Old/Noob Disappointed in first bass--options/advice?

[bholder]

Also, some weird snobbery going on in this thread. An Ibanez GSR200 is not only a perfectly acceptable beginners instrument, it's a perfectly acceptable instrument, period.

I'd gig one if I had any gigs on the horizon!

I'd say it's just not the bass for him, and worse, set up all wrong for him. Starting with two strikes...

 

[arbiterusa]

Although as a side note, not to derail, if you're on fretless electric and want the mystical elusive "mwah", that's more in the "up and down".

That's all I play, I haven't owned a fretted bass since the 1980s.

 

[bholder]

That's all I play, I haven't owned a fretted bass since the 1980s.

I try to use both techniques on fretless, or different attack angles in general, adds to the "tone flavors" available. Of course, if I start thinking when I'm doing it, it all falls apart. Got to be one with the motion.... hehe

 

[bholder]

So @Old_Noob, here's a thought - how about some examples of bass tones you like? Lots of folks here can give great guidance on how to get those sounds...

 

[cheapbasslovin]

FWIW, my experiences with Ibanez basses is that they often feel bright and thin (compared to other stuff I've used), and it just isn't a thing that makes me want to play. I get the same vibe off of Dean basses. It's not like I'm a huge snob, either.

All the other advice here is good, but you might just not like the bass.

 

[C Stone]

Try some differrent strings and forget about changing any hardware at this point. What are the strings currently on the bass? Maybe try some nylon wrapped.

 

[Old_Noob]

Try some differrent strings and forget about changing any hardware at this point. What are the strings currently on the bass? Maybe try some nylon wrapped.

D'Addario EXL220BT Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, Balanced Tension Super Light, 40-95

 

[bholder]

FWIW, my experiences with Ibanez basses is that they often feel bright and thin (compared to other stuff I've used), and it just isn't a thing that makes me want to play. I get the same vibe off of Dean basses. It's not like I'm a huge snob, either.

All the other advice here is good, but you might just not like the bass.

The Ibby TB Talman basses have a good rep on here for being less like those stereotypical other ones. Generally, I think of it as the "Soundgear" feel, because I have a BTB6QM that definitely does not have that Soundgear feel (as well as an SG6 that definitely does). They make a very wide range...

 

[bholder]

D'Addario EXL220BT Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, Balanced Tension Super Light, 40-95

I don't like those strings, though they are very popular, almost standard, stock strings on new mid&low range basses. I don't know how many unused extra sets I have saved, at least 6... I should get them all together and give them to someone on here...

(They are very bright, but not the nice stainless steel bright that I like, DR Hi Beams or the newer Dunlop ss stuff.)

 

[DCGuy]

I'm another old noob and your story is pretty much mine, including the same bass. I had all the complaints you did about it plus I found the neck so shallow that it hurt my hand. Went to a Fender Jazz which was a much better fit and turned out great when I started gigging. Played it every day for a year then joined a series of bands. I sold mine for $125. I say sell it on and get something you like.

 

[C Stone]

Those are gonna be pretty "bright" and If I remember right to flexible for my liking (and I like flexible). Roll off the highs and try to play with a lighter hand. GL

 

[HardNHeavy]

Hi all:

So, I am an older, new bass player (mid-life crisis and all the stuff) and bought an Ibanez gsr200 (I know, i should know better than to buy a cheap musical instrument---but, wife).

I have a prior music background in wind instruments (former [failed] music major) and (very little) guitar. I have only been playing for about a month and a half, but I really dislike my bass. I had a pro set-up that involved a bunch of fret sanding due to the neck "ramping up"; but even after that, I still get a ton of "clacking"/buzz. I hate the electronics. The "Phat II" preamp just cuts the mids and makes the whole thing sound distorted and rummbly, so I never use it. The tone control has very little effect other than boosting gain and due to the aforementioned fret buzz and clacking, I basically leave it off. I can't seem to get a clean tone out of it.

So, with that said...and considering I have been at this for only a month, I need advice.
Option 1: Just live with it and suffer through until I have been playing enough to justify something better. --not like I am going to be playing in public anything soon.
Option 2: replace the pickups/pups---but I don't know how to solder and EMGs + new preamp would come close to the cost of a new guitar
Option 3: Try my hand at one of those DIY kits over the winter while cooped up.
Option 4: Replace now with something nicer (but, wife--"you just started").

option 1, or 4

i think a DIY kit will add to the frustration, unless your good at refinishing/painting..Often times the hardware to those kits are lame, so you'd end up upgrading anyway. Soldering isn't hard, if you know what your doing and can follow directions which i know you can..Takes a steady hand, and can be a zen like experience if you take your time with it...... just my 2c

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Just for inspiration - the bass player for up-and-coming genre-defying pop-funk-rock group Khruangbin still plays her SX Jazz bass clone (still available at Rondomusic.com for around $200):




View attachment 4019140
SX Ursa 2 RN C Alder VWH Advanced Order

Not saying "that's the one for you" - just an example of what can be done with a really inexpensive bass. Just gotta find what fits you.

Rondo finally updated their site!

 

[DCGuy]

Oh as for your options I'd say 1 or 4. I wouldn't put any money into that bass. Mine wouldn't intonate properly because saddle travel was maxed out too.

 

[bholder]

Rondo finally updated their site!

Yup, Kurt said a while back that a new batch was coming in. Hoping he can keep them coming. I wish he'd focus a little less on those "beginner packs" with the crappy amp and so on, and more on the really good really cheap basses, but I betcha I know which is more $able for him...

 

[bholder]

And yeah, the prices have gone up a bit, but are still cheap - the "standard" Rondo J level that sold for $179 (and $149 on sale) years ago, the one that Laura Lee plays, now goes for $225. Still a great deal for a not bad bass. But also keep in mind, if you go up to say the $300-$400 range, a whole lot of great "bang for the buck" basses come into play (e.g., Sire, nudge nudge wink wink).

 

[Basslice]

Option 4: Replace now with something nicer (but, wife--"you just started").

Replace. If you are already hating it, you will not want to play it. Life is too short to work through the pain. You don't have to spend a mint, but now that you know what you DON'T like, you can go to a music store and buy something cheap that doesn't have those issues.

 

[micguy]

I had a pro set-up that involved a bunch of fret sanding due to the neck "ramping up"; but even after that, I still get a ton of "clacking"/buzz.

You may have paid someone for a setup, but you didn't get a decent one. See if you can find others in your town that know the local techs - where are you located?

 

[Snarf]

Hi all:

So, I am an older, new bass player (mid-life crisis and all the stuff) and bought an Ibanez gsr200 (I know, i should know better than to buy a cheap musical instrument---but, wife).

I have a prior music background in wind instruments (former [failed] music major) and (very little) guitar. I have only been playing for about a month and a half, but I really dislike my bass. I had a pro set-up that involved a bunch of fret sanding due to the neck "ramping up"; but even after that, I still get a ton of "clacking"/buzz. I hate the electronics. The "Phat II" preamp just cuts the mids and makes the whole thing sound distorted and rummbly, so I never use it. The tone control has very little effect other than boosting gain and due to the aforementioned fret buzz and clacking, I basically leave it off. I can't seem to get a clean tone out of it.

So, with that said...and considering I have been at this for only a month, I need advice.
Option 1: Just live with it and suffer through until I have been playing enough to justify something better. --not like I am going to be playing in public anything soon.
Option 2: replace the pickups/pups---but I don't know how to solder and EMGs + new preamp would come close to the cost of a new guitar
Option 3: Try my hand at one of those DIY kits over the winter while cooped up.
Option 4: Replace now with something nicer (but, wife--"you just started").

Sounds like you need to take a couple lessons to start off with. Someone needs to watch you play in order to determine what's causing your tone/buzzing problems. Without hearing or seeing you play at all, a common culprit is the "piano hammer" approach to your right hand. I see that a lot. If you're doing that, stop doing that. If you're only a month into playing, 99 times out of 100 it's not the instrument that's the problem.

Also, one other thing, is that you don't mention if you're playing through an amp, or going direct into a mixer or some such thing. A cheap amp can make a great bass sound miserable.

If you really do hate the bass you have, and you don't see a way around that (been there), go get another bass. There are good options in the $300-500 range. If your wife gives you grief, divorce her.

 

[Basslice]

p.s. Find some other Noob or patient guitar player to jam with. Nothing will improve your enjoyment and playing more than learning songs with someone. You might be surprised that the old bass is just fine. If not, get rid of it. Life is too short.