New Bass

[Mule21]

Hello all,

I will be financing a new bass guitar soon and I would like your input before I make my final decision. Listed below are the features I’m looking for and a list of random notes divided in to make/manufacturer. Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks


Desired Features:
1.Must be durable / rugged / robust
2.Around the $2,000 price range
3.Must be comfortable to play
a.Rounded edges
b.Smooth frets without losing that “growling” fret sound during a slide
4.5 string
5.24 fret
6.Long scale neck
a.How is this measured / defined?
b.What is the advantage/disadvantage to the scale length of the neck?
7.Wood finish body
a.Zero to medium gloss
8.Neck wood type = I don’t know yet
a.I really don’t know the advantage/disadvantage to each wood type
9.Possibly active pickups
a.Possibly one soap bar and one jazz pickup
10.Thin neck
a.How is this measured / defined?
11.Small to medium string spacing
a.How is this measured / defined?

Top 3 Choices:
1.Modulus Genesis
2.Tobias
3.Carvin

I would really like to actually play the instrument before I buy it without paying for it. Is that even realistic?

Bass Guitar Manufacturers List:

1.Acacia (Formerly FM)
a.No Longer in production
i.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-79237.html

2.Surine
a.New/retail = Out of my price range
b.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1235.html

3.Modulus
a.New/retail = Probably out of my price range
b.http://www.modulusguitars.com/v3/
c.Quantum Bass = approx $3,500
d.Modulus VJ Bass = approx $2,500
i.Only has 4 strings and 21 frets available for both of their models
e.Funk Unlimited – standard 22 frets
i.FB5 = $3,339
ii.FBJ5 = $3,499
f.Genesis Bass (relatively new model) I like this one
i.Wood neck with carbon center
ii.http://www.smart-
iii.distribution.co.uk/bassandguitar/modulusguitars/genesisbass.html
1.BG5 - £1695 (5-string, nut 1.88", @ 24 fret*3.00", string spacing* 17 mm)
iv.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-135091.html

4.Alembic
a.WAY out of my price range. F&@k!!!
b.http://www.alembic.com/index.html

5.Tobias (A subsidiary of Gibson)
a.Best Buy local dealer (I think)
i.Best Buy - Store 277
11525 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS 66210
United States
b.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
c.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed])

6.Lakland
a.http://www.lakland.com/
b.Bartolini electronics
c.LH3 electronics

7.Carvin
a.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-79237.html
b.The “Neck through” basses look pretty cool
i.And they are in my price range
ii.And they are all new builds upon order
iii.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1235.html

8.Warwick
a.http://www.warwick.de/modules/produkte/product_list.php?katID=14416&submenuID=14416
b.Affordable / In price range

9.Schecter
a.Cheep / affordable

10.Robelli
a.Probably not….
i.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-135091.html

11.Sadowsky
a.Might be too pricy for what you get
b.http://www.sadowsky.com
i.The link did not work for me

12.G&L
a.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
b.

13.OLP
a.http://www.olpguitars.com/
i.This link did not work for me
b.They are way cheep
i.Invalid Link Removed

14.Roscoe
a.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
b.Bartolini electronics
c.

 

[bobwhite]

What kind of music do you play? 4, 5 or 6 string? Heavy slapper or light fingers? There are some folks here who can give you great advice, but try to flesh out the details a little more.

 

[yellofury]

Who knows a Bongo HS 5 string may float your boat
or a Warwick thumb

those you can definitely play before buying
I would fill out your profile more fully
too
it will give us what you are working with now
what music you play
and what stores are close to you beyond GC and SamAsh

 

[Mule21]

I have just joined and have not filled out my profile yet. I will do so now. Thanks for the quick replies.

 

[yellofury]

Here are some ideas that are single + humbucker:

Musicman Stingray HS:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
http://www.theperfectbass.com/explo...102745101&W=STORE&P=N&S=1001081&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

Musicman Bongo 5 HS
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Warwick Streamer Jazzman 5

http://www.warwickbass.com/modules/produkte/produkt.php?katID=14442&cl=EN

Lakland 55-94

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Rocky McD]

From reading your list of wants, I get the impression that you don't know much about bass guitars, yet you are willing to spend (finance) $2,000. This does not make sense to me. I would strongly suggest that you study, learn and play different types and then decide what you want, not what we suggest. Learn about, scale length, neck size, string spacing, pickup types and locations, electronic controls, types of woods, etc, Then buy a bass in the $500 to $900 range.
Rocky

 

[KaseOfBass]

Modulus Q5 - typically found in the $1700 range used although they can be had for cheaper if you look around. GREAT basses IMO. I'm currently using a FB5 that is THE bass for me but I'd certainly like to pick up a Q5.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Carvin.

Everything you could want. Done.

 

[Mule21]

From reading your list of wants, I get the impression that you don't know much about bass guitars, yet you are willing to spend (finance) $2,000. This does not make sense to me. I would strongly suggest that you study, learn and play different types and then decide what you want, not what we suggest. Learn about, scale length, neck size, string spacing, pickup types and locations, electronic controls, types of woods, etc, Then buy a bass in the $500 to $900 range.
Rocky

I have played bass steady for over 17 years now. But you are right, I dont know a lot about bass tech and that's why I created a profile and thread here. I have played the same bass (Fender MB5) for about 15 of those years. It has been a very reliable work horse but it is time to upgrade and have a backup.

I am currently involved in 4 music projects and I have budgeted carefully for this purchase. However, there are some questions I have in my notes and I am attempting poll my peers to get a better idea of what would be best for me.

Thanks

 

[yellofury]

oh wait thin neck will not apply to the newer Warwicks
but still going from a Fender I would stick to what your hands already know:

34" scale
- you can try for 35" I have and I hated it because it caused excessive strain on my left hand - some people arent affected by it and some are. I didnt notice any loss/gain in sustain or better tension on the B string over a 34" scale bass

How about an upgraded (in terms) MB5?
like the new 2010 American Deluxe Jazz Bass® V?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

its in your price range
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...-Jazz-Bass-V-5String-Electric-Bass?sku=423731

and you can switch between active and passive electronics
The 5-string Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass V delivers the modern features that bassists demand in a sleek, familiar electric bass design. An updated preamp circuit brings deeply exhilarating active and passive tone. Powerful-yet-quiet N3 Noiseless pickups present more clean headroom, extended EQ range, and tighter low-end response. The tonal options are vast, thanks to the active/passive toggle switch and passive tone control. These amazing electronics effortlessly handle the low B string with impeccable tone and seismic power. The classic Jazz Bass block fretboard inlays and binding present the Fender American Deluxe V bass in a rightfully classy light.

The bass is crafted with an alder body, a hard wood that provides clear tone, and lasting sustain. The maple neck with modern C-shape, 5-bolt neck plate, compound radius fretboard, asymmetrical neck profile, and contoured heel offer fast action, silky- smooth playability, and make the American Deluxe Jazz Bass extremely easy to play all the way up the neck. The high-mass vintage Fender bass bridge offers compressed and focused bass tone with more mid range punch. It retains the Fender articulation and sparkle, combined with vintage-style saddles to maintain a classic vibe. The combination of a steel plate with brass saddles produces the best possible Fender bass sound.

Pairing up these pickups with the EQ and volume controls provides that notorious Fender Jazz Bass sound that has mystified some of the world's most prominent bassists for decades.

Other features include Stealth "B" string retainer, tinted neck, rolled fingerboard edges, highly detailed nut- and fretwork, genuine bone nut, flathead screws on battery compartment (for easy changes with a coin or pick), gloss polyurethane neck finish, and a gloss urethane body finish to dress the Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass V 5-string in ultimate style and beauty.

Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass V 5-String Electric Bass Features:

* Body: Alder with contoured heel
* Finish: Gloss urethane
* Neck: Maple, modern "C" shape, tinted, gloss polyurethane finish
* Fingerboard: Rosewood
* Frets 21, medium-jumbo
* Hardware: Chrome
* Tuning keys: Fender lightweight vintage-style tuners
* Bridge: High Mass Vintage (HMV)
* Pickguard: 3-ply black/white/black
* Pickups: N3 Noiseless Pickups
* Pickup switching: Pan pot/blend control
* Controls: Master volume, pan pot (pickup selector), treble boost/cut, midrange boost/cut, bass boost/cut, active/passive mini toggle
* Strings: Fender NPS .045 to 0.105
* Case: Fender/SKB high-tech molded case with TSA locks

Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass V 5-String Electric Bass Includes:

* Fender/SKB high-tech molded case with TSA locks


course its not 24 fret however