new guy seeking advice on bass purchase!

[garrettowens]

Hi, Im a new member from NC
I've played bass before, but it was years ago and fairly brief (for about a year or so)


I am planning to buy a bass guitar very soon, but not sure what'll be the best fit for me. I am strongly leaning towards Squier as I've had luck with them on my strat and also still like my Fender acoustic

Again, not sure what will be good for me in their line, but here is what I DO know:

-I prefer the Jazz and Precision bodies, not as big of a fan of the Jag body

-playing almost all punk rock / rock and roll

-I'd LOVE to get a squier with a painted head like I've seen on some of the jaguars (I went to a local store - Jackson Music in Winston Salem NC) and looked at a few and fell in love with the black painted head on a Jag bass they had in stock

-body color, I'd want either black, white, or red (but not a translucent red). So black with black head would be awesome!

-Im willing to pay a few bucks extra for a model with upgraded pickup(s)

My musical infulences vary, and using the Fender site didnt help me out the way I'd hoped haha I saw some of my favorite bands use their instruments, but use both the Jazz and Precision bass (example, Hot Water Music and Alkaline Trio). Most of I play is in those styles,that and things like Bouncing Souls, NOFX, Dillinger Four etc But also toy around with older stuff from the 90s and classic rock.

Any advice you can offer would be much appreciated!

 

[garrettowens]

ps - Im not new to forums, just this one - apologies in advance if this is a question asked many times in the past

 

[JayfromDeeKay]

It doesn't have a black headstock, but I would suggest you try the Roger Waters Precision Bass

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[lijazz]

Look for a used 2008 or newer American Jazz Standard. I have one myself that I bought new in '08. Best bass I ever played.

 

[garrettowens]

I mean, Im not stuck on black headstock (though it looks amazing!)
The Roger Waters you posted...no way I could get that, it'll have to be Squier, not fender.

My big thing, is not knowing which to get, if I should get the one split humbucker, or the singles or what

Like i said, most rock/punk rock, just not sure which pickup setup I should be targeting

 

[gitlvr]

For punk rock/rock and roll, I'd recommend a P bass all the way.
If you like Squier, you can spend anywhere from $150-$350 new, depending on the model. IMHO, I'd go middle/high of the pack and look for a Vintage Modified. Will set you back around $250 new, and you should be able to get it for less if you go used.
Heck, even the Affinity is a pretty decent bass for the cash. I've owned one(have since donated it to my church because I built my own P bass). It's a great sounding and playing bass.
Good luck on your search, and welcome back to the thick strings!

 

[THand]

Squier Matt Freeman P Bass, in black or white:
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[smcd]

Used Fender MIJ Aerodyne models often can be found black on black. And they're relatively cheap.

 

[mmbongo]

G&L L2000. No use in limiting yourself to a design stuck in the 1950's. These are Jazz, Precision, and Stingray all rolled into one.

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[TN WOODMAN]

Easiest decision all year. Fiesta red Squier Classic Vibe Precision or vintage white Squier Classic Vibe Jazz. Can't decide? Get 'em both new for under 700.00.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

mmbongo, love your GLs but still don't feel stuck in the 50s with my ps, jazzi, teles and strats. Hard to improve on perfection.

 

[gitlvr]

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Lovely!

 

[lijazz]

mmbongo: that bass is cool...but your avatar is COOLER!!

 

[JimmyM]

I don't feel the least bit stuck in the 50's when I use a Fender. -I- make the bass...the bass doesn't make me.

 

[gitlvr]

Good thread hijack, Gitlivr!

Uh, how did i hijack this thread by reposting a picture of mmbongo's bass and calling it nice? I think you need to go back and reread this thread.

 

[kevteop]

Squier do Jaguars with painted headstocks, but not Precisions or Jazzes.

You could buy a Squier Jazz, and a Squier Jag, and put the Jag neck on the Jazz, then... do... something with the leftover bits. I suppose it could be a backup if nothing else.

 

[madmatt]

You may wait for that Modern Player Jag.
Technically it's a Fender, and it is under four bills.
Apparently the Chinese are knocking it out of the ballpark as of late...
I owned a Jag once and it had the best neck, a mix between a P and a J.

 

[ghostdog93]

I'll second the vote for a used Fender Aerodyne, which is a really solid bass. It's a P/J setup, which gives you a little more tonal versatility. It's also a really cool looking bass IMO, with some neat body binding and the Strat-style, top mounted jack.

As already stated, you could also grab either a Squier CV P or J (or the Freeman sig, which is a black CV P with a maple board). The CV series has gotten a lot of love, and deservedly so. You won't get your black headstock with any of them, but you will get a really solid, good playing bass.

There are also a few Epiphones worth mentioning, if you want to stray from the FMIC fold. Both the EB-3 and Thunderbird have their fans. I played an EB-3 a few months back and was really impressed with it. The Thunderbird doesn't fit all players, but if you can get your hands on one, you might want to try it out. Both of these don't exactly jump to mind when you talk about punk (except for Mike Watts' EB, perhaps) but they can certainly fit the rock portion of your quest. Also, both will get you a black headstock.

 

[rusthoneybass]

Matt Freeman P-bass could be a good choice as well.

 

[mmbongo]

mmbongo: that bass is cool...but your avatar is COOLER!!

They both rock!! I sure miss Geddy's Wal basses. I wish he'd drop that Jazz bass already.

But for the OP, I still feel a G&L L2000 would be a wise choice. They go for $350-$400 used for a Tribby model.