• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Newbie looking for a 1st bass, ADVICE NEEDED

N

nighthawk147

Jan 19, 2009
10
0
#1
Hi, my name is Josh. I am new to TB and new to playing bass. I appologize in advance for the long post/request.

Here is my story/dilemma. I have played guitar for about 6 years (mostly on church worship teams). Our style is definitely new contemporary, more like rock worship. Check out my profile if you want to know about my current rig/gear. Our bass player at our church is moving in 6 weeks and we don't have any other bassists. I have started to learn bass about 6 months ago, has been an interest of mine for a while. I feel that I have the BASICS, not much more, down but play well enough for our Sun or Wed services. I don't just play the root notes, but am trying to listen to CDs to learn the songs' bass riffs and integrate them as best I can.

Since our bassist is moving, I decided to sell my Gibson USA Nighthawk (Just sold it on Sat) and buy a bass. I have a couple basses I am thinking about, please give me input. Any time I can get input from others with experience, I welcome it. I understand that much advice is based on personal preference, but regardless, I would very much appreciate the input. I went through the, buy a cheap guitar, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade...... I don't want to go through that with bass. So, I want to save up and buy a good one.

I want a 5 string as our worship team often transposes music and this frequently messes with the original bass riffs (have to jump an octave and it doesn't sound right).

I am currently looking at Ibanez 5 strings, preferrably the SR755. I like the Ibanez basses, low action, thin-fast necks, and bartolini pickups. Our current bassist just got an Ibanez BTB570FM (Natural Fade). Since I don't have any experience with bass, I have played hers and know that I like the sound and feel. I understand that the BTB series have an MK2 pickup and the SR series have an MK1 pickup amongst other differences. I have decided on the SR series as I like the look better. I understand the potential implications based on looks but I have decided on this series.

SO....... I want an SR series (higher end) with 5 strings and Bartolini pickups.

THE QUESTION: Do I buy an Ibanez SR755 new (since they are a new model and aren't out yet) or purchase an older model like an SR1005EFM or something (they do have Bartolini custom pickups)? I am looking to spend about $900 and absolute max. Again, I want a 5 string, ibanez SR series, with bartolini pickups.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. Thanks Again, Josh.
 
#4
I also have no one in the area to help me with this process/go with me to a store and give feedback. That is one reason I came to a very seasoned forum for greatly needed advice. Thanks again, everyone for any input.
 
#5
nighthawk147 said:
Hi, my name is Josh. I am new to TB and new to playing bass. I appologize in advance for the long post/request.

Here is my story/dilemma. I have played guitar for about 6 years (mostly on church worship teams). Our style is definitely new contemporary, more like rock worship. Check out my profile if you want to know about my current rig/gear. Our bass player at our church is moving in 6 weeks and we don't have any other bassists. I have started to learn bass about 6 months ago, has been an interest of mine for a while. I feel that I have the BASICS, not much more, down but play well enough for our Sun or Wed services. I don't just play the root notes, but am trying to listen to CDs to learn the songs' bass riffs and integrate them as best I can.

Since our bassist is moving, I decided to sell my Gibson USA Nighthawk (Just sold it on Sat) and buy a bass. I have a couple basses I am thinking about, please give me input. Any time I can get input from others with experience, I welcome it. I understand that much advice is based on personal preference, but regardless, I would very much appreciate the input. I went through the, buy a cheap guitar, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade...... I don't want to go through that with bass. So, I want to save up and buy a good one.

I want a 5 string as our worship team often transposes music and this frequently messes with the original bass riffs (have to jump an octave and it doesn't sound right).

I am currently looking at Ibanez 5 strings, preferrably the SR755. I like the Ibanez basses, low action, thin-fast necks, and bartolini pickups. Our current bassist just got an Ibanez BTB570FM (Natural Fade). Since I don't have any experience with bass, I have played hers and know that I like the sound and feel. I understand that the BTB series have an MK2 pickup and the SR series have an MK1 pickup amongst other differences. I have decided on the SR series as I like the look better. I understand the potential implications based on looks but I have decided on this series.

SO....... I want an SR series (higher end) with 5 strings and Bartolini pickups.

THE QUESTION: Do I buy an Ibanez SR755 new (since they are a new model and aren't out yet) or purchase an older model like an SR1005EFM or something (they do have Bartolini custom pickups)? I am looking to spend about $900 and absolute max. Again, I want a 5 string, ibanez SR series, with bartolini pickups.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. Thanks Again, Josh.
Click to expand...

well you seem to have your mind made up, but......let me point out that you yourself have mentioned previously several times that you are a newbie...so i equate it like this...

well the first girl that kissed me was blonde, so i want to get married to a blonde...without even kissing a red head or a brunette

while the ibbies are decent basses i think you may be limiting yourself by focusing on just this brand...

my advice would be to go to a superstore, or a local mom and pop that has a good selection of basses...and play them all until you find one that feelsand sounds the best to you, as it will be your bass after all...

of all the Ibbies I have played as of late I really like the BTB's but then I played an ATK an though it has a wider neck it has a much better tone than any of the other models i have tried for Ibanez

If your dead set on an Ibby go for this one over the SR series:

Ibanez BTB575FM 5-String

5-piece BTB5 maple/bubinga thru-neck
Mahogany body
Figured Maple top
Medium frets
Mono-Rail II bridge
Bartolini MK2-5 neck pickup
Bartolini MK2-5 bridge pickup
Bartolini MK2 3-band EQ

Around $800.00 new

and good luck
 
#6
Welcome to TB nighthawk147. I can't help on a fiver, but my advice to you is not to lock in a particular brand right away. I play and own basses ranging in price from $125 to several thousand dollars. Many of the cheaper ones play for me as well as the expensive, so price is not always a controling factor. The most important thing is how a bass feels and plays for you. Then you can consider other attributes, or lack thereof of all the things that make up the various basses. As far as a mail order/Ebay type thing, it's always a crap shoot to some degree. Most of the mail order places I've dealt with have pretty liberal return policies, but unless there is a defect, you have to pay the return shipping charges. With Ebay, I ask lots of questions and get them to commit to an answer about everything working properly, bows or twists in the neck, action etc. so that if it's not right, you have those things in writing. I've only had one issue with an Ebay bass purchase out of several that I've made. :cool:
 
#7
nighthawk147 said:
Only problem with trying to look and play basses other than Ibanez is that no music stores close (within 100 miles) have anything for me to try. I would have to order it, with very strict limitations and returns.
Click to expand...

my advice then is to plan a trip on a weekend maybe take the family (if you have one) to the big city and squeeze a trip to Guitar Center, or Sam Ash, or some such chain and try everything on the wall...

Musicians Friend and Guitar Center are very good about returns...

again good luck
 
#8
I totally understand/see what you all mean by locking in on a certain brand. I guess I was thinking about wanting to get something pretty soon due to our bassist moving. I should resist the urge to buy quickly. I do have a cheapie Yamaha that has been loaned to me I can use meanwhile.

Snakeman1066: why would you suggest the BTB over the SR series?

Everyone: In no way do I take offense to anyone pointing out that I am a newbie. I want to learn as much as I can without making any assumptions. Thanks again.
 
#11
I am delightfully using a wine red - Yamaha BB415 in church now, after having relationships with 3 different Laklands, 2 Fenders, a Carvin, and a EB SR5 - all 5 string models, and couldn't be happier. This Yammy feels, sounds and looks so perfect for myself (after I set it up, installed new strings, & dressed the frets, of course).

Maybe this doesn't answer your question about Ibanez's, which are fine basses. Go and try a number of bass guitars out and buy the one that feels right to you, is probably the best advice I can add.
 
#12
Called Guitar Center and they informed me they have a lot of different basses in my price range. I will take a trip to Sioux Falls, SD and take an afternoon to play my fingers off...... It may be a week or month before I get up there but I'll let you all know what I find out/discover.

Feel free to offer any advice in the mean time. Especially certain models/brands to check out when I am up there.
 
#13
Snakeman1066: why would you suggest the BTB over the SR series?



I played them side by side recently at my local mom and Pop (they are an Ibanez Dealer and have a huge selection) of the the two i like the feel and the sound of the BTB over the SR series (personal preference i guess) plus the body on SR series is too small for my taste...also the neck seemed to feel better on the BTB and i liked the mono rail bridge on the BTB much better seemed to have more sustain

but as i stated earlier I really liked the tone of the ATK much better but the neck is very chunky compared to that of the SR and BTB series
 
#14
Snakeman1066 said:
Snakeman1066: why would you suggest the BTB over the SR series?



I played them side by side recently at my local mom and Pop (they are an Ibanez Dealer and have a huge selection) of the the two i like the feel and the sound of the BTB over the SR series (personal preference i guess) plus the body on SR series is too small for my taste...also the neck seemed to feel better on the BTB and i liked the mono rail bridge on the BTB much better seemed to have more sustain

but as i stated earlier I really liked the tone of the ATK much better but the neck is very chunky compared to that of the SR and BTB series
Click to expand...

I saw that the bridge was different too. It will be interesting when I get to play them side by side. Thanks for the info. In the end, I would way rather have an old beat up bass (even pretty ugly) with a great sound over a nice looker with okay sound.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back