New bass checklist

[PortlandBass77]

The idea: To create a list of things to consider before dropping bucks on a new bass. I will start it up

#1. What is my budget? probably most important
#2. What weight do I prefer? yes
#3. Do I like Active Pickups yes
#4. Do I really want a 6 string bass don't even have to ask myself this question lol
#5. Neck radius? probably the last factor I consider
#6. String spacing preference? not worry of mine
#7. Am I a fretless player?
#8.

So for a more general one maybe more along the lines of:
1. Budget?
2. Scale?
3. How many strings?
4. Fretted or fretless?
4.B. Fret count?
5. Active or passive?
6. Preferred weight?
7. Body wood preference?
8. Fretboard wood preference?
9. String spacing preference?
10. Neck radius preference?
11. Bridge type?
12. Number of pickups?
13. Type of pickups?
14. Pickguard?
15. Color preference?
16. Binding?



So mine would be:
So for a more general one maybe more along the lines of:
1. Budget? 0-$500
2. Scale? 34
3. How many strings? 4
4. Fretted or fretless? fretted
4.B. Fret Count? 21 -24
5. Active or passive?
6. Preferred weight? under 10 lbs
7. Body wood preference? alder - swamp ash - maple
8. Fretboard wood preference? maple
9. String spacing preference?
10. Neck radius preference? medium - slim
11. Bridge type? high mass
12. Number of pickups? 1-3
13. Type of pickups?
14. Pickguard? yes
15. Color preference? lake placid blue with wood grain
16. Binding?

 

[Rich Emme]

23#.Which pickguard will the TB comunnity like? should I get the tort or the black or.......?
24#. Will my bass end up being the subject of a thread titled "What's the hype with x bass? help me understand?.

A spin-off of this: Will it create a thread titled: X bass Vs. Fodera, and why x is sooo much better.

 

[dreamadream99]

Only one question you need to ask. Do I like the sound. You can accommodate to anything cosmetic.

 

[hrodbert696]

So for a more general one maybe more along the lines of:
1. Budget?
2. Scale?
3. How many strings?
4. Fretted or fretless?
4.B. Fret count?
5. Active or passive?
6. Preferred weight?
7. Body wood preference?
8. Fretboard wood preference?
9. String spacing preference?
10. Neck radius preference?
11. Bridge type?
12. Number of pickups?
13. Type of pickups?
14. Pickguard?
15. Color preference?
16. Binding?



So mine would be:
So for a more general one maybe more along the lines of:
1. Budget? 0-$500
2. Scale? 34
3. How many strings? 4
4. Fretted or fretless? fretted
4.B. Fret Count? 21 -24
5. Active or passive?
6. Preferred weight? under 10 lbs
7. Body wood preference? alder - swamp ash - maple
8. Fretboard wood preference? maple
9. String spacing preference?
10. Neck radius preference? medium - slim
11. Bridge type? high mass
12. Number of pickups? 1-3
13. Type of pickups?
14. Pickguard? yes
15. Color preference? lake placid blue with wood grain
16. Binding?

There's no such thing as neck radius. There's width, thickness, profile, and the fretboard radius.

One I would add is; how does it balance on a strap? Lots of people like to try out basses in the store but they never ask for a strap. Neck dive drives me nuts, if I'm seriously thinking about buying something I always want to try it on a strap.

 

[ofajen]

Does it have dead spots?

Otto

 

[Marko 1]

Is it real, or a fake?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Is this bass appropriate for the gigs I'm playing?

 

[kenneffdupriest]

country of origin?

 

[Rickenbottom]

What's my wife gonna say

 

[bikeplate]

Does it fit my gigs?

 

[Malak the Mad]

How much can I sell the rest for after cannibalizing it for parts?

Will changing something as innocuous as the neck-plate or knobs suddenly render it "COUNTERFEIT" by the Authenticity Police? (With the follow-up; "Should I even care since I'll likely never meet any of them in person?")

 

[hsech]

1. Do I really need another bass that will probably sit in the closet with the other basses?
2. Will it help me make anymore money when I gig this weekend?
3. Can I afford it?
4. Will it hold value for resale?

 

[anavar]

#19 - If jaco didnt need it why do i need it?

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Will boutique pickups arrive on time for the project?

 

[seanm]

#1 Is it a P bass?
#2 ???
#3 Profits!

 

[DavC]

#99 ... why should i care what anyone else thinks . ?


do you want an Active bass ( preamp ) or Active preamp w/active pickups .. ?

i vote Passive ... batteries are for Flashlights .. !

i also think the question ' am i a fretless player ' kinda answers itself .. ?? been there myself .. !! ha

 

[bass.slinger]

#100 whatever gets the chicks...wait, I play bass, never mind.

 

[bass.slinger]

#101 whatever makes the guitar player more insecure....

 

[carsbybigd]

Do I really need another bass?

Who couldn't use another bass ?

 

[Jeff K]

1. Do I like it?
2. Do I want it?
3. Can I afford it?

If the answers are "yes", "yes", and "yes", I'm not gonna' over-complicate things.