• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Need urgent help choosing new bass!

#21
dum said:
While I do think it can do the job, the frets are a bit noisy no matter the setup, everything else is fine about it but the tone is pretty restricted due to its 1 P pickup and I would like a bit more variety.
Click to expand...
I understand the desire for tonal variety. If you are hape with the p sound and just want more options a pj would be a good choice.

Otherwise look also into a Jazz bass. Different sounds and different feel. yamaha in general is a good choice but no brand is free of issues. the individual instrument is more important than the brand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SharpCat
#22
Prodigus Filius said:
@dum
What model is the Jackson P bass?
Can you expand upon what you mean by 'the frets are a bit noisy'
Click to expand...
For sure! Its a JSM1 I believe, its a couple of years old and I bought it from a friend that used it to death so the frets were a bit worn. The bass kind of pops like the string is hitting the frets on certain positions, but aside from that its a solid bass.
 
#24
SharpCat said:
IMHO, the 605 over the 505 is completely about looks. The flame maple/alder body might be a touch brighter than the mahogany, but the active preamp could dial that out easily. Everything else is the same between these. So you'll have to decide between those based on your aesthetics.

On the other hand, the difference between the 435 and the 735a is much bigger. In addition to added maple sandwich in the body, the preamp is added, components are upgraded, and the pickups are the same ones used in the top end BBP35. I do think the upgrade is worth it on this side. My only quibble: I don't like the black painted back of the neck on the 73x line.

Between the TRBX and the BB, I think the BB gets the win. Most people find the soapbar pickups in the TRBX bland.

My theory, which has been…rejected, criticized, laughed out of town. (Yeah, I'm bitter. :laugh: ) Yamaha tried to make a super PJ in the BB, and succeeded. They tried to make a super Jazz/Stingray successor in the TRBX and kinda failed.
Click to expand...
Both Yamaha and Ibanez have HUGE range on their active electronics!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Riff Ranger
#25
dum said:
For sure! Its a JSM1 I believe, its a couple of years old and I bought it from a friend that used it to death so the frets were a bit worn. The bass kind of pops like the string is hitting the frets on certain positions, but aside from that its a solid bass.
Click to expand...
A thorough TB review of the JSM1.
Chuck King

Thread 'Jackson JS1M: Silk Purse from Sow's Ear?'

The Jackson JS1M is pretty far down on the cheaper end of the continuum of basses you can buy (new, anyway), and a few weeks ago its already-low price was further discounted when it was the Stupid Deal of the Day at Musician’s Friend. A bandmate sent me the link, thinking he was being funny (I once owned a slime green Dean Zone Custom), but I showed him: I actually bought one! It was $159. I like green guitars (lime green is my wife's favorite color), I figured the lurid color would be appropriate for my 80’s-themed band, and functionally it’s a basic P-bass, which I like.

I already have...
  • Like
The OP did a fret level and swapped out the ceramic pickups. Left the rest alone. Looks like a pretty solid budget bass. The frets on yours might need some attention by someone with skill to do it ( no offense but I am assuming you don't have that skill. Maybe one day huh).
The reccomendations about Yammies are good. Very good quality for the prices. Find one with the tonal variety features you feel you’d like to explore
 
  • Like
Reactions: NitroBobby and Riff Ranger
#28
Let's not forget the 'swiss army knife' G&L Tribute L-2000

D67A1693-789A-4544-894E-97D89C3ADCCA.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NitroBobby, hooky_marr and CascadeBass
#29
The choices should be easy for you because the pickups are different (P/J vs two humbuckers) and the 505 is an active bass. (And it's 5-string. Perhaps you meant to type 504 to compare the lines more directly.)

Those differences alone should be enough for you to make your own choice based on what sounds you want to produce.

As should be expected, you listed two basses and are getting tons of alternatives tossed out instead. Happens in every forum for every product. But if you came to your two choices with care and thought, just give it a little more and your choice should actually be pretty easy. What do you want to sound like? What bands are you emulating? Do you need/want active electronics?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prodigus Filius and Riff Ranger
#31
I hope you mean it but urgently choosing and you may end owning something you do not like. Is the urgency caused by a deal, gigging needs or funds that have to be spent now. Is urgent in the next few hours or the next 2 weeks.

Having said that, I would choose a BB series over a TRB. The only TRB I like are the 90's 6 string bass through body necks. And usually the higher the model designation, means it is spec'ed much better. Good luck
 
#32
FretRiff said:
As should be expected, you listed two basses and are getting tons of alternatives tossed out instead. Happens in every forum for every product. But if you came to your two choices with care and thought, just give it a little more and your choice should actually be pretty easy. What do you want to sound like? What bands are you emulating? Do you need/want active electronics?
Click to expand...
hey this is TB. The aim is to get you to deviate from your plan he he
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: NitroBobby and CascadeBass
#33
Given your choices the BB series is great. I’d go for the 735 if you can stretch a little because the preamp will help you get a little more versatility. If not the 400 series will do well.

My first bass was a lowest end rbx Yamaha and it was solid for 10+ years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prodigus Filius
#34
In your situation, I'd spend the extra for the 734A. Your Jackson and the 434, are very similar, other than the added J-pickup. The 734 adds upgraded body, neck inlays, upgraded pickups(Yamaha top of the line), ACTIVE ELECTRONICS with a passive switch!! The painted neck is so thin, you won't notice. Probably some minor upgrades I'm missing.
I just don't think the 434, as good as it is, is a worthwhile upgrade for you. If you’re looking to fly, fly higher!! 😅
 
#38
Both Yamaha basses are good, as are the Ibanez basses I’ve played. If i needed a bass I would go with Yamaha because my # 1 is a BBP.

That being said, don’t buy a bass thinking that it will make you a better player. Buy one because it feels better, looks good so you will play it more or because you just want it and have some cash burning a hole in your pocket. I have bought a lot of high end basses, but none of them have made me a better player. Listening and practice have.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NitroBobby
#39
SharpCat said:
My theory, which has been…rejected, criticized, laughed out of town. (Yeah, I’m bitter. :laugh: ) Yamaha tried to make a super PJ in the BB, and succeeded. They tried to make a super Jazz/Stingray successor in the TRBX and kinda failed.
Click to expand...

If you’re right about an attempt to make a super Stingray they definitely failed because my TRBX605 doesn’t sound much like a Ray at all to my ears…
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back