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New bass
- Thread starter Lewis88
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A jazz bass usually feels different to a P bass. The body shape is different, the neck is thinner. Having two pickups, it also gets more sound variation. A hybrid is basically a P bass with a second pickup in the jazz bridge position, the theory being you can get the best of both worlds. Of course, if you don't like either a jazz or a P, combining them is unlikely to find something you do like. Not sure how they feel, whether more like a P or jazz, since I've never played a Fender Hybrid.
P basses and jazz basses are Fender inventions, but many other companies copy them. Sometimes quite openly, sometimes a little more circumspectly.
You asked about neck thru construction....the theory is it will give you a richer sound and more sustain. On the other hand, with a bolt on neck repairs can be simpler if the neck breaks. There is a third option, set neck, where the neck is a separate piece but glued in rather than bolted. I've owned good instruments with all three construction methods. Play the bass unplugged and listen to it, and you can hear what is going on unenhanced by electronics.
P basses and jazz basses are Fender inventions, but many other companies copy them. Sometimes quite openly, sometimes a little more circumspectly.
You asked about neck thru construction....the theory is it will give you a richer sound and more sustain. On the other hand, with a bolt on neck repairs can be simpler if the neck breaks. There is a third option, set neck, where the neck is a separate piece but glued in rather than bolted. I've owned good instruments with all three construction methods. Play the bass unplugged and listen to it, and you can hear what is going on unenhanced by electronics.
You know... if you like ESP I know that they've started to make PJ Fender style hybrids, but I'm sure the neck feels more ESP like. So you can still get that passive Fender blues/jazz tone, but be playing an instrument that is more comfortable for you... they seem to touch all the areas you're looking for.
J-Bass style (goes for around $300 on eBay): The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website
P/J Pickups (P body shape, looked to be around $1000 on eBay): The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website
J-Bass style (goes for around $300 on eBay): The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website
P/J Pickups (P body shape, looked to be around $1000 on eBay): The ESP Guitar Company | 2012 USA Website
I've never played either of those instruments though, so I can't comment on if I'm right with my suspicion that they feel more like an ESP over just a Fender clone with a C-Shape neck.
Since you mentioned the price in "£" I assume you are looking for the instrument in UK.
I know how crazy the prices are here and my advice would be look for some used Made in Japan(TRB or TRBII not the new 100x series) made TRB Yamaha.
You can find one for about £400 pounds; solid made and very versatile instrument. Very underrated instrument which will not break your bank.
They pop up from time to time on gumtree and ebay.
I know how crazy the prices are here and my advice would be look for some used Made in Japan(TRB or TRBII not the new 100x series) made TRB Yamaha.
You can find one for about £400 pounds; solid made and very versatile instrument. Very underrated instrument which will not break your bank.
They pop up from time to time on gumtree and ebay.
Those ESP guitars look tidy! The onmy problem with shopping online is you can't try it out... Are there any ESP stores in Britain or not?
It's funny you should mention Yamaha; my school has one (it costs around £250), yet it is one of the nicest basses I've played (shows how little I have played but still!)
It's funny you should mention Yamaha; my school has one (it costs around £250), yet it is one of the nicest basses I've played (shows how little I have played but still!)
Google TRB Yamaha, you will find a lot of info and quite a bit of reviews. TRB is just a model.
I've got one last Friday and I really like it.
People complain about the weight of these instruments but mine is about 4.2kg (9.2pound) on a bathroom scale, pretty light if you ask me.
I've got one last Friday and I really like it.
People complain about the weight of these instruments but mine is about 4.2kg (9.2pound) on a bathroom scale, pretty light if you ask me.
TRB is a line of Yamaha basses. And whoever said that you are very vague, was right. It's already apparent in the title, without even opening the thread. This is a bass forum, so every thread is either about "new bass" or "old bass".
But yeah, Yamahas (especially used) represent extremely good value for money. I've bought a BB415 a couple of months ago for 80 quid. It replaced a BB605 that I bought for 130 a couple of years ago (and I do see them sometimes for this sort of price). New BB424 or 425 is probably the best value "hybrid P/J" bass on the market now. They go for about 400 pounds new, which is about 2/3 of the price of a new Mexican Fender, yet these Yamahas are easily MUCH better. Really good pickups, nice hardware, 5-piece neck, clever string-thru bridge etc. That's what I recommend if you want to buy new, and a used Yamaha if you want to buy used and spend very little money.
But yeah, Yamahas (especially used) represent extremely good value for money. I've bought a BB415 a couple of months ago for 80 quid. It replaced a BB605 that I bought for 130 a couple of years ago (and I do see them sometimes for this sort of price). New BB424 or 425 is probably the best value "hybrid P/J" bass on the market now. They go for about 400 pounds new, which is about 2/3 of the price of a new Mexican Fender, yet these Yamahas are easily MUCH better. Really good pickups, nice hardware, 5-piece neck, clever string-thru bridge etc. That's what I recommend if you want to buy new, and a used Yamaha if you want to buy used and spend very little money.
100% agree with Marihino. Please don't listen to us saying "this is the best bass for you" since it's all very subjective. For example the BB424 simply does not fit me at all, I cannot get over the body shape, but it might be a perfect instrument for someone else. I would suggest to visit a music store, and play on anything you can get into your hands to have some sort of idea what you are looking for. You don't have to be best bass player in the world to feel that something just fits you.
Once you have some idea what feels comfortable (body shape, neck width/shape, distance between strings etc) you should perhaps try to look for the same, used instrument.
If ypu can, it's well worth making a trip to Denmark Street in London, lots of music shops there
Denmark Street can be a good place to try out lots of different basses but prices are steep. If you are coming to London, make time for a trip to the Gallery in Camden too.
I can't see where you are in the UK but Bass Direct near Warwick is great too; certainly better than anything on Denmark St IMHO.
With your budget, I'd strongly recommend buying a used bass as you'll get so much more for your money. Try the international for sale section on this site and the UK's own basschat site.
I can't see where you are in the UK but Bass Direct near Warwick is great too; certainly better than anything on Denmark St IMHO.
With your budget, I'd strongly recommend buying a used bass as you'll get so much more for your money. Try the international for sale section on this site and the UK's own basschat site.
