Returning after 20 years! Could do with some advice.

[FatKingCole]

Hey all,

I'm returning to the bass in my early 40s after around 20 years of not playing - I played guitar from around 12yo and then bass between maybe 18-23yo.

Had set a budget of between £400-500 (GBP) to allow something good enough to dip my toes back in without breaking the bank. Was leaning towards a Sterling Ray4 as couldn't find much preowned stuff of interest locally and would rather play before I buy.

However, I'm visiting a friend tomorrow and there's an interesting little boutiquey place near him - appt only and mostly preowned premium stuff.

They've got two nice looking P basses for £500 (2005 MIM and 2019 Player) and also a 2001 German Warwick Streamer.

I suspect I'd be happy with any of the above but am still interested to hear people's thoughts as there's so much knowledge on here.

How do the more recent Player P basses compare to the early 00s MIM ones?

Anybody played one of the old Streamers? Unlike most Warwicks I've seen they seem to be passive.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FatKingCole]

This is the place: BassBros | Home

You can see the specs of the above basses. Some serious bass porn in there!

 

[FatKingCole]

These are the three I'm looking at.

 

[Killing Floor]

If it’s in good condition that MiJ will be a very well made bass. Only can guess from here. Lots of options in your budget. Good luck.

 

[aproud1]

Play everything in your budget, buy what tickles your fancy. None of those are bad basses. Playing and hearing them should tell you what you need to know.

And welcome back!

 

[FatKingCole]

Sorry, my mistake, the 2005 is MIM! Was getting confused as my dad's friend has a MIJ Squier Strat which he swears by.

 

[LowendG]

Well a P is quite a different beast from a Streamer! I agree, go play a bunch. And (without knowing what kind of music you'll be playing) you simply can't go wrong with a decent P as your only bass - pretty much can fit any genre you throw at it. The Streamer I would argue, not quite as much (IMHO of course).
FWIW I have one P worth around $4k, but my humble MIM P is my main gigging bass. Records great too, I mean, it's a pbass!

 

[Ggaa]

I think the older Wicks have a chunkier neck than the newer ones-my '06 Corvette has one and is not any harder to play than the thinner neck on my '16 Streamer LX. The Vette came passive and I made 2 other Wicks passive because of noisy preamps, no problems. 2 pups are potentially more versatile..play a few basses, one will pick you.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

These are the three I'm looking at.

Go the butter cream and maple fretboard.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Buy the P .......

 

[TyBo]

That 2019 buttercream PBass looks pretty sweet. Free setup, plus the original pickguard should you tire of the tort. PBass, fits in anywhere, just about. Probably won't go wrong.

 

[FatKingCole]

Go the butter cream and maple fretboard.

That P is defo my favourite aesthetically.

 

[MCF]

Play what they have in your range and choose the one you’re most comfortable playing.

If you lived by me, I’d sell you my surf green SBMM SUB Ray4 for $250 and be glad to be rid of it. The only decent thing about it is the color. YMMV.

 

[Larryfales]

You can't go wrong with one of the P's.

 

[g-dude]

Buy the P .......

Counterpoint: don't buy the P.

 

[Bassquest]

What bass were you playing when you were 18-23 ?

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Depends on the sound you want. People will bash a Ray4 while others will bash a p bass. Me personally a p bass is muddy while the musicman style bass is a big clean sound.

 

[John Stephen]

Since you haven't played in twenty years and you're in your forties, play all of them and buy the one that's most comfortable for your hands, wrists, shoulder and fingers. Any kind of bass can play any kind of music. Your physical well-being is more important.

Bring a strap with you (or buy one if you don't have one), and play them all standing up as well as sitting down.

If you buy one that turns out to be uncomfortable, you won't play it much. Welcome back to the low end. And most of all, enjoy.

 

[lOmnivore S]

I suppose you're needing some amp, too..

 

[FatKingCole]

What bass were you playing when you were 18-23 ?

A Status