+1 on this!
My buddy picked up a classic vibe jazz and its pretty decent. compares with some of the fenders I've played.
(no where close to my precisions though
)
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Studio needs a quality Fender - Gecommendations?
- Thread starter zdanny
- Start date
+1 on this!
My buddy picked up a classic vibe jazz and its pretty decent. compares with some of the fenders I've played.
(no where close to my precisions though
)
Actually that barter concept or hybrid of 1/2 bartered studio time and half $ isn't a bad idea either. Builds roster, you gain a bass, maybe a potential new client and who knows a referral some day down the line.
I agree as well. The one I had the chance to see was an excellent bass, extremely well made and great sounding.
I think Squier has come a long way in the last few years, so maybe don't discount them completely based on past experience alone. Go down to your local shop and try to keep an open mind.
And, ditch the jazz and get a precision.
very true - Squiers these days are a darn site better...and the 'nicer' ones like CV are easily 'good enough' for gigs or studio work...
I assume you tried this but if not....$500 seems decent for a bass that the dude didn't need for 2yrs....
^^^^^ winning suggestion imho - if you are lucky you catch a guy with a sweet, unloved Fender just going through his 'active only' phase - he can take what you pay for his fender and get a nice active import with MK1s....
If you are certain that only a maple fingerboard will do, look for a used Fender 50's classic P-bass. If you can spend a hundred or so more, you might find a used Fender Road Worn P or Jazz Bass.
Yesterday I took my vintage '55 P-bass to rehearsal. The guys said, "Wow. So cool. Sounds great. Now get out the Road Worn Jazz and let's get to work."
this was my first thought - Classic Series MIM 50s P - used for $500 all day - great sounding recording pickup (imho) and really nicely built bass.
thing is none of those basses would fit the Fender Studio Bass requirement - that is a passive bass with a classic, easily recordable sound that 99% of bassists being recorded will be somewhat familiar with (and the engineer will know how to record/EQ with eyes closed)
SURE you can get killer tones that work out of those basses...but when you are paying for time, and bass is only one of 5 or more voices to worry about - sometimes a simpler, time-tested, role tape and get 'er done solution is what works best for the band while maybe not being the ideal tone fantasy for the bassist in question..
+1 again....
Someone suggested a Fender Jaguar. I own one and love it, but beware; many have buzz/grounding issues. They can range from simple to take care of to drive you crazy- ville.
For 500 bucks you could go to a shop and pick out two Squiers, a P and a J. Just try them all out and pick out the two best ones. The barter for time idea sounds good, too.
LTD vintage 204. great sound and better quality that asking price new. I was impressed. It's now my backup. I gig with my Geddy that now has Joe Barden pups. I don't mind switching in a gig to it. around 360 new. go try one out, you will be surprised. sorry bout the poor gramar, wife is badgering me about farmville. apparently she needs to harvest something...
Seems you liked the J-bass tone, and staying in that vein I'd recommend an MIM Fender, either used Classic '60s if possible, or a really good MIM Standard. The Squier Classic Vibes are very good as well, and worth a look.
The best, however, is probably a used G&L Tribute JB-2. These are better overall than MIM Standard Fenders and the Classic Vibes, and have G&L's excellent USA "vintage alnico" pickups, which record extremely well IMO. (I had them in a G&L USA JB.)
If your studio is prone to lots of single coil hum, maybe replace the pickups with DiMarzio's noiseless Area J, which run a little over $100/set and produce classic J-bass tone.
The best, however, is probably a used G&L Tribute JB-2. These are better overall than MIM Standard Fenders and the Classic Vibes, and have G&L's excellent USA "vintage alnico" pickups, which record extremely well IMO. (I had them in a G&L USA JB.)
If your studio is prone to lots of single coil hum, maybe replace the pickups with DiMarzio's noiseless Area J, which run a little over $100/set and produce classic J-bass tone.
The Geddy Lee's I've been seeing used are all more than $500, which is a shame cause it would be a great bass for you. But really, just about every brand makes a passive "Fender style" P, J, or P/J bass.
So the question is, new or used? For new gear I would check out Fender MIMs and Squire's. Quality can be variable, so check out a bunch. If you go used, check out your local Craigslist ads, your local guitar shop used gear, the local consignment and pawn shops, and see if there is anything good there in your price range. Go online and check out Guitar Center's used gear. And once you get something, especially if its used, pay a good luthier his fee and have it gone over carefully - that's a worthwhile investment.
So the question is, new or used? For new gear I would check out Fender MIMs and Squire's. Quality can be variable, so check out a bunch. If you go used, check out your local Craigslist ads, your local guitar shop used gear, the local consignment and pawn shops, and see if there is anything good there in your price range. Go online and check out Guitar Center's used gear. And once you get something, especially if its used, pay a good luthier his fee and have it gone over carefully - that's a worthwhile investment.
I have a MIA Jazz and the G&L L2500T and I must say they sound different. So if you look for the classic jazz bass sound with both pick-ups up full than go for a Jazz bass, but if you look for a precision type of sound among many others than the L2000 it´s a great overall bass plus it records so so so nice.
I work in a studio and out of all the basses I recorded, the G&L records best, and the worst bass I could record (don´t flame me Music Man lovers) was a stingray5
I work in a studio and out of all the basses I recorded, the G&L records best, and the worst bass I could record (don´t flame me Music Man lovers) was a stingray5
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The ESP ltd vintage 204 is a P-J bass with that distinct vintage look. ESP is a reputable builder and has some offerings within your pricerange....
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The ESP ltd vintage 204 is a P-J bass with that distinct vintage look. ESP is a reputable builder and has some offerings within your pricerange....
+1. I'm sure your mind is reeling from all of these varied suggestions; but you just can't go wrong with either of Jim's suggestions. Great tone for recording (OR live).
Wow, thank you everyone for your thoughts!
Our house bass was a Geddy, and I liked it well enough.
I really feel a bass is something I've got to get my hands on and try, which is why I'm looking locally. I do like the suggestion for the G&L Tribute JB-2, but I doubt one will turn up. I also am a fan of the Squier CV Tele's, and imagine the CV basses are alright too. I own a damn masterbuilt thinline and the Squier, outside of the hardware, holds its own. The Squier Affinity I owned several years ago was complete garbage in every way.
A MIM turned up in my email this morning, but I'm puzzled by this photo because it looks as though the headstock says both Fender & Squier. I think I can get this for under $300, which would be sweet, IF it's good.
Our house bass was a Geddy, and I liked it well enough.
I really feel a bass is something I've got to get my hands on and try, which is why I'm looking locally. I do like the suggestion for the G&L Tribute JB-2, but I doubt one will turn up. I also am a fan of the Squier CV Tele's, and imagine the CV basses are alright too. I own a damn masterbuilt thinline and the Squier, outside of the hardware, holds its own. The Squier Affinity I owned several years ago was complete garbage in every way.
A MIM turned up in my email this morning, but I'm puzzled by this photo because it looks as though the headstock says both Fender & Squier. I think I can get this for under $300, which would be sweet, IF it's good.
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You can get a decent p-bass from a L2000. I just figured, if it is the house bass and people are going to record on it, they would want the most versatile bass so the player can get the tone he wants to hear on the record. I wouldn't pay to have it sound not like I want. Anyways, I wouldn't walk into a studio playing a bass I am unfamiliar with. I would undoubtedly bring my own.
