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Trying to find the 'one'

A

Ami_M

Aug 13, 2009
15
0
#1
Hi there folks, a poor soul in serious need of advice here. Since I've began playing, I've switched basses around 5 times, never being happy with each. I've only had an Ibanez and some fender jazz basses - none of which I was even remotely satisfied with. I realized I'm losing money trading them in and buying new ones constantly, so I've decided to just take the plunge and find a more expensive bass I will definitely stick with for years rather than a few months.

I'm looking for a bass with a budget of around $3500.I'm looking for a bass with a fat, fat low end. From what I've heard, Warwicks seem to fit my taste perfectly, but I'm not sure on which model to get. Early Guild Starfire seems pretty interesting also. I want basses with jazz bass-like necks. Slim and fast. 4 or 5 strings. Doesn't mind fretless. Looks are pretty important too.

I primarily play jazz, but I'd like something that's quite versatile should I suddenly feel like doing rock.

The closest tone I found on a bass is a fender highway 1 j bass which beats any american ones I tried. But then again, it might be a fluke or I might be deaf :rolleyes:

I'm open to any recommendations, especially since I'll be doing the shopping online (no access to shops), so it'll be a very leisurely shopping stroll. Thanks in advance ;)
 
#5
Not sure if you can buy/manufacture "the one" or if it evolves like Jamerson's or Pino's or Jaco's basses. You do need something that you like enough to play though, I guess.
I was lucky to find that pretty much the entire Fender AV RI P series fits that bill for me. Love the looks, love the feel, love the tone.
If you like the Jazz, you could get an AVRI Jazz for the feel/looks and mod it to get the tone you are after.
 
#6
You never know if you have the one untill you buy it. If you're like me you dont know untill you sell it. I would buy a couple used basses. The only thing you can do is keep trying. I used to go through about a bass a month for a year and a half before i found the one.
 
#7
Caca de Kick said:
I don't believe in "the one"
I can point to a closet full of "them ones", for my versatility.

With a $3500 budget, I'd buy a couple nice basses.
Click to expand...

+1
Where are you trading them into? Guitarcenter? Sam Ash?

What i recommend is that you dedicate a couple of hours to going to your music store and just getting a feel for which basses feel good to you.
Note that the basses won't have nearly the setup that you may like, instead get a feel for the ergonomics of the body, neck, and most importantly, the sound. Just play a bunch of basses through an amp similar to yours if possible, and remember the ones that feel best.
With your budget, you should definitely be able to find something you like. Then just check the classifieds here daily- the best finds are usually right here on tb!
 
#8
Thanks for the reply guys. I'd really like to follow the suggestion of shopping around in an actual store, but the closest store that has anything besides lower end basses which I've tried to death is in a few countries away. Can't afford to go holidaying just for a bass. Yes, I live in a fricking miniscule, isolated dot on the map. So sadly, online buying is the only option for me.

I'm trading it at a local shop. They rip people off, and I can't do anything about it. Since again, it's in the middle of nowhere. I'll look at the SR (Ibanez, is it?) and the Yamaha TRB - but so far I'm liking the custom shop suggestion. How do they fare against standard American? Because to be honest, I feel that the standard American ones doesn't really warant being 1000 bucks+. At least ones I've played.

I'm not really familiar with the custom shop ones, but how are they for quality control? I don't want to order online, have it arrive and find it a disappointment. Miss or hit experience with fender, really - I found that my fender knockoff plays as good the Americans I tried.

As for the multiple bass option, I'm not really into it since I'll be moving at the end of the year and I just can't cart that many basses around with me.

Also, anyone have any recommendation for any shop that ships internationally? I abhor ebay.
 
#9
I found "the one" when I ordered a $2500 Birdsong. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. I was looking for versitility,and I'm NOT THE LEAST BIT DISAPPOINTED! (I also wanted a shortscale 5er which isn't for everyone.) There are MANY builders out there that can build you a NICE bass for that amount. I know you can get a h--- of a Carvin for under that amount. LOL.
Kent:bassist:
 
#10
Sadly, then,you're looking at a crapshoot. Buying used (from TB'ers or however) will save you some on the "instant depreciation" of new instruments.

I'm looking for a bass with a budget of around $3500.I'm looking for a bass with a fat, fat low end. From what I've heard, Warwicks seem to fit my taste perfectly, but I'm not sure on which model to get. Early Guild Starfire seems pretty interesting also. I want basses with jazz bass-like necks. Slim and fast. 4 or 5 strings. Doesn't mind fretless. Looks are pretty important too.
Click to expand...

One big problem, IMO, is that you have way too wide a search criteria.
It's almost like you're saying "I'll take anything nice" and then when it comes you figure out that there were other criteria that you didn't figure in, and the bass isn't right for you.

May I suggest going the other way?
What DO you want? Be specific.
What basses have you heard (on record, vids, whatever) that have the sound you're after?
What basses have you played that felt best to you?
What do you like, aesthetically? What don't you like?

Figure that out, and start there, and I think you'll do pretty well.
 
#11
All right, sorry for the ambiguity. It might be due to the fact that I'm not really sure what I'm after either.

The only bass with the sound I'm really in love with is the Warwick Streamer II and jazzman. Maybe I've decided 'the one' since I've heard those, but I don't think I'd like to fork out $4000 for the streamer (not including shipping costs. Rip-off Europe) for a bass, unless I can find it used. Which I did anyways, $1800 for the jazzman.

But I'm still searching around for alternatives. I'm ambiguous in my tastes, but I want that prominent growl I've heard on Warwicks. I also like my fretboard with softer wood such as rosewood. I love mahogany bodies, which people would find muddy with rosewood fret, but I digress. I like that warm, rich tone. My only dislike is unconventionally shaped basses such as the epi thunderbird and my only likes are natural and sunburst finish.

...That isn't too picky, is it?

I might go for custom made, but I don't feel that I know (or will know, for the lack of first hand experience) on the difference between, say, koa or uh, that curly walnut thing :rolleyes:
 
#12
Warwick is a good candidate although the neck gets getting used to. Nathan Watts, Stevie Wonder's bassist, he plays this custom bass that sounds pretty fat--actually, too fat in my opinion.

But consider this, could it be that amp and cabs? Your settings? I have a maplewood neck Fender Jazz and I get solid, deep bass from it.
 
#13
I've tried maple and rosewood on different amps and settings, and I can say there's never one instance that I prefer a maple over rosewood. It's solid and deep, yes, but somehow it doesn't quite fit my taste. Just a personal preference, I guess. Might try a few more maples if I have the chance, though.

On a side note, how thick is a warwick neck exactly compared to a fender jazz really?
 
#14
Fender p-bass lyte deluxe

Mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard, natural finish. Jazz neck, Phenominal sound. Not muddy.

Mine was great - should never have sold it.

P bass and a modified jazz pickups. Gold hardware.



Good luck finding one though. They only made this model in '96 I believe. They were Made in Japan and are of fantastic quality like all MIJ Fenders from that era.
 
#15
kesslari said:
One big problem, IMO, is that you have way too wide a search criteria.
It's almost like you're saying "I'll take anything nice" and then when it comes you figure out that there were other criteria that you didn't figure in, and the bass isn't right for you.

May I suggest going the other way?
What DO you want? Be specific.
What basses have you heard (on record, vids, whatever) that have the sound you're after?
What basses have you played that felt best to you?
What do you like, aesthetically? What don't you like?

Figure that out, and start there, and I think you'll do pretty well.
Click to expand...

I agree completely...with the following caveats:

First of all, I've never personally experienced the phenomenon of finding and owning "The One" - if what you mean by that is the one instrument that has every characteristic you could ever want, and that will satisfy all your needs for the rest of your life...

That's a VERY tall order. But if you still think that The One could exist for you, then you must realize that it won't be just a specific make and model - but a specific individual instrument of a particular make and model. And that the only way to find it is to keep playing one instrument after another, until one day you discover that magical connection.

Since your geographical and logistical circumstances preclude this approach, you really have a no-win situation, IMHO. You must either 1) rethink and modify your expectations, and/or 2) relocate to an area with several high-quality music shops or similar venues where you can check out a large number of individual instruments. Or do what you're doing: nail down your purchase criteria as best you can, invest in an instrument of a particular make and model - and simply hope for the best... :hmm:

All of that said, based on your criteria thus far, if I were in your shoes I'd probably go for a Warwick Thumb fretless 5 - pre-1996, if possible. Yeah, they're supposed to be a little neck-heavy and the neck is pretty thick and chunky (all the better to produce all that thick, phat Thumb tone). But if you could live with that, and you find the right instrument, well you might just fall in love... :cool:

MM
 
#16
+1 to the "We needz more specifics" sentiment. Give us a bit and we'll drop you a list :).

I've got a few tips though.

A $3500 budget will take you VERY far on the used market. You have enough cash to buy just at least everything on the first 3~5 pages in the classifieds besides a Fodera or two and a Wal. I strongly suggest finding the biggest music store (even better if it's bass specific) in your area and trying out everything you can because if you've only played on jazz basses and some Ibbys then there is a whole buncha stuff out there for you to whack around on.

This I can't stress enough: DO NOT resign yourself to the idea of finding "the one" because I can almost guarantee you that your tastes will change with time. I haven't been playing for even 3 years yet and I've owned over 10 basses (I blame TB entirely, lol :p :D). Find a great amp/rig setup if you already haven't and then use a bit of what's left over to buy a bass that you think you'll really dig. But don't drop too much because if you don't like it as much has you thought and want to sell it:

1) New basses have terrible resale value. It varies depending on the brand but expect to lose around 40% and the trend seems to be that your return is inversely proportional to what you spend.

2) Instruments in general, as a "luxury" to most of us, are moving slowly because of this funky economic situation so even if you want to resell something it could be a while before it moves and once again the wait seems to be inversely proportional to the cost of the item.

Don't feel the need to rush the process either. Be cautious, picky and try not to act on impulse (my main issue with just about everything, lol). You've got time, so use it. Research and experience different instruments and hopefully you'll find something that just speaks to you.

That's all I got for the time being. Good luck on your search :)
 
#18
Thanks a lot for the info. I would drop the needed specifics, but as I said, it's darn ambiguous and changes weekly. I guess no luck with 'the one', but at least I can get a few long term flings that way. Who says you have to be comitted? ;)

I'm totally into the used instruments idea, but I doubt those in TB here ships internationaly as far as... a 3rd world country in Asia. Only used instruments online shop I know is Ishibashi.

I've actually been oggling the streamer II, but I need a non European store that ships internationally (gets back to problem no. 1: location).

Any good online international stores round here?

Since everyone pretty much recommends trying it out before I buy, I guess I'll have hitch a ride to Australia/Japan and have fun if online option ain't possible. It should be worth it to find the long term fling partner. I hope. Until I bow/crack the neck on transit.
 
#20
I suggest listing the reasons you weren't satisfied with the other basses and trying to narrow your search by pickup configuration, active or passive, number of strings, scale length, string spacing, etc, otherwise it's like asking what food tastes good.
 

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