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What do you recommend....(for a bass "upgrade"?)

#65
Hounddog409 said:
You said the stingray ONLY has 1 pickup.
Stingray comes in either configuration, whether it's a EBMM or Sterling.

The point still stands. OP stated he liked everything about the bass except for the color.

So buy the same bass in another color.
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They do. Buy a ray34. You will instantly know what I mean. An ernie or a sterling ball HH, can not and will never sound like a stingray. Or play like one either.
 
#66
Steve73 said:
As many of you know, I recently purchased a SBMM Ray 34 and after much consideration (and playing), I'm just not feeling it. I can't "connect" with this guitar. It is awesome in almost every way but it's just not for me. For one, I just can't get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it's a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.
I am seriously considering a more "passive" route and diving into the world of Fender, so my question is (without revealing my total budget ;)) what do you guys recommend (Fender only) in a budget of $800 or less?
As many of you know, a matching headstock was always a requirement of mine but I have since moved on from that and am now open to the best product for the money.
What do you guys think?
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I think your budget is just a little bit tight. In the 12-1500 dollar range there are so many greater possibilities. Foe example, I recently got turned on to Japanese basses through bass direct. I ultimately bought a Roscoe, but I was AMAZED at the build quality and value for these instruments.
 
#68
I would try looking at Ibanez basses.
For that price range there's a wide choice and some great paint jobs to be found.
Just stay away from stacked pots like you'll find on the early 300/305 models and, if possible, try avoid the front mounted cylinder input jacks... they have a tendency to need handling with kid gloves or replacing. YMMV.
Fender Payer series are worth investigating too. I had one bought for my Xmas and although it's not my go to bass, as I'm.playing 5 string and upright ATM, but it is a very well constructed instrument considering the price range. Sounds great and hey, it says Fender on the headstock... very easy to play, neck isn't as wide or deep as some of the earlier models.. which is a bonus IMO.
Someone mentioned Schecter too.
Neck through models are brilliant. I just did not like the EMG electrics in mine. Found they were either to muddy or to brittle, crispy and harsh... then the preamp died just 2 weeks after purchase..
Bottom line. Buy something that has the potential to either recover most of your money if you choose to sell it or buy something that you can live with as is or be happy to swap components.
 
#69
I agree, if you want a matching headstock in your price range...go with a Fender Aerodyne. Otherwise, the Fender Classic 50's is a great choice.

If it HAS to say Fender on the headstock...those are great choices. There are many people who will only play Fender for sound, looks and "prestige". I'm not knocking that at all. For less than your budget, you could get a new G&L LB100 Tribute (around $550). Still a Leo design...similar looks and better playing IMHO.
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#71
H
Steve73 said:
I like your perspective, Sir! Very common sense, as it should be.
I purchased the SBMM after doing tons of research and talking with seasoned bassists here and on other forums. It fit what I was looking for (in my mind) at the time and unfortunately, I couldn't try one locally, so I didn't have any reference until I got it in my hands. Always a crap shoot buying online.

You are correct on "Close your eyes - They all look alike", but when I open my eyes, I'm reminded of my novice decisions...LOL
I suspect I'm no different than a lot of newbs when I am drawn to the prestige of owning a quality instrument with a solid reputation and I admit, I suffer from logo status syndrome more than I should, hence my request for advice from people who have possibly made similar mistakes and have become wiser than I as a result.

Costs vs Looks: In my beginner opinion (new to bass, played drums for 30 years) I feel that both clearly have a weight in the final decision but personally, I'm hoping to find "common ground" in a bass that esthetically inspires me to never want to put it down, but equally worth every dime spent on it in terms of build quality.
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Hey Steve there's nothing wrong with wanting that appealing brand logo on the headstock. Even after years of playing and several basses, my go to has always been my passive p bass. I too want that Fender logo and solid legacy that comes with it. So my advice to you would be, as others have said, try out some fenders that fall within your price range. Those vintera 50s p basses look sweet. So perhaps check some of them out and whether or not the neck width is comfortable for you. If not, there are plenty of other quality brand offerings out there…but as they say Leo Fender got right the first time! So I'm sure you'll find the one for you…
 
#72
Steve73 said:
As many of you know, I recently purchased a SBMM Ray 34 and after much consideration (and playing), I'm just not feeling it. I can't "connect" with this guitar. It is awesome in almost every way but it's just not for me. For one, I just can't get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it's a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.
I am seriously considering a more "passive" route and diving into the world of Fender, so my question is (without revealing my total budget ;)) what do you guys recommend (Fender only) in a budget of $800 or less?
As many of you know, a matching headstock was always a requirement of mine but I have since moved on from that and am now open to the best product for the money.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
A used skyline lakland is the best value instrument available for bass players. It doesn't even really matter which model, which ever suits your fancy, 44-02 for the versatile active style, or the passive j or p models are all fantastic. I own a $4+ American lakland and a skyline P and I previously owned a 44-02 I never should have sold and both skyline models played and sounded every bit as great as the expensive one. They are just not quite as pretty or figured.

shop around and you should be able to find the model you want for around that price.
 
#73
Steve73 said:
As many of you know, I recently purchased a SBMM Ray 34 and after much consideration (and playing), I'm just not feeling it. I can't "connect" with this guitar. It is awesome in almost every way but it's just not for me. For one, I just can't get past the unbalanced look of the maple fretboard against the neptune blue body & headstock. I rarely play it because of this. Purely cosmetic, yes, but it's a mental block for me. Therefore, it will go up for sale.
I am seriously considering a more "passive" route and diving into the world of Fender, so my question is (without revealing my total budget ;)) what do you guys recommend (Fender only) in a budget of $800 or less?
As many of you know, a matching headstock was always a requirement of mine but I have since moved on from that and am now open to the best product for the money.
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

G&L
 
#74
Steve73 said:
I actually agree with you and I do not want to necessarily just follow a "trend" but my thought process (though it may be shallow) is, if so many people use Fender as their "go to" equipment, there must be a reason. Taking into account celebrity endorsements, fan loyalty, traditional values, etc. In some perspective, it must be worthy of its cult following, or perhaps use to be.
I am still a beginner, so unfortunately I don't understand everything when I research quality & cost, so part of my influence is certainly by what I see in the majority. All in all, I am not completely "sold" on any particular brand/style. I hope that makes sense.
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There are lots of reasons to go with Fender, some more practical than others.

First of all, Fender is, in many respects, the standard that others are measured by. They are the originators of instruments that have shaped the music scene as we know it today, and as such, they have a reputation and cachet that's difficult for other makers to live up to.

That said, Fender instruments are mass produced (that is actually part of their success story), and some will be better than others. There are also makers that make Fender copies that outperform the originals in some respects, though usually at a price.

The strength of Fender is that their instruments are workhorses that do the job and do it reliably and well, while at the same time offering a connection to the history of the music we play and love. It also doesn't hurt that you can get spares for them in any music store in the world, so they're a great choice for touring musicians.
 
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#75
Hounddog409 said:
"What do you guys think?"

I can't wrap my head around not playing a bass that you think is awesome because of the color of the fretboard.....

Why not just get a Stingray in a color that doesn't bother you? You obviously love the bass and they come in other colors and fretboard.

I have this one, which was bought new for your limit of $800.

View attachment 4358990
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I realize it is probably the lamest reason to not "connect" with a bass (or any instrument) but the fact is, we are obviously all different and certain things click for some while it does not for others. I can't speak for all, but I believe most of us have a "look" that we prefer, which in return may or may not inspire us even more to pick up our instrument and play. If we know it sounds good but also looks good is a huge motivator, again...my opinion. I say this after 30 years of drumming. Whenever I grabbed a pair of fresh (unbeaten) sticks it always "flipped that switch" for me. When I originally purchased the Ray34, it looked fine in the photos (purchased used) but when I received it, the fretboard was very light colored. I can't stress enough that it is a great bass and the color "issue" is just my personal preference.
I appreciate everyone's opinion and advice.
 
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#76
Steve73 said:
I realize it is probably the lamest reason to not "connect" with a bass (or any instrument) but the fact is, we are obviously all different and certain things click for some while it does not for others. I can't speak for all, but I believe most of us have a "look" that we prefer, which in return may or may not inspire us even more to pick up our instrument and play. If we know it sounds good but also looks good is a huge motivator, again...my opinion. I say this after 30 years of drumming. Whenever I grabbed a pair of fresh (unbeaten) sticks it always "flipped that switch" for me. When I originally purchased the Ray34, it looked fine in the photos (purchased used) but when I received it, the fretboard was very light colored. I can't stress enough that it is a great bass and the color "issue" is just my personal preference.
I appreciate everyone's opinion and advice.
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So why not just swap for a different color Stingray? You already like the bass.....
 
#77
Hounddog409 said:
So why not just swap for a different color Stingray? You already like the bass.....
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I agree and that's what kind of sparked this whole discussion. My thought was, "If I'm going to sell this one, do I want to stay with SBMM or switch to something else."
That's why I was asking for opinions, which I also realize is a very personal thing for each person. I'm still so new to this that I figured the responses to this thread would give me some great options to consider…which is exactly what happened.
 
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