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What Bass should i buy ?

N

NeonGraph

Nov 20, 2013
11
0
#1
Hi

I can't decide wether to buy Invalid Link Removed or Invalid Link Removed

The one i'll choose will be my first electric bass and i will use it for home recordings for my personal music projects. I don't play a specific genre, i just want something that is versatile and easy to play. I usually play guitar and thought that getting a bass would improve my recordings instead of having to rely on midi synth baselines

I don't know if it's relevant, but I will be using it with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface and Guitar Rig5.

I have somewhat small hands so ease of play is a important factor , but genre versatility is as well.

I don't want to spend a lot of money (at least not now) because i am doing this just as a hobby and i want to see if i will enjoy playing bass as much as i enjoy playing guitar.

Please let me know what you think .

Thank you
 
#8
Itzayana said:
You should buy the bass that you like so much it makes you want to pick it up and play it.
All the time....
Click to expand...

+1

Whatever it ends up being, if it feels good when you try it out or (if that's not possible) if it has similar neck shape (or body wood or electronics) to one you have tried and liked,

get that one.

I went through lots of basses before I found that Fender P necks suited my hands the best (and made me want to play them). My Rickenbackers (4001S, 4003S) were beautiful but the necks were too thin and the sound wasn't quite what I wanted.

Any chance of you going to a music store and finding out what general design you like playing? 20, 22 or 24 fret neck? fretted or fretless fingerboard? 4, 5 or 6 string? Active electronics, passive electronics or passive electronics with preamp?

I know you said "versatile and easy to play". Whatever you choose, after you put some time into using the instrument it should become easier for you to play it.
 
#11
FenderBassist said:
+1

Whatever it ends up being, if it feels good when you try it out or (if that's not possible) if it has similar neck shape (or body wood or electronics) to one you have tried and liked,

get that one.

I went through lots of basses before I found that Fender P necks suited my hands the best (and made me want to play them). My Rickenbackers (4001S, 4003S) were beautiful but the necks were too thin and the sound wasn't quite what I wanted.

Any chance of you going to a music store and finding out what general design you like playing? 20, 22 or 24 fret neck? fretted or fretless fingerboard? 4, 5 or 6 string? Active electronics, passive electronics or passive electronics with preamp?

I know you said "versatile and easy to play". Whatever you choose, after you put some time into using the instrument it should become easier for you to play it.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately , i can't try any of these out.
 
#12
I've heard more bad about Trabens than good, and I don't care for the look of their fancier bridges; it leads me to believe they're more interested in looks than performance. The Harley looks pretty nice, and the multi laminate neck looks like it may be more stable (I've never seen one in persome much less played one). That said the reviews for the Harley are pretty good, with 50 out of 69 people giving it a 5 star rating. Based on looks, design and user reviews (one review for the Traben does not count!) I'd take the Harley over the Traben every time.

That said were it me buying in the US I'd go a different route entirely. I understand that's not an option for you, but there are other basses I'd look into like Squier and Sterling SUBs (easily before considering the Traben for sure).
 
#13
IMHO, if those are your only two choices and that is that, the Harley is such a cool looking bass. I had a Traben and the neck is huge and fat and I personally did not like it. I have never played a Harley so I cannot speak to them. However, on looks, the Harley all the way
 
#14
I personally have 2 Harley Bentons, and I cannot complain for the price, however, the various squiers that I have a 100 times better.

I have liked the look of that Harley since it was released years ago, but I am very wary of buying a neck through bass made by Harley Benton, as their QC is not great.

For the same cash, I would higly reccomend looking at some of the cheaper yamaha´s, or if you can afford to go a little higher, the Squier VM series.
 
#15
Thank you all for your feedback .
I do agree that Squires are superior than these basses, but i honestly don't want to invest more money at the current moment. I think i'll go with the Traben , it looks pretty good and if i don't like it i think it will be easier to sell.
I'll order the Bass on monday, there is still time for opinions.
Thanks again.
 
#17
If you primarily play guitar, I would look at other basses. The Traben is extra long scale, and the HB is standard long scale, not to mention both are fivers. I would look for something short or medium scale length, and probably in the four string variety. Much easier for smaller hands.
 
#19
dmac1961 said:
If you primarily play guitar, I would look at other basses. The Traben is extra long scale, and the HB is standard long scale, not to mention both are fivers. I would look for something short or medium scale length, and probably in the four string variety. Much easier for smaller hands.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that 5 string basses would offer a wider sound range, but you make some valid points here.
What would you reccommend from this list Invalid Link Removed ?
 

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