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what type of bass am i looking for?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Zaknafain, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. Apr 13, 2012 #1
    Zaknafain

    Zaknafain

    Jan 22, 2012
    hey, i want to buy a new bass, but i have absolutly no clue what to look for. I played different models in a music store, but the many different types with so many different settings just left me confused. Additionally im playing with a lot of effects on usually, so hearing the bass clean in the store only gives me 50% of what i want to know...

    im looking for following:

    - I like my sound even with long sustain and very little percussive qualities. I hate it when every small movement and pluck sounds like your slapping (some of the basses i played had pickups that almost sounded like microphones).
    A bass with not much fret noise.

    - a bass that works well with analogue octavers (boss oc-2)

    - a bass that generally works well with most effects (passive or active?)

    - the bass im playing now is putting out so much low end that it tends to produce wierd artefacts on some effects and most PAs. Thats pretty annoying.

    - generally a bass that sounds warm and neutral (can i have both at the same time?)

    - a bass that works well with plectrum

    Im looking for something midrange (400-800)...

    any help apreciated! :hyper:
     
  2. Apr 13, 2012 #2
    apkbass

    apkbass

    Feb 26, 2012
    Ibanez ATK200, or a used 300 if you can find one. They are probably the best basses for playing with a pick, if you ask me. And it's active, which is probably good for tonal adjustments when working with effects. The tone is rich and full, not clangy, and it's really balanced. Some junk basses i've played have a really swollen low end and a really weak high end. The Ibanez ATK has clear tone throughout.
     
  3. Apr 13, 2012 #3
    Essen

    Essen Supporting Member

    Mar 12, 2008
    Norway
    What bass are you playing now then?

    I'd say +1 on the ATK300, but I'm not really sure what you're looking for, and what you're missing in your current bass. When you say your bass is putting out too much low end, how do you mean? Why can't you just turn it down?
     
  4. Apr 13, 2012 #4
    apkbass

    apkbass

    Feb 26, 2012
    Well sometimes you can only cut the low end so much. My old bass was like that, and the ATK will give you more boost/cut control.

    By the way, I recommended an ATK over the more common Soundgear Ibanez basses because the ATK will give you a more traditional feel and good attack without the clanginess. It's got heavy but firm bass.
     
  5. Apr 13, 2012 #5
    Zaknafain

    Zaknafain

    Jan 22, 2012
    hmm two people saying atk 300? thats a good starting point!

    The bass i play right now is an older yamaha model (which cost around 300 ten years ago).
    2 single coils and active.

    The biggest problem is that only if i cut the bass eq completly, it will work with PA and effects without producing strange artefacts if i pluck to hard (99% of the time its just fine, but everytime my cabs spontanously fart in a calm part, i die a little inside).

    The next problem is that the fretboard is used up, and there are some spots where my OC-2 doesnt track anymore (of course my favorite spots, probably the reason why the frets there are visibly damaged).
    I thought about refretting, but this might just cost more than the bass is worth.

    Other than those 2 Problems, I've gotten so used to its sound that I prefer it to most expensive basses i get a chance to play.
     
  6. Apr 13, 2012 #6
    ajunea3

    ajunea3

    Feb 14, 2008
    Baton Rouge
    My crystal ball says you are looking for a P Bass with flats
     
  7. Apr 13, 2012 #7
    Calaverasgrande

    Calaverasgrande

    Apr 22, 2006
    Not on Talkbass.
    Musicman Sterling or the Sterling by Musicman version of a sterling.
    I use mine with effects all the time.
    On that note, some effects do not like the extra hot level coming out of active basses. I have long been a fan of EHX effects due to their unique tone and adventurous designs, however EHX effects have almost no headroom. I imagine with an active bass and some bass boost they could get really muddy.
     
  8. Apr 13, 2012 #8
    aprod

    aprod

    Mar 11, 2008
    Sounds like you need a passive Fender P or J bass. The Mexican made Fenders would fit your budget.
     
  9. Apr 13, 2012 #9
    Nev375

    Nev375

    Nov 2, 2010
    Missouri
    ...and a tort guard! (for tone and sustain.)
     
  10. Apr 13, 2012 #10
    dudelove

    dudelove

    Apr 16, 2010
    Greenland, Nuuk
    g&l 2000/2500
    mine is tribute l2500 and works great with many effect, and you got opsions for bridge, neck, and both, and also passive and active
     
  11. Apr 13, 2012 #11
    apkbass

    apkbass

    Feb 26, 2012
    If that's in the price range i'd take that
     
  12. Apr 13, 2012 #12
    darkstorm

    darkstorm

    Oct 13, 2009
    Tons of great basses for that. I find soapbar pups work best with effects heavy voices. Warm voiced mm style humbuckers as next best. P pups for bridge and neck only if your ok with P pups slower attack char. But still a good choice. You want growly voiced or at least very articulate pups for nuances to make it thru heavy overdrive etc. Sorry to disapoint you on another issue related to details making it thru effects. But aggressive voice with some musical fret rattle has allways worked better for me. Tons better the more trad mellow thump thump bass tones.
     
  13. Apr 13, 2012 #13
    Mushroo

    Mushroo Guest

    Apr 2, 2007
    Honestly it sounds like there is a problem in your signal chain: clipping, low battery, impedence mismatch, etc. Have you tried a pro setup, new strings, fresh battery, bass plugged directly into a good preamp and headphones/studio monitors? You may find that the "artifacts" and "farting" and so forth disappear under these conditions. Then you can add each component back into your signal chain, one by one, until you troubleshoot the problem. If the problem is not the bass, then a new bass will not solve it.

    Just a suggestion... :)