I gig mostly with EBMM (Stingray, Sterling), Fender (Jazz, Precision) and occasionally Thunderbird. Projects include a 90s cover band, U2 tribute and Steely Dan tribute. Looking to explore other basses I may be missing out on...
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Other basses to consider?
- Thread starter Steve M222
- Start date
IMO, you've got pretty much everything covered. The only suggestion I'd make is a Rickenbacker... but play them until you find one that sings to you because there is variation by various generations of the bass. I currently own an '86 that is a keeper.
I would only consider this if I felt my creative abilities were being thwarted. On the other hand, there are a lot of other manufacturers like Reverend, Yamaha that are competitively priced, and higher end instruments to explore if you have the bucks.
You’ve got the basses covered. If you needed a modern tone a dual humbucker bass could be fun. Explore multi scale?
But I’d say tone wise there’s nothing you’re likely missing. Except maybe contentment
But I’d say tone wise there’s nothing you’re likely missing. Except maybe contentment
That’s a pretty broad palette of tones with your collection of basses.
Do you have a modern active Jazz bass? Or instead of another bass, maybe you could add a Sadowsky or Aguilar outboard preamp?
This is how we enable each other to end up with a pile of gear….
Warwick Thumb and chainsaw through every mix.
Could definitely get by (at the very least) with any of the basses you have on-hand.
Perhaps a P/J like a Spector or Ibanez fitted with active EMGs? or aggressive passives like DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan?
Perhaps a P/J like a Spector or Ibanez fitted with active EMGs? or aggressive passives like DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan?
You have NOTHING (in the semi hollow body med scale) range so I suggest a Reverend Dub King.
I think you're good with what you have. Stash the cash and wait until you "need" something for a particular project.
That's a well-rounded quiver. The only flavor that I think you're missing is some sort of shortscale hollowbody w/flats vibe. Hofner, Starfire, Dano/Jerry Jones, etc. That said, none of the bands you mention really call for that. You're totally covered for those with what you've got. Alternatively, if none of yours are fivers, a five string of some kind. Could come in handy on some of the 90's stuff, and is just good to have and to get comfortable on. When you need those low notes, you need 'em.
Good suggestion - you can take a humble MIM Fender or Squier passive Jazz, run it through a Sadowsky pre, and in the mix--you're playing a Sadowsky. That sound is on a lot of 90's stuff.
Def worth checking out different scale options! Lots of tonal variety between short scale, medium scale, multi scale etc...
I think you’ve got it.
If I had to recommend one more, it might be a semi hollow like the Duesenberg Starplayer Curt Smith has been playing recently.
If I had to recommend one more, it might be a semi hollow like the Duesenberg Starplayer Curt Smith has been playing recently.
A GOOD acoustic bass guitar (ABG) or upright is certainly missing from your collection. Those things sound like nothing else, and they don't even sound like each other. Take a road trip or (pilgrimage?) to a place that has a lot of specialty or exotic/rare basses and see what grabs you.
I know you're going to get WAY more suggestions than you have time to research, but I can't help but chime in. As @BassBrass mentioned, you have no semi-hollow basses in there. For that, I'd recommend an Epiphone Jack Casady signature model. A very good bass at a great price. For other solid bodies, I recommend either the USA-built G&L SB-2 or the new G&L JB with the MFD pickups on it. The latter is a brand new model and is available at the link below (in three finishes) or as a Pancho Tomaselli signature model (black only). Those MFD pickups are Leo Fender's last pickup design, and they put an exclamation point on everything he designed during his lifetime. Truly fine pickups. G&L's L2000 (or the L2500 5-string) is also a great bass, in either the USA or the Tribute (Indonesian) model. The pickups on it are MFD humbuckers that are built by G&L in the USA.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...ton-deluxe-jb-mfd-bass-guitar-vintage-natural
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...ton-deluxe-jb-mfd-bass-guitar-vintage-natural
Take a hard look at Yamaha BB and TRBX series basses. I also play Fenders and was a MusicMan devote for decades. But my Yamaha TRBX 505 is a wonderful bass at an attractive price. Build is near perfect, balances nicely, 5 piece neck for stability, solid hardware and a lovely 3 band active preamp or passive mode.
I don't know of another company other than Sire that gives so much value.
A great bass at a great price.
Sounds like you've got a great arsenal. You might consider Rickenbacker, Hofner, or maybe a Sandberg TM4 for a "modern" sound.
