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Thinking about upgrading for college jazz band.

HankHillWaluigi

HankHillWaluigi

May 2, 2015
312
465
#1
Hey everyone. I recently got accepted into my college jazz band and was thinking about upgrading my gear. Right now I've got a Squier PJ (without the J) with upgraded P pickup, no J pickup, and upgraded wiring. I'm running that through an Acoustic 300 watt head with a Fender Rumble 1x15 bass cab. For my senior show, however, I borrowed a Peavey 6 string and the school's 4x10 cab.

Money is kind of an issue, but I've been looking at getting a Fender Jazz bass (a Classic Player 60's or 70's model) along with a Fender Bassman 500w Pro bass head and a matching 4x10 Rumble cab. It may seem like I've got this all figured out, but I really don't. I love Fender, and I just wanted to know if this would be a sound set-up for college. I'm hoping to play in side bands as well as the Jazz Band.

Thanks for your opinions.
 
#2
HankHillWaluigi said:
...I've been looking at getting a Fender Jazz bass (a Classic Player 60's or 70's model) along with a Fender Bassman 500w Pro bass head and a matching 4x10 Rumble cab.... ...I love Fender, and I just wanted to know if this would be a sound set-up for college...
Click to expand...

Seems fine, but have you considered used gear? What is your budget for bass and amp?
Are you sure you want 4-string even though you have used a 6-string for your final project?
 
#3
I wouldn't mind used gear at all, but it's just a bit difficult to find a used 60's/70's CP Jazz Bass right now. I looked all over. My budget for the bass is under $1000, and the amp setup hopefully under $1000 as well. All-in-all, I wouldn't mind going used for what I'd like.
 
#6
In the school's jazz band, will you be playing an upright bass, or are they totally 100% fine with you using an electric bass guitar?

It may be a good idea to pinch your pennies and wait until you get into school to see what gear would be the best fit.

In the meantime, you may want to throw in a split coil, humcancelling jazz pickup at the bridge of your current PJ minus the J.
 
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#7
Always lots of good used stuff to be had Ian the talkbass classifieds. Only comments that I woul make about th amp rig is that it seems like overkill for a jazz band, and would be a bit of a hassle to haul around. Maybe consider something smaller/lighter unless you've got good transportation that is accessible to you at all times on campus.
 
#8
Thank you both for the suggestion. I spoke with the director the other day and they said that they'd provide an upright and would like me to use my electric. It'd actually be a really good idea to put a HC J pup in the bridge, thank you for that suggestion! He also told me I can leave my things in the jazz band room if I'd like, which is what I'm planning to do. I may end up keeping my current rig or maybe switch the cab out for a 4x10 or 2x12.

On a small side note, if I do switch out my cab/head for a 2x12 combo, would a Gallien-Krueger be appropriate? I tried a 2x12 combo at my local music store, and while it absolutely rocked, I fear it may be a bit too much for jazz band.
 
#9
HankHillWaluigi said:
Thank you both for the suggestion. I spoke with the director the other day and they said that they'd provide an upright and would like me to use my electric...
Click to expand...

That's interesting... Do they believe your electric is the 6 string that you played at your Senior Show?

Also, here's a story that may help you out: There was a local bassist who was in a similar situation. They bought a 6 string fretless bass as they thought it would be a good fit for an electric bass in a jazz course, knowing that he'd borrow an upright every once in a while in the school. The guy spent $1k on the fretless, and believed it would also help with ear training and intonation needed to play an upright well. After going to the course, he fell in love with the upright. He realized the fretless 6 string was a complete different instrument and decided to sell his fretless and use the funds for an upright so that he could spend his time mastering his new favourite instrument, an upright bass.

I'm not trying to be an advocate for an upright bass, in fact, I don't think I'll ever own one. But again, I'd probably wait to you get in there. Maybe your PJ will be completely adequate and you'll want to learn an upright, or stick with a bass guitar but keep the PJ and go with something that is quite the opposite of it.

HankHillWaluigi said:
On a small side note, if I do switch out my cab/head for a 2x12 combo, would a Gallien-Krueger be appropriate? I tried a 2x12 combo at my local music store, and while it absolutely rocked, I fear it may be a bit too much for jazz band.
Click to expand...

Possibly, it depends how you have it set up. James Jamerson who was the bassist behind most of the Detriot Motown hits (seriously, look him up and study his playing if you don't know who he is), played a Fender P Bass with flats and a bit of overdrive on most of his later his recordings - his earliest ones were down with an upright and he played upright after sessions at jazz gigs.

 
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#10
I've heard (and have had) good results with a 1-15" in a big-band setting, both as the bass player and as a trombonist in the section. There is just something about the way it moves air and pressurizes the room underneath the band, rather than competing in the way that a 2-12 or 4-10 rig might. Interesting that they are providing an upright, but will they also have the pickup/preamp dialed in?

If it were me, I'd try to see the entire book and hear the band before changing equipment, but would be poised to move quickly once you've played once or twice with them. You might well need a 5-string. There are any number of amp rigs or combos that could work, and used is always the jam.

Best of luck with this - sounds like you're poised to have some fun!
 
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#11
IMHO, what you have sounds adequate. I was going to suggest a Fender Rumble 500 combo since you like
Fender, and it has great reviews. But your acoustic head with the 15" Rumble cab sounds alright. The Squier
if it has a good setup and the pickup sounds good, would be fine. Maybe throw in a jazz pup. I love a good squier
but if you want some new stuff then a Classic Series Jazz would be great!
 
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#14
1. I wouldn't worry about which series bass you get. If you want a Jazz (sound choice), starting playing some until you find one you like.
2. buy a cheap pup, and get yours ready to sell when you buy.
3. As to amps, there are lots of good choices out there for reasonably priced, light heads. Fender, Kustom, Carvin, etc. As to cabs, I would look used. Lots of players who are buying or who have bought lighter equipment, and are trying to sell their old stuff. Any combination of 2 15s, 2 12s, or 4 10s will be everything you need (even better if it is in two cabs, so you have a versatile setup). Do a little lifting, and get a great used cab at a at price.
 
#15
You have made some good choices. You present amplification is adequate but it can't hurt to step up your rig. I would defiantly get a better bass the Fender you have chosen is just fine. My daughter is a bassist, double and electric. She is heading off to college in the fall so we got her a Fender rumble 200, great little amp I am very impressed with it. for a electric she liberated my AVRI '62 Jazz bass from my collection. We also got her a 5/8 slopped shoulder double bass......................that set us back a bit.
 
#18
If you really feel the need to upgrade something, my suggestion would be to keep the 15, sell the Acoustic head and buy a Fender Rumble 500 combo. You'll have a good modular setup that will be able to cover a lot of situations. Wait on upgrading/changing your bass until you get a feel for the band and what your real needs are in that area.
 
#20
Personally I would get the Fender Rumble 500 head with a 2x10. Depending on what kind of gig you have you could bring out a combination of your gear. And seeing as your comfortable on a 6 string bass you might want to look into a 5 string or a 6 string as well. I quite liked the Classic Vibe Jazz V and looked into getting a Vintage Modified Precision V. With your budget you could buy both and swap pickups if you like. And you probably have some money to spare as well. Which might come in handy if you say that money is tight.
 

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