• 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 Next?

SplinteredSkull

SplinteredSkull

Guest
Jul 20, 2013
937
487
Roanoke, VA
#1
I've reached the point where I have a nice, gigging rig with a good tone, but now I'm trying to determine what I should work towards getting next.

1. A New Bass. I am still playing with the first bass I started with (ESP F-104). I like the playability of it and it actually has a pretty good tone, but I've also heard/played better. I play it all the time because I like playing bass, not necessarily because it speaks to me like another bass I played did. Time to upgrade?

2. Rack EQ (+ Preamp?). With the EQ I can complete my clean tone and have it the way I really want it. (Though for that particular bass) Plus it would allow me to shape my tone further no matter what bass or effects I was using. Might also grab up an MXR preamp to enhance the signal and/or make quick EQ adjustments

3. Dirt. I've been GASsing for a dirt pedal since I started playing haha. It would be between the Darkest Driving or a Volt Thrower. I don't have immediate use for it in the band I'm in except at lowww gain settings, however I am looking at reworking our sound so I can use it. It would also motivate me to play more and write a different style of riffs.

4. A Smaller Cab. I was looking at getting a 2x10 or 1x12 (Carvin or GK) to use for practice or small/acoustic gigs so I don't have to lug my 2x12 around all the time. Or in place of backline when space is limited during transport.

What say you Talkbass? Where did you go after you got all the basics?
 
#5
Just my 2 cents, but if you have a decent amp, I would get the best bass you can afford. If you can't afford one significantly better than what you are playing, wait until you can. Although it is true that a great player can make any bass sound good, there is something really motivating about playing a great bass and for us mortals, it's easier to make a great bass sound good. And don't mistake expensive for great. Although IMHO most expensive basses outperform most inexpensive basses, there are exceptions and you can get a really nice bass for under $1,000 if you buy used and take your time.
 
#8
Pardon me whilst I expel some GAS...

1) I love my Tanatos 7 but I keep it tuned to Drop C (with G on bottom) for one of my bands. I want another to set up for standard tuning and their next batch really has some beauties so I'm going to be tempted to buy.

2) My fretless basses are not up to snuff. I've also never paid more than a grand for a bass, but I want to go boutique for fretless the Pedulla Pentabuzz and F Basses are fantastic and I want one of each. I have no idea how to afford this so it's a long-term goal.

3) I don't have a guitar anymore. This is bad because I know too many guitards that can't read music and I have trouble communicating my ideas. Therefore I need a fairly cheap but good-sounding guitar to lay down parts with. I'm thinking Agile or Shechter.

4) Therefore, recording software. I have some currently but I'd really like Pro Tools or something of that caliber.

5) Effect pedals. Cripes, so many. Billy Sheehan distortion, Darkglass (because I've never seen one in real life), Morley Power Wah + Big Muff Pi for Burton sound, MXR or EBS envelope filter, Rainbow Machine, tap delay (not sure which), analog chorus, mini version of BassBalls, Hot Hands stuffs.

6) For REALLY crazy stuff: I already have the Sonuus MIDI converter and have some pretty trippy things I do with it. But I've seriously thought of getting a MiniMoog just so I can control a real synth with my bass.

7) Decent bow for my upright. Better mixer pedal so that I can use EUB and bass guitar simultaneously.

8) A psychiatrist or the right 6 numbers for the lottery.
 
#9
You know, I'll actually combine some ideas here. I guess I don't really NEED anything now, but I'm starting to realize that a new bass can be the best upgrade for myself both sonically and musically. I think I'll just start stockpiling money away to get one in the future, and if I get some extra dough on hand then I'll grab up a dirt pedal to hold me off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gravedigger Dav
#10
Kragnorak said:
Pardon me whilst I expel some GAS...

1) I love my Tanatos 7 but I keep it tuned to Drop C (with G on bottom) for one of my bands. I want another to set up for standard tuning and their next batch really has some beauties so I'm going to be tempted to buy.

2) My fretless basses are not up to snuff. I've also never paid more than a grand for a bass, but I want to go boutique for fretless the Pedulla Pentabuzz and F Basses are fantastic and I want one of each. I have no idea how to afford this so it's a long-term goal.

3) I don't have a guitar anymore. This is bad because I know too many guitards that can't read music and I have trouble communicating my ideas. Therefore I need a fairly cheap but good-sounding guitar to lay down parts with. I'm thinking Agile or Shechter.

4) Therefore, recording software. I have some currently but I'd really like Pro Tools or something of that caliber.

5) Effect pedals. Cripes, so many. Billy Sheehan distortion, Darkglass (because I've never seen one in real life), Morley Power Wah + Big Muff Pi for Burton sound, MXR or EBS envelope filter, Rainbow Machine, tap delay (not sure which), analog chorus, mini version of BassBalls, Hot Hands stuffs.

6) For REALLY crazy stuff: I already have the Sonuus MIDI converter and have some pretty trippy things I do with it. But I've seriously thought of getting a MiniMoog just so I can control a real synth with my bass.

7) Decent bow for my upright. Better mixer pedal so that I can use EUB and bass guitar simultaneously.

8) A psychiatrist or the right 6 numbers for the lottery.
Click to expand...

I think you should just put all your time and effort into #8 and numbers 1-7 will be solved ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kragnorak
#11
invest in a quality bass, amp and cab and you wont need a crazy graphic eq or effects to improve your sound. the better the source tone the less you have to mess with it.

effects for character or to expand your palate are a different story

but again, the better the source tone is the less youll have to mess with it, what youll have will sound good in more situations when its quality to begin with
 
#12
Slade N said:
invest in a quality bass, amp and cab and you wont need a crazy graphic eq or effects to improve your sound. the better the source tone the less you have to mess with it.

effects for character or to expand your palate are a different story

but again, the better the source tone is the less youll have to mess with it, what youll have will sound good in more situations when its quality to begin with
Click to expand...

The source tone is pretty good now, the EQ is just so I can boost this one specific frequency to get the total sound I want. However, a new bass could change the game on all that which is part of why I'm going to hold off on everything else. After I get a new bass, I don't know if I can improve much on my amp and cabinet haha :smug: that'll be when we start getting the toys
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back