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what is a good backup bass

S

shookiedookiema

Mar 27, 2013
66
0
#1
I just got a fender deluxe active mim p bass special and i like it alot. but i was thinking of getting a cheap back up bass that has a great set up, a good, versatile, yet distinct from my active bass. what one of these basses best fits that? (if it helps i am a jazz fusion/ heavy metal player)

Squier classic vibe 60s jazz bass

Squier vintage modified maple precision bass

Squier vintage modified jazz bass agathis body

Schecter stilleto extreme bass

Warwick rockbass streamer 5 string

Squier vintage modified jazz bass maple body
 
#8
Why not look at the new Squier Precision PJ's? They just started popping up on the various online retailers and should be hitting the stores soon-ish.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PBassAffRBk/
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It looks to be the same shape and size of your Deluxe and that's what you're comfortable with, right? And the price is right, if you want something inexpensive. Hell, dropping in some beefier pickups would bring it to a similar price-point of the VM's and CV's. Then, bingo…passive P/J with the sound you want.
 
#9
Malak the Mad said:
"It looks to be the same shape and size of your Deluxe and that's what you're comfortable with, right? And the price is right, if you want something inexpensive. Hell, dropping in some beefier pickups would bring it to a similar price-point of the VM's and CV's. Then, bingo…passive P/J with the sound you want."

Thanks for the suggestion, but first off, i tried both affinity basses. both terrible to me. And with the pickups i like to keep everything stock.
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#10
For my money - I would definitely take a look at the MTD Kingston Saratoga (J bass style), CRB (P Bass Style) or Artist (Stingray style)

And I don't say this lightly either - I do have a relationship with the company - but only after swearing by Mike Tobias' basses for two decades+.

They are all affordable and can easily be found used for under 3 bills. Nothing better on the market for the $$$ IMHO.
 
#11
shookiedookiema said:
...i was thinking of getting a cheap back up bass...
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From what I'm understanding in the OP, you're not actually asking about a "back up bass". You're asking about a 2nd bass. Right? Something to different from the bass you have now and something that might add a different tone to your arsenal?

I have 2 basses: A P-bass, and a J-bass/MM hybrid. I don't consider either one to be a back up because they sound different enough to have their own uses.

As far as a cheap "back up bass" goes, I've never quite understood this. Under what conditions would you need a backup bass that is LOWER quality than your main instrument? Camping trips? Maybe just to have a bass rolling around in the back of a pickup truck?

If you're gigging and something happens to your favorite bass, do you want to finish the rest of the show with a sub-standard, cheap-o bass? Why not get another bass that's the same? THAT would be a true back up bass.
 
#12
SpectorErector said:
For my money - I would definitely take a look at the MTD Kingston Saratoga (J bass style), CRB (P Bass Style) or Artist (Stingray style)

And I don't say this lightly either - I do have a relationship with the company - but only after swearing by Mike Tobias' basses for two decades+.

They are all affordable and can easily be found used for under 3 bills. Nothing better on the market for the $$$ IMHO.
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I don't have a relationship with the company but I can vouch for the quality of MTD basses! I 2nd your recommendation.
 
#14
If you are playing a P bass and you want a cheap good playing and sounding bass....why not go for the CV 60's P-bass.......why change sounds much with a Jazz when you are playing a P-bass? It is a backup bass you wanted right? Or are you wanting another totally different sound?...Just asking...
 
#15
39-Bassist said:
If you are playing a P bass and you want a cheap good playing and sounding bass....why not go for the CV 60's P-bass.......why change sounds much with a Jazz when you are playing a P-bass? It is a backup bass you wanted right? Or are you wanting another totally different sound?...Just asking...
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Thanks for the suggestion. I have tried out the Cv p bass twice and i do agree it's good, but each bass i get i want to sound almost completly distant from eachother. The Cv p bass and my deluxe p bass special both have alcino vintage pickups, so i don't want it to sound too similar.
 
#16
shookiedookiema said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I have tried out the Cv p bass twice and i do agree it's good, but each bass i get i want to sound almost completly distant from eachother. The Cv p bass and my deluxe p bass special both have alcino vintage pickups, so i don't want it to sound too similar.
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You kinda answered your own question bro, get the Warwick or the schector personally I've never played a schector I liked but it may be just what your looking for
 
#17
VM Squier jaguar bass: the black with the matching headstock,man this bass is awesome,alot of different tones from deep thumpin p bass to smooth high tone jazz sounds,and the neck on this thing is phenominal,and she looks pretty too,mine is strung with Chromes (flats),try one you wont believe it,I grabbed this bass from craigslist for 150.00 for a back up bass but has since become my main player...go figure..:bassist:
 
#18
I'd save the money for something else unless you need another bass for down tuning.

Why buy a backup bass? So it can not get played?

The only thing I would get is a stack of 9V batteries in case your pickups die in the middle of a gig one night, that bass shouldn't need a backup. Although I don't do any crazy popping and slapping when I play, I have never broken a string live and highly doubt I ever will. I never take a backup, my Carvin is #1 these days, worst case scenario my batteries die and I pop the switch to passive.
 
#20
You're looking for a bass that sounds different than your deluxe P bass special? Last time I checked, that bass has an alnico pickup in the bridge AND a split coil centered. Mix and match sort of thing I guess. I would say you're good in the "classic Fender" tone department with that bass. My suggestion would be to look at something with humbuckers...especially if you play metal. You'll get some extra growl. Take a look at the G&L Tribute L-2000. Tons of tonal options on the pickups, and a 5 string version to boot. The tributes are high quality (I've personally played many of them) and will cost you about the same as your Fender did.
 

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