what every Tom, Dick, and Harry can walk into GC and buy.

I've not had the pleasure of speaking with anyone from ZON yet, though I've owned several of their basses. I HAVE had the complete please of talking to Gard from Roscoe. He's very active in our community and here on TB. Look him up or just go to Roscoe's website, find their number, and give them a call.
 
#8
I think you're looking in the wrong place to "find your own voice". That will come from your playing, not equipment. Playing a weird instrument will not make your playing interesting. Experimenting around with your sound will.

Granted, there are a lot of awesome, interesting techniques to use on a fretless, but at the end of the day how you sound will come down to how YOU play, not what the instrument is.

If you want a strange instrument aesthetically, by all means do such a thing. I'm a massive fan of using stuff that's out of the ordinary.

I don't wish to sound like I'm lecturing you, but I went through the same thing when I started playing, and came to this conclusion, so I think it is something to bear in mind.
 
#9
MysticMichael, I'm surprised you didn't recommend checking out Carvin. I know you love them as much as I do, and they're more affordable (and customizable) than a Bongo too.

Sid, I recommend you at least browse this site a bit:
www.carvin.com . My favorites are the LB/XB/BB series (all similar aesthetically) but your desire for something a little different makes me think you might want to check out the Bromberg (B2) or the SB series. Alas, no 6-string choices in those models, you'll need to go with LB/XB/BB or Icon series for that.
 
#10
Thank you all for your replies, even those that were far from useful, and even slightly insulting.
I knew what I wanted, I simply sought out the advice of other, more experienced bassists to know where to look; it is great to know what one wants, but knowing where to look is a far more complicated affair, and that is what I was trying to resolve.
Thank you all for your time, I'll make sure to take your advice in stead.
 
#11
Good luck in getting what you want, but your uniqueness as a player is so not defined by what bass you use. Les Claypool also uses Fenders and he sounds like Les Claypool on them as much as his Thompsons.
 
#14
ThenameisSid said:
I want something special, a bass much like Les Claypool's six-string fretless Rainbow Bass. I need a bass that looks different, feels different, so that I can begin the process of discovering my own, unique method of playing.
Click to expand...

Go to the Carvin website and look at the various models of basses. With Carvin, they build from your choices on their list of options. Really - go look over the bass area on that website.
 
#15
Bassist4Eris said:
MysticMichael, I'm surprised you didn't recommend checking out Carvin. I know you love them as much as I do, and they're more affordable (and customizable) than a Bongo too.
Click to expand...

Of course I'm way big on Carvin basses - especially the fretless instruments. But the OP specified something "different". A Carvin is pretty different from a Precision Bass, but still pretty conventional in form. I figured something like a Bongo would be more of an out-of-the-box choice. :hmm:

BTW, just to answer all the chaps here who have been suggesting that it doesn't matter what kind of bass Sid chooses, I must dissent. While one's tone is ultimately in one's hands, the instrument itself is an aesthetic choice that influences one's playing style, one's image, one's sense of musical identity. It makes a statement - to oneself, as well as to others. So it's not an insignificant consideration.

I think that Sid would be better served by following his own instincts, than by heeding those who are telling him it doesn't matter. :eyebrow:

MM
 
#16
Like Michael said. It's not just about the instrument. To me, it's more about the player. Seeming as you are just starting out, I would focus more on finding your sound, and making it work, than finding the bass that looks purdy.

As for being distinctive, if you wanted to turn heads, choosing bass wasn't the best start ;)

Fretless bass can be fun, but it's a little hard to get into, have you spent some time around fretless basses?, because they aren't for everyone.

Once you've got your sound, and perfected your technique, I would look at Spector/ Warwick. Spectors are better imo, but Warwicks give you more options.
 
#18
To create a unique sound you need a versatile one. I am happy with my own Precision tone, a result of EQ and own technique.

If you don't like what you do with it, I'd recommend a versatile one, like the Jazz and experiment with it. But to get a unique sound you better first know what that sound is...
 
#19
Splods said:
Like Michael said. It's not just about the instrument. To me, it's more about the player. Seeming as you are just starting out, I would focus more on finding your sound, and making it work, than finding the bass that looks purdy.

As for being distinctive, if you wanted to turn heads, choosing bass wasn't the best start ;)

Fretless bass can be fun, but it's a little hard to get into, have you spent some time around fretless basses?, because they aren't for everyone.

Once you've got your sound, and perfected your technique, I would look at Spector/ Warwick. Spectors are better imo, but Warwicks give you more options.
Click to expand...
Just to add to my previous reply - I think that trying to find your own sound while just starting is a mistake, which would cause you lots of frustration, and might even hold you back.

You must first try to emulate other bassists, in my opinion - so you can see WHAT makes them sound the way they do. You must try a lot of techniques - and notice the differences between them, and how the physical aspect of playing the strings affects the outcoming tone.

Trying to find your own tone while just beginning, is like trying to improvise or write a chromatic tune. Sure, Bass Gods like James Jamerson can pull it off, and it's amazing - but for an inexperienced player/musician wouldn't you recommend trying to stick to a scale?

The key word is PATIENCE. Not just hard work, but also patience. Because it takes time until you feel comfortable enough to try your own nuances, and I honestly think you should first be able to play anything using some technique, and THEN develop your style. Technique is the basis for it all. You must be able to play a tune several different ways to realise the differences, and realising what you truly feel is the best.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck.
 
#20
I bought an Ibanez ATK805E for the sole purpose of the versatility of the tone. it is dark walnut with a chrome bridge that is huge! Spend $50 at guitar center & have the frets pulled- fill the frets with walnut wood putty & sand to a fine finish. For roughly $800 bucks your gonna have a flashy bad ass looking and playing bass. The bridge covers almost half the body. I own a beautiful vintage 1978 Gibson RD Artist bass & would normally not buy the Ibanez, Im telling you it is a great bass- go play one.
 

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