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Time for a new rig.

AdamR

AdamR

Inactive
Sep 24, 2007
6,643
4,880
48
Bethel CT
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#1
Just getting back in to playing after being with out a bass for about 8 years.

I'm looking for a new rig that can cover a wide range of music, I like to play everything from Pop, funk, Jazz to Hard Rock and metal.
Im looking to purchase a head and cabinet and a 4 string bass that will cover just about anything.

I would like to keep it around $2500 but may be able to go as high as $3000.

Ive been to a few local stores but there bass selection is very limited especially when it comes to amps. Ive tried some things out and do have a few I like but would like to hear some suggestions as well.
 
#2
Hmmm... if you are looking to spend about half of your budget on a bass, I would say try the following basses, in no particular order:

-Fender AmDlx Jazz or Precision
-EBMM Stingray, Sterling, or Bongo (especially the multi-pickup models)
-Lakland 44-02
-Warwick Corvette Std.

Hard to imagine one of those won't work for you.

As far as amps go, I love Genz-Benz stuff, but it can be hard to find. A Neo-Pak and a NeoX-212 would be at the limit of your remaining budget and about as inexpensive as you can get from them. Since you're on a budget, I would go with a GK 1001RB-II and either a Neo or RBH series cab from them. Tons of power and good sound for not a lot of dough. Lots of love for Markbass around here as well, but I have no experience with them personally.
 
#3
I would get a used EBMM Stingray. It would easily cover all of the styles you mention...rather well I might add. They can be found for under $1K very easily.

As far as amps go, what do you plan to do? Gig? Practice at home only? Practice with a drummer? Do you want a small combo or a large stack?
 
#5
bassgod0dmw said:
I would get a used EBMM Stingray. It would easily cover all of the styles you mention...rather well I might add. They can be found for under $1K very easily.

As far as amps go, what do you plan to do? Gig? Practice at home only? Practice with a drummer? Do you want a small combo or a large stack?
Click to expand...


I prefer new. I just have bad luck with anything used.
Also Prefer a half stack, will be gigging once a month.

Also for what its worth I have been looking at Fender Jazz basses. Not American though. Highway one, Active and GL are the ones Ive been looking at but havent had a chance to play any of them yet.
 
#7
OP specifically said a 4-string.

It's hard to go wrong with a Fender for what you're describing musically. Fenders are the ultimate in versatility. A Fender American Deluxe Precision @ ~$1200 sounds right up your alley - P pickup for pop, funk, and jazz; humbucker in the bridge for rock/metal. There are plenty of great Fender clones, too... you'll just have to try some and see what you like.

Are you specifically looking for a head & cab? I suggest that you consider a separate preamp & poweramp. If you are just getting back into it, you might want the flexibility this offers, if you choose to upgrade or change out your preamp later on.

As far as cabs, I *love* my Schroeder. It's extremely efficient (i.e. LOUD) and it's only 55 pounds (2x10 + 1x12 in one cab). You might check out the 1210, which puts out 850 watts RMS (1 watt/1 meter) and weighs 52 pounds for $740. This puts you just under $2k, leaving $500-1000 for the amp.

+1 on Genz Benz. They are a good value and well-built, good sounding amps. The GBE-1200 @ $1440 (MF price) is a little above that but a great amp. You can find a used one for less, if you change your mind about going used (a lot of my gear is used and IMO it's a great way to go, if you buy from a reputable seller). The GBE-750 is not as powerful but puts out some punch & great tone for ~$1000. There are also a couple of old-standby Ampegs in that range (B-4R @ $1k, SVT-3 Pro @ ~$900, SVT-450H @ ~$700 are all good choices).

Welcome back to the world of bass... we're glad to have ya :)
 
#8
Yea i have a fender Highway one jazzbass and i really suggest it. For the price it just cant be beat and i threw a set of custom shop 60's pickups in and wow does she growl.
Look into Ampeg or Eden amps too ive had great results with both
 
#9
Highway 1 Jazz 600-700 new
Gallien Krueger 1001RB II (600.00 RMC audio) 700 watts
GK 2x12 NEO cab (400ish) or get the 1001RBII 2x12 combo from Invalid Link Removed
Rack for GK head 85.00 (Gator)

1700.00 not including pedals or tuners. You will be just about loud enough, punchy enough, growly enough, or articulate enough for any music you would want to play. Have a custom color cab as well. An Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray wouldn't be a bad choice either but you are looking at adding another 500 to your total bill, but you would still be in your target range.

You could always get a second 2x12 cab to go with the combo for bone shattering bass.
 
#13
Get an Ampeg B2RE and a 410HLF.

Spend the rest on the bass and yer in!! I had a B2RE, switched to an SVT CLassic for a year, but I am back to the B2RE, the SS is just tighter response. It is 450 watts so should do fine in most cases.
 
#14
Guys, Thanks for all the suggestions.

Im really leaning towards the Highway one Jazz bass. I have played a few Fender jazzes years ago and liked loved the tone, and the price is about as much as I feel I want to spend on a bass right now.($800ish)

I did Play a Tobias Growler that I loved but I feel the $1400 price is a bit much right now. I also played a Peavey Grind 4 string that was pretty nice.

I played these threw a Peavey Tour 700 and Mesa-Boogie 4X10 cab. Not a bad set up and it was all with in my price range but Im wondering If Im better off buying a better amp and a lower price bass or a better bass and lower priced amp.

The store also had a Mesa-Boogie M-Pulse 600 and a Hartke amp in stock but I didnt have a chance to play either yet.

In the past I had a Peavey Mark 3 head, an older Marshall intagrated bass head that gave me tons of problems and a pair of Carvin cabs that I really liked but at the same time was 18 and never really tried anything else out.
 
#16
I got my latest B2RE from GC on the Labor Day sale. 199 for a demo!!! I can squeeze about any tone out of my three basses and this rig. No pedals or boxes needed. The Rick was 1600 bucks, the Fender was 178, plus 200 for the birdseye neck. The G&L was 750. Only the Rick and the Ampeg head and cab would bust yer budget. A Highway One and this rig would probably kick some azz too!
 
#17
My suggestion:

Opt for the better bass rather than cab. Its been my experience that a great bass sounds damn good through most anything. Not so much the other way around - it only points out a lacking tone.

I've owned both a Stingray & currently a MIA Fender Jazz Deluxe. In all honesty - I much prefer the Fender Jazz. More versatility to cover any style of music, but that just me & "my" personal preference as compared to a single pup Stingray. Maybe I'd feel different if I tried out the new dual pup Rays. But suffice it to say, you can hardly go wrong with either - it's just what flavor you like. It's all good when you're talking about 2 awesome basses from the same gene pool.
 
#18
This bass, I know its a 5 - but its a great deal http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370190

This power amp - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369964


This preamp - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368015


Either cabinet - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368414
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370020


That puts everything at $2600. I think that $850 is an INCREDIBLE deal on a SR5. I think that $600 for either Berg cab is a good deal - see who will give the best deal on shipping. I think the QSC power amp is a little high - $500 shipped would be a fair deal. I think the Demeter preamp is a little high as well. I think $500 shipped would be a good deal.

Seriously - The above mentioned rig would kill anything posted prior to this. This is quality gear that would sound killer for any project, is portable, super quality, and will hold its value. You should jump on this!!
 
#20
CharlyG said:
If you show up with an Ampeg and a Fender(or G&L), there will be no complaints! At least for what you want to play,the stuff in the last post is too high "endy" for rock and metal...IMHO
Click to expand...


I play a Lakland 55-94 or a Sadowsky MV5 bass into a QSC 2402-Demeter HBP1 or a Crest CA9-Demeter 201S rig through an Epifani UL410 or an Acme B4. I have no problems dialing in a killer rock n' roll sound with any combination of the gear I have. Not to mention a plethora of any other types of tones. I have never showed up to a gig, rehearsal, or audition and asked to come back with an Ampeg or Fender. However, every time I play out I ALWAYS get compliments on how great my bass sounded and/or people inquiring about the equipment I use. My amps and basses have never been too 'high endy' for rock n' roll. Saying that the rig I recommended is too 'high endy' is like saying someone shouldn't drive a BMW or Mercedes to a metal - rock n' roll concert. There is nothing wrong with Ampeg or Fender.........but if I had to choose between the rig I recommended or an Ampeg-Fender rig......I would take the rig I recommended. It is steps above most Ampeg-Fender rigs in regards to sonic quality, playability, and construction. I have never played an Ampeg-Fender rig that would be able to keep up with the rig I recommended. The SR5 into a QSC 2402-Demeter-Bergantino 310 or 212 is a sweet rig. Furthermore, I think that if he could get that rig for around $2500 is a GREAT deal. You could pay more than $2500 on an Ampeg-Fender rig and sound no where near as good as to what the rig I recommended would sound like.
 

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