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Need some input on these basses

S

StealingYerMail

Nov 6, 2007
71
0
#1
This is my first post here, so I guess I'll say "hello."

Onto the point. I'm in the market for a new bass to get before I go to college... I figure that if I want to drop $900ish on a bass, it should be done before college, so I'm not tempted to waste much money while I'm there.

That said, I've been looking into two basses... a passive Warwick Corvette (ash) and a Fender Geddy Lee sig. I know Warwick makes bubinga passives, but I'm not interested in them.

One thing I am worried about in both basses is the "kick" they'll have. I play a lot of metal with two guitarists (Metallica, Maiden, Megadeth) and I need to cut through them. I'm just worried that a passive bass won't have enough "kick" to it. Secondly, I'm worried about hum. I understand that passive pickups (especially single coils) are going to be noisy, but it's still a major factor to me.

What I'm looking for is a bass with a low end growl, and the ability to cut through the mix. But at the same time, I play a bit of punk... and right now I feel as though my Ibanez SRX300 is a little bit too harsh for the sound I want.

What I'm asking, is what bass would you go with? I'm into effects (especially distortion and wah, I'm obsessed with Rage Against The Machine).

I understand that the two basses have extremely different neck profiles. I have played the Corvette, but not the Geddy (I won't buy anything without extensively playing it, so don't worry). In terms of comparing the Warwick's neck to the Ibanez's neck, it feels like my overall posture and technique is better on the Warwick, but I can play faster on the Ibanez. I'd assume the same would go for the Geddy.

As for the wick's tone, I liked what I heard, but I only finger picked it and slapped it for about a minute... I didn't get a chance to try it with a pick. To be honest, GC was a bit busy when I was there, and by the time I actually got to play on a decent amp, I only had time to play the Corvette a little bit (at least plugged in) and overall, I liked what I heard. I didn't play with the amp settings much, but it sounded decent for the amount of tinkering I did with it.

As for the Geddy, I've heard that Fender is lacking in quality control (mainly from doing searches on this site) so I will of course play the two or three my GC has in stock (probably going on Thursday) but I'm just wondering, which would you choose if you were in my position?

My favorite bands to play would be Sabbath, Metallica, Megadeth, Dead Kennedys, Anti-Flag, Mastodon, and Rage Against the Machine. And what I can play of Mudvayne's stuff, but I'm not expecting to get Mr. Martinie's tone out of either bass.

So which one would you suggest? -- I'm not taking what anyone says as law, I'm just curious as to what you guys would choose if you were in my position. (And I'm really sorry, this ended up a LOT longer than I thought it'd be)

Thanks for any help.
 
#2
Try the Geddy before you decide...it's a great bass for the price. Overall, the Japanese Fenders (like the Geddy) have a much more consistent QC than American ones. If single coil hum bugs you, just have the Geddy shielded. I had one shielded by a local luthier and you can solo either pickup with nary a hum. :cool:
 
#5
Hmm... I'm not really into used gear, however, if the right deal came up I'd probably take it. Unfortunately, I've been browsing Craig's List, the classifieds, and the local Guitar Center and local music store, and the best used bass that I've come across is an Ibanez SR505.

As for an SRX... if I went Ibanez, I probably would buy either an SRX700 or an SR900. Thing is, I truly prefer the craftsmanship and uniqueness I've seen on Warwicks as opposed to Ibanez. At this point, Ibanez isn't out of the question, but I think I'd rather have a passive bass.
 
#6
Bumping this because the Godlyke Disciple caught my eye. It's the only active bass I'm interested in right now... does anyone know anything about it? I did a search and didn't find anything negative (but I only found a few threads) and the review I read on Harmony Central was positive as well. Anyone have any comments?
 
#7
G&L L2000 -- it's active or passive, it has tons of growl, and plenty of bite. For $900 you can find a pretty nice used one.

I know you stated that you are not into used gear, but especially with the instruments you are looking at you will lose big when you decide to sell. Plus, you can get way more bass for your buck if you buy used. Check the classifieds here on TB -- most of these guys are great to deal with.
 
#8
If you are obsessed with Tim from Rage Against the Machine - go for the Geddy.

IMHO - I think for both of these basses you will get a great value going used. I think you should be able to find the Corvette used for around $600-700 and the Geddy for about $500. I just say a Geddy in NYC for $400 w/ DiMarzio Ultra J's and an Aggie Pre for $400!!! I would have bought it but I just bought a bass.

My last thought if you are concerned about cutting through is a Rickenbacker - I never knew what it meant to cut through until I got mine. WOW. A little pricier though - but it seems possible to get them used for $800-1200.
 
#9
I have a Geddy with Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's.
Wonderful bass. The 'wick has a little fuller neck profile,
some guys like that. I don't care for it. I find the Geddy
very fast.

BTW, if you want better cut through, don't scoop your
mids like the trend seems to be. Good mids will give you
good cut through. Scooping gives you clank on top and
mud under, so be sure to pay attention to your tone and
you should find settings that will work with your rig.
 
#11
I'm really not THAT big of a fan of Musicman. I'm not saying they're bad basses, but I feel that I could better spend my money...

As for used, it is an option, but I prefer new... especially if I was to buy used over the internet. Once I get a feel for the forums here though, I may give it a shot.

So far I am REALLY liking the Godlyke. Everything about it is similar to what I'm looking for in a bass... good neck radius, passive pickups (I can deal with the 18v preamp), ash body... so far I really like it. But I can't find much feedback on it.

As for scooping mids, the guitarists suggest I do that. I can't say I'm a fan. I love the sound, but I feel that the tone is empty with scooped mids.
 
#12
Hi Stealing,

Everyone is of course entitled to their own opinions of course. I just wanted to say a few things you might get flamed over.

1. Musicmans don't suit me, but are generally known for being a great deal for the money. Sound, quality, resale, etc.

2. I understand wanting to buy new - however, this is one situation where I really think you should try to get over that. Both the Warwick and the Geddy are REALLY easy to find new and you can save $300-400 pretty easily. On both basses there aren't many options, so its not like you are holding out for a certain color. In the last 2 years I have bought 4 used basses, a Fender MIM Jazz, a Fender Marcus Miller (for only $500 they go for $700 or so on Ebay and are like $1,000 new), a Fender MIM Precision w/ fretless Jazz neck, and a Rickenbacker 4003. On every single one of these basses I feel like I got a great deal. I got basses for way cheaper than new. Sure some have a few dings, but you know what, I would give them dings too - now I don't need to worry about it or be bummed if I do. If money is an issue - like it seems like it is - take this opportunity to save a couple bucks, put it towards a new amp or a bass pod or a used Fender MIM bass. For the price of a new Geddy, you could buy a used Geddy and a used MIM Fender...that's good math right there.

3. Never tried a Godlyke.

4. I never scoop either. Lately I have been playing through an Ampeg w/ my Rick and I basically just leave the EQ flat or maybe cut the highs a tiny bit cuz the Rick is so damn bright - I love it.
 

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