Hey guys, all right i need some advice. I've been jamming with a couple bands for some time now and its starting to get serious so I figured its time for an upgrade since ive been using an Ibanez Sr300DX for two years or so. I bought it used and the old girl has passed her prime....before i even bought her. So my question is, what bass should i get? Its got to be gig worthy and decent for recording. I'll be playing mostly metal, a bit of hardcore, and uhmm pretty much everything. I need it to have as much of a versatile sound as possible. Heres the clencher, its got to be left handed! Any thoughts talk bass?
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What would you recommned for gigging and recording?
- Thread starter DaveManDave
- Start date
Can't really go wrong with a Fender Jazz or Precision bass. They both sound great live, and record great as well.
I think you can pretty much count on that 'fender' answer from a lot of people 'myself included'... short of that it'll come down to your personal tastes... and how much money you're willing to throw at a bass... keep in mind it may make sense to throw money at ur amp and cab too <shrug>
The most versatile bass is the G&L L-2000. L-2500 if you want it to have five strings. About $1000 for the USA model, and you can probably find the "Low end" (it's still high quality; I prefer my low end Tribute over my Fender Deluxe Precision. I prefer my USA model over both) for $300-$600
Can't go wrong with Fender. Another good choice if you're willing to pay the cash is a MusicMan. They've active (which isn't for everybody) but they're incredible for gigging because they cut through the mix like no other bass I've ever played. When I play I like being heard - not through volume, but through tone. Musicman always delivers on that.
I would say fender and musicman if you want the job done as easily as possible.
soundmen are familiar with them, producers are too, so they have an easy job setting them in the mix, yet you can shape their tone enough to get your own sound.
It ust depends on passive or active. passive: Fender, I would say Jazz especialy, but if you want a good sounding active bass that sits in mixes well, you cant go wrong with an MM
soundmen are familiar with them, producers are too, so they have an easy job setting them in the mix, yet you can shape their tone enough to get your own sound.
It ust depends on passive or active. passive: Fender, I would say Jazz especialy, but if you want a good sounding active bass that sits in mixes well, you cant go wrong with an MM
Definately! L2000.
I've played one for years and versatile is it's middle name! With the flick of a switch you can turn off active circuit and go classic passive. That to me is a must with active basses.
Versatile: you can go deep smooth thumpiness with a bit of warm growl when you need a P tone. You can get aggressive with 2 pickups and add treble to taste for cutting through a metal,thrash mix with ease. High quality U.S. build too!
If you aren't trying to spend $1,000+ I'd say look into Ibanez, Schecter, or Fender. Prefer Ibanez myself but have used Schecter and thought it was a great bass for the price. Fender isn't my cup of tea but everyone has their own taste. Fender basses do play good, just not the tone for me.
I'm gonna say "whatever YOU want". If you are recording and gigging your own music, you can play and record with whatever bass gets closest to realizing the sound you hear in your head. I have recorded with a Dingwall, a EBMM Bongo, a couple different Spectors, and a few Fenders. Have always gotten the sound I was after, but it was always MY sound since it was original material.
Now, if you want to be a session player, you would be smart to get some Fender-y (NOTE: You don't have to, but it won't hurt and will probably help). Personally, I like a good P/J setup as a compromise between the P and J basses if you can only have one bass. You can solo the P pickup and get classic P-bass tone, but with both pickups it sounds more like Jazz with a slightly fatter low end. Obviously, it would be better to one of each but if you can only get one, I would go with a P/J. The Reggie Hamilton sig would probably be my first choice, since it can be active or passive and its fairly affordable. But, if you can afford it, the Tony Franklin fretted would be very sweet as well. Aerodynes are not a bad choice either.
Now, if you want to be a session player, you would be smart to get some Fender-y (NOTE: You don't have to, but it won't hurt and will probably help). Personally, I like a good P/J setup as a compromise between the P and J basses if you can only have one bass. You can solo the P pickup and get classic P-bass tone, but with both pickups it sounds more like Jazz with a slightly fatter low end. Obviously, it would be better to one of each but if you can only get one, I would go with a P/J. The Reggie Hamilton sig would probably be my first choice, since it can be active or passive and its fairly affordable. But, if you can afford it, the Tony Franklin fretted would be very sweet as well. Aerodynes are not a bad choice either.
