Recommend me a bass

[daerek]

Wait...I don't understand...are you saying you DON'T want to play every bass possible? I'm confused by this. I thought that was the point of it all.

Of course I want to play every bass possible, duh! But, also quite duh, I also want to find a great bass that I can own and play with my band, before I turn 80!

Also... I don't want to play every bad bass! So if there are any basses I should definitely avoid, feel free to tell me!

And I will follow your advice on online retailers!

 

[nostatic]

My recommendation on a bass:

One that has good playability (often dependent on setup - a "bad" bass in the store can transform to a "good" one sometimes.

One that has good string-to-string volume balance.

One that is articulate (good attack, not too many overtones, etc).

If you can get something that hits those three wickets, the rest doesn't really matter that much. Pup configuration, body shape/material, etc...more style than substance. Yes, pups will influence sound, but frankly you can use most any bass for most any style as long as it has the above three qualities. The details can be tweak by amplification, pedals, and most notably, technique. But a bass that plays like crap will annoy you, and one that has lousy string balance and/or inarticulate tone can't really be fixed.

 

[daerek]

My recommendation on a bass:

One that has good playability (often dependent on setup - a "bad" bass in the store can transform to a "good" one sometimes.

One that has good string-to-string volume balance.

One that is articulate (good attack, not too many overtones, etc).

Can you recommend any specific basses with these qualities?

 

[Marton]

Consider trying an older model of the MIA P bass deluxe, the one with the humbucker at the bridge.

 

[SC Bassboy]

Consider trying an older model of the MIA P bass deluxe, the one with the humbucker at the bridge.

Or, as I've said, the MIM P bass deluxe with P/J pups. Mine has a maple fretboard and notes just scream off of it. Plus, it has very even string-to-string volume.

 

[OOZMAN]

for 5 string tuning i rekon: (low to high) A, C, G, C, F
skillet uses that tuning i think... i play drop C and if i got a 5er thats how id tune it

 

[gm2_in_co]

*DING* Winner!


I will recommend to you the same as I do for everyone, regardless of music genre or other influences...

Figure out what your budget is, and go play as many basses as you possibly can within your budget. Buy the one that grabs you by the throat and screams, "Take me home, and have your way with me, beotch!!!"

In other words, buy the one that sounds, feels, and looks best to YOU.

What is this "buy the one" concept you speak of?

 

[daerek]

for 5 string tuning i rekon: (low to high) A, C, G, C, F
skillet uses that tuning i think... i play drop C and if i got a 5er thats how id tune it

So, like a drop C 4-stringer with an extra low A? I have thought of that possibility too, but I think I'll go with standard tuning. Or maybe just down the whole bass one step? Like, ADGCF?

 

[SOB H.R.MC]

My Charvel 3B tuned to CGCF sounds f***ing incredable and you can find them for $200-$400(3B's are neck thru with active eletronics and built in preamp)
ps there are 2 on ebay now

 

[daerek]

If you didn't notice, I'm actually looking for a 5-string.

 

[SOB H.R.MC]

your words

I think I want a 5-string, but we currently play tuned in drop C. So, any suggestions?

 

[OOZMAN]

So, like a drop C 4-stringer with an extra low A? I have thought of that possibility too, but I think I'll go with standard tuning. Or maybe just down the whole bass one step? Like, ADGCF?

Well in metal since the guitars play alot of open 6th sting then i think you should have and open string to suit i.e low C. I wouldn't want to constantly be holding the 3rd fret of the fifth string to play a C. Therefore I belive ACGCF would be good because you have the first 4 strings to match the guitars and it goes down to an A. That or GCGCF, drop C with 5 lower semitones, but thats getting seriously low

 

[pharmakon]

Wait...I don't understand...are you saying you DON'T want to play every bass possible? I'm confused by this. I thought that was the point of it all.

Sig worthy!

 

[daerek]

your words

I think I want a 5-string, but we currently play tuned in drop C. So, any suggestions?

Also my words:

[...] drop C, which I've gotten used to. Still, I think I'll be able to handle and use an extra string, as well as repositioning my basslines, just fine.

 

[daerek]

I now own an Ibanez BTB 475 5-stringer!

 

[cetera]

Sounds like you need a Spector EuroLX..... get a EuroLX35 if you want a 4-string to play downtuned to C (longer scale keeps superb string tension).