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Thinking about a bass...

Which new bass?

  • Epi Thunderbird Classic

    Votes: 23 17.8%

  • Epi EB-3

    Votes: 9 7.0%

  • Squier Classic Vibe Jazz

    Votes: 34 26.4%

  • Fender FSR Jazz

    Votes: 21 16.3%

  • Fender Standard Jazz

    Votes: 42 32.6%
  • Total voters
    129
groove_druid

groove_druid

Feb 6, 2011
127
5
48
Fairborn, Ohio
#1
Random GAS poll time. Many reasons to go with either, but lets not get bogged down with sound or style...just go with opinion and experience. I'm considering a new bass and a few cheaper to mid ranges are in my sights.

Epiphone Thunderbird Classic
Epiphone EB-3
Squier Classic Vibe Jazz
Fender FSR Jazz
Fender Standard Jazz

What say the vox populi?
 
#2
I'd start with the Standard Jazz and buy 30 more basses after that. Seriously so, since you're entering into a never-realized, never satisfied quest for the perfect siren's voice.

IMO, Epis are stupidly unbalanced and physically clumsy to play and prolly should be reserved to bassists who play whilst sitting in an arm chair. (think about that a minute - OK?)

Once you go Fender you'll be happier: your complexion will clear up, wimmen will flock around you, people will offer you call-brand drinks at the bar and if you marry, you'll have a Stepford wife, your children will grow up to be corporate attorneys and movie stars.

This has all happened to me. I swear it's so. I wouldn't lie to you.
 
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#4
SurferJoe46 said:
Once you go Fender you'll be happier: your complexion will clear up, wimmen will flock around you, people will offer you call-brand drinks at the bar and if you marry, you'll have a Stepford wife, your children will grow up to be corporate attorneys and movie stars.

This has all happened to me. I swear it's so. I wouldn't lie to you.
Click to expand...

Yea me too except not having a wife or kids, but my skin is looking chic
 
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#6
Bassbubble11 said:
Best bang for your buck on that list is the Classic Vibe.
Click to expand...
I will argue my life against this, Classic Vibes, or any squier, are great for beginners. However once you pick up a better bass, (standard jazz bass) you realise that the tone of the squier is weak, the neck will seem uncomfortable and that you have no sustain. The reason I say this is because it happened to me, I had-at least i thought for the time-a decent Squier jag bass. As soon as I Fooled around on some Fenders at my local music store, i couldnt stand my Squier! Infact when i got a new bass, i defretted my squier so i would at least have a use for it.
 
#10
The Epiphone Classic Thunderbird is a really nice bass @ $500.00, I had one to review for a couple months, very impressive.
 
#16
Thanks for the input so far. I actually like the sound of the EB-3 the best, but none of my local shops have had one to try. I was out trying a bunch of of basses today and really like the Thunderbird, and a Fender Standard Jazz with an ash body, and a Squier VM jazz. There was an American Fender P Bass which rocked, but all the other Americans I tried, while admittedly "better" than the Squiers I tried were IMO nowhere near 1000 dollars worth more. I even tried a Select Jazz, beautiful bass, 2100 bucks...nice vintage sound but the fit and finish was better on some Squiers and the pup were super quiet. Good visit all in all though.
 
#17
Personally, if it was me, I'd get the Epi EB3, as I already have couple of Jazzes, and no interest in any kind of T-bird, and I had Gibson EB#L that I really liked, and if I could get anywhere near the sound and playability with the Epi that I did with the Gibson, I would be very happy. But of course, my reasons for wanting one don't really apply to you, now do they?
 
#18
If you're open to suggestions outside what you listed, I would look at the SBMM SUB. I was pretty blown away by the sound and playability of each one I played at a Guitar Center last night. Comparing to a USA made version, there were few differences and those were very difficult to pick out...
 
#19
TigerInATrance said:
If you're open to suggestions outside what you listed, I would look at the SBMM SUB. I was pretty blown away by the sound and playability of each one I played at a Guitar Center last night. Comparing to a USA made version, there were few differences and those were very difficult to pick out...
Click to expand...

There's a brown one at the GC in Round Rock TX that plays beautifully, and the strings are fresh enough that I suspect that people don't pick it up to check it out. I don't think the GC here gets a lot of bass traffic in general. That bass plays so nice I wouldn't think twice about buying it and taking it to a gig as-is (except maybe replacing the battery to be safe).
 
#20
TZero said:
I will argue my life against this, Classic Vibes, or any squier, are great for beginners. However once you pick up a better bass, (standard jazz bass) you realise that the tone of the squier is weak, the neck will seem uncomfortable and that you have no sustain. The reason I say this is because it happened to me, I had-at least i thought for the time-a decent Squier jag bass. As soon as I Fooled around on some Fenders at my local music store, i couldnt stand my Squier! Infact when i got a new bass, i defretted my squier so i would at least have a use for it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I own both and the Classic Vibe Squier is a better bass for the money. Don't be fooled by the logo's. Sound wise the CV is also better than the MIM Fender IMO. I had to replace the pickups in my MIM Jazz because the stock PUPS were really lackluster. The CV I own is stock and I gig it all the time.
 

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