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What is the best bass for using a pick?

M

madmatt

Apr 28, 2009
853
18
#1
Seriously, I have decided I want two basses, one for fingerstyle, and one for using a pick.
I already have my fingerstyle bass, now I need the "pick bass".
Obviously it will be for playing Rock n Roll, it will wear rounds, it should probably have a fast neck, and it will NOT be a P-bass (that is my fingerstyle bass).
I like to play the pick closer to the bridge, or right around the 19th fret.
I am pretty aggressive on the attack too.

Should it be a Jazz?
A P/J?
A Ric (God forbid, I do not have that kind of cash:()?
A (insert bass here)?
?
Please chime in.
I do have to admit I like the look of those G&L SB-2's, but obviously I can't buy one of everything.
 
#6
I love a pick played P bass with a bit of overdrive, unbeatable and cheap with pretty much any P-bass and a SansAmp BDDI or VT bass. I'm not a huge fan of the soloed P sound but in a band they kill.

Rickenbacker. Lemmy, Paul D'Amour, Chris Squier, Geddy ect. If I could get the Rick sound without having to own a Rick I'd do it in a heartbeat. I think they look flash but I've heard numerous concerns about QC issues. I think they're pricy for what you get and again, not a great soloed sound.

Spector basses with P/J setup. Huge and punchy sounding and totally in your face. A bit clacky when played solo as you'd play them in a band and , if anything, lack a bit of bottom without tweaking.

I like the sound of a picked thunderbird with fresh strings in a rock setting. I'd never own one unless I got it for a steal.

P-Bass or P/J style. The P/J will get you really close and be a bit more versatile.
 
#15
jeff arddun said:
The pick sound? What's that exactly?
I could name you several pick players who get radically different sounds.
Click to expand...

Well I don't mean to be vague. But you must know a pick is going to sound a lot different than a finger, at least usually.
I guess I like a strong attack which is probably going to be a little on the bright side. But the kicker for me, which may have a lot to do with technique, is I want it to stay focused, which may also depend on the PUP placement. I like to play back by the bridge, so if there is a PUP there it will make a stronger signal.
Like you said, I may be over-thinking it, but I do not have a lot of experience with different basses, so I have to ask for experienced opinions.
C'mon, there are no stupid questions, right?
 
#16
madmatt said:
Seriously, I have decided I want two basses, one for fingerstyle, and one for using a pick.
I already have my fingerstyle bass, now I need the "pick bass".
Obviously it will be for playing Rock n Roll, it will wear rounds, it should probably have a fast neck, and it will NOT be a P-bass (that is my fingerstyle bass).
I like to play the pick closer to the bridge, or right around the 19th fret.
I am pretty aggressive on the attack too.

Should it be a Jazz?
A P/J?
A Ric (God forbid, I do not have that kind of cash:()?
A (insert bass here)?
?
Please chime in.
I do have to admit I like the look of those G&L SB-2's, but obviously I can't buy one of everything.
Click to expand...

It does not matter at all.
You can use a pick on any bass at all( upright might be a bit difficult but not impossible either:))

It should be a bass you like, that's it.
 
#17
madmatt said:
Well I don't mean to be vague.
I guess I like a strong attack which is probably going to be a little on the bright side. But the kicker for me, which may have a lot to do with technique, is I want it to stay focused, which may also depend on the PUP placement.
Like you said, I may be over-thinking it, but I do not have a lot of experience with different basses, so I have to ask for experienced opinions.
C'mon, there are no stupid questions, right?
Click to expand...

Dude, there's LOTS of stupid questions. :D
Playing a bunch of basses is really the only way to get this outta yer system...you know exactly what you want and you'll know it when you hear it. Technique is where you'll ultimately end up though. I'm speaking from long, painful, expensive experience.
 
#19
I had a Thunderbird that sounded incredible with Rotos and a medium pick, as good to my ears as my P but in a different flavour.

One day I'll get some sort of a non-rev one to rock out on stage with sometimes- the reverse 'birds feel a little awkward to me and sometimes fouls up our frontman's head on small stages.
 

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