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Upgrading, need advice!

#62
WOW! I’ve been on a lot of forums over the years (I’ve got a few hobbies/interests!) but rarely have gotten so many responses to a question like this. Thanks again for all the input and I’ve learned about some basses I didn’t even know existed. With all the input it’s made me rethink and narrow down what appeals to me and what I need to compliment the old Yamaha.
J bass neck width and overall profile, P bass or similar body (I’m not big on the J body style), 2 pickups for more tone options, natural or sunburst color and preferably a maple fret board. Every guitar I own and the Yamaha bass has rosewood or ebony fret boards, time for something different.
Thanks again, I’ve got a lot of work to do!
 
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#63
Hillcapper said:
J bass neck width and overall profile, P bass or similar body (I’m not big on the J body style), 2 pickups for more tone options, natural or sunburst color and preferably a maple fret board. Every guitar I own and the Yamaha bass has rosewood or ebony fret boards, time for something different.
Thanks again, I’ve got a lot of work to do!
Click to expand...
Shucks, I was gonna suggest trying out a Fender Aerodyne. It hits some of your criteria, but it also has a couple of significant departures from most rank & file J-basses. So, I'll leave it at "try one if the opportunity arises and see what you think". And if there is a Guitar Center near you, there's a fair chance they'll have one on the wall. If nothing else, 'Dynes are a curious mix of outside-the-box bass engineering.

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That being said, please let us know what you sample, your impressions on them and what you choose in the end. Inquiring minds want to know! ;)
 
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#64
OK, I’ve spent way too much time looking at basses and reviews this weekend much to the detriment of my other projects (namely the old Harley rebuild). I did practice quite a bit and played the old Yamaha at church Sunday.
Thanks to feedback here, I think this is where I’m at:
Jazz bass neck and pickup config (I basically have a p bass setup now)
I’m not really interested in active setup or too many knobs and switches!
I’ve come to terms with jazz bass body and realize I’m really limiting my options if I exclude it.
I’ve also lowered my target spend, there seems to be a lot of quality basses for around $500, and I’ve spent enough on six strings over the years.

I’m looking seriously at these 2 and will try to play this week if Sam Ash or GC have them.
Squier Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass
J&L Tribute Jazz Bass (I’m leaning towards this one)

Thoughts please!
 
#69
Made it to Sam Ash and GC today. Played a couple of higher end Fender JB’s, couple of MIM Fender JB’s and a Squier Classic Vibe JB. Neither store had a G&L Tribute JB unfortunately. I was impressed with the basses and really liked the MIM Fenders however the Squier really impressed me and I loved the neck. Does anyone know if the G&L JB neck profile is close to the Squier? I know nut width is the same but talking about overall thickness etc.

Thanks for the help!
 
#71
There are a bunch of Yamaha BB404 on Reverb right now. There is a natural one for $159!!. These are great basses!. Bottom of the Nathan East line but have alder bodies(just like the 60's jazz basses). Hardware is all solid. They are super resonant even when not plugged in they sound great. The necks are super comfortable. Pickup sound good but also an easy upgrade. I have tried a few different ones. Ative and passive and settled on Aguilar Hum cancelling with an NOS oil cap. It is hands down the best bass for the money and to me, mine sounds amazing! The sound I have been looking for. Great lows but not tubby. Funky. Nice and smooth like butter. No maybe honey. Worth a shot. There is also a 604 that came up. I believe that is the step up active version. I bought mine after I sold my Warwick Thumb. And Im still happy with it 12 years later. I have owned a lot of basses. This one is a diamond in the rough.
 
#74
Hillcapper said:
So decided on the G&L Tribute JB. It arrived today and played quite a bit this evening and playing with some guys tomorrow and will be taking it. Love the neck and fingerboard already, but I will say she’s a beast at 11 pounds! Thanks for all the input. View attachment 4119377
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Great choice and a super handsome finish you chose there :thumbsup: :thumbsup: I myself have a few hefty basses in that weight range but they all are solid as can be and feel and sound great. Hope you enjoy your new bass and let us know how it goes jamming tomorrow :)
 
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#75
Careful at that weight. That can do some damage to your neck and shoulder. From experience my 78 Jazz was really heavy. I am a frequent flyer at the chiro now 20 years later. Owned it for about 6 or 7 years as my main bass. Sounded great but it was tough after 3 sets. After a while I would sub in my 78 Stingray for the second set. And most of the third.
 
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#78
21DaHoagie12 said:
Great choice and a super handsome finish you chose there :thumbsup: :thumbsup: I myself have a few hefty basses in that weight range but they all are solid as can be and feel and sound great. Hope you enjoy your new bass and let us know how it goes jamming tomorrow :)
Click to expand...
So played with some friends yesterday evening, through a decent PA system with monitor. It’s amazing (to this rookie bass player) how different tonally and volume it sounds from my RBX with p-bass setup. I’m sure it’s the pickups but also has to be the round wounds vs the flat wounds on my Yamaha. I had thought about putting flats on the JB but I guess if I really want a different tone than the RBX I should stick with rounds? I get more buzz with them if I’m not careful but as I improve hoping that gets smoother.
 
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#79
Hillcapper said:
So played with some friends yesterday evening, through a decent PA system with monitor. It’s amazing (to this rookie bass player) how different tonally and volume it sounds from my RBX with p-bass setup. I’m sure it’s the pickups but also has to be the round wounds vs the flat wounds on my Yamaha. I had thought about putting flats on the JB but I guess if I really want a different tone than the RBX I should stick with rounds? I get more buzz with them if I’m not careful but as I improve hoping that gets smoother.
Click to expand...

Yes, technique and strings breaking in will help.
 
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#80
Keep the rounds on the G&L
That is my choice but I have been a rounds player since the 70’s.
As you get used to playing with rounds your technique will improve.
Always nice to have a bass with a different sound on hand.
Enjoy the G&L!
 
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