Upgrading, need advice!

[Hillcapper]

So I’ve been playing bass now for about 6 months and I’ve played guitar for many years. I’m really enjoying learning and playing the bass and I think it’s time to upgrade from the 1995 Yamaha RBX 250 that I picked up for $100. I play at church and also with some friends for fun and thats typically blues, rock etc. I like the classic looks of the P-bass body and also the simplicity of passive pickups and the tone. Not sure with what I do that I need an active setup or a Jazz bass pickup configuration. I do like the neck setup on my Yamaha and I think it’s very similar to a jazz bass rather than a p-bass (about 1.5 inches/38 mm). I’ve always been sort of a neck snob on my guitars.

With all of that being said I’m open to suggestions if you have them. I have looked at the Mexican Fender P’s and Squier, but that’s it. I’d like to keep price at $800 or so max.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[theduke1]

Any G&L and if budget is a concern their Tribute series is stellar
If P style is you preferred then the LB100 or SB1
Duke

 

[Hillcapper]

Any G&L and if budget is a concern their Tribute series is stellar
If P style is you preferred then the LB100 or SB1
Duke

Thanks Duke, I will check them out. I am a little familiar with G&L guitars. Having never played a P width neck is that something that’s easy to adjust to typically?

 

[theduke1]

I only play bass so all necks while they feel different to me they all feel ok
Except for the violin style those are to narrow for my large hands
Duke

 

[theduke1]

I have been a G&L guy since 1986 but I also have a Schecter Model T that was $599 new
It is the 2nd Schecter I have owned and I can tell you the quality, fit, & finish are excellent
So
The things you must consider are
Price and how much you will use it regardless of cost
Will a lesser amount of playing time lower you budget?
I do know that the more comfortable an instrument is to play the more you will want to play it.
Duke

 

[ejaggers]

What is it about the Yamaha that is lacking?
And what are you looking to find different with an upgrade?

057912

 

[Hillcapper]

What is it about the Yamaha that is lacking?
And what are you looking to find different with an upgrade?

057912

That’s an excellent question. For where I’m at with my bass playing the Yamaha really doesn’t lack anything. I’m not in love with the aesthetics but it does what I need it to do. It seems to be a P-bass electronically with the pickup config. Maybe I should be considering jazz bass setup for different tone options. Geesh, now I remember why I have 3 different Martin acoustics and a couple of different electrics!

 

[Hillcapper]

I have been a G&L guy since 1986 but I also have a Schecter Model T that was $599 new
It is the 2nd Schecter I have owned and I can tell you the quality, fit, & finish are excellent
So
The things you must consider are
Price and how much you will use it regardless of cost
Will a lesser amount of playing time lower you budget?
I do know that the more comfortable an instrument is to play the more you will want to play it.
Duke

That’s a beautiful instrument

 

[Picton]

I had a similar transition some years ago: guitar to [used, dirt-cheap] Squier P, then a near-immediate decision to stick with bass despite not liking the nut width much and not knowing I what difference it would make to get something skinnier. I decided to upgrade after a couple weeks.

Quite by accident I found an early MIM Jbass soon after for short money and picked it up on price alone, but it amazed me how much difference the J nut width made vs the P.

Even today, many basses later, I favor a Jazz neck. I love the P sound, though, and I was able to find a Tele bass-style neck at 1.6 inches instead of 1.75. Good enough! My Rick is of course much wider, but it's a 4001 with a really thin cross-section and I really dig it.

Try a Jazz. That's my advice. One thing I disliked about it is the controls; I wish it were set up like a Telecaster. That's an easy enough mod, but I've gotten used to it.

 

[Chad Michael]

Lakland DJ4 or 44-64. Used will fit your budget... New? Spend the extra $300, you only live once.

 

[ejaggers]

I'd get a Jazz since you already have the P covered with the Yamaha.
I have a PJ but hardly ever use the J PUP.

Also, try different strings on the Yama (flats, rounds, half-rounds, etc.) to get different tones...057912

 

[SLPimp]

So I’ve been playing bass now for about 6 months and I’ve played guitar for many years. I’m really enjoying learning and playing the bass and I think it’s time to upgrade from the 1995 Yamaha RBX 250 that I picked up for $100. I play at church and also with some friends for fun and thats typically blues, rock etc. I like the classic looks of the P-bass body and also the simplicity of passive pickups and the tone. Not sure with what I do that I need an active setup or a Jazz bass pickup configuration. I do like the neck setup on my Yamaha and I think it’s very similar to a jazz bass rather than a p-bass (about 1.5 inches/38 mm). I’ve always been sort of a neck snob on my guitars.

With all of that being said I’m open to suggestions if you have them. I have looked at the Mexican Fender P’s and Squier, but that’s it. I’d like to keep price at $800 or so max.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Look at Reverend, like the Decision. 38mm nut, P and J pups. Can be had used for 800, easy. Other Reverends are great too, but thats the P version.

 

[ebo]

You’re on your first bass and looking for something different. Oh the good old days. 15-20 basses later and U2 said it best, “I still haven’t found what I’m lookin for”. My two cents? The best way to improve your sound is to improve your playing. Don’t get me started on pedals!

 

[CallMeAl]

Fender special edition deluxe pj; G&L SB2; lakland 44-64. All passive pj basses with J necks. You may not use the J all the time but may be nice to have.

If you want “just a P bass” the easiest thing is to buy a P body and a J neck, bolt em together. It’s not hard. Or scour the classifieds for one preassembled. That, or a Peavey Fury.

Lots of inspiration:
J Neck P Bass Club

edit, normally I’d throw out the “try something totally different” advice. But it sounds like you know what you like, you just want a better version. Hence my above comments

 

[Killing Floor]

Ha! This sounds like a case of GAS. It’s ok, perfectly natural.

 

[theduke1]

That’s a beautiful instrument

Schecter makes some very nice instruments
Thanks
Duke

 

[ruju]

This might be a bass for you.
Squier Classic Vibe 50's P bass.
Single pickup,volume,tone, and a super classy semi transparent finish.

 

[Gorn]

I’d save my money and work on my playing, but that’s me. When I was where you were I spent a fortune for no good reason and it did nothing but satisfy short lived materialistic urges. I regret it.

 

[Hillcapper]

I’d save my money and work on my playing, but that’s me. When I was where you were I spent a fortune for no good reason and it did nothing but satisfy short lived materialistic urges. I regret it.

I get that, completely. $800 or so won’t make or break me though.

 

[SLPimp]

I’d save my money and work on my playing, but that’s me. When I was where you were I spent a fortune for no good reason and it did nothing but satisfy short lived materialistic urges. I regret it.

We all got to a point where playing that cheap junker we started on was hindering our progress. Telling someone to "shut up and play" sort of takes the quality of that play from the equation.

Playing a nicer bass doesn't make you a better player, but it can make you want to play more and make the experience more enjoyable. And if new players never try new basses, they won't know what they like.