Need to hear the expert's opinion...

[40Hz]

Ibanez and Yamaha both offer seriously great bang for the buck in the $1K range. Especially if you go used.

Reverend is also well worth considering. You can always drop a preamp into a passive bass if that’s high on your priority list.

 

[JoshS]

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[Lackey]

Hey you guys, so, as stated in the title, I've been having a big GAS attack and I'm all out for a new bass. As you're the experts and I'm relatively new to this world (I'm mostly a guitarist and piano player) I want to ask you what you consider to be the best bass with the following characteristics:

MUST:
Around $1,000
4 Strings
Active Pickups
24 Frets
Matching Headstock

NICE TO HAVE:
Thin Neck
Active Preamp

Sound: Punchiness, Agression, Clarity. Able to cut through a heavy Black Metal mix.

I know there's no such thing a "best bass for ______" but it would be nice to hear, or rather read all your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

As an expert - You don't need active pickups, you don't need active preamp, and you certainly don't need 24 frets, unless you feel the need to play the highest G ever heard on a bass guitar in a black metal tune.

This opens you up to the world of the Jazz bass, which has been used successfully in metal for many years. Or, you could try a MusicMan Sterling line bass, with a series / parallel switch + active preamp. Or, you could try any of the Yamaha BB or TRB lines, or just default to a Ibanez Soundgear which will have 24 frets and active preamp. All of the above have pretty thin necks, some more than others obviously. Also - Matching Headstock is something I would drop as a must as well... Just my opinion. Will limit you for no great reason.

For reference, I played my gutted fully passive Bart equipped Yamaha TRB-6 in a math metal band and had no problems being heard or felt. Added a touch of distortion that I could control via playing dynamics and was good to go with a big amp and 4x10 cab.

The big thing is playing fresh roundwound strings IMO - I recommend Elixir as they will last a long time.

 

[BEADG63]

Plain and simple. Ibanez.

Also, Yamaha.

 

[Deenah]

Hey you guys, so, as stated in the title, I've been having a big GAS attack and I'm all out for a new bass. As you're the experts and I'm relatively new to this world (I'm mostly a guitarist and piano player) I want to ask you what you consider to be the best bass with the following characteristics:

MUST:
Around $1,000
4 Strings
Active Pickups
24 Frets
Matching Headstock

NICE TO HAVE:
Thin Neck
Active Preamp

Sound: Punchiness, Agression, Clarity. Able to cut through a heavy Black Metal mix.

I know there's no such thing a "best bass for ______" but it would be nice to hear, or rather read all your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

First I would like to know why you're set on $1000.. To be honest with you, after a certain point you are just paying for cosmetics.My Spector NS was stupid expensive,but damn is it beautiful..
But lets say $1000 is the range.. I have probably owned 30 basses over my life and I will tell you that only a couple were a thousand or over. Unless you want some extremely rare wood that was grown in the jungles of south America 400 feet underground, because you believe the wood makes a huge difference well then go for it. But I'll tell you that my $400 Ibanez from the 80's kicks my $1000 Spectors ###
I love Spector but you don't have to spend that much. That Ibanez has probably the best neck I've played In my 37 years in music,and Is very similar to The Spector Legend Classic 4, that one you can get for around 7-8-9 hundred depends really. Ibanez has outstanding basses that is a fact. Spector has outstanding basses, and on and on..Don't stick with one price point, you will be surprised what you get for 5 or 6 hundred. The best part is that you'll save money, and get to do upgrades that you can afford..that is the fun part of Instruments. Then suddenly you have a $1500 Bass that can keep up with even some of the $4000 basses.. And you built it.. There is your bragging rights
Active or passive is a hole different story, Some active basses suck,some are amazing. Trial and error till you find that one...that one that makes you smile so big it's intoxicating... Rock on

 

[Deenah]

As an expert - You don't need active pickups, you don't need active preamp, and you certainly don't need 24 frets, unless you feel the need to play the highest G ever heard on a bass guitar in a black metal tune.

This opens you up to the world of the Jazz bass, which has been used successfully in metal for many years. Or, you could try a MusicMan Sterling line bass, with a series / parallel switch + active preamp. Or, you could try any of the Yamaha BB or TRB lines, or just default to a Ibanez Soundgear which will have 24 frets and active preamp. All of the above have pretty thin necks, some more than others obviously. Also - Matching Headstock is something I would drop as a must as well... Just my opinion. Will limit you for no great reason.

For reference, I played my gutted fully passive Bart equipped Yamaha TRB-6 in a math metal band and had no problems being heard or felt. Added a touch of distortion that I could control via playing dynamics and was good to go with a big amp and 4x10 cab.

The big thing is playing fresh roundwound strings IMO - I recommend Elixir as they will last a long time.

steve harris of Iron maden plays j basses and look at how amazing he is.. lots of great rockers play j basses.

 

[Deenah]

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View attachment 4312725

Gorgeous Bass

 

[Robot.G]

Is it a Stiletto Studio though? I really like the Riot 4 in Aurora Burst, that thing is beautiful

I have one of the cheaper Shecter Riot Deluxe 5's along with 3 other Schecter instruments. They were all set up very well and played great out of the box. The only thing I might caution you about on the Riot is that the lower horn makes seated playing while writing uncomfortable. A minor issue but something to consider.

 

[Nihblokk]

As an expert - You don't need active pickups, you don't need active preamp, and you certainly don't need 24 frets, unless you feel the need to play the highest G ever heard on a bass guitar in a black metal tune.

This opens you up to the world of the Jazz bass, which has been used successfully in metal for many years. Or, you could try a MusicMan Sterling line bass, with a series / parallel switch + active preamp. Or, you could try any of the Yamaha BB or TRB lines, or just default to a Ibanez Soundgear which will have 24 frets and active preamp. All of the above have pretty thin necks, some more than others obviously. Also - Matching Headstock is something I would drop as a must as well... Just my opinion. Will limit you for no great reason.

For reference, I played my gutted fully passive Bart equipped Yamaha TRB-6 in a math metal band and had no problems being heard or felt. Added a touch of distortion that I could control via playing dynamics and was good to go with a big amp and 4x10 cab.

The big thing is playing fresh roundwound strings IMO - I recommend Elixir as they will last a long time.

Awesome response, I will certainly consider my self-imposed limitations. Thank you

 

[Nihblokk]

First I would like to know why you're set on $1000.. To be honest with you, after a certain point you are just paying for cosmetics.My Spector NS was stupid expensive,but damn is it beautiful..
But lets say $1000 is the range.. I have probably owned 30 basses over my life and I will tell you that only a couple were a thousand or over. Unless you want some extremely rare wood that was grown in the jungles of south America 400 feet underground, because you believe the wood makes a huge difference well then go for it. But I'll tell you that my $400 Ibanez from the 80's kicks my $1000 Spectors ###
I love Spector but you don't have to spend that much. That Ibanez has probably the best neck I've played In my 37 years in music,and Is very similar to The Spector Legend Classic 4, that one you can get for around 7-8-9 hundred depends really. Ibanez has outstanding basses that is a fact. Spector has outstanding basses, and on and on..Don't stick with one price point, you will be surprised what you get for 5 or 6 hundred. The best part is that you'll save money, and get to do upgrades that you can afford..that is the fun part of Instruments. Then suddenly you have a $1500 Bass that can keep up with even some of the $4000 basses.. And you built it.. There is your bragging rights
Active or passive is a hole different story, Some active basses suck,some are amazing. Trial and error till you find that one...that one that makes you smile so big it's intoxicating... Rock on

Well... 1,000 is the range because that's what I have available but you're right. I'll try not to overlook the cheaper models. I'm afraid to go too deep into the rabbit hole as I just want a nice bass that I can record with, it's not even for gigging.

 

[Nihblokk]

On a side note... I can get a used German Warwich Thumb B.O. with Aguilar DCBG3 pickups (it was modified) for a reasonable price (less than 1,000). Do you guys think it's a good choice? Also, a used Spector NS2-A with custom paint job and EMG BQC preamp and Dimarzio PJ pickups (super modified bass) for even less lol, around 700 bucks.

 

[Robot.G]

View attachment 4312923 View attachment 4312924 View attachment 4312925 On a side note... I can get a used German Warwich Thumb B.O. with Aguilar DCBG3 pickups (it was modified) for a reasonable price (less than 1,000). Do you guys think it's a good choice? Also, a used Spector NS2-A with custom paint job and EMG BQC preamp and Dimarzio PJ pickups (super modified bass) for even less lol, around 700 bucks.

That Spector paint job, even if you like it, is going to absolutely kill any potential resale value in the future.

 

[Nihblokk]

That Spector paint job, even if you like it, is going to absolutely kill any potential resale value in the future.

I do like it, but you're not wrong. It's gonna be hard to sell that thing

 

[dalahorse]

As everyone else has said... Priced new, Ibanez and Schecter fit the bill, 100%. Thin necks, active electronics, great build quality, reasonable price, and super comfortable to play. Note that Schecter builds 35" scale for 5 and 6 strings where I think Ibanez does 34" scale. Schecter is typically more pointy, if that matters for metal.

 

[Solarmist]

I don't think you need active pickups with an active EQ, and most active basses have passive pickups. What you described you wanted is basically my preference too, so go check out Reverb, and look through the Ibanez SR Premiums. They also have a 3-way mid freq switch, and an active passive switch. The Nordstrand Big Singles sound great in either mode.

"Around $1,000
4 Strings
Active Pickups
24 Frets
Matching Headstock

NICE TO HAVE:
Thin Neck
Active Preamp

Sound: Punchiness, Agression, Clarity."

 

[Raoul_Duke]

I was in a death metal band for ten years. I played a Fender Precision, a Carvin six string fretless, a Warwick Thumb BO 4, and I’m pretty sure there was another. They all worked great. You shouldn’t buy what you think makes sense for the genre. Just buy what you think you’d like playing that is within your budget.

 

[Nihblokk]

I was in a death metal band for ten years. I played a Fender Precision, a Carvin six string fretless, a Warwick Thumb BO 4, and I’m pretty sure there was another. They all worked great. You shouldn’t buy what you think makes sense for the genre. Just buy what you think you’d like playing that is within your budget.

Another wise comment. Thanks!

 

[Jack Deth]

I vote Stiletto, cool Bass!!

This

 

[TheMaynorD]

+1 on an ibanez SR. The premiums with nordstrand pickups are super growly and play like a dream.

 

[Robot.G]

I've always liked Fenriz's bass playing on this album