Time to eat some crow

[Old_Noob]

This is in reference to my thread here: Old/Noob Disappointed in first bass--options/advice?

You all were right. After adjusting the action, working on my plucking and fretting technique, and getting an actual bass amp..... my dislike for my GSR200 has dissipated greatly. Mea culpa.

I had some free time today, so I went to my one remaining GC to try out some different bases. My wife was fully expecting me to come home with a new bass. I didn't....mostly because GC can't set up their basses if their life depended on it. The number of basses with insanely high action, curved necks, and undressed fret edges was insane... and half weren't even in tune. The Squire CV looked like a friggen bow. That said, I was able to make some determinations/observations:

1. I have been pinning away for a short scale, so I tried both a Mustang and a Gretsch. Both felt very cramped and uncomfortably small. No longer pinning for a short scale.

2. Nut width isn't nearly as important as neck depth.

3. I prefer unfinished necks.

4. Out of the entry-level Yamaha, Schechter Stiletto, Squire CV 70s P-Bass, Fender Player P-Bass, used G & L Jb-2, Sterling Sub4 and 4HH, I liked the Sub4 the best. I wish they would have had a Ray 24, but they did not. The neck on the Sub4 was so smooth and quick...a bit thicker than my GSR200, but not uncomfortable. And I was surprised by the number of tones I could get out of the single humbucker. I loved the growl, and got a nice, dark "thump" sound with the bass jacked up and treble rolled off. The 4HH was interesting, but I did not care for the selector switch, and the thing weighed a TON....can't see myself standing up with that for any period of time.

5. P-bass necks are just a no-go for me. Felt like wrestling with a baseball bat.

When all was said and done, none of the basses I tried played better than my current rig as it is set up now. I did not feel "the urge" to buy anything on site and have a newfound appreciation for my humble GSR200. I think I will be keeping it for a while.

The most frustrating thing is I have no way of telling how many of my above views are due to the poopie setups on the instruments I tried.

Maybe next time I will try a double bucker Ibby.

In any event, thanks again for everyone's comments in my initial thread and setting a clueless noob straight.

-Cheers.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

i wish you'd asked me, I'd have told you to get a GSR100EX:

GSR100EX in the sun

• Killed_by_Death
• Jun 26, 2019
• 2
• ibanez

 

[eldorado2001]

I would have suggested trying an SG bass. Extremely easy to play, light weight, fat sound.

 

[Killing Floor]

it's pretty awesome when you figure out what you like. Glad you found what works for you.
I can tell you my EBMMs feel really close to my P, thicker neck. But that works for me. Life's too short to play bowed basses with the GC setup.

 

[Old_Noob]

it's pretty awesome when you figure out what you like. Glad you found what works for you.
I can tell you my EBMMs feel really close to my P, thicker neck. But that works for me. Life's too short to play bowed basses with the GC setup.

huh.....the Sub4 seemed very easy to move around on....it too was rather heavy though.

but, i am pretty sure i want an unfinished jazz type neck with dual buckers

 

[Old_Noob]

I would have suggested trying an SG bass. Extremely easy to play, light weight, fat sound.

they did not have any....but will keep a lookout

 

[philthygeezer]

Put some TI JF344s on it.

 

[CallMeAl]

It’s always nice when you leave a store with less GAS than when you went in.

When I first started playing, I had no idea that bass necks came in different profiles, nuts, radius... Now I’ve become so picky. Welcome to the dark side

Is yours the GSR200 with the 41mm nut? Interesting you didn’t like the Player and Squier P; as far as P’s go those are pretty slim. Not challenging your conclusions, it’s just interesting that you noticed.

 

[Old_Noob]

It’s always nice when you leave a store with less GAS than when you went in.

When I first started playing, I had no idea that bass necks came in different profiles, nuts, radius... Now I’ve become so picky. Welcome to the dark side

Is yours the GSR200 with the 41mm nut? Interesting you didn’t like the Player and Squier P; as far as P’s go those are pretty slim. Not challenging your conclusions, it’s just interesting that you noticed.

honestly, they were set up so bad...hard to say anything definitive. I did notice that the squire 70s cv had a neck that was very tapered...thought it was a j neck at first


edit: my gsr has the 41 nut

 

[kmon]

Nut width isn't nearly as important as neck depth.

I'd agree with that^^.

You mentioned not liking P-Bass necks/baseball bats. I'd add that thick necks front to back aren't what I'd consider to be a P Bass thing in particular. I own a Fender P-Bass now that is 1.625 at the nut but very slim front to back. I've owned jazz basses that are fairly thick front to back. It all varies very much with the make, model and year.

So for the love of God don't give up on P-Basses.

 

[CallMeAl]

honestly, they were set up so bad...hard to say anything definitive. I did notice that the squire 70s cv had a neck that was very tapered...thought it was a j neck at first

yeah the setup is crucial- hard to compare basses if they aren’t set up properly.

The Player nut is closer to the GSR than the Squier (a bit wider)- but like you mentioned it’s not just nut width. it’s also the thickness (and radius and profile and finish) that make a neck. So many little details playing together in harmony can make or break our experience...

At any rate, enjoy your Ibanez, and whatever basses lie ahead

 

[bobyoung53]

The most frustrating thing is I have no way of telling how many of my above views are due to the poopie setups on the instruments I tried.



-Cheers.

GC? Probably 95%, you can get used to just about anything if you play it enough.

 

[Sid Fang]

Clearly you weren't exposed to a sufficiently high "viral load" of GAS.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I'd agree with that^^.

You mentioned not liking P-Bass necks/baseball bats. I'd add that thick necks front to back aren't what I'd consider to be a P Bass thing in particular. I own a Fender P-Bass now that is 1.625 at the nut but very slim front to back. I've owned jazz basses that are fairly thick front to back. It all varies very much with the make, model and year.

So for the love of God don't give up on P-Basses.

The baseball bat neck is one profile I do not like, but I generally love Precisions; safe to say, there’s plenty of variation.

I would say you’ve hit upon the amount of “substance” you prefer in a neck. I have instruments of just about every nut width, but they all feel “substantial”—not “skinny” or “slim,” but definitely not “chunky.” It took me awhile to figure that out, but now I can mail order an instrument with confidence that I will like it.

The tastiest crow is the one that keeps money in your pocket and makes you like your instrument better. Enjoy!

 

[Hounddog409]

honestly, they were set up so bad...hard to say anything definitive. I did notice that the squire 70s cv had a neck that was very tapered...thought it was a j neck at first


edit: my gsr has the 41 nut

First off, to expect any string instrument hanging on a wall of a store to be in tune in just silly. Seriously. I mean come on.

And I have never picked up any bass and could not tell if I liked it or not because of the string height was not where I prefer. Meaningless when grabbing a bass of the wall to check it out.

Who cares if the strings are higher than you like? Does not effect the tone or the feel of the neck.

Do people bash box stores as a hobby?

 

[StatesideRambler]

Do people bash box stores as a hobby?

It’s much more than a hobby, it’s an article of faith.

 

[Erasmusman]

One has to wonder how many bass players gave up playing a particular bass because it was difficult to play merely because it wasn't set up properly. I admit it took me a while to realize a proper adjustment by a qualified tech was necessary. I believe it was Clint Eastwood who once said in a movie something like, "A man must know his limitations." I have been reluctant to make changes such as truss rod adjustments to my basses in fear I would mess something up. But, as a Newbie to TB, with information available in the forums, I hope I will be able to properly make adjustments to enable me to be a better player.

 

[jpmcbride]

First off, to expect any string instrument hanging on a wall of a store to be in tune in just silly. Seriously. I mean come on.

And I have never picked up any bass and could not tell if I liked it or not because of the string height was not where I prefer. Meaningless when grabbing a bass of the wall to check it out.

Who cares if the strings are higher than you like? Does not effect the tone or the feel of the neck.

Do people bash box stores as a hobby?

Have you been in a GC lately? Out of tune slightly from hanging on the wall and being played is fine. But a lot of them are way out as if they've never been tuned. A lot of customers are newer players that can't tune by ear. And they may not want to ask for a tuner, or there may not be anyone available to ask.

And I've seen plenty with setups so bad that they're not really playable. And for me it does affect my ability to determine if I like it or not. Strings a little high ... OK. But I've seen plenty in nearly unplayable conditions.

No GC bashing here. I just wish they understood that a little work to keep the basses and guitars in decent condition on the wall helps customers and would increase sales.

 

[AudioTaper]

Have you been in a GC lately? Out of tune slightly from hanging on the wall and being played is fine. But a lot of them are way out as if they've never been tuned. A lot of customers are newer players that can't tune by ear. And they may not want to ask for a tuner, or there may not be anyone available to ask.

And I've seen plenty with setups so bad that they're not really playable. And for me it does affect my ability to determine if I like it or not. Strings a little high ... OK. But I've seen plenty in nearly unplayable conditions.

No GC bashing here. I just wish they understood that a little work to keep the basses and guitars in decent condition on the wall helps customers and would increase sales.

Not just a reply to you, but to everyone about the setup. When I was 17 (late 1990s) I got a job at the local independent store. My job was to take out trash, clean up, and keep the guitars and basses cleaned and maintained. It was awesome.

Edit: I hit post before making my point. It's been said these big box stores dont have things set up and maintained because it would cost too much. I'm sure there's some bbn 17 year old somewhere who would love to make min wage learning how to set up and work on guitars. Not to mention get a nice employee discount when they buy gear.

 

[Basselink]

One has to wonder how many bass players gave up playing a particular bass because it was difficult to play merely because it wasn't set up properly. I admit it took me a while to realize a proper adjustment by a qualified tech was necessary. I believe it was Clint Eastwood who once said in a movie something like, "A man must know his limitations." I have been reluctant to make changes such as truss rod adjustments to my basses in fear I would mess something up. But, as a Newbie to TB, with information available in the forums, I hope I will be able to properly make adjustments to enable me to be a better player.

I'm with you - I've gotten a little more adventurous with doing some tweaking thanks to TB and the vids in the setup forum, but I'm wary based on my experience with home improvement projects that I have a tendency to make it worse before somebody with more knowledge comes along to fix the original problem AND my attempted fix of it. My brother once told me the most important tool to know how/when to use is your checkbook.