OK cool. I will look around my town and see how much some of the "people" would charge. What exactly is the title of people that would do that modification work, and what kinds of places would I find them?
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Tell me if you agree with this statement
- Thread starter bassguy74
- Start date
OK cool. I will look around my town and see how much some of the "people" would charge. What exactly is the title of people that would do that modification work, and what kinds of places would I find them?
They would be called luthiers or guitar techs. You can usually find them at local guitar shops (not Guitar Center, the small mom and pop shops and such) or on Craigslist.
- Jul 30, 2006
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- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I would look in a music store or instrument repair shop for a guitar tech. Ask other players who they use. Sometimes other musicians will have a side business setting up guitars.
OK cool. So the big question I have about this is, the instant I get the bass, considering I'm a beginner, should I take it straight to the guitar tech and have them change it up, or only change it if I feel that something doesn't feel/play right?
As a beginner, there might be something wrong with the bass that you don't notice now, but might later, so you should have someone who knows what to look for take a look at it. OTOH, a less than honest tech might say it needs work that it doesn't need just to get your money. If you're taking lessons, you could have your instructor look at it, or if you know any experienced musicians, have them look at it.
I taught new students for many years. The thing I noticed as far as instruments goes, is that if the bass doesn't balance, or is just plain put together badly, then the student is likely to give up sooner.
The worst offenders are:
Ibanez from the all-in-one packs - the necks warp
Rogue - basically firewood
Certain Squires - balance and neck issues
Washburn - I worked at a store where the necks on 10 Washburn basses broke in half while hanging on the wall because they made them with green wood.
Whatever that Walmart brand is - do I even have to say why?
Other than that a tech guy can make almost any bass playable.
Spector basses are good. Not the best but no bass qualifies for that title.
Go PLAY some stuff. See what YOU like.
The worst offenders are:
Ibanez from the all-in-one packs - the necks warp
Rogue - basically firewood
Certain Squires - balance and neck issues
Washburn - I worked at a store where the necks on 10 Washburn basses broke in half while hanging on the wall because they made them with green wood.
Whatever that Walmart brand is - do I even have to say why?
Other than that a tech guy can make almost any bass playable.
Spector basses are good. Not the best but no bass qualifies for that title.
Go PLAY some stuff. See what YOU like.
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
Yes,
They are *MOSTLY* well known by Bassists, whether they have played one or not, so I don't see the statement as completely inaccurate.
They are *MOSTLY* well known by Bassists, whether they have played one or not, so I don't see the statement as completely inaccurate.
- Aug 5, 2005
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- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Where in the **** do these statements come from? How does this bullpoop propagate?
Ritter wins the "best bass" award.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
Like I said: which bass has recorded more hits, made more money & raised more kids? Best? There is no best.
- Apr 29, 2004
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses & Cort Basses
Does it matter?
Sure it's advertising guff..... but they've got more right than most to make that claim, true or not...
Sure it's advertising guff..... but they've got more right than most to make that claim, true or not...
"We believe that we make the best electric bass guitars in the world. Master craftsmen from around the world make our instruments with great love and care. We have basses for all budgets, from our most affordable Professional Series to our top-of-the-line USA Series, which we make by hand here in the wilds of Saugerties, New York. When you choose a Spector® Bass, you have made the decision to buy a bass made for a lifetime."
- Stuart Spector
It's your right to believe otherwise.
ps: I believe them though
- Stuart Spector
It's your right to believe otherwise.
ps: I believe them though
1), Spector basses: (from the Spector site) Do you think they are well-known as the best basses in the world, in all respects?
The next question I have is, what bass would you say is the absolute best brand you can get in terms of quality, for a "beginner price"? I've heard a lot of good things about MANY basses, so I wanna see what the consensus is and then go with the most mentioned.
1) No.
2) there's no "the best" as far as I'm concerned.
I'd get a good P bass.
It'll last you very long and is no victim to trends.
They are also not built for lawyers , collectors,bankers or dentists.
Spector basses are good basses no doubt. But it's all in what you want in deciding what the best bass is. For me, Modulus is the cream of the crop. I've been playing bass for 18 years now and for me, Modulus has the sound I want and the best feel in my hands. You may hate them. It's all about getting out there and finding what suits you and your playing situation best. As for setup, it's not that hard to do it yourself if you have the appropriate tools to do it correctly. I learned to do my own setups by watching and reading about them. You can save yourself some money in the long run and, to me, nothing beats having a bass setup for me by me. I'm the only one who really knows what I want afterall.
If you want to know more about setup go to http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/.
If you sign up for their newsletter they will send you a PDF of their ultimate setup guide - it's about 60 pages long!
If you sign up for their newsletter they will send you a PDF of their ultimate setup guide - it's about 60 pages long!
Spectors are fine. I own one and find the tone limiting, but as a beginner you don't know what you like. buy used. If you sell it later the loss, if their is any, will be less. My luthier was my teacher and is now a friend who's band I support so I get setups for the cost of strings.
Cool! Thanks for the advance warning! I was actually considering getting either a Fender Vintage Modified (either P Bass or Jazz Bass) and alsh have a GAS about a Warwick (used) that I saw on Amazon. All good choices it sounds like?
There is no substitute for going out and PLAYING as many basses as you can, before buying anything. Especially as a beginner...there are SO MANY different feels/kinds/styles/sounds/strings of basses...you'll never be sure of what you want on looks and hearsay alone.
That being said...go to a local music store and play a bunch of used basses. A lot of instruments arent set up correctly out of the box...but you can assume that MOST used instruments have had at least one set up in their life time...
For about a year I gigged a Spector Legend Bubinga that was made in Korea. It had a top veneer of bubinga and the body was a thick slab of ash. The maple neck was friggin' huge like a baseball bat cut in half and it had active EMG P/J p'ups and an EMG preamp, not that boost only tonepump thing they put in them now. It was heavy since the body wasn't contoured in the back, like 9+ lbs. The frets were no where near level when I dropped it off at my repair guys shop. First thing he did was loosen the strings and popped the nut off the end of the neck. He flipped it over and showed me it was hollow and made of plastic?!!! ***!! He said almost all of the "entry level" basses come with hollow plastic nuts and horrible fretwork. More than half the frets needed dressing and a few had sharp edges sticking out on top which I had not noticed before purchasing. After the repairs and setup and a bone nut set me back another $200 (not including strings) on top of the $500 I paid for it, I had one nice playing, although heavy as hell, bass.
Do I think Spector makes the best basses in world, NO. Absolutely not. They do make some very nice instruments, but their entry level stuff needs as much work as any Ibanez or Squier. The difference is the price. Why pay for the name unless it's something you're really GAS'n for?
BTW, after a year I sold the Spector for $350 which I used to purchase an Ibanez TR, an active set of EMG P/J p'ups, and a good setup. It sounded just as good as the Legend at half the price and weight.
Do I think Spector makes the best basses in world, NO. Absolutely not. They do make some very nice instruments, but their entry level stuff needs as much work as any Ibanez or Squier. The difference is the price. Why pay for the name unless it's something you're really GAS'n for?
BTW, after a year I sold the Spector for $350 which I used to purchase an Ibanez TR, an active set of EMG P/J p'ups, and a good setup. It sounded just as good as the Legend at half the price and weight.
Damn! LOL I think from what I've heard I am now saying NO to Spector! My mind is made up. LOL
Please understand that Spector does indeed make wonderful instruments. It's their entry level product that doesn't quite live up to the "best bass in world" title, and neither does anybody else. $500 for a brand new bass is pretty cheap and that isn't leaving any room for extras. I was shocked mine came with such nice electronics. Now the Legends come with EMGHZ p'ups with the Spector TonePump preamp and they sound like stale garbage. Upgrading the preamp does wonders.
Their EuroLX line is great, they play great and feel excellent, but you pay more for that. A LOT more. Used they go for almost a grand and in some cases more. Don't swear off Spector just by the experiences of others, your results may vary.
The main point is, factor in the cost of a good setup if you buy a used instrument. If you buy new, only buy it from a shop that will include a full setup (yes, even fretwork if needed) and fresh strings in the purchase price. It's new for godsakes, it should be NEW.
Their EuroLX line is great, they play great and feel excellent, but you pay more for that. A LOT more. Used they go for almost a grand and in some cases more. Don't swear off Spector just by the experiences of others, your results may vary.
The main point is, factor in the cost of a good setup if you buy a used instrument. If you buy new, only buy it from a shop that will include a full setup (yes, even fretwork if needed) and fresh strings in the purchase price. It's new for godsakes, it should be NEW.
