- Hello guys, I need some tips for buying a new bass. I plan to study in a jazz academy and was looking for something that is suitable for jazz. I've been working on a cheap Cort bass for a while now and thought it's about time. Since there are so many different brands, I don't really know what to choose. I would prefer a fretless one because I still want to get close to the sound of a double bass. For example, I had already seen nice basses from the Sandberg brand, such as the custom thinline or california tm, etc., are these solid things or would I rather go to a fender? Which brands do you recommend?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Tips for buying
- Thread starter Seppus
- Start date
There are a number of ways to look at this type of purchase and I’m sure others will pipe in with differing views. Personally, if I were in a similar situation I’d go with a Fender Jazz Bass. Not only can you get a remarkably wide variety of tones, but they are plentiful enough to where you can find a very nice used example at a decent price. If it turns out that you’d prefer something else, you can always sell it for what you have into it.
Sandbergs are very good, at least mine (an old Ken Taylor basic) is.
A lot of other brands are as well, so it's difficult to give you really useful advice from across the Internet. You should probably spend some time in your local shops and try as many basses as possible, just to get a better idea of what you want sound-wise and feel-wise.I wouldn't obsess over the double bass-like sound if I were you though, from my (admittedly limited) experience electric basses are at best quite bad at this.
You might consider waiting until you get to the academy -- or reach out in advance to one or more of the instructors there -- to see what they recommend. They might even be able to set you up with a good deal, e.g. with a current student looking to sell a bass.
Go to a store and play everything you can afford. The one that feels best in your hands is the one to play.
Take your Cort to compare as it might not be anywhere near as 'inadequate' as you think, and it might well be worth paying for it to get a good set up, even if it's only ever used as a backup; and maybe a set up will convert it from OK to great to you. Cort (CorTek) are the largest electric instrument manufacturer in the world and make instruments for dozens of other brands. They have a limited market reach under their own brand name, but generally they are fine instruments even at the budget end.
I play one of my two inexpensive Ibanez 6 string basses for any gig, and they feel great to me, sound good and see no need to spend more, and I've owned a large number of basses including many expensive units and exotics like Alembics.
You are going to an academy to learn, not to become a brand or tone snob. The most important thing is how it feels to you and how well, and how much you enjoy playing it. If you're good on a cheap bass, owning a custom Fodera isn't going to make you much better. Oh, and no matter what you buy, get it set up properly, then go on YT and watch the set up videos and learn how to do it yourself - it's not difficult and it will save you time, money and aggravation in the long run.
Take your Cort to compare as it might not be anywhere near as 'inadequate' as you think, and it might well be worth paying for it to get a good set up, even if it's only ever used as a backup; and maybe a set up will convert it from OK to great to you. Cort (CorTek) are the largest electric instrument manufacturer in the world and make instruments for dozens of other brands. They have a limited market reach under their own brand name, but generally they are fine instruments even at the budget end.
I play one of my two inexpensive Ibanez 6 string basses for any gig, and they feel great to me, sound good and see no need to spend more, and I've owned a large number of basses including many expensive units and exotics like Alembics.
You are going to an academy to learn, not to become a brand or tone snob. The most important thing is how it feels to you and how well, and how much you enjoy playing it. If you're good on a cheap bass, owning a custom Fodera isn't going to make you much better. Oh, and no matter what you buy, get it set up properly, then go on YT and watch the set up videos and learn how to do it yourself - it's not difficult and it will save you time, money and aggravation in the long run.
A fretless won't sound like a double and it doesn't matter what bass you have for jazz. Stick with what you have.
I don't mind spending your money. Smart's first paragraph pretty much is it. We don't know your budget so there is that.
For now I'd keep the Cort.
Good jazz players are defined by what they know and the lines they play. Don't buy an electric bass and think it will pass as a DB. They won't even get close.
I'd start the course before you make any decisions. You might find a lot of guys chopping and changing and there might be a healthy classifieds at college. On the other hand, you might find your Cort is the best bass for your requirements.
Good jazz players are defined by what they know and the lines they play. Don't buy an electric bass and think it will pass as a DB. They won't even get close.
I'd start the course before you make any decisions. You might find a lot of guys chopping and changing and there might be a healthy classifieds at college. On the other hand, you might find your Cort is the best bass for your requirements.
Best bass for Jazz.... the bass you already have that's paid for...
Best bass to buy for the sake of buying a bass..... all of them.
Best bass to buy for the sake of buying a bass..... all of them.
Sandbergs are great but can you try one out in a store? Every shop has Fenders so you can test drive one.
IME, I made my most growth as a musician when I only had one bass (my MusicMan StingRay). Marcus Miller recommends similar for what it’s worth, and his thought on the matter is that the limitation forces you to really get to learn the instrument and how to make it work in any situation.
You might benefit from another instrument, but if you’re thinking you need it just because and not for genuine reasons then you might just be suffering from GAS. I currently own four basses, and I definitely spend more time jumping between them than I do actually learning anything new. YMMV.
You might benefit from another instrument, but if you’re thinking you need it just because and not for genuine reasons then you might just be suffering from GAS. I currently own four basses, and I definitely spend more time jumping between them than I do actually learning anything new. YMMV.
This. Broke college students with a bass they need to sell...[o]fast![/i]
You may score a good deal that way.
In the meantime, if there are music stores around you, run the bass rack and get a sense of what basses are valued at and feel & tone.
can't recommend "brands" because everyone's 'feel requirements' are different.
all of the posts above have some good advice for you, but remember this: any bass instrument can play any bass part for any music with bass!
good luck with your jazz studies!
As far as an inexpensive bass goes I just bought a squier jazz Bass off Craigslist yesterday for $80 so there are some very good deals out there and it did come in a fender soft case I feel like I did pretty good, there are many good buys out there if you're patient
Get a Jazz or Precision bass. With frets. Play a bunch of basses and pick whatever neck feels most comfortable to you. Either will have a classic sound you can use anywhere.
More importantly: flatwound strings. The strings will get you a much more organic sound, much closer to a DB than roundwound strings (but still nothing like a DB).
More importantly: flatwound strings. The strings will get you a much more organic sound, much closer to a DB than roundwound strings (but still nothing like a DB).
Last edited:
Get what you like the most. In Jazz, many will say it doesn't matter, but every band leader or group is looking for a certain sound or thing. Playing ability to me is more key in Jazz and even other genre, in Blues it don't matter, if you can keep a 12 bar blues, good sound etc. you can show up with an Alex Webster sig spector! If you go to a Jazz Academy chances are you will learn Upright bass most likely, which is a great thing but I have no idea where you are looking.
Fretless is great, but personally I save that for when you get to your school, you can get a close tone to an Upright there is are a load of guides on here so I don't wanna repeat.
Biggest thing to me personally for a bass in jazz, it's nice to have a control of tone and I am going to be devils' advocate and say look into something like a Yamaha, something that has a solid tone and lots of controls like a TRBX or even BB. BUT that is what I would go with, G&L, Sire etc also have loads of controls, and I think you should choose what works for you, I also am unsure but if you do not have a performing rig, amp, amp head or decent combo etc. I would honestly look into that more if you have Sandberg money, with a Cort you can go far, but you can't go far on a low watt combo that isn't quality. I know in college its provided, and I do not study music but you see it and hear it all the time being in the music world and jam world that someone will have to buy their lent instrument or lent amp and now they are ampless or instrument-less. Also do not feel upset or threaten by those with better gear, a lot of upper-class rich kids went to my HS and had the new everything, doesn't at all equal skill better gear. A famous saying in fishing world - "This simply feather lure can catch every bass you need on a fly, and this simple little fly lure can lure in trout of all sizes!" , a salesman said, then a young college beginner asked "What are those pricey colorful lures for then?" the salesman said "Those aren't for fish, they are for luring fishermans cash!"
(Forgive it's such a dumb thing but I love using it in all hobbies that story LOL)
Anyway it's a choice you have to feel and find, we can only guide you. Many on here will push for the classic Fenders etc, but do not let the crowd make your choice, just guide. I would choose totally different things but at the same time I think you have to feel what is best. Also I think going into a Sandberg, while they are amazing basses may not be the best IMO for something like jazz, (I know eating my own worlds saying anything can work in jazz) if you want a near close but not identical sound a lot of jazz cats, I seen a Rob Allen used a lot but they are pricey and something I personally say is post-grad level.
This is all just my opinion. Good luck in your search and studies. Forgive my ramble. Thank you again!
Fretless is great, but personally I save that for when you get to your school, you can get a close tone to an Upright there is are a load of guides on here so I don't wanna repeat.
Biggest thing to me personally for a bass in jazz, it's nice to have a control of tone and I am going to be devils' advocate and say look into something like a Yamaha, something that has a solid tone and lots of controls like a TRBX or even BB. BUT that is what I would go with, G&L, Sire etc also have loads of controls, and I think you should choose what works for you, I also am unsure but if you do not have a performing rig, amp, amp head or decent combo etc. I would honestly look into that more if you have Sandberg money, with a Cort you can go far, but you can't go far on a low watt combo that isn't quality. I know in college its provided, and I do not study music but you see it and hear it all the time being in the music world and jam world that someone will have to buy their lent instrument or lent amp and now they are ampless or instrument-less. Also do not feel upset or threaten by those with better gear, a lot of upper-class rich kids went to my HS and had the new everything, doesn't at all equal skill better gear. A famous saying in fishing world - "This simply feather lure can catch every bass you need on a fly, and this simple little fly lure can lure in trout of all sizes!" , a salesman said, then a young college beginner asked "What are those pricey colorful lures for then?" the salesman said "Those aren't for fish, they are for luring fishermans cash!"
(Forgive it's such a dumb thing but I love using it in all hobbies that story LOL)Anyway it's a choice you have to feel and find, we can only guide you. Many on here will push for the classic Fenders etc, but do not let the crowd make your choice, just guide. I would choose totally different things but at the same time I think you have to feel what is best. Also I think going into a Sandberg, while they are amazing basses may not be the best IMO for something like jazz, (I know eating my own worlds saying anything can work in jazz) if you want a near close but not identical sound a lot of jazz cats, I seen a Rob Allen used a lot but they are pricey and something I personally say is post-grad level.
This is all just my opinion. Good luck in your search and studies. Forgive my ramble. Thank you again!
I started on a Cort p bass and that thing punched WAY out of its weight class. Wish I still had it but it was my test bed for trying to learn how to mod and paint and sand and everything else. Made it 14 years never néeding a truss rod adjustment even after the neck wasn't attached for a year.
