Right now I have an Ibanez GSR 200 bass upgraded with EMGs. It is pretty decent. However, its my first bass, I've had it for about a year, and I'm looking to get a second bass. I'm looking for a bass that is versitile so that I can get it to sound somewhat-close to a variety of bassists such as Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix Experience), Aston Barrett (Bob Marley), Eric Wilson (Sublime), and Mike Dirnt (Green Day). Now I know Noel Redding and Aston Barrett both play/ed Fender Jazz basses, but Eric Wilson has a custom built Stingray-like bass and Mike Dirnt has a 60's P-Bass. Do you think my best bet would be an American Jazz bass (new or old) or can you think of something that may better suit me? Thanks, David
I would recommend to anyone considering a Fender Jazz Bass of any description that you seriously check the G&L SB-2. I really think Leo Fender did a great job of improving his passive bass designs through the SB-2. It is a quasi P-J configuration, but it seems to me he must have really designed the bass to sound very close to a Jazz Bass when both pickups are on. It really sounds a lot more like a Jazz Bass than any other P-J wired bass I've heard. So given that, when you solo the P pickup, you get a really fantastic P bass sound and with both pickups on, it sounds like a really great Jazz Bass. And if you want to talk about quality and workmanship, the G&L is a much higher quality instrument than the contemporary Fender brand basses IMO. I sold all my old Fenders after buying my SB-2.
I would either get a MIA Fender Jazz, or a Hot-Rodded Fender Precision, which has a P and a J pickup and an ash body.
What is the difference between the Rumblefish and the Rumblefish XL? I heard that the Rumblefish is terrible for slapping, those with experience, what do you think? - David
Hey David, The difference between the Rumblefish and the Rumblefish XL is.. the Rumblefish has a separate volume for each pickup and a tone control, while the XL has a master volume, tone, and a three-way switch (single coil, series, parallel.) I have one of each and I prefer the XL.. there are a ton of tones in there, between the tone control and the three-way switch, and I prefer having a single volume control. I don't do much slapping, mostly just fooling around, but I think the Rumblefish is OK for slapping. Obviously, active pickups would help in this area. The action on my basses is nice and low though, I can slap all kinds of triplets and weird patterns with no problem.. I see you are in Michigan.. that is Reverend's home turf.. definitely try one out if you can!