What bass should I use?

[Prodigus Filius]

The Ibanez is a better bass (unless you are a Pfanatic) with it's 2 pickups and tone controls, it's active too. They are both the same long scale, but the Ibanez's neck is narrower. Squier is an excellent entry level bass but it's a real Fender P that playes on them recordingsm not a Squier.

Was wondering how long until someone mentioned that the Squier P and Ibanez SR300E are both 34" scale basses. So whatever the OP's thinking is about using either bass, scale length is not one of the factors between the two requiring consideration

 

[BassBrass]

"nearly every single bassist uses" Not true at all. Not Squier. Fender, maybe, but not everybody. Also both basses are long scale, the Ibanez has a narrower neck.
The Ibanez is a better bass in every way (2 pu, active, Many tonal options vs one) unless you like the wide P neck for your sausage fingers, or you can't hear the difference in sound and only love P bass tone. It's true that the P cuts in high volume or recorded situations but you can get close to that tone by using the neck pickup only on the Ibanez. IF you are shopping for a used bass, The Squier Paranormal Rascal is worth trying...it's actual short scale and has 2 great humbucker pickups and 3 tone possibilities, all usable.

 

[pepj]

If you haven't played much, pick the easy bass. Depending how long you'll play you'll likely end up on a Fender or very close FSO.

 

[Dincrest]

Looking at the spec sheets for the SR300E on Ibanez' site, it's a 34" scale bass. But if it feels shorter than the Squier, that's a plus because you don't want an uncomfortable stretch to the "money notes" in first position.

Ibanez Soundgears are some of the most comfortable basses out there. They're ergonomic, generally lighter weight, and sound good. Okay, you won't get a signature tone from a Soundgear like the "Warwick growl" or "Spector snarl" but you'll get solid tones that work well in any mix. If Soundgear is what your hands and body like best to play, go with it.

And from my experience, out in the wild I've seen just as many Soundgears as I have Fender-style basses. So plenty of working/gigging bassists use Soundgear for a reason.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

Play the Ibanez if you like it - you are in a great situation where you are playing something you like already and should enjoy it!!!!!! If you ever feel the need for a p bass, you don't need to buy one. I keep a p with flats as a reminder that I usually hate a p with flats when i get the crazy idea to build a nice p with flats.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I'm just starting out as a bassist. I'm using my dad's bass guitars right now but I don't know which one would be more beneficial to use. There's a 2000 Squier P-Bass and an Ibanez SR300E. I like the sound and feel of the Ibanez, shorter scale length, feels nicer to just hold. But the Squier is what I hear nearly every single bassist uses and records with. It feels really nice but it's a lot heavier and requires more precision to play it well. Thoughts? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

I'm a sound first kind of guy. There rest is fixed by acclamation. I had a short scale EB3 back in the 70's and I'd played extremely well and the sound, not so much. Not so much in my opinion, but my band mates and sound men opinion, a Fender P or J would be greatly appreciated..lol.so I bought a Rickenbacker 400i…a really nice bass and the adjustment to a 34" scale took a while. I sounded much better than the EB3… but it wasn't that 'prototypical electric bass sound.I' e been playingnprimarily Fe Dee basses since 1978.

 

[embellisher]

I'm a sound first kind of guy. There rest is fixed by acclamation. I had a short scale EB3 back in the 70's and I'd played extremely well and the sound, not so much. Not so much in my opinion, but my band mates and sound men opinion, a Fender P or J would be greatly appreciated..lol.so I bought a Rickenbacker 400i…a really nice bass and the adjustment to a 34" scale took a while. I sounded much better than the EB3… but it wasn't that 'prototypical electric bass sound.I' e been playingnprimarily Fe Dee basses since 1978.

You can fix sound easier than you can fix ergonomics. You can change out pickups, add a preamp, etc, but if a bass is uncomfortable to play or has poor ergonomics, you pretty much have to move on to another bass.

 

[BassicJazzy]

By all means play them both. You do not have to just pick one. I find it's actually good for development to shift around between a few different bases, not get too settled into one. Either of those basses are quality instruments and will not hold you back. What you don't want is to get stuck playing a piece of crap that won't hold tuning or has a bad set-up, poor intonation, unnecessarily high action, etc. That will hold you back. When I started in '72 I had a bottom-level bass that would not hold tuning and made my fingers bleed, the actions was so high, but it was red and looked cool so I played it for almost a year before I went way overboard with a Rick 4001. No way at that point could I appreciate or fully actualize the fine capability of that bass, but it dod not hold me back like the starter bass did. The two basses you mentioned will be just fine. Maybe play one for a week, then switch to the other? I alternate between 3 basses, only play each for a day, then rotate to the next. Sometimes I do not want to, but it keeps me fresh.

When you get better, you will find it refreshing to pick up a new instrument, one you have no familiarity with. I love picking up new bases. Like puppies, wish I could take every one I see home with me.

 

[salmon256]

Ibanez models are mostly very skinny the necks so I am assuming you might be confusing that with shortscale which is fine, the P-bass for most people (esepically us vertically challenege poeple) is a rough choice since a big neck for me personally is hell. I can play but it pretty much chill basslines within the 1 to 5 fret positions is the only comfy spots for me.

Play what you like, the Ibanez is solid, also most people you enjoy probably recorded on a Fender, yes Squier just more affordable Fender and pretty much same sound but also a lot of old recordings that was all that was around... Carol Kaye plays a Ibanez today and started out on what was available and that was a Fender. Now honestly she gets sponsor but lets keep that quiet... play what you prefer!

 

[Sean150]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is an AI bot. I mean, it says the the precision bass takes "More precision to play". Don't feed the bots.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

You can fix sound easier than you can fix ergonomics. You can change out pickups, add a preamp, etc, but if a bass is uncomfortable to play or has poor ergonomics, you pretty much have to move on to another bass.

True, but judging by the outsized percentage of people playing Fender basses as opposed to other brands, i wouldn't consider them difficult to play. Secondly you can do all sorts on modification to an instrument, a good deal of expense it may get you close, but not likely a dead ringer for the sound the OP prefers.. And the poster being a newbie, he's going to know how and what to modify to get the best results? And finally, acclimation takes work, and since he already owns the instrument, why not a little sweat equity that will cost him zero dollars?

 

[JimmyO]

Don't worry about any kind of subtle differences right now, only with time will you be able to tell the difference anyway. Go with what feels good and will make you want to keep picking it up day after day. Gotta put the time in, no other way about it.

 

[cdef]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is an AI bot. I mean, it says the the precision bass takes "More precision to play". Don't feed the bots.

I wondered about that, but chalked it down to naivety.

In any case, there's no good reason not to play whatever bass you find the most amenable to your input, at whatever level. With experience, your tastes may change, of course, but that's neither here nor there.

 

[DanAdams]

I would keep using your Dad's basses.
Why not?

 

[FretRiff]

Or it's just a kid who

I would keep using your Dad's basses.
Why not?

OP seems to have bailed, never responded with any info (like what dad's bass is, what kind of music s/he wants to emulate) and contains confusing info like calling the Ibanez short scale. Someone suggested it was a 'bot posting, and now I wonder...

 

[DanAdams]

Or it's just a kid who

OP seems to have bailed, never responded with any info (like what dad's bass is, what kind of music s/he wants to emulate) and contains confusing info like calling the Ibanez short scale. Someone suggested it was a 'bot posting, and now I wonder...

A kid likely has better things to do on Saturday morning of a holiday weekend than respond to a bunch Talkbassers debating Ibanez vs. Squier..

 

[ragetoca]

Go to a big music shop & try out a bunch of basses & see what is comfortable to you. Everyone has different hands. Don't worry about what "everyone uses", use what feels good to you. Personally I don't like fender basses much at all despite their ubiquity. Too boring. I think a bass should be exciting to the player. Find something that inspires you.

Context / What style of music do you want to learn how to play ?

 

[4Mal]

Play the one you like the feel of the best. Sounds like the Ibanez. If you stick with bass, add something else down the road... When starting out, it is way more important to have a bass you don't fight. You want to be inspired to pick the thing up after all...

I will note that I have a Schecter Banshee, a mini P bass. glad to have it for certain settings but it is one of the least played basses in my stable. Plays great. Sounds like a P should. Nice and light. Just limited in comparison to other basses in the stable.

 

[GIBrat51]

I'm just starting out as a bassist. I'm using my dad's bass guitars right now but I don't know which one would be more beneficial to use. There's a 2000 Squier P-Bass and an Ibanez SR300E. I like the sound and feel of the Ibanez, shorter scale length, feels nicer to just hold. But the Squier is what I hear nearly every single bassist uses and records with. It feels really nice but it's a lot heavier and requires more precision to play it well. Thoughts? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Thoughts? Play the bass that - in this order;
- Feels comfortable; hangs well; and doesn't make you strain to reach the upper frets;
- Sounds good, but doesn't strain your hands; and
- Does NOT make you think of things you'd rather do, than pick it up and play it.
As for "what everybody else is playing"? Screw that. It's your time; your money; and your life. Play the bass that makes YOU happy. There's way too many unhappy people as it is; don't be another one. Making music, at it's simplest, is about having fun; it's not supposed to be drudgery; a chore; or a punishment. Play the bass that makes you smile, and makes you want to play it. Sounds like, for you? It's the Ibanez, so play it - with a smile...

 

[-Stingray]

Not sure why a bot would post a question on a bass forum. It's not like it's advertising a brand, or sending folks to a malicious link. That said, OP did seem to disappear, and the post was worded a bit oddly (I assumed due to inexperience).