A Sandberg VM4 would be the bass I would buy to accomplish everything on your list. It can handle the Fender P perfectly using the front pickups, Its got a double bucker stingray style pickup and emulates a stingray very well, and just about all the other sounds on your list. It is BOTH active and Passive (pull the volume up and its passive, push down and its active). Just my 2 cents. I'm a Spector NS2 guy but purchased a VM4 and have found it to be the most versatile bass I've used in 30 years. I find myself reaching for it for every style of music.
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If you're in Pensacola, you could always check Guitar Center's used database for some of your picks. Shipping a used bass to my local store would usually cost me an extra $25, which, for a $1,000+ instrument, isn't so bad. And if you don't care for it, you have a good amount of time to return it.
G&L FTW!!!
I voted for that and the Roscoe.
As cool as Kilotons are, I’d recommend opting for a LB-100 or a jb instead. They make empress bodies also if you like lightweight.
I voted for that and the Roscoe.
As cool as Kilotons are, I’d recommend opting for a LB-100 or a jb instead. They make empress bodies also if you like lightweight.
If you can't narrow your choices down, then just start looking for a deal on any of them.
Sometimes, what you can find works way better then "still looking".
Not to say that the first one you find has to be "the one", just that it could be.
A lot will depend on if you and the bass bond.
Since there are no bad basses on that list, I think it's fair to guess you could expect to sell any of those and not get hurt too bad.
If you need to move on from the first one, you can flip it and use the money to move on down the list.
If you need to, you could own one of each...just not all at once.
Sometimes, what you can find works way better then "still looking".
Not to say that the first one you find has to be "the one", just that it could be.
A lot will depend on if you and the bass bond.
Since there are no bad basses on that list, I think it's fair to guess you could expect to sell any of those and not get hurt too bad.
If you need to move on from the first one, you can flip it and use the money to move on down the list.
If you need to, you could own one of each...just not all at once.
I would personally grab the jazz bass. It may not be the perfect bass for every situation, but it will never be the wrong bass either.
I have been playing bass for more than 30 years and I've never heard of a warrior messenger before. I'm also an idiot, so there's that. But I've played a lot of basses from a lot of different bands, and have spent way too much time over the years looking at gear online and in person. So in that regard if you ever decide you want or need to sell that bass, you might have a harder time because maybe I'm not the only one? It's niche enough that I didn't even know it existed, and off the top of my head I could probably name 20-30 bass guitar brands without breaking a sweat. if the resale is not a factor to you then please completely ignore this.
I have been playing bass for more than 30 years and I've never heard of a warrior messenger before. I'm also an idiot, so there's that. But I've played a lot of basses from a lot of different bands, and have spent way too much time over the years looking at gear online and in person. So in that regard if you ever decide you want or need to sell that bass, you might have a harder time because maybe I'm not the only one? It's niche enough that I didn't even know it existed, and off the top of my head I could probably name 20-30 bass guitar brands without breaking a sweat. if the resale is not a factor to you then please completely ignore this.
If the P doesn't have the 1.75 inch neck at the nut as the original then I'll just get a jazz bass. I like both and to me that bit of extra space on the P helps me in certain ways that the j bass can't and visa versa.
So that list doesn't provide me with a satisfactory P bass example however, the fender Roger Waters does meet the original specs, outside of some old Cort basses and some lawsuit models.
As for the Jazz... I guess the Geddy would work, I have found that the Samick J- type body has a bit of an offset which puts the neck at a comfortable angle for my ergonomics. The Fender J isn't bad but the Samick nails it. And... since I seem to gut every electric, pickups on these OTS production models are not part of my equation. I would prefer a finished carcass so I could complete the assembly with hardware and electrics of my own choosing. That would ideal for me.
So that list doesn't provide me with a satisfactory P bass example however, the fender Roger Waters does meet the original specs, outside of some old Cort basses and some lawsuit models.
As for the Jazz... I guess the Geddy would work, I have found that the Samick J- type body has a bit of an offset which puts the neck at a comfortable angle for my ergonomics. The Fender J isn't bad but the Samick nails it. And... since I seem to gut every electric, pickups on these OTS production models are not part of my equation. I would prefer a finished carcass so I could complete the assembly with hardware and electrics of my own choosing. That would ideal for me.
Thanks everyone for the opinions and advice. Ultimately I pulled the trigger on the Warrior Messenger bass. It seemed to be the one that excites me the most and like many of you said, there were no bad options. Hopefully it’s love at first touch when it gets here next week! Hopefully no regrets or buyer’s remorse lol
I have had 3 weeks with the Warrior and I am glad I made that decision. It is awesome. So light and really helps me play on my feet more with less back trouble. It plays so smooth, the best playing neck I have ever played. It is so comfortable. It sounds super nice! Aguilar electronics are great, really sounds punchy and smooth, just the right amount of everything my ear likes. I couldn't be happier, thanks for all the great advice!
