• 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.

Pass the Pepto...

#23
zenabi said:
It's more of a dilemma about if the sound really matters at this stage.
Click to expand...
Not really, imo. The most important thing about your sound at this stage is if YOU like it. If you hit a note and it hits that sweet spot for you. That’s what will get your to pick up your instrument again the next day. People in the audience don’t really care.

If you aren’t able to play one beforehand (and I understand that), listen to as many sound clips as you can… If you can determine what general bass sound YOU like, that will be the best way to guide you as a P Bass, a Jazz, and an SR while all are versatile (especially with different strings, EQ, and effects, etc) they each excel in a specific tone, so find out what tone you prefer and get the best bass for it.

I will also add that the tone you prefer may simply come down to what type of music you love and want to play. Who are your favourite bands/artists, and what basses are typically used? Etc.

And good for you for doing so much research beforehand, I just went to a store and bought the bass the salesman sold me on, which I regretted.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Killing Floor and CallMeAl
#25
IMO, and to my ears, a Jazz (Fender or FSO) can get closer to the sound of a Precision than the other way around. That's why I would buy a Jazz and then a Precision (Fender or FSO). One thing I've stopped doing is buying "temporary" instruments (they may or may not be cheap), especially when I'm not sure exactly what I want. It's best to wait and buy the best you can get when you know what you want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Robert B
#28
zenabi said:
The plan was to get one bass. But the one that I had pretty much decided on is not available for maybe 2 months. So I've been looking, reading, thinking.

I know Ibanez mostly gets a bad rap, but I was going to buy an Ibanez SR300EDX. However, I did wonder if the SR600E would be worth the extra money, but I don't believe that will get me any closer to the sound that I think I might crave.

Originally, I guess I was trying to convince myself that it has enough scope for various tones that it would be the only bass I would want or need. Now, I am thinking that although an Ibanez might give something resembling a Jazz bass sound, it obviously won't get anywhere near a Precision.

I really like the look of the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass in Ruby Red Metallic. I quite like the 40th Anniversary Precision in Black, although not quite as much as the Jazz.

So, rather than make a mistake, I though I would create this thread to possibly work out if I should just go with the Ibanez, or if I might be better off starting with either a Precision or a Jazz and plan to get one of each of those instead.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure they get a "bad rap", at least not that I have picked up on. I had a Ibanez SR years ago and though they played easy, very comfortable neck. The issue was it had kind of a "generic" tone, not a bad tone, just not distinctive...I don't hear it and say "that sounds like an Ibanez", like you can a P, J or Stingray for example. Great bass for the money, just wasnt my sound.
 
#29
I like Ibanez, I play Ibanez.

However in 50+ years of playing I've never found that using a Precision Bass to be a mistake.

That said, my current favorite "Precision Bass tone" comes from a recent Fender Mustang LE PJ using only the P pickup. I got lucky because others of that type I tried during a year+ long search didn't have the tone I was looking for.
 
#30
zenabi said:
The plan was to get one bass. But the one that I had pretty much decided on is not available for maybe 2 months. So I've been looking, reading, thinking.

I know Ibanez mostly gets a bad rap, but I was going to buy an Ibanez SR300EDX. However, I did wonder if the SR600E would be worth the extra money, but I don't believe that will get me any closer to the sound that I think I might crave.

Originally, I guess I was trying to convince myself that it has enough scope for various tones that it would be the only bass I would want or need. Now, I am thinking that although an Ibanez might give something resembling a Jazz bass sound, it obviously won't get anywhere near a Precision.

I really like the look of the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass in Ruby Red Metallic. I quite like the 40th Anniversary Precision in Black, although not quite as much as the Jazz.

So, rather than make a mistake, I though I would create this thread to possibly work out if I should just go with the Ibanez, or if I might be better off starting with either a Precision or a Jazz and plan to get one of each of those instead.
Click to expand...

Ibanez does not get a bad rap with most around here. They are a great value for the money. They are very well made. Their necks are slim and fast. If you don't adore the electronics they can be easily swapped.

And I say that as someone who currently doesn't own a whole Ibanez bass. (I have a neck on a parts bass.)

Either way, best of luck with your search.
 
  • Like
Reactions: definenredefine
#32
two fingers said:
Ibanez does not get a bad rap with most around here. They are a great value for the money. They are very well made. Their necks are slim and fast. If you don't adore the electronics they can be easily swapped.
Click to expand...
I was gonna say, at the price of most Ibbys these days, you can always throw in better pickups later or buy another similar feeling bass that sounds more like you want. Especially since you're just starting out, and how the bass plays is probably gonna be more important than how it sounds.

I say this because I hated my first bass (a cheap Peavey P bass clone with mile high action). I don't remember how it sounded because it was so terrible to play. My next bass with proper action was a dream by comparison.

And I say that as someone who currently doesn't own a whole Ibanez bass. (I have a neck on a parts bass.)
Click to expand...
An Ibby neck on a parts bass...interesting...
 
#34
definenredefine said:
I was gonna say, at the price of most Ibbys these days, you can always throw in better pickups later or buy another similar feeling bass that sounds more like you want. Especially since you're just starting out, and how the bass plays is probably gonna be more important than how it sounds.

I say this because I hated my first bass (a cheap Peavey P bass clone with mile high action). I don't remember how it sounded because it was so terrible to play. My next bass with proper action was a dream by comparison.


An Ibby neck on a parts bass...interesting...
Click to expand...

The neck originally came on an Ibanez DB700 (not my bass and not my pic). It is stamped "DB700" on the back of the head.
Screenshot_20220806-112908_DuckDuckGo.jpg


It now resides on a parts bass I bought this way. I have never been able to determine the origin of the body. The pickups and circuit are 80s active EMG. It looks awesome on stage and sounds like a beefy Fender Duff (Jazz Bass Special). I bring it out for the end of the show sometimes when we do a few 80s songs. I want a new bridge for it but have never gotten around to it. It sounds ridiculously good with a pick.
20220806_112604.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA, definenredefine, DwaynieAD and 3 others
#38
Even if you can't really "play" an instrument is sure to resonate with you. Ibanez makes great basses. I would recommend checking out the neck of which Ibanez bass you want. The necks are usually pretty thin and the Ibanez necks that are multi-laminate tend to be more stable. If this is your first bass I would say get something that feels good to you and start practicing. As you improve you may also meet other bass players and check out their basses. For some of us it has taken a long time to learn what we really like and our needs evolve as our skills improve. Enjoy the ride!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back