• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What do YOU look for when buying a bass.?

#21
Feel first. It has to ring true without any power. Gotta have that mojo.
Admittedly I hear with my eyes as well. Gotta look good to me.
Price. Ya, I'm kinda of cheap. Only bought one new bass in my life.
Tone plugged in. Can easily be altered. This figures into the price.
 
#22
At this point, I'm really picky. I already have nice basses that I like, so I'd only consider buying sth that has it all and exceeds what I already have.

Some must-haves:
  • Feel/ergonomics: foremost neck specs, including nut width, profile, taper (bridge spacing), finish; but also bass weight and balance (strapped and seated); I prefer the feel of oil and satin finishes for body (and neck)
  • Sound: mainly a bright but humcancelling passive pickup mounted in the middle position (P bass area); simple passive electronics work well for me
  • Look: I like simple looks; natural oil or satin finishes, no pickguard, simple (or no) controls; I prefer darker fretboard woods like rosewood or ebony; simple and not very figured tops/bodies; and symmetric headstocks (eg 2x2)
  • Construction: bolt on; I'm fine with 34" scale, but looking to experiment some more with this; I tend to use solid bodies, but also exploring hollow bodies
 
#26
I don't really do impulse buys that much any more. I usually have a very specific thing in mind. For example, when I bought my MTS 535-24, I specifically was looking for that model. It just so happened I found one with an amazing top wood at a great price, so I pulled the trigger. I have a short list of basses to add to the collection and when the right one(s) come up I will be ready to act. Otherwise, I do custom orders to get exactly what I want.
 
#30
I want 5st, 22 frets max, J config with singles.
I basically want it to be a better Fender Jazz so although I don't mind active, i want a sympathetic pre.
I just think plenty do the Fender thing better so I start there.

Other desirables but non deal breakers are
decent weight, VVT over blend and then we get into aesthetics..
 
#32
Number one is feel. How heavy is it? Can I have this hanging from my shoulder for 3-5 hours? Is the neck comfortable? Is the body ergonomics good? Etc. I don't want to feel like I was run over by a truck after a gig just because my guitar was uncomfortable.

Second is tone. I often play with a bit of crunch in my tone so I want to make sure the bass has a tone that sounds good with my amp and has a good amount of sustain. I don't usually like active basses because I hate batteries and given my tendency to fiddle with my amp settings, I don't want another preamp that I have to play with and be distracted by.

3rd is looks. I tend to be drawn to guitars that look unique. I love Warwick shapes, the Rickenbacker shape, even the Danelectro Longhorn is something I love. If it's something with a unique color, shape, or style, I'm probably gonna be drawn to it.

As long as those needs are met, I'm not too concerned with construction (as long as it's not held together with duct tape), brand, or electronics.
 
#34
The visual aesthetic is #1, regardless of how much I might protest otherwise. Literally everything else is negotiable. For instance - I can't abide an FSO with a non-Fender shaped headstock. Even Fender doesn't always get it "right", IMO. MM Stingray 4? Yup, but it took years for the headstock shape to grow on me. Stingray 5, USA Sterling, OLP? Nope. Just a bit off. G&L? Nope, except MAYBE an ASAT someday. Wal? MK I and II - yup. MK III - nah. I'm starting to warm up to Lakland, but not their FSO's. And so on, and so on.

BBB
 
#37
1) Tone - is it a variation on something I already have, though unique, or is it something new to add to my stable?
2) Looks - I will not play a bass if the looks aren't pleasing to me.
3) Setup - Is the neck straight? Are the frets in good shape? What's the body/neck joint status? Bridge alignment and current setup? Can I set the bass up to my personal specs without a lot of work and extra tweaking?
4) Feel - is it in line with how I like my basses to feel in terms of neck width and geometry, and can I play certain things without compromise like I can on other basses.
5) Weight - I don't particularly care about weight in most instances, but if it's way too heavy, it might be a deal breaker.
 
#39
When I'm going outside of my usual (fast neck with a focused and funky sound) I see if the bass inspires me to keep playing. The Jack Casady isn't a funky J or Musicman, but it had me inspired to keep grooving and having fun. Even uke-basses, which I have little to no practical use for, keep me smiling when I play them. So, I say look for that creative connection.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back