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Which bass should I buy?

C

crazybassist95

May 2, 2009
31
0
Monroe,GA
#1
Okay so, I havent been on here in over a year, anyways yahoo was no help at all, so I was hoping i could get an answer from you guys.

I have been playing bass for 3 years(I would like to think I'm okay), and I’m starting to get bored with both of my 4 string fretted basses ( Ibanez GIO , Peavey USA Fury), so I am looking at 2 "cheapish" basses from SX. As far as music I play anything, but most of the bands that I play in are Metal/Hardcore.

First: A 6 string: Link Removed
and
Second, A 6 string fretless: Link Removed

I am leaning toward the fretless, because
I love fretless tone and Im very much into bands like primus and obscura, but I'm worried that it would be to much of a jump to switch to fretless and add 2 strings at the same time.
So my question is, which bass do you think would better suit my desires? :bassist:

(btw: I am on a very tight budget, so thats why Im looking at Brice(SX) basses.
 
#5
If you haven't played a fretless before, please play one for awhile before you buy one. Fretless is more difficult than fretted to play. Out of tune is a common phenomenon with fretless and even if the sound is great, out of tune playing ruins it all. For metal I would think that a Warwick Thumb Bolt On would suit you well. Go to eBay and you can get a 1990s (1995-1999) Warwick for about $900. I think the late 1990s Warwicks are better because that period was before they became so mass produced. Also, it was when they moved their operation to East Germany and employed many out of work violin masters to make their basses. Or a Modulous, maybe? I realize that these basses are more expensive, but cheap basses are usually, not always, cheap for a reason. Most often you get what you pay for.
 
#6
BigOldHarry said:
You would be much better off saving your money and getting a *nice* bass rather than more cheap instruments.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with this. I would also add if you want to play fretless in a band it will be easier to start with a lined fretless if you won't have a few hours a day to practice. An unlined fretless can be impossible to master without at least an hour or more a day of hard practice for an older musician. I wish I had picked it up when I was 13 and starting out and playing 6 to 8 hours a day! A fretless will sound good to you playing by yourself, but they are very unforgiving when you are playing with others if your intonation isn't spot on. Just a thought.
 
#7
BigOldHarry said:
You would be much better off saving your money and getting a *nice* bass rather than more cheap instruments.
Click to expand...

+1

People will ALWAYS argue that there are diamonds in the rough; that there $150 squier is just as good as (if not better than) a $2000+ boutique bass. But generally speaking, going from a cheap crappy instrument to a moderately cheap and passable bass isn't worth it in the long run. Just save and get something worth your money.
 
#9
hoshbrown41 said:
+1

People will ALWAYS argue that there are diamonds in the rough; that there $150 squier is just as good as (if not better than) a $2000+ boutique bass. But generally speaking, going from a cheap crappy instrument to a moderately cheap and passable bass isn't worth it in the long run. Just save and get something worth your money.
Click to expand...

If we're going to talk about pure functionality the question really isn't whether a Squier is as good as a boutique bass. It's whether the Squier can do the job it's being asked to do. If it can and if all you care about is functionality the boutique bass is a waste of money. Of course if you want a functional work of art that's a whole different story.

I've been gigging a Brice fretless six for a couple of years. It sounds good, plays nicely and I don't worry about something happening to it in a bar.
 
#12
crazybassist95 said:
I wish I could afford a more expensive bass, but I am on a major budget and a huge lack of money at the moment.

Also to anyone wondering, I have played many 4 string fretless basses, and I loved them all, that is why i want one, but with the range of a 6 string.
Click to expand...

All the more reason to NOT waste the precious cash you have! Save it! Look for a used bass on CL, or something like that.
 
#13
Have you played 6 string basses and enjoyed playing them neck wise? If you havent tried a few, its realy bad idea to buy one untried. 6 string basses neck are much wider then 4 string basses. They are not very friendly for people who like tom ride thumb over the top edge if fretboard when playing the lower two strings. fretless is harder to play well then fretted. Your concidering two harder things and maybe havent tried some 6 string fretted basses to see if you can even get comfortable with their necks. The blue brice is probably a decent bass. Its price indicates it should be up there with similiar priced Ibanez and ESP Ltd's. But its neck may or may not be as comfortable to you as the other two brands versions of sixers. Personally Id say try this esp ltd sixer to. Buy ESP LTD B-206SM 6-String Bass | 6+ String Electric Bass | Musician's Friend

Its in your price range and maybe better playing bass for you. Then again the brice might be better choice for you. But untill your certain you can be comfy with a sixers neck. Id day dont buy any.

Adding fretless to the mix also increases playing difficulty btw imo
 

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