• 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.

Next Step for Equipment

S

sebpayne

Oct 1, 2006
69
0
Durham, United Kingdom
www.sebpayne.com
#1
Following on from my previous thread, I've decided to start saving up for something new. My current equipment is basic to say the least - a cheap Squier P-Bass and a Fender Rumble 15 amp. I know that both of these need replacing but which one is more urgent?

So, if I choose to get a new bass, I've decided I will save up for either a Fender Mexican Jazz Bass or either save for much longer and get a Rickenbacker 4003. Which one of these would you recommend if I were to get a new bass first?

If getting some sort of new amp is the option, then what should I look into? I've been told that just getting a better practice amp isn't a good idea but something beefier is better. However, I'm going to hopefully be going to university in September so something huge isn't an option. I love the sound that Ashdown Engineering amps produce.

Any help/advice is gratefully received! I've got a few things to sell and a part-time job so raising the money shouldn't be too hard but I'm not sure what I should be aiming for and what is the best thing to get.

Thanks :)
 
#2
I would say the bass should be replaced first, because a better bass will make you play different ... a louder amp just makes a poorer bass sound LOUDER ...
As far as your bass choice, what style music? What style Playing? What is your end goal?
I found that getting exactly what you want is better than buying equipment and leveling yourself up. Get what you want the first time, and you'll be happier (and richer) in the long run.
 
#3
The styles I like to play vary - so far like playing bass lines frm Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Blur, Beatles and The Who - as well as few funky lines like Rick James. The style is mainly pickless (apart from some Floyd numbers) but I'm not really into slapping!

I'd really like a new bass first as the action/tone of the P-Bass isn't what I'm looking for. I've heard nothing but good things about the much more likeable for me. I've seen Rickenbackers in action and I love the look and tone but I've never been able to play one as they are closely guarded in the guitar shops. There is also the option of a American J-Bass but I've heard the difference between the two are not worth the extra money.
 
#4
Id's say to get a better bass. You won't really need a bigger amp until you start gigging. A better guitar will help you play better and you can always borrow or rent a bigger amp when you need it. It all starts in your head, moves to your hands and ends up coming out of the amp. A poor bass only clogs up the process.
 
#5
Okay, so here is what I say ... Tell the music store that the Ric is a serious option for you ... I think it is too bright for your choices in music, but if you put some flats or didn't change the strings often, it would work, but why do that? A fender Jazz will work too, but again it is your tastes that decide this. Play the bass in the store with an amps eq set to flat, to get the truest sound of the bass. Play something from EVERY style that you know, whether you play it live or not. Go for feel and tone, not looks ... I think that Ken Smith basses look wonderful, sound great, but I hate the way that they feel ... it's in the hands of the BassHolder!
 
#7
I'm going to go against the flow here.

A good amp will take you much farther than a new bass.

The quickest way to improve, is to start playing with other people, or at least a drummer. You'll need more power than a 15 watt practice amp for that. Get you P bass a pro set up, and get a nice used portable head/cab set up. A used G/K RB400 with a 2x10 cab would work well for bieng compact, and enough power to play with friends or even gig with down the road. This set up won't set you back too many dollars either.

Then save up for the Rick if that's what you really want.

It'll be easier to make that Squier play well, than it will to make a $1500 bass sound good through a 15 watt amp. A fret level/polish with a pro set up will go a very long way on the Squier.
 
#9
Amp as well. And that is cause in the right hands that squire p bass will actually sound pretty good. That could be your hands for all I know. And a ric through a 15 watt rumble?!?!

what I'd suggest if you want to go small to medium is a 210 8 ohm cab, and a decent size head. I really am a fan of the gk 1001rb II, or even the original or the 700 rb original if you want, as for whatever reason, GK give you very shapeable tone, and they are pretty loud, watt rating aside as that can be nonsense depending on the brand. Two of those should take you a fair bit, and you can always ad either a 210, 4 10, or a 15 or even a 12 and then you'll be able to deal with a real drum set and guitar player.

But yeah, getting a head that won't cut it against real players is worthless. You already got a practice amp, don't get another.

You should DEFINITELY get your bass setup, now if you are getting the amp.
 
#10
I'll ring in here as another vote for a good amp. There are some really good sounding combo amps with lots of power, but the Rumble 15 is not one of them. It was a great amp to get you started, and that's really what amps like that are meant for. With a really good amp, your humble Squier will probably sound very good. The better you sound, the more you want to practice and the more you enjoy it.

And yes, get a set up. If you have a pro set it up, he can also tell you if there are any problems with the neck. Good info to have in making decisions about future equipment.
 
#11
I'll say if you can't go big with an amp, deffinately get a nice head and a smaller cab (like a 210 or 115). If you go that route you've got some nice sound and later, when you can go bigger, you can grab a bigger cab (if wattage is ok and you feel the need to get louder).

I'll deffinately reccomend you buy a new amp before a new bass, it'll suprise you on how much more you appreciate your cheapo bass. I can't really reccomend you much because I haven't tried a lot of equipment but I bet most TBers will tell you to go for an Avatar cab (www.avatarspeakers.com) and to try out a few different heads an see what you like. I'll reccomend going for a rig before a combo because you'll have more options for changing things; you're locked into your choice in a combo but later you can change your head, cab, you can add a preamp, ect. Plus like lamarjones mmentioned, you've already got a practice amp, why get another?

After you get your amp save up for something nice, Rics are great basses but they're not for everyone. Try out some more basses and find out which one works for you.

Best of luck!
Ryan
 
#12
As much as I love my Ric, I have to go along with the majority and say get the amp. A good quality amp will last you through several basses. A Ric through a POS amp, won't sound stupendous (But it will play like a dream!).
 
#14
ill chime in and say get a new amp as well..

you can get your chops up and at least play with others.

A good setup will turn that squier from a beginner bass to a giggable one. And you can always throw a new pickup in it pretty cheap too.

But as said before a good bass thru a bad amp is going to sound just like that.

But a lower end bass will sound totally different thru a better amp.. And you will have options of playing with others, something you wont be able to do with a better bass.
 
#15
New pickups and a proper setup for a squier bass will make it a gigworthy instrument no doubt!

Being able to play with others is, in my opinon, quite essential as it will help you to understand better the way in which you play, the way you want to play and importantly, the kind of tone you want. Once you've got a fairly good idea of these three things you should have a better idea of what you want that next bass to be.
 
#16
Just an update to let you know what happened. I spent hours (literaly) in the shop trying amps with my bass, other basses and so on until I found something I liked. I tried Squiers (since Fenders are still out of my price) and the J-Bass and Vintage Modified J-Bass were very much to my liking but I'd rather save up and get something better in the future. With the controls on the amp, it's quite easy to get the J-Bass-ish sound from my P-Bass. I really do like the Ashdown sound so I purchased the Electric Blue 12-180 Combo. I tried a huge MAG setup until they got the smaller one from the warehouse. It's not too big but puts out quite a sound compared the practice amp. It'll be fun dragging into my room at uni (which I did get into btw!). My bass sounds like a different instrument with proper output. It's going in it to be setup next week from the technician who works above the shop. Can't wait! I'm enjoying playing my instrument more than ever.

But I have another question on a very different topic - what's the best way to learn the bass? I know that practising makes perfect but all I do is play bass lines (which I enjoy a lot). I started in March and am very pleased how far I've come along. I can play a dozen songs properly and continue to practice these as well as try harder ones. I've recently learnt 'Song 2' from Blur which I found easy but 'Girls and Boys' is much harder - these are from tabs and instructional videos I've seen around. Is this a good way to keep learning and building up my playlist? I find that many tabs are wrong though!

I don't think I'm at the stage where I can work out tabs for myself. I've seen a few threads on this but I don't understand how it is done. There are a few songs which I'd like to play (Gemini Dream from Moody Blues comes to mind) but I can't find any tabs for them. This may seem a stupid question but if I can find out the guitar chords, can a bass line be worked out from that?

Thanks for all the help again people
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back