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Please help me choose a setup, head mainly (beginner)

S

Skacoredan

Guest
Apr 10, 2016
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#1
Hi all,

Just to note im pretty much a beginner.
Ive been to various shops, looked at lots of options, all sorts of price points.

From what ive picked up and felt, im considering either a fender jazz bass, or an ibanez SR. I thought the ibanez was very comfortable, however thought the body was a bit too small for me, as in i found the jazz more comfortable for my arm as the body kind of gennerated an arm support. Maybe thats just bad form on my behalf.

I am most unsure on the amp side.
I wont be buying a speaker cab to begin with, and just using headphones to practice. I am in the mind set of spend more upfront on an amphead, as I will expand later. I would rather have something decent to expand upon, than having to change and sell on.
I dont have a price/budget, i just want to get what works/is most sensible.

I am looking at a couple of options.
Ive chosen these due to popularity and the fact they have a headphone out. Size isnt a issue. If theres anything better to add, please do mention that.

Mesa subway D-800
GK, MB Fusion 800
TecAmp Puma 900
(Edit add : finding a used Genz Benz Streamliner 900)

Maybe someone could also mention which smallest/lightweight speakers would pair well with each, for future reference.

Hope someone can help,
Dan.
 
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#4
As to the Fender Jazz or Ibanez SR. Which ever one fits your body, hands, fingers best is the way to go. I'd point you to a 4 string to start with. Why? Most of the instruction, video, books, etc. will be shown on a 4 string. If you will be playing from standard notation and using "piano sheet music" because of ledger notes the 5 string comes in handy, if not, my 4 string does everything I ask of it.

As to amp or head phone. I'd recommend a small light weight 15 watt amp for practice. Once you start gigging you'll want 150 to 300 watts of power, but, they are heavy so your lightweight 15 watt amp will still come in handy for your practice amp. You'll leave the monster in the garage. If you want silent practice I'd recommend a VOX headphone amp $50+/- and then any set of headphones.

I use a set of headphones when gigging not sure of the numbers, but, they were in the $150 - $200 range.

As to speakers on your gigging amp. The bigger the better. I would recommend Two 15 inch over four 12's.

My GAS budget is rather small since I'm on retirement, perhaps the other guys will chime in.

Good luck.
 
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#8
Hey Welcome to Talk Bass!

Of that list I agree on the GB.

Your picked up bass at a great time though. We are going through sort of a bass gear Renaissance right now. There are lots of affordable options out there.

It would help to know roughly where you are. Advice for someone in Paris may be different from advice for someone in Kansas City (either of them).
 
#9
Choose a budget
Choose your target - that is, how much stage do you need to fill (how many watts / drivers will you need)
Decide used or new (I strongly recommend used)

Of the heads you've called out, I like the techamp. I have a puma 500 and it's perfect for my lightweight rig (Berg CN112+Berg CN210). I can do outdoor gigs all night with that small setup - because the quality is top-notch. Don't skim on the cabs - they cost, but good is worth paying for.
 
#10
Skacoredan said:
I thought the ibanez was very comfortable, however thought the body was a bit too small for me, as in i found the jazz more comfortable for my arm as the body kind of gennerated an arm support. Maybe thats just bad form on my behalf.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is bad form, and you should correct it before doing anything else. You don't want to use the bass body as an arm support. You've probably seen a lot of bassists do this: The forearm is almost horizontal, resting heavily on top of the bass body, and the wrist is bent at a 90-degree angle (or even more) so the fingers can dangle down to reach the strings. This is a sure-fire recipe for pain, injury, and fatigue in your right hand. Watch this video, starting at about the 2:10 mark, for a clear explanation about why:

 
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#11
You can never go wrong with a Jazz bass.

Rather than get a more expensive head, I would get one slightly less expensive, and get one cab to start. Rather than the Fusion, consider the GK MB-500 if you want to save some money. Similar head, just no tube. It's what I use. GK is a great product for the money. Carvin BX-500 is decent as well (although I prefer the sound of the GK).

Consider getting one 1x12 or 2x10 cab - get an 8 ohm cab. The newer cabs, with neodium speakers, are much lighter. Cabs make a difference in your tone, so try out different options.Again, GK is a great value, especially if you like a bright tone. If when youjoin a band you can get a second cab so you have enough to gig.
 
#14
Ibanez SRs are great basses. I've had a few different brands in my time and they are by far my favorite. The necks are good, they're light weight, and the onboard EQ leaves you a lot of options for tone. Plus, they can be had rather cheaply on the used market.

For amps I really like GK stuff. I've had Genz-Benz, Kustom, Ampeg, Fender, Orange, and Hartke amps and I've sold off everything but the GK and Orange.

I find practicing with headphones to be a pain in the butt personally but a lot of people don't mind it. If that's all you're after I might recommend just spending a little money on a headphone amp for now and then buy your rig once you're further along. Or, if cash isn't as much of a worry I would highly recommend getting a GK MB200. It's incredibly small and light, has aux in and headphone out, and has more than enough power for woodshedding or small gigs (think coffee shop, open mic, that type of stuff).
 
#15
Between those, it all depends on the tone you are going for. Honestly you can not go wrong with any of them. If it were me, I would be looking at either the Streamliner (only because I got to play one a while ago and really fell in love with the tone.. especially coming out if the matching 2x12 cab) or the GK. I have a few frends who use the GK and heard nothing but good things from them.
 
#17
Will you be having access to a PA when playing with others?

If so you can just get away with using a DI. The Ampeg SCR DI has your typical bass DI stuff but is also usable as a headphone amp.

Check out offerings by Hartke, like the LH500 and the LH1000 heads. They aren't super light weight but they sound good and are cheap.

Personally I wouldn't buy a head upfront with no speaker cab to play it through. That would be like torture!
 
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#18
Thank you so much for all the replies. I love how helpful you all are.

Let me add some more info;
So musical styles, i mostly listen to genres in and around the following;
Punk, Hardcore, Skapunk

In terms on influences that have got me pursuing bass, is Remco Hendrix and Fat Mike from NOFX.
If i could pick and endgoal right now, as to what i would like to do on bass, it is what Remco is doing. Funky improvisation, i also love his tone. Funnily enough, i dont listen to funk as a genre, but i love what Remco does. I do however love Adequate Seven, they has some strong funky influences.

Edit - oh and also it seems Remco plays a jazz bass, in one of my favourite tracks :)

Im from the uk, and live in a flat, hense the headphones. I would need a setup where i can practice and not upset neighbours and the girlfriend.
My intention (maybe my understanding is wrong here) is to find a head, that has a wonderful tone to use with headphones. Im not really interested in how loud the output will be. I do have a headphone amplifier, if thats of any use.
Maybe i need to ditch headphones and find a very good small speaker cab instead, something thats not going to send vibrations through the floor and would pair well with whatever is suggested.
Im not even concidering stage/gigging. Ill re buy new gear later if i ever get that far.

Thanks again,
Dan.
 
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#19
I picked up an old Kustom Groove Bass 600HD for next to nothing a few years back. It was heavy (an older Class A/B Head and I've been spoiled with Class D heads) but the tone was good. You don't hear a lot about Kustom on here so I was a little leery, but I'm glad I got it. It sounded good, held it's own in a band environment, and put out some quality bass tones. If I could find a Class D option that sounded like that amp for a decent price I wouldn't think twice about picking it up.
 
#20
strictlybass_ic said:
I picked up an old Kustom Groove Bass 600HD for next to nothing a few years back. It was heavy (an older Class A/B Head and I've been spoiled with Class D heads) but the tone was good. You don't hear a lot about Kustom on here so I was a little leery, but I'm glad I got it. It sounded good, held it's own in a band environment, and put out some quality bass tones. If I could find a Class D option that sounded like that amp for a decent price I wouldn't think twice about picking it up.
Click to expand...

There's the KXB500! I'm not sure how similar it is to the 600HD but it's class D and seems pretty nice!
 

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