Rock Bass for Guitarist

[Moble]

I can't find a bass player to record my tune so I'm looking at basses now. It's a rock song so I want to have a punchy sound.

Maple or ebony board (not rosewood)
bodywood: alder or basswood OK?

What about electronics? Do I need a neck pickup? HEre are some.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SRMD200CAM--ibanez-mezzo-srmd200-candy-apple-matte

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https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by-Music-Man/SUB-StingRay-Maple-Fingerboard-Electric-Bass.gc

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[jd56hawk]

Under $400, right?

 

[Moble]

Under $500. Under $400 is better, though.

 

[Ostie]

Just curious—why not rosewood?

 

[Moble]

Just curious—why not rosewood?

Rosewood is soft and dull. I dislike it.

 

[Ostie]

Rosewood is soft and dull. I dislike it.

Pau ferro is probably off the table too, then.....

 

[707GK]

Both Ibanez you posted links to should do the trick, same with the Jazz bass.

Have you looked into a Squier or Fender P Bass? Many rock bassists use them. They can be real punchy.

 

[sleddogn]

i vote p bass fender or squier

 

[NikkiVibes]

A jazz bass with the right kind of strings for the sounds you enjoy can be quite punchy, but overall I think the p suits rock better and sits well in a mix.
Both have pros and cons.
Try em out and see what feels most comfortable.

 

[Kro]

Any examples of the bass tone you're looking for? Might help narrow things down, but really it's personal preference.

How something feels to you is almost as important as how it sounds.

I'm actually curious to hear your tune.

 

[Moble]

Steve Harris, Billy Sheehan, Michael Anthony.

The tune is more like a modern progressive metal, like Dream Theater. I'm not ready to show it yet. I did one take for the main solo. I need to clean everything up, add bass, work on levels and panning.

There are A LOT of guitar lines on it now so I want to add keys to have those replace the guitar parts for a more sophisticated arrangement.

 

[lancimouspitt]

You might just find someone on here to record the part for you....

 

[Kro]

You might just find someone on here to record the part for you....

I was thinking of responding with something similar, but I wouldn't want to steer him away from starting his own bass journey!

I got my start on bass due to needing to put together an ensemble and not being able to find any qualified bassists as well.

 

[lancimouspitt]

I was thinking of responding with something similar, but I wouldn't want to steer him away from starting his own bass journey!

I got my start on bass due to needing to put together an ensemble and not being any to find any qualified bassists as well.

That's a good point... The lords of low end might have plans for this one yet.....

 

[buldog5151bass]

P bass with new Rotosound Swing Steel strings. Used MIM Fender or new Squier.

Done.

 

[Moble]

Anyone interested in laying down some killer bass lines, contact me!

I will send you a private link to rough take of the tune.

 

[CBass079]

I'm a little biased towards this bass (as I have one), but for about $299, the Sub bass by Sterling is absolutely ridiculous. The electronics (like the volume, EQ) are not great, but this thing can stand up to some of the more expensive basses out there in terms of playability IMO. With a half-decent amp, you can get a pretty darn good "rock" tone out of it (I'm using a Fender Rumble 25). It is literally a Stingray with a much smaller price tag and slightly worse electronics.

A lot of the music I personally make is very much influenced by more progressive artists (such as Primus, Fishbone, Tool, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, etc) and I really feel this bass satisfies my musical needs. I've also dabbled in quite a bit of metal (Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest) and it doesn't disappoint there either. I truly believe it is one of the best basses in the $0 to $500 range.

I picked mine up at a Guitar Center, so if you have one nearby, you should definitely try it out.

 

[lfmn16]

Get a Squier P bass, put quality strings on it and have it professionally set up. It will sound fine, especially under a mountain of guitars.

 

[getBAK]

For a cheap rock-bass with awesome tone it's really hard to beat the Ibanez ATK 300. You can get them used for under $300.
Very heavy for road-work, but great for the studio
The sound will punch through a brick wall.

Sample
Ibanez ATK300 Bass Guitar Active Pickup Natural c. 1994

 

[MJ_Sotti]

You do know that if you have a guitar player play bass for your stuff it's gonna sound like ****, right? Guitar players play bass like they got a broomstick up their ***.

Jus sayn'