The better bass for funk/jazz/rock/everything.

[UnderDogbassist]

i just got into a combo with a bunch of my buds, plus i also have a new band, and we do funk/rock/jazz/blues/hip hop. it's a long story but in short it's gonna require something good for slapping. i also want to stay to my hard rock/metal roots, so i want a bass that can pretty much do it all. my options that i've been looking at are the MM Stingray 3 eq H (2 eq's i cannot find for the love of me) (i have never trtied a an HH, i could probably live without the extra pickup, plus i like the space for slapping) and a fender jazz, but i'm open to all opinions. i want something that can produce a fuzzy, round tone, for jazz, a distinctive slap tone for the funk, and then something good for rock/metal. one more thing. i know this isn't the most artistic thing to say. i want the bass to look the part/parts. or at the very least, i want it to say "this is me, and me fits all the above styles, i'm a slapper, a jazz artist, and a metalhead, all in one" haha. so yeah. any opinions?

 

[IntrepidCellist]

Rickenbacker

Honestly, a good Stingray will do all of the above.

 

[*insertcoolname]

Stingray.

For Jazz, cut bass and treble to get that bark midrange tone.

For rock, keep eq flat and let the bass do it's thing.

For slapping, boost bass and treble for that irreplaceable stingray slap tone.

 

[magnus90]

I know a guy who is a slapper, a jazz artist, and a metalhead, all in one" and he loves his G&L L2500 for all of those genres.

 

[tapp01]

I know a guy who is a slapper, a jazz artist, and a metalhead, all in one" and he loves his G&L L2500 for all of those genres.

I was just getting ready to say G&L L2000 or L2500 depending on how many strings you prefer. Does a very good job of sounding like a P, a J, or a MM. It also has some distinctive sounds of its own. Just killer basses.

 

[UnderDogbassist]

I was just getting ready to say G&L L2000 or L2500 depending on how many strings you prefer. Does a very good job of sounding like a P, a J, or a MM. It also has some distinctive sounds of its own. Just killer basses.

i like the L2000, but it's near impossible for me to get one to my liking. i'm in canada, not alot of places here stock G&Ls, if any. and if i order from the states it's really hard to get an estimation of how i will fit with the bass, especially since i cna't get a hands on experience with it beforehand. if i could find one that i liked, i'd slap my money on it right away, but i can't find any good ones (i like maple necks, and certain colours ) and not alot of the sites with them have good return policies.

 

[Wasted Bassist]

Just going to stop in and remind you not to rule out Spector. I have two and I use them both for everything that I don't use my upright for.

 

[Ivarrr]

I could not get a jazz tone out of my stingray until I put tapewounds on it, it was just too aggressive otherwise.

 

[nostatic]

Rickenbacker

naw, '51 reissue P...

 

[Kenova]

I know a guy who is a slapper, a jazz artist, and a metalhead, all in one" and he loves his G&L L2500 for all of those genres.

+1 I totaly agree on this one!!!

 

[gkbass13]

I'll be the first to say it...

Lakland 44-02 or 55-02!

Great basses.

 

[Munjibunga]

Whatever you get, I recommend a two-pickup bass for the versatility. If it were me, I'd get an American Deluxe Jazz Bass V. Either that, or a Lakland JO5 with J-Retro, or whatever they're calling them these days.

 

[peledog]

I play in a band that needs similar attributes from the bass. Everything from the low-fi thump like Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way" to Tony Kanal's bright sound on "Just A Girl" to a warm sound by Flea on 'Californication'. Throw a little Smithereens, Santana, Duran Duran, Black Eyed Peas and Atlanta Rhythm Section - well, my Spector does it all.

Sometimes, it's really all in the fingers... I didn't think two passive dual coils would do the trick - but it does. The slap tone I get is great. Punchy, bright and rumbly.

If you want something more 'organic' - I'd go with a tweaked Jazz bass.