Trying basses in a shop

[grum]

I've been playing bass for quite a while but never really taken it that seriously until recently so kind of a noob in some ways.

Since seeing a Fender 70s Precision Bass I've been afflicted with some severe GAS. I have a Yamaha RBX 270 which is quite a nice bass but I've been thinking of getting something else. Tried a few in a shop (Fender 70s Jazz Bass, American Standard Precision, couple of others).

They all sounded somewhat thin and bright to me - is this because they had new strings on which always sound brighter? Obviously it could have been the amp (didn't have my bass with me to compare), but they all just seemed a bit weedy compared to the Yamaha.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I used to have an old P bass. Played it for years but never really liked it because I thought it was too woofy. I would to a J bass, but I've settled on Ibanez. I guess I like a little more hi-fi sound. Fresh strings definitely add to that sound, for sure. As does playing through a cab with a horn that isn't turned off, such as you find in a music store. Lots of guys turn these off after they buy them, but in the store they're all on.

 

[SlugThrower]

May be a bunch of things: the EQing on the amp; a dumpy solid-state head; a dumpy cabinet; bad set-up on the guitar (which is far too common on in-store/guitar center basses); bad set of strings; etc...If you have an amp and cabinet that you like, a lot of stores will let you take the guitar home and return it after a certain amount of time. You'll have to buy the guitar first, however.

 

[metlman72]

I dont know that i would consider a Fender thin. I have played some that didnt play or sound well but never thin. I think you are used to the Yamaha tone, with that being said why not look into another higher end one. Yamaha makes some really nice basses. I would also say check out some of the older Peavey basses. I find they have as good if not better sound than any P-bass out there.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I think you're dealing with an amp situation and not that these basses themselves sound thin. Let me suggest that you do this. Take your bass along with you to the store and try a number of amps. Find an amp where your bass sounds good to you and use that amp to try out all of the basses you're interested in. This way you're ruling out the impact of the amp on the sound.

I personally try out all new basses on a Mesa Boogie Carbine of some sorts because I think they produce a clear and uncolored tone. I know my bass sounds good to me on one of them. If a bass I'm interested in sounds good on it as well, then I know if I want that bass or not.

 

[electracoyote]

The try-out phase of bass shopping is always a gamble. Between the fact that the bass has been shipped hundreds or thousands of miles, was not set up to your standards in the factory or at the store, it has factory strings on it, you're playing through an amp you don't own or are unfamiliar with, etc., you will never know what this bass is really like until you take it home, do a basic set up to taste (that doesn't void warranty or return policy), and play it your way through your rig.

That's why I usually stick with stores that offer a 30 day return policy.

 

[jumbodbassman]

pbass thin??? does seem right.

 

[grum]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I think taking my bass along to compare to is a good plan. Interesting about the horn on the cabs as well. I will see if I can go to places with a 30 day return policy.

I did have a look at some higher end Yamahas - for some reason most of the ones in the shops I've been to are 5 string, and I don't see a need for it for my playing really.

 

[BassDudeSA]

The try-out phase of bass shopping is always a gamble. Between the fact that the bass has been shipped hundreds or thousands of miles, was not set up to your standards in the factory or at the store, it has factory strings on it, you're playing through an amp you don't own or are unfamiliar with, etc., you will never know what this bass is really like until you take it home, do a basic set up to taste (that doesn't void warranty or return policy), and play it your way through your rig.

That's why I usually stick with stores that offer a 30 day return policy.

Exactly. Trying out a bass in a store is practically useless as far as tone goes. See if it feels right, but you really cannot tell much more, other than just making sure the electronics and everything are in proper working order. Oh, and same for video clips. They don't tell you a thing due to the same problem. The above post is absolutely correct.