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Never thought I would be saying this...Goodbye darlin

#62
ctmullins said:
Ibanez Artcore. I bought one second-hand here in the TB Classifieds for a song. It’s built like a tank, is gorgeous, and very comfortable. It’s also long-scale, and semi-hollow (meaning it has a center block), which makes it twangier than I was expecting, but strings and EQ can help that, and I like some sizzle anyway!

Some Artcores are short scale and some are long, so shop around a bit, but they all represent great value.
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The only one I know is long is the AGB 140.

All the others; ASB 140, ASB 180, AFB 200, AGB 200 and AGB 205 are all SS
 
#63
shababy32 said:
Greetings and salutations everyone. Or as we say down here in God’s country(Missisippi), how y’all doin? Well I must admit for a minute I’ve been down in the dumps. I had to sell my 2015 Fender American Standard P Bass. It hurt. It was the bass that I had been striving to get for years and years. Then I started thinking. It’s really only a bass guitar. A damn fine one, but it didn’t make my bed, my exwife actually paid for it and being that she was spawned from Lucifer himself, the damn thing could have easily been possessed and who knows. The bass might have even spontaneously emmiting massive electrical currents and possibly fried me...Like I really need something to do that to me. I successfully did that to myself during the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and well, satans daughter gave me the best gift ever. My son! So when it is either keep what I consider the Holy Grail or Santa for my boy, it’s a no freakin brainer!
Anyway, here’s my question. I have a Jazz bass already, and I’ve been really interested in goin a different rout. Like the semi hollow body, or hollow body, or just something different. Fender Starcaster, Gretsch, or even the epi jack Cassidy or Allen Woody bass. Not lookin to spend over 800. Any suggestions?
Thank y’all!
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So, out of the ones you list I've played or owned all but the Fender Starcaster. I would have tried that one, but there didn't seem to be a hardshell case for it and that's a deal breaker for me on hollow body like basses. I still own 2 Gretsch and the Jack. I also played a few that you don't list.

Still, for the price range you give, I'd buy the Jack. They are about $800 new and I am of the opinion that with proper motivation and a little effort, you can get 15 to 20% off any new bass, sometimes more. It also is very versatile in tone capabilities. It is a bit awkward to play if you like the bass up under your arm and I wear those lower than most. Having said that, I think any hollow body bass is going to have that situation.

I love my Gretsch's but one is way more and the other is very passive and mellow, but that is the tone. If that is what you are looking for, you won't find a much better bass. Very mellow... I dig it for some songs and not so much for others. You may also need a pre-amp depending on where and what you play through.

The Allen Woody was also super passive and I just didn't care for the tone. That isn't to say it's a bad bass-- I'm sure some have said thats the one to get. I know a guy that loves it and plays it every Sunday. I've seen him play, but I've never heard a note from what appears to be an ultra-quiet bass.

Being a total Fender fanboy, I'd say the StarCaster could be good, but I just can't get past the lack of designated case. I wold also consider the Mexican Fender's if a more traditional shape appeals to you or a used American Fender. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to be able to play before making a final decision. That leaves out some purchasing options, but never once have I regretted being able to say "no, please send that back and get me another."

Best of luck and please share your final decision.
 
#64
bobyoung53 said:
Guild Starfire II's looks like nice basses and can be had sometimes around 1000.00 Gretsch makes a nice hollow body bass too, about the same price I think maybe even a little cheaper. I have an EB-2 but if I didn't have that I'd probably look at those two basses.
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The Guild Starfire IIs are fantastic. I found mine used a couple years back for $900, there’s a chance you could find one for $800.
 
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#65
I enjoy the Gretsch G5442BDC. While the price these days is $1000, you can find used deals in the $700 range. In the 7 lb range, it's nice and light, fully hollow, short scale, medium slim neck and plays beautifully. There is some neck dive though.

That probably doesn't help much as you can replace that p bass with that kind of money.

You really need to get out and play some of these to determine what works for you. The hollows have a different feel, ergonomics and sound than solids.
 
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#66
shababy32 said:
I had to sell my 2015 Fender American Standard P Bass. It hurt.
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sorry to hear that, but FWIW: you know you gave your young man some continuity and a great christmas! good luck getting past that marriage thing: it's tough stuff, but when you let go of it = things change to better. :thumbsup:

what about some iteration of an ibanez for a cheap date to hold you over? :D
 
#67
Adding to my previous post, I'd also mention that the Gretsch with the TV Jones filtertron pickups can be a mellow or aggressive depending on the eq and strings you put on the bass. It's a good all around bass with a wide variety of sounds with rounds or pressure wound strings on it.
 

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#68
shababy32 said:
my exwife actually paid for it and being that she was spawned from Lucifer himself, the damn thing could have easily been possessed and who knows.
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I don't have any input on what you should buy.

Just wanted to point out that no guitar has ever stabbed anyone with an ice pick in the middle of the night. Not sure about that whole "mojo" debate but your bass probably wasn't possessed IMHO.

Never met Satan's spawn and hope I never do. Pretty sure I dated her cousin in the late 70's though. Wasted a lot more than $800 on her and nothing to show for it but emotional scars. A new bass is a way better investment.

Good luck on finding that perfect new life partner bass!
 
#69
shababy32 said:
Greetings and salutations everyone. Or as we say down here in God’s country(Missisippi), how y’all doin? Well I must admit for a minute I’ve been down in the dumps. I had to sell my 2015 Fender American Standard P Bass. It hurt. It was the bass that I had been striving to get for years and years. Then I started thinking. It’s really only a bass guitar. A damn fine one, but it didn’t make my bed, my exwife actually paid for it and being that she was spawned from Lucifer himself, the damn thing could have easily been possessed and who knows. The bass might have even spontaneously emmiting massive electrical currents and possibly fried me...Like I really need something to do that to me. I successfully did that to myself during the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and well, satans daughter gave me the best gift ever. My son! So when it is either keep what I consider the Holy Grail or Santa for my boy, it’s a no freakin brainer!
Anyway, here’s my question. I have a Jazz bass already, and I’ve been really interested in goin a different rout. Like the semi hollow body, or hollow body, or just something different. Fender Starcaster, Gretsch, or even the epi jack Cassidy or Allen Woody bass. Not lookin to spend over 800. Any suggestions?
Thank y’all!
Click to expand...
My vote goes to the $499 (brand spanking new) Rumblekat, assuming you like short scale basses. I bought mine used for far less and it punches well above its weight. Massive tone from the mini-buckers. Easy to play. But you might not enjoy the Lucifer-like color...
 
#72
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I have both a Jack and Starcaster. If you dig the Fender vibe, the Starcaster is it. Awesome pickups, great sound and an obviously Fender neck crossed between a J and a P.

The jack is also awesome and very responsive to the right hand placement in tone but it's a Gibsonish neck and long scale and neck-through-body while the Caster is bolt on and short scale.

I love both. Similar prices, with the Caster a bit cheaper, maybe.
 
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#74
I can recommend hollow or semihollow.

20160928_131531.jpg​

My JBPlayer AEBG is fun to noodle around on, and has a great electric tone, while fitting in to the look of folky acoustic jams and gigs.

My black Gretsch 5442BDC Electromatic does have a fairly fragile feel to it, but a good sound, too. I guess I'm afraid of transport damage is why I don't play out with it more.

My aged cherry Fender Modern Player Starcaster bass is only semi-hollow, but heavy and rugged as any solidbody. And humbuckers' tone is strong or creamy, as needed. This is one of my top 3, along with my Pbass Special and my Jaguar.
 
#78
Just a thought, but…

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Yeah, I know it's not in the OP's price range, but it looks like it's been listed for quite some time without moving. I, for one, have used that to get a decent discount on their used gear. Also, I don't know if it's what he's looking for, but I spotted it earlier today and the topic reminded me of it, so there ya go. ;)
 
#79
My only suggestion is if you’re going the hollowbody route, make sure you try as many good examples as possible before you commit. It’s something I’ve dabbled with a few times, but with little success (I’m a boring solid body P basser). I think the Epi JC is a solid choice and of great quality, used by not only JC, but many other professional artists with great success. From what I have heard it’s got a kind of cult following amongst certain high level touring and recording artists, probably because of its affordability/quality ratio and ability to cop a classic hollowbody tone on the fly. As much as a huge Allen Woody fan I am, I’m not so much a fan of the stock sig model, but that’s just personal preference.

I do know what it’s like to have to sell a beloved axe, so I can relate. It’s made me appreciate the good ones that come along once in a while even more and has kept me from making irrational GAS purchases, at least for the most part ;)
 
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