Upgrading, need advice!

[Ricky Rioli]

So in looking at G&L’s (SB-2 and JB-2) I’m gonna assume the Tribute models are manufactured off-shore due to the big price difference from the non-Tribute models. Does anyone know where? Yes, it matters to me. Thanks!

I think the Tributes are Indonesian built (as are the Ibanez and Yamaha around that price) Though older ones are Korean.

Another Tribute with a 1½" neck is the Kiloton. (Unfortunately the L-2000 Tribute is 1¾". I guess they're providing a range of options, but it's a shame such a versatile instrument hasn't the middle of the road 1⅝")

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Have you considered Yamaha BB series? The BB434 is well below your budget and you won't find a nicer P-bass anywhere near it's price range IMO.

The nut width on the current BB series is between a Fender J and a typical "modern" Fender P. Slightly wider than a J, slightly slimmer than a modern P (but a LOT slimmer than a "vintage" P). It definitely feels more like a P than a J though, which might not be what you're looking for.

It's also a PJ configuration rather than a classic P but you can simply ignore the J-pickup and it will sound like a P (that's what I do).

I would defintely NOT get a J if you're looking for a similar type of tone to your RBX250. You would have to use the neck pickup on a J-bass soloed to get close to that type of tone. That means picking up NOISE with a J-bass single coil. A lot of people use J-basses like this of course and live with the noise but it's not ideal. It will be ok for playing with your friends but at church? I wouldn't recommend it, especially if there's lots of lights or other eletrical stuff on stage. You could get a J with noice cancelling pickups of course but I can't think of any in your price range.

 

[Gorn]

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.

I think six months is too soon and never said shut up and play, no matter how much you want to read into my post.

 

[jd56hawk]

I second the Reverend suggestion.
Got this just two days ago and really have a hard time putting it down.
Andy must like them because he put together five Thundergun videos!

 

[SLPimp]

I think six months is too soon and never said shut up and play, no matter how much you want to read into my post.

If the OPs question was "should I upgrade" your point might have been valid. But it wasn't.

We don't know his skill level, how many hours he practices, etc. He might be ready. Not for you or I to decide. We should be stewards of new players, not gate keepers.

 

[tpaul]

Nothing wrong with that cheap Yamaha. But if you want something new and different, I suggest taking the Yamaha with you and A/B-ing it against the basses you try out.

 

[pedroims]

Can you add an extra $100. There is a Yamaha BBP34 in the classified section. These are killers basses, I play the 5 sting version at my church.

In my opinion this will be a complete upgrade.
For Sale/Trade - Yamaha BBP34 (Reduced 0)

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Can you add $100 more. There is a Yamaha BBP34 in the classified section. These are killers basses, I play the 5 sting version at my church.

In my opinion this will be a complete upgrade.
For Sale/Trade - Yamaha BBP34 (Reduced 0)

The MSRP for that in the UK is about $2,250, so I've been looking at that advert with great longing and sadness. Only $900! What a bargain

 

[Gorn]

If the OPs question was "should I upgrade" your point might have been valid. But it wasn't.

We don't know his skill level, how many hours he practices, etc. He might be ready. Not for you or I to decide. We should be stewards of new players, not gate keepers.

I didn’t make a decision. I said what I would do. You can extrapolate on what I said all day, it won’t change what I actually said. But by all means, continue arguing with the straw man version that you’ve built of me.

 

[pedroims]

The MSRP for that in the UK is about $2,250, so I've been looking at that advert with great longing and sadness. Only $900! What a bargain

I am also tempted, my only problem is that I have the same color, otherwise I will take it in a heart beat.

 

[SLPimp]

I didn’t make a decision. I said what I would do. You can extrapolate on what I said all day, it won’t change what I actually said. But by all means, continue arguing with the straw man version that you’ve built of me.

Which fallacy is it when you invoke the strawman fallacy?

Judging by your reaction this isn't the first time you've had an issue with someone disagreeing with you. I wasn't attacking you, just finding flaws in your argument. That's the foundation of discourse.

 

[Gorn]

Which fallacy is it when you invoke the strawman fallacy?

Judging by your reaction this isn't the first time you've had an issue with someone disagreeing with you. I wasn't attacking you, just finding flaws in your argument. That's the foundation of discourse.

You found flaws in an argument I never made. It’s like you’re talking to someone else. That makes discourse problematic.

 

[SLPimp]

You found flaws in an argument I never made. It’s like you’re talking to someone else. That makes discourse problematic.

Is this somebody else in the room with you right now, Gorn? Can I talk to crazy projection Gorn?

 

[JRA]

Thanks in advance for any help!

my advice: an ax with more than one pickup, especially if it's a fender or a fender knock-off (or fender inspired). two pickups more than double the amount of variations you might want/like/need given the playing situations you describe.

good luck with your "upgrading!"

 

[Andyman001]

Look at Sire. Excellent "bang for the buck" and several in your price range.

Experience the Joy of Music with Sire

Sire Bass Club!

 

[Kukulkan61]

If you can find one of these used that’s the ticket, Lakland Skyline 44-64 D Dunn model Pbass, Pbass thump with a Jazz neck profile, awesome awesome awesome!!!

 

[lbbc]

Many great suggestions here....I'm in the G&L Tribute LB100 camp. Great sounding, playing and looking bass.

 

[BasEd]

I’ve probably owned most expensive basses on the market (apart from a Fodera). I just bought a cheap Yamaha BB234 and it’s a fantastically well made bass. I did replace the P pickup with a alnico one as the stock is ceramic. It didn’t make a lot of difference really. It’s a PJ with a 40mm wide neck so feels more like a J than a P. It’s made in a Yamaha owned factory in Indonesia. The build quality is up there with basses I’ve owned and still own that cost five times as much. If all Yamahas are made this well then you probably won’t go far wrong with any of them.

 

[Rabidhamster]

I had already thought about heading to Sam Ash and GC and playing some different basses. I’m confident doing that with acoustic guitars but much less so plugging a bass in and playing R5O and the couple of scales that I know!

Hey man the only thing to worry about in a music store is Covid. Don’t sweat your playing - if someone else in the store doesn’t like it, screw em. It’s not like you’re lifting weights in the prison yard. You’re not there to jam or to get the gig you’re testing if the instrument works for you.

Try playing stuff you have trouble with and see how the bass feels. You can get a good idea that way pretty quick

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

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!

The Squire Marcus Miller basses look great to me and are within your budget.