Need some help on finding a Bass I like

[Danny O Danny]

The NS Design CR Radius has a neck along those lines, is active w/ two pickups, and when I play over the neck pickup it sounds thunderous. When I dial in some piezo it sounds even more thunderous.

 

[Frank77]

Another vote for the G&L L-2000, tons of different useful tones. As for the neck, you'll have to try one I suppose.

 

[Huw Phillips]

Sandberg

 

[Clark Westfield]

Go to the Sadowsky site and have them build you one.

Done!

Now your good for a lifetime!

 

[Whil57]

cant get tone you want with string change and eq?

 

[StonedApe24]

cant get tone you want with string change and eq?

Not with what I currently own, no. I only have passives at the moment. I want to experiment with active basses.

 

[Reedt2000]

I should say my budget is no more than 2-2.5k. Maybe 3k for something used.

With that budget your could order a new G&L L2000, or spend half or less if you hunt down a used one. Ive got a tribute L2500 and its great. USA models are even better and if you go new you can pick your neck specs.

Custom Shop Bass Options

 

[Killing Floor]

Solved. Close the thread.
You like this one.

 

[mb94952]

I am looking for an active bass with two humbuckers and a fairly small neck. something like a jazz neck or stingray neck. I don't like chunky or thick necks due to not being a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sized person. My favorite neck is a Fender US Jazz standard neck from like 5 to 10 years ago that I slapped on my P-Bass.

I want a bass that has an aggressive tone and a sound that is thumpy, boomy and rounded. No clank, honk, clack or tinny mid range; I want a bass that sounds like a pack of elephants stampeding.

Have you tried a Marcus Miller Sire bass ? I play the P7 4 string and couldn't be happier. I never was able to connect with Fender but always wanted a bass with that sound in my arsenal. I play a Peavey Cirrus normally and was going to suggest that, but you said no wonk or burp, I assume. If you like the Ken Smith burpy tone, then go for a USA Peavey Cirrus. Otherwise, I KNOW you'd LOVE a Sire bass and they are under $900 new even.

 

[Big Shrek]

I am looking for an active bass with two humbuckers and a fairly small neck. something like a jazz neck or stingray neck. I don't like chunky or thick necks due to not being a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sized person. My favorite neck is a Fender US Jazz standard neck from like 5 to 10 years ago that I slapped on my P-Bass.

I want a bass that has an aggressive tone and a sound that is thumpy, boomy and rounded. No clank, honk, clack or tinny mid range; I want a bass that sounds like a pack of elephants stampeding.

Pretty much screams Peavey Cirrus there...altho the Millinium's fall into that category as well.

And Schecter does make some skinny necks as well...

 

[selowitch]

Don't neglect to consider a Reverend Bass. Although they may not have a double-humbucker model I have a feeling one of their super-cool instruments can produce the sound you are looking for. They have a bunch of J-H configurations, etc. Check them out. Reasonable prices, especially used.

Also consider a used Fender American Dimension HH.

 

[Turxile]

Check out Ibanez SR series, might fit the bill with slim necks, humbuckers and 3 band pre.
G&L L2K was mentioned above, it’s probably my ears but I always found them a bit clanky.

 

[JoshStevensBass]

If that's your budget and you don't mind the look of them, I would definitely recommend a Sandberg!

 

[BobKos]

Check out Ibanez SR series, might fit the bill with slim necks, humbuckers and 3 band pre.
G&L L2K was mentioned above, it’s probably my ears but I always found them a bit clanky.

I agree with this 1000%.

I have a USA L2000. IMO the G&L isn't anywhere NEAR what the OP wants. Why are people recommending it? It is passive with tone defeat knobs. When run anywhere near wide open it is a trebly mess IMO. The tone defeat system is not intuitive to me who is used to normal passive basses and 2, 3, and 4 band traditional active basses. The build quality is good and the skinny #6 neck plays nice. The MFD pickups and the wonky tone system / range extender are NOT for everybody including me. I equate the L2000 with the Stingray H - neither of which I consider a great match for the OPs criteria.

For the OP - Get ahold of Nino Valenti. If you are spending $2K-ish, I'm sure he can give you great guidance and sell you what you need.

I have a number of Warmoth builds that would fit the OP's wishlist. Slim taper Jazz neck, BC size pickups, rear rout for active, add preferred hardware & go.

Also - I bought a used warmoth build that was supposedly put together or otherwise 'enhanced' by Nordstrand. They shaved the neck and made other refinements. It is WONDERFUL! Might be worth reaching out to them to see if they can help.

Finally - if you have the opportunity, go play a Gibson EB 2017 or newer. I traditionally can't stand Gibson basses. But I bought one of these because of similarities it has to my long gone but much loved Victory bass. It's not a Victory bass (thankfully). It is much better. If you play one, you will like it and it will be MUCH better than many other options out there. In a stroke of misguided bass design, Gibson got it right! Caveat - you will need to pay to get a good setup done to it as Gibson still hasn't figured out how to do that. But seriously - go try one. Tonally it will do EXACTLY what you are asking for despite being passive.

 

[MCF]

I am looking for an active bass with two humbuckers and a fairly small neck. something like a jazz neck or stingray neck. I don't like chunky or thick necks due to not being a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sized person. My favorite neck is a Fender US Jazz standard neck from like 5 to 10 years ago that I slapped on my P-Bass.

I want a bass that has an aggressive tone and a sound that is thumpy, boomy and rounded. No clank, honk, clack or tinny mid range; I want a bass that sounds like a pack of elephants stampeding.

Might I suggest looking at these. Not active, but they don’t need to be. Amazing PUPs. Best bass $700 can buy on the planet. Nice fast neck. Try one. You’ll be surprised.

 

[bholder]

I'll put my usual vote in for the Sire M Series:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[InhumanResource]

I am looking for an active bass with two humbuckers and a fairly small neck. something like a jazz neck or stingray neck. I don't like chunky or thick necks due to not being a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sized person. My favorite neck is a Fender US Jazz standard neck from like 5 to 10 years ago that I slapped on my P-Bass.

I want a bass that has an aggressive tone and a sound that is thumpy, boomy and rounded. No clank, honk, clack or tinny mid range; I want a bass that sounds like a pack of elephants stampeding.

See if you can find an L2000 with a slim or otherwise comfy neck.

 

[InhumanResource]

I agree with this 1000%.

I have a USA L2000. IMO the G&L isn't anywhere NEAR what the OP wants. Why are people recommending it? It is passive with tone defeat knobs. When run anywhere near wide open it is a trebly mess IMO. The tone defeat system is not intuitive to me who is used to normal passive basses and 2, 3, and 4 band traditional active basses. The build quality is good and the skinny #6 neck plays nice. The MFD pickups and the wonky tone system / range extender are NOT for everybody including me. I equate the L2000 with the Stingray H - neither of which I consider a great match for the OPs criteria.

For the OP - Get ahold of Nino Valenti. If you are spending $2K-ish, I'm sure he can give you great guidance and sell you what you need.

I have a number of Warmoth builds that would fit the OP's wishlist. Slim taper Jazz neck, BC size pickups, rear rout for active, add preferred hardware & go.

Also - I bought a used warmoth build that was supposedly put together or otherwise 'enhanced' by Nordstrand. They shaved the neck and made other refinements. It is WONDERFUL! Might be worth reaching out to them to see if they can help.

Finally - if you have the opportunity, go play a Gibson EB 2017 or newer. I traditionally can't stand Gibson basses. But I bought one of these because of similarities it has to my long gone but much loved Victory bass. It's not a Victory bass (thankfully). It is much better. If you play one, you will like it and it will be MUCH better than many other options out there. In a stroke of misguided bass design, Gibson got it right! Caveat - you will need to pay to get a good setup done to it as Gibson still hasn't figured out how to do that. But seriously - go try one. Tonally it will do EXACTLY what you are asking for despite being passive.

I don’t find the L series to be anywhere near a stingray. It has passive tone cut and passive bass cut, what’s so hard about that?

 

[BobKos]

I don’t find the L series to be anywhere near a stingray. It has passive tone cut and passive bass cut, what’s so hard about that?

Only that it is exactly backwards of probably every other electric guitar or bass ever made and certainly every one I have ever owned. I'm sure lots of people have no problem working an L2000, but it isn't intuitive for me. Truth told I have better instruments so I guess I haven't given it the 110% ambitious effort it might deserve. IMO it is a wonky setup. Plays great, sounds like crap unless I fiddle and fidget with it. I picked up my Reflex HSS basses with 3 pickups, 4 switches, and 6 knobs and dove right in without much issue. Pope, East, Nordstrand, Aguilar, Darkglass, EBMM, Fender, etc preamps all operate in the same manner and produce the same expected results. 2 pickups, 3 switches, and 3 knobs shouldn't be that complicated but it really isn't intuitive. To each his or her own.

 

[InhumanResource]

Only that it is exactly backwards of probably every other electric guitar or bass ever made and certainly every one I have ever owned. I'm sure lots of people have no problem working an L2000, but it isn't intuitive for me. Truth told I have better instruments so I guess I haven't given it the 110% ambitious effort it might deserve. IMO it is a wonky setup. Plays great, sounds like crap unless I fiddle and fidget with it. I picked up my Reflex HSS basses with 3 pickups, 4 switches, and 6 knobs and dove right in without much issue. Pope, East, Nordstrand, Aguilar, Darkglass, EBMM, Fender, etc preamps all operate in the same manner and produce the same expected results. 2 pickups, 3 switches, and 3 knobs shouldn't be that complicated but it really isn't intuitive. To each his or her own.

Interesting. I see how it might not be intuitive but it isn't really much different if you have any experience with passive basses. Just plugged mine in to fool around and it has a very nice native voice that is easily shaped with the passive cut controls.

Coming from an active jazz with parametric mids I didn't have trouble adjusting at all. I will say that between those two basses most other active instruments leave a whole lot to be desired in terms of EQ control.