Which bass would you recommend?

[Nephilymbass]

From my experience a bass not cutting through the mix is either because your pickup(s) aren't that great, mids are being cut, or the bass just isn't high enough in the mix. Sure some basses cut through better than others. A jazz bass will have a punchier high end than a p but less "body" to it. When it comes to fender I prefer fretted p basses and fretless jazz basses.

My advice if your in the studio is put a post eq on the bass tracks to gradually cut out about 50hz and below. This will allow you to turn up the bass track without your bandmates saying the bass is to loud and also keep a loud bass track from farting out when your listening to it through a car stereo or something.

 

[dkelley]

one of the weirdest days I remember was being like 14 or 15 and having already plays bass pretty seriously in school jazz band .... one of the grade 11 or 12 bass players took me under his wing and said I played well for my age but nobody could hear me, just a dull thud. I played a precision (1970s usa made... after all this was the mid 1980s and it was the old school bass guitar). The guy took the graphic eq on the acoustic combo bass amp and cranked the mid and presence range controls and brought the treble control back up to the mid point (I had it down somewhat).

I was aghast - like OMG it sounded horrible. but he said to learn to play well like that. good for my skills, good for being heard, and good for my tone in a live setting (which is the only way I played then, live with acoustic instruments around me on stage).

Sure enough.... that was key. precision basses CUT - and I gradually started helping me build my tone and skills and popularity as a bassist.

 

[9M2E]

Never Been a Rick Fan, A jazz will do, if you looking for a bass that is going to realy stand out in the mix maybe consider the 3rd option of an EBMM Stingray / Sterling Ray34. I play the same kind of music and have been through tons of basses, my stingray's are my constant for a reason, if you want a bass sound that is "upfront" this is it. And to make it even harder on you, a 4th option. I just got a G&L L-2000 yesterday which seems to be a swiss armyknife of a bass. It can sound like a p-bass, Jazz bass, Kind of like a stingray, tons of tonal options. Ill let you know how it holds up in the mix after I get to gig it.

 

[Soundchaser11460]

I can understand not liking Rics, but there's no way they can be considered one trick ponies. They have two pickups that sound completely different from eachother, both with independant tone knobs. Plus, the new ones even have a push/pull knob to switch between even more tonal options on the bridge pickup. If that's not enough variety for you, you can even use the stereo jack to send each pickup to its own amp. The reality is that they are some of the most versatile basses out there.

To the OP, they're mostly likely both great basses. Just get the one that's hardest for you to put down.

Nowhere on my reply did I ever say anything about not liking Ric's. The versality factor is in ones opinion! It doesn't make me or you right or wrong. It's an opinion, which is what the op asked for.

 

[vondran]

One thing to check too is the pickup height on the P bass. Having the pickups closer to the strings gives it more punch and tone that cuts through, whereas further away sounds dull and weak that can get lost in the mix.

 

[boristhespider9]

If you want to be heard through the mix, consider a Music Man Sterling (USA) or Stingray or Stingray Slo Special.

The way you're describing what you want indicates you may be happier with an active bass. Plus, these basses are built to last. But check your amp setup too. Have fun.

 

[Batmensch]

One thing to check too is the pickup height on the P bass. Having the pickups closer to the strings gives it more punch and tone that cuts through, whereas further away sounds dull and weak that can get lost in the mix.

Agreed, 100%. I had a '78 P-bass that the previous owner had lowered the pickup and had it flat, parallel to the plane of the pickguard. I adjusted it properly, closer to the strings, and following the radial curve of the strings and it gave me a hugely noticeable improvement in both tone and volume.

 

[TheGreatSealof]

Check out a Roadworn Pbass. I love mine. Labella Deep Talkin' Flats (James Jamerson).

 

[IronLung1986]

One thing to check too is the pickup height on the P bass. Having the pickups closer to the strings gives it more punch and tone that cuts through, whereas further away sounds dull and weak that can get lost in the mix.

+1 there's an important sweet spot of pickup height that can turn a flabby sounding P bass into a raging beast. about once a year, when I notice my P losing its edge, I have to sit down and readjust the pickup height to get that mean tone back. you have to spend some time to get it just right.

also you could try rotosound 66 strings, which are super aggressive and powerful sounding strings.

try those 2 things before buying new pickups or a new bass - they're cheaper and likely to be more effective.

if it comes to a new bass I have to say I think it would be a lot of fun to play a rick in a punk band. Ricks are not as "plug n play" as fenders; they need more EQing, but the sound you can get from them is nasty and distinctive.