Which bass should I get for Fusion?

[DoubleBuckUser]

Recently decided to focus on Fusion. Recently have been obsessed with Masayoshi Takanaka, Casiopea and The Square.

I want to get a bass with J pick ups and I’m split on getting a Warwick thumb bo4 or a Fender J bass.

I am extremely indecisive. I really enjoy both sounds so I want outside opinions on how these basses perform in a Jazz Fusion setting.

 

[atquinn]

You can play anything on anything. Get the one you vibe with the most.

 

[BGroovy]

Bossa OB5

 

[onda'bass]

If cash is no object a fodera?

 

[ardgedee]

Fusion jazz in particular I've seen every possible type of bass played. Plenty of eye-catching custom basses, but no shortage of Jazz and Precision basses too. Stanley Clarke played a Gibson EB3 before his first Alembic.

If there's a particular player you're trying to emulate, play what they play. Other than that there are no rules. Get what you like.

 

[buldog5151bass]

For any genre, play the bass which feels the best to you and inspires you to play. You should be able to get a good tone from any decent bass.

 

[JonathanPDX]

The one that feels best in your hands and allows you to play fluidly with the least amount of effort.

The basses you describe have totally different necks, balance, and vibes. You won't know unless you put them in your hands and see which one fits.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

For fusion you want a comfortable bass and a bass that plays good up and down the neck where the notes are even and clear no matter where you are playing.

Fodera
Ken Smith
Sandberg

 

[Gervais Cote]

If ever I play some jazz fusion, this would be one of these basses :

F Bass
Ken Smith
Marleaux

They are punchy, they sing and they cut like a knife, can’t ask for more.

They are tough on the wallet though………..

 

[onda'bass]

A killer jazz bass won’t hurt either

 

[gwangi]

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fodera.com

Time tested with Anthony Jackson but I guess you better make sure that it's a well paying jazz/fusion gig and I mean really well paying jazz/fusion gig!!!!

 

[ModuMan]

I'm thinking an active 5-string Jazz.

But really, whatever sounds good to you!

I love all those artists, btw

 

[prndltech]

nyc sadowsky modern 5



Source: I don’t play fusion

 

[2minkey]

For me the choice between a J or a Warwick would be more about neck profile and nut width.

Warwicks are a bit too thick for my left hand. I tend to do better with smaller profiles.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Buy a neck you can play well, on a bass that has 2 p'ups and an active EQ. The bass needs to be well enough made so that you can get a good, low set-up without any buzz. Other than that, choice is totally up to you.

 

[sawzalot]

Get the one that sounds best and plays best.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Fusion jazz in particular I've seen every possible type of bass played. Plenty of eye-catching custom basses, but no shortage of Jazz and Precision basses too. Stanley Clarke played a Gibson EB3 before his first Alembic.

If there's a particular player you're trying to emulate, play what they play. Other than that there are no rules. Get what you like.

Well, remember that Clarke said when he got the Alembic "other players could finally hear (him), realized (he) could actually play" so not everything works well, especially EB3 mud buckers?

Personally, I don't care what anyone else plays. I like to play what I play best. Right now, it's a lined SR fretless. Next year, who knows?

 

[winston]

As you're into Japanese fusion bassists is there a reason you're not looking at Japanese basses played by folks like Sutoh - Moon, Atelier Z, Momose, Dragonfly, STR, ESP/Edwards, Sugi, Xotic?

 

[DoubleBuckUser]

As you're into Japanese fusion bassists is there a reason you're not looking at Japanese basses played by folks like Sutoh - Moon, Atelier Z, Momose, Dragonfly, STR, ESP/Edwards, Sugi, Xotic?

I’ve looked into the stuff Naruse has played specifically his Tune bass stuff. Tune is very good but it’s hard to find some videos of the bass since every time I search it up I see tuning videos haha.

I assumed Sutoh played a sadowsky but I haven’t done much research but what you say is valid and I’m going to start looking into it now.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Most of the fusion players I know of play active 5 or 6 string basses with soapbars. That said, play what you like.