Re: Purchasing guidance.

[Ed Sewers Park]

I played guitar for seven years. Out of the blue my best friend gave me a bass guitar, a Dean Edge I. To the disapproval of many purists, I play the bass "like a guitar." That is to say: I play (mostly) plectrum style playing multiple strings at once and am often the melodic lead in my band. I'm sure many of you are cringing.

Here's an embarrassingly poor demo from our first summer playing together.

In the beginning I was playing the Dean through some ancient Ampeg 1x15 (heard in the demo) and of course it was just brown and muddy. I've been playing bass now for a couple of years and have learned to avoid the mud in my approach, but the HH on the Dean through a 1x15 really doesn't help the case. So in spring I bought and fell in love with an [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], which has immeasurably improved the sound.

I actually like my Dean, it's surprisingly playable, but I would like to have an additional, if not replacement, bass. I am looking for a 4-string, 24 fret, bass that could handle the tonal gymnastics my style requires. I recently played a Music Man Big Al and it was exactly the kind of bass I was looking for, but at $1,700 it's out of my price range.

My friend keeps suggesting Fender, but there isn't a model I've played that I've liked.

I would greatly appreciate any help guiding me in the right direction and would doubly appreciate any and all ridicule to be eschewed; it isn't helpful.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Let's start with the sound you're looking for. Which band(s) and/or song(s) represent the desired bass tones you'd like to reach? Also, let us know the budget you're prepared to spend.

 

[bassteban]

I only cringe at the term *plectrum* as opposed to *pick*
Play how you like, you'll like how you play.
That said, Dean makes several levels of bass, correct? If you like what you have, you might be perfectly happy w/a higher-end but similar model by the same manufacturer.
THAT said, I liked the one Dean I owned(a fretless Edge 4)& also like Fender. I'd suggest not counting them(Fender)out yet- I've seen a lot of variation in quality from one to the next.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Your bass, your style, your method. Do what makes you happy.

Many people play with a pick.

Chords are definitely possible and sound good on bass.

Hey, how many guitarists are usually in a band? (1, 2+.) How many basses are usually in a band? 1. Therefore, although normally used to support rhythm, bass is a solo instrument.

 

[Ed Sewers Park]

Let's start with the sound you're looking for. Which band(s) and/or song(s) represent the desired bass tones you'd like to reach? Also, let us know the budget you're prepared to spend.

I haven't heard any bassists that play like me, not to say there aren't any out there, I just don't know of them.

My budget...I'd be willing to spend up to a grand if it feels right.

 

[TolerancEJ]

If possible, try a variety of different basses in music stores local to you.

 

[XtheDeadPawn]

Have you tried Ibanez? The SR line is known for thin necks which makes it great for power chords. As a bassist I think you seem to play like Lemmy from Motorhead that man plays chords all the time on his Ric. However if you can't afford a Big Al you damn sure can't afford a Ric!

IMO they are overpriced with the same amount of money you put into one of those you can get a pretty good custom (Carvin or Wishbass) or buy a in the middle ($800) bass and mod it to high heaven and still have cash for a new set of strings.

I'd advise you to look at:

ESP/LTD (Like Ibanez are known to have pretty thin necks)

Deans

Yamahas (The BB line and the RBX374)

Peavey Fury's (Long out of production but, are floating around everywhere tons of grit and bite great with a pick.)

And finally
Warwicks and their sister company Rockbass
(Warwicks are notorious for having a beastly growl and Rockbasses have one too but, it's still like hearing a Pitbull bark compared to a Poodle but, don't get me wrong Rockbass makes stuff with all the same pickups as the higher end Warwicks so the growl is still there just different.)

 

[Ed Sewers Park]

If possible, try a variety of different basses in music stores local to you.

I have been. I'm going to start bringing my amp so I know what it will truly sound like. So far Squier, Fender, and Ibanez have been problematic for my style. Schecter got a little warmer and felt better in my hands, but still was a bit muddy. Like I said, the Big Al was almost perfect...I just can't justify spending two grand when my car is on its last leg and the kittens need feeding.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Maybe you can find a used Big Al somewhere. I remember one showing up in the TB classifieds awhile ago. I'm pretty sure it's already sold though.

 

[spaz21387]

how about the blacktop fenders? they are way different then the traditional fender bass... both the dual humbucker model p bass and the dual p pickup j bass have caught my attention...

 

[XtheDeadPawn]

I don't think Big Al's come up used very often and even if they did I'm pretty sure the asker wouldn't want anything less than half of what s/he paid for it. I know I wouldn't if I spent $2000 on a bass.

Not trying to crush the OP's spirits I just think he'll need a little luck on his side or if he doesn't believe in luck a lot of hope.

 

[anonymous122511]

I played guitar for seven years. Out of the blue my best friend gave me a bass guitar, a Dean Edge I. To the disapproval of many purists, I play the bass "like a guitar." That is to say: I play (mostly) plectrum style playing multiple strings at once and am often the melodic lead in my band. I'm sure many of you are cringing.

There are a few people out there playing more guitaristically like Carles Benavent.

After gravitating more heavily to a more guitaristic approach about three years ago I just found the bass I've been looking for last week. Be patient and play as many basses as you can as often as you can. If you're not 100% sure it's the right one it probably isn't.

 

[Ed Sewers Park]

you know, I just recently heard about the piccolo bass. Has anyone played piccolo bass? Thoughts? I'll have to experiment, but I'm afraid me and my guitarist would be so close in pitch that we would just start to meld; in a bad way.

 

[MisterFabulous]

If it's an EBMM Big Al you want, wait a bit, you'll get it. I've seen them used at Guitar Center for a song.

 

[Ed Sewers Park]

You know, when I was looking for amps I was really interested in Carvin. The problem was and still remains to be that they are factory and I've NEVER seen these show up in shops. Well, now that I'm looking for basses, I have the itch again. Want to play:

Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed