Newbie picking out a second bass

[melt-my-face]

Hello folks of talkbass,

I’ve been lurking around here for a while but this is my first post.

I am very new to the world of bass and previously only played brass instruments and figured bass was a good jumping point to the world of strings.

Currently I am playing one of those Amazon starter kits for coming up on 6 months and while find it quite functional, it is not the most comfortable thing to play. Additionally some notes are sharp or flat and very buzzy (this is not due to technique I had it looked at).

So of course what is my next thought, I must upgrade! I have been looking mainly at two basses the Woody Allen Rumblecat and the JC signature. Currently am leaning towards the JC.

Here’s what I need from you fine folks:

Experience with either of these models thoughts (especially for a newbie and for someone who wants to play jam band southern rock jazz)

Any way I could play these in store, does guitar center or any major chain allow ordering just to play. I live in sort of a brick and mortar music store deficient zone.

Do I honestly need to upgrade? The bass I am using is perfectly fine…

 

[Sharko]

Additionally some notes are sharp or flat and very buzzy (this is not due to technique I had it looked at)

This can likely be fixed with a setup by a shop or at home

Woody Allen Rumblecat

Careful now. I have a lot of jokes for this but they are all likely to result in a ban.

, does guitar center or any major chain allow ordering just to play.

No, but the generous return policy could allow you to play it pretty much risk free as long as you have the cash on hand

Do I honestly need to upgrade? The bass I am using is perfectly fine…

You said it

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hello folks of talkbass,

I’ve been lurking around here for a while but this is my first post.

Greetings and welcome to TalkBass!

Any way I could play these in store, does guitar center or any major chain allow ordering just to play. I live in sort of a brick and mortar music store deficient zone.

I wish I could offer some advice on the basses mentioned, but I have zero experience with them. However, when it comes to a decent return policy, Guitar Center has a 45-day policy. I've taken advantage of that a couple of times when a purchase didn't work out, but I have a store close enough to simply drop it off. If there's a possibility you're going to return a bass online, be sure to look into the policy details…that, and you can call a store and ask an employee.

Whatever you decide upon, good luck!

 

[maxmerx]

Welcome to TalkBass!

Maybe your bass just need a proper setup and a set of new strings.

Keep in mind that very often new basses will also need a full setup as well.
You can learn to do it by yourself, you will need some skills, but is not rocket science.
You can find in this forum many posts guiding you through a full setup.
You also have many videos on YouTube made by serious pro.
Another option is to look for a guitar tech or a luthier in your area.

 

[chris_b]

What everyone else has said, get the bass worked on, but those starter kits are usually not great quality.

Everyone needs a better bass and if you have got to the point where you can hear problems, maybe this is your time to upgrade. Go an play as many basses as you can find. Make a choice then.

 

[jd56hawk]

Some people don't like the Jack Casady bass because it's not as comfortable as a Jazz bass, etc, but I had no problem playing mine...should've never sold it...and the tone is amazing with tapewounds.

The Rumblekat 𝘪𝘴 a short-scale bass, and that’s something to consider, though.
If you don't mind a short-scale bass, try to find one of these limited edition Rumblekats.

Other than that, I ordered a Squier CV Jazz from Guitar Center. When I went to pick it up, I noticed and it had a small crack in the finish near the neck joint. They didn't charge me a restock fee for not buying it, but all Guitar Centers do things differently, so...

 

[Nunovsky]

I have the JC and I love it. It sounds great but it's not the most confortable bass and also not super versatile. It's a great bass for what it does but I don't see as my primary bass but as an option for a more specific tone or aesthetics.
If you're new to playing bass it would be better to get a more versatile and better than a start kit from Amazon. Unless you know some skills about properly setting up and instrument, any assembly kit can present certain kinks that if not corrected by a proper setup, can make it more dificult to play.
Honestly, if I were you, I'd get a good starter jazz bass like a Squier CV or a Sire V3. Those are more affordable instrumental but good sounding, versatile and more ergonomic than any of your options.

 

[ParallaxSM]

Echoing what others have said. Go try out some basses and learn to set up your own. For me, I noticed that the basses at my local GC are not set up well. YMMV on that front. If there’s another local music shop by you, I would head there to see if they have instruments to try out.

I was looking for a hollow body/semi-hollow and lucked out on a used JC in my area that had an upgraded hip shot bridge and flats for a killer price. It’s a great bass. Philip Conrad on YouTube did a video on his modded rumblekat and it def has its own cool vibe.



I guess I can add, don’t be in a rush. Take some time with your instrument and take some time to try out a bunch to see what you like.

 

[Mastiff_5]

I have a different take on this.
- If you were going to get into photography, and you started with the cheapest kit camera and lens you could find, great! But you will be limited to the performance limitations of the chassis and lens.
- May people will say something like, “sure, you can buy some crazy expensive bass, but Victor Wooten can make a cheap bass sound great! It’s all about the player!” This is only trivially true. Can Les Claypool make a $75 bass sound good? Definitely. Can he perform the solo from Tommy the Cat - well - on it?
PROBABLY NOT. Arguably not.
- You are playing a low-quality instrument compared to just about anything else - that’s what starter instruments are for: a low risk foray into learning that instrument. Don’t like the instrument? Don’t have the discipline to practice and learn? No big monetary loss. Yet you have demonstrated that you do have that discipline and get the enjoyment out of the bass. Awesome. So it’s time to take the next step and get an instrument that holds intonation, tune, and setup better than the one you have.
If you “had it checked out,” I assume you had a setup done, or at least an inspection by someone who does setups. If this is the case, then your bass is NOT “just fine.” You said your bass doesn’t hold intonation (some notes sharp, some notes flat, etc.).
I would say you are right on time in looking for your second bass.
- the world’s best photographer can only make a camera produce the best pictures that camera can take.
You have to have a reliable, intonate-able instrument of appropriate quality in order to progress as a musician.
I can’t make a kit bass sound like my nicer basses.
Conversely, no one needs to learn to drive in a Porsche. Yet you can’t compete in a race with the cheapest starter car you can find.
- Secondly, I don’t think the Rumblecat or its hollow-body brethren with those specific pickup configurations are the way to go for someone in your position. Your next bass is likely to be one you play for quite a while, as your growing skills elevate to (and eventually exceed) the capabilities of this new bass. I would suggest a bass with more tonal flexibility , specifically a double humbucker setup. This allows you to begin to develop an ear for tone: you can approximate the sound of a P bass, a jazz bass, a modern scooped tone, etc etc, with a modern dual humbucker setup. Then, as you develop your ear for good tuning and intonation, and for perceived tonal qualities that a given song might benefit from, you may come to find your preferred setup: maybe you end up a MusicMan guy… maybe you end up loving that growly, mid-forward jazz tone, maybe you end up loving a P bass with flats and nothing else, like many of the masochists here on Talkbass. Or you may end up like me - a perpetual cover band guy - and appreciate the flexibility of an active/passive dual humbucker bass.
The point is, you can get a limited number of tones out of the basses you’ve mentioned because they have a pretty specific sound. On purpose, to be sure, and they are groovy tones, but I think (for what little that’s worth!) that you would benefit from a very flexible tonal pallet early on.
There are great basses out there that are affordable to serve as your very important second bass. You will also find that an improvement in the quality of your instrument will begin to result in an improved playing experience (stays in tune, intonates, better neck profile, broader range of tones, less fatigue, etc etc). Which will result in more practice time.
We do that which we enjoy.
Many companies make great, affordable double humbucker basses. Find one whose neck profile you favor for comfort of your hand size/finger length.
This may require a road trip and lots of noodling around in music stores (which may just be Guitar center. Luckily, thy do have a somewhat varied selection, a used selection, and a 45 day return policy on new or used axes).
You are also about to get into the world of bass amplification…
FUN!!!! Stick with it and enjoy the ride!!!!

 

[buldog5151bass]

I wouldn't get a new bass without at least trying a model. It sounds like your instrument could use a setup (intonation, neck relief, etc.). That likely would make it easier to play, as well as being more in tune.

 

[BassBrass]

there are people for whom both the Allan Woody and the Jack Casady are their favorite basses (and some of them are doing "southern rock jazz" whatever that is...) People who only like FSOs (Fender Shaped Object) may consider them uncomfortable. The Casady is full scale with a single pu and sounds like a glorified P bass (richer overtones) and people like all kinds of strings on them either rounds or flats (mine has EB Cobalt flats 55-110 tuned in DGCF which sounds great on that bass) the JC records very well too. The Alan Woody is short scale and might be a good choice if you are shorter stature. The Woody has a unique tone due to the pu positions (close together and close to the neck vs the bridge) so it has a dark mid forward sound (that is very nice) but may need some equalization to be heard in a band. The Woody IS an official Southern Rock bass so you may get style points for that.

I don't know what an "Amazon kit" Is, but it sounds absolutely awful! My Kingston LK was made in China but under strict management supervision.

 

[BassDaddySky]

Go play a 30" and a 34", there is a big ergonomic difference!
Keep in mind neck profiles, offset, and balance points are polarizing preference wise as well.
As far as sound goes, pickup(s) and preamp are the main variables. As strings can be changed.
Go for dual humbuckers, if you want flexibility.
Id recommend a passive setup, unless you are going for a particular sound that warrants onboard preamping.
The right pedals can get you almost any sound you want anyway.
What kind of music are you playing and what rig are you playing through?
Or plan on playing through?

 

[96tbird]

JC is a great bass. I love mine. Surprisingly thin comfy neck. Great sound. But it’s definitely not a comfy lap bass. Playing while standing has its challenges too… I play mine with it on my right hip and the neck pointing forward on a bit of an angle. Like a guitar hero of yore playing from the hip. For a newbie, maybe not an ideal bass for learning but they’re damn lovely.

 

[michael_t]

Currently I am playing one of those Amazon starter kits for coming up on 6 months and while find it quite functional, it is not the most comfortable thing to play. Additionally some notes are sharp or flat and very buzzy (this is not due to technique I had it looked at).

So of course what is my next thought, I must upgrade!

Before you do any "upgrading", it sounds like you should learn to do basic setup on your bass. Setting the neck relief by tweaking the truss rod, setting the action and adjusting the intonation are the three basic steps of setting up a bass properly. What a difference a properly setup bass can do for you for playing comfort and enjoyment!

 

[Crusher47]

I own both basses and they are fine instruments, but as others have already mentioned, the JC is a large body full scale, sounds and looks great but is a little uncomfortable to play, especially sitting down. The Allan Woody is a short scale bass, very easy to play sitting down and also sounds/looks very nice but is a short scale if that matters.

I would also recommend playing as many basses as you can and would also suggest either a Precision or Jazz style bass.

 

[jefkritz]

Old strings can make notes sharp and flat at random intervals. So that may be fixable.

But you should get a new one anyways!

Those two look really cool. I love JCs, don't know the other one. I do feel like these are good "second good basses" though...

Something like a P bass or jazz bass (ie that style, not necessarily actually a fender, lots of great brands out there) is probably going to be a lot more versatile

 

[antfarm]

If I were you, I'd get a Squier Classic Vibe Jazz or Precision Bass to learn on, not just how to play, but also how to set it up and intonate it properly, what kind of strings you like, etc. In my opinion they are still the best value for the money and the J and P are pretty much the standard electric bass for a reason.

You picked two very specific models (both are semi-hollow, one is a short scale), but if that's what you want, go for it. But make sure it is not just about the optics. If possible, visit a shop, try many different models in different price ranges and make an informed decision afterwards.

 

[Ostie]

I own both basses and they are fine instruments, but as others have already mentioned, the JC is a large body full scale, sounds and looks great but is a little uncomfortable to play, especially sitting down. The Allan Woody is a short scale bass, very easy to play sitting down and also sounds/looks very nice but is a short scale if that matters.

I would also recommend playing as many basses as you can and would also suggest either a Precision or Jazz style bass.

Same here, I also have both. I love the tone of the JC but I prefer the 30” scale length. That’s why I have both.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Just try as mmany as you can. Do not, do not base your decision on the band your in right now! Learn from my mistakes. I did exactly that when i decided to buy a " good" Bass. I was living in Germany in 1986. The city i lived in had a small music store with a few Basses, one of which was an Ibanez Musician 924 DS. I loved it but thought i should try others too. I spent the whole day driving around to as many music stores i could find. In the end i chose the Ibanez. That Bass was incredible, like it was made for me. I stupidly traded it six years later. Its important! Try many!

 

[ravelax]

Do I honestly need to upgrade? The bass I am using is perfectly fine…

Well, you said it yourself that it has some issues, confirmed when you had it looked at. So there's definitely a point in upgrading in your case! Those starter pack basses are good for getting off the ground, but sooner or later they will be limiting your progress, and you seem to have hit that spot.

The basses you've looked at are both good choices, but slightly different. I own a Jack Casady, and my father has a Rumblekat, so I'm familiar with both (though mostly with the JC). Both will probably work well for the music you play, but the Jack Casady is more tonally versatile than the Rumblekat. The Rumblekat, being short scale, is very easy to play but the way its pickups are positioned, it has an inherently thicker, darker tone than the Jack Casady which can be quite bright if you want it to, depending on choice of strings, tone control settings and technique. The Jack Casady model is a big bass though, and may feel a bit unwieldy. As always, trying before you buy is preferrable. Coming from a Fender type instrument (as I assume your starter kit bass is), both of these basses are rather different in terms of ergonomics and may take some time getting used to.