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I WANT AN AWESOME NEW BASS!!


eberrong

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Posted

I currently own a Squire P-Bass and want a new bass that plays and sounds better. For my next bass I want something that I will never want to replace. I am willing to spend up to $1200 if it is a freakin awesome (gotta have it) bass. I play lots of different styles but gravitate toward nu-metal/alternative rock.

 

I have been looking at American Fenders, Ibanez, and Warwick mostly because that is what the music stores in the area stock.

 

The guys at the music store seem to just try to sell me whatever they need to clear out and I am more confused now than when I started. I feel I am in need of some basic guidance.

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Posted

First off. Welcome to the Low Down Lowdown.

 

I don't believe I've ever played a Warwick, but in my experience the Ibanez Soundgear series are great for metal n' such.

 

Of course, you can't really ever go wrong with an American Fender.

 

If you buy ANY $1200 bass, coming straight from a Squire, you're going to be insanely happy.

 

Also, you may want to look at MusicMan's (MusicMen?) too.

"Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..."

 

http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity

Posted

...and I want a thick slice of pot roast; but that's not important right now.

 

Two things:

 

1. Play as many basses as you can in the price range that you are willing to spend, and possibly even some that are *more* expensive... don't rule out the possibility of buying a nice *used* instrument.

 

B. As much as you'd like to think you're going to get your 'ultimate' instrument and never buy another... well, yeah. You'll want another one eventually. It's an unfortunate(?) part of being a musician: GAS pains. :D

Posted
B. As much as you'd like to think you're going to get your 'ultimate' instrument and never buy another... well, yeah. You'll want another one eventually. It's an unfortunate(?) part of being a musician: GAS pains.

 

Well said. I thought I had my "forever bass" when I got my Warwick, which is a damn fine bass, but, after a while I just wanted a different sound. Sold that and got a Rickenbacker. I love the Rick now. But, Ill probably get another soon. Without selling this though, I wanna start and actually collection of basses.

jreed

jreed00@dcemail.com

Posted
Originally posted by jreed:

Well said. I thought I had my "forever bass" when I got my Warwick, which is a damn fine bass, but, after a while I just wanted a different sound. Sold that and got a Rickenbacker. I love the Rick now. But, Ill probably get another soon. Without selling this though, I wanna start and actually collection of basses.

Just wait until you start acquiring a collection instead of selling one to buy another. I'm hoping that I can keep myself to a semi-reasonable arsenal, but right now I have 4 basses and want at least one more. That Mike Lull P5 is just screaming my name.

 

Of course, 4 is no where near some of the massive collections that people have on here. So I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about wanting another.

Posted

My first thought: Stingray. IMO, the best bass in that price range. And coming from a P bass, you should like it.

 

But yeah, keep an open mind. Don't go with brand first. Look for quality construction, versatility/features, and most of all the way it feels in your hands & sounds in your ears.

 

And don't fixate on getting that "last" bass. That just complicates things. But you *should* aim for something that's worth keeping forever, even if you don't keep it forever.

Posted

What dcr said,

don't forget to look at a Stingray.

 

Don't know where you live, but if you are going to spend that kind of money, it might be worth making a trip to a big city and checking out as many basses as you can.

 

By the way, check out the Carvin website, they are having a sale on instruments which are already built and in stock. Although I certainly wouldn't rank Carvin with MusicMan, Warwick and American Fenders, they are a good value for the price.

Posted

What jeremy said (and dcr). And - take your time. I spent three years in a (somewhat slow) search for a bass. When my cousin invited me to a party 2.5 hours away, I was thrilled (because there was a Dingwall dealer in his town). When I started working in a different area, it meant I could go to music stores there without having to blow off a Saturday (not that I didn't do that too..).

 

In that price range you might look at Pedulla. They are usually more expensive (much more), but Guitar Center was selling off one of their lines at a reduced cost.

 

I agree that without knowing what you like and your style, MusicMan is probably your best choice. Strong product, well made, good customer service (one of the guys here got warranty work done on a used instrument!). You will hear people say it has one tone, but that's not true. I heard one at a concert today and it did not have the "MusicMan" sound. FWIW the guitar player had a MusicMan guitar as well...

 

Tom

www.stoneflyrocks.com

Acoustic Color

 

Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt

Posted
Wow! Thanks for all the great feedback! Musicman is not one I have considered yet and I will hunt around town (Orlando, FL) to find one to try out. Since I know relatively little about what good construction and features to look for, I guess that's why I am looking for a "can't go wrong with a ...." type of bass.
Posted

Dude... don't listen to these geezers. Buy the first bass you see! Whichever one has the best paint and the coolest shape is definitely the bass you should buy.

 

Just kidding.

 

Plunk around on a lot of basses. Turn knobs and ask questions. Don't be afraid to leave the store without buying anything. Don't let anyone give you the "hard sell" on an instrument -- it's your cash. Take your time and spend it the way you want to spend it. If you get rushed out of the store by a salesman, either go somewhere else to shop or complain to the store manager. Your money is just as good as anyone else's. You shouldn't be treated shabbily just because you're young/indecisive.

 

I'll echo previous comments and recommend a Music Man bass (it's very simple to get that Nu-Metal sound with those, if that's your thing), Warwick (also a fave of Nu-Metal folks) and you really can't go too wrong with an American P-bass or Jazz. These are all basses that I would consider "lifetime" instruments -- meaning these are instruments that you could play forever and have uses in almost any kind of music you could imagine.

 

Good luck. Let us know how things go.

\m/

Erik

"To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

--Sun Tzu

Posted

The Musicman Stingray is a great rock bass. An imported Spector might be a good choice in that price range as well.

I too have, on many occasions, thought I'd found the "perfect bass", but there is always another.

I've been into passive Fenders for a while now and I think I might need to add an import active bass. Hmmm. :idea:

"Start listening to music!".

-Jeremy C

Posted

Hey there - you are a lucky guy to be near Bass Central. From what I hear, those guys are well-informed. And they have the only Carvin dealer relationship anywhere, so you can actually get your hands on them.

 

Try everything there - they have a great selection!!!

 

You could buy an MTD Heir and a backup bass as well....

 

Tom

www.stoneflyrocks.com

Acoustic Color

 

Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt

Posted
I was shopping in the $1200 neighborhood and played many basses over and over and over again. In the end I brought home a Stingray. I haven't had one bit of regret.
Posted

I have had those words thrown back at me by the guys in the band a thousand times. I have quit saying "this is the last bass I'll ever buy" as it never is.

 

I agree, a Stingray would be a good choice for you. I am sellign mine, along with a Warwick Dolphin Pro 5 that I sold this week. Right now the bass I'll never sell is a Lakland 55-02. Just giged it for the first time tonight. 2 gigs today actually. I love it....for now anyway.

 

I tend to change basses a lot. Some players play the same one their whole life. To each his (or her) own. Just take your time, try as many as you can and no matter what anyone says or plays, get the one YOU like best.

Posted

...it's worth mentioning that Bass Central is also the #1 dealer of Music Man basses in the world. They've got, at last count, a kajillion of them, new & used.

 

Man, I hate you for living that close to Music Man Mecca!! :D

 

Also, I'm the guy who got warranty work--a free neck replacement--on a used bass that was out of warranty. Ernie Ball know their business.

 

My bass is a Sterling. It's not quite as well known as the Stingray, but is the same bass except for a smaller body, slightly slimmer neck, & more on-board pickup options. Mine's a fretless. I would take a fretted one in a HEARTBEAT. You might find the Stingray more familiar, coming from a P; but do yourself a HUGE favor & check out the Sterlings. :thu:

 

These are very versatile basses. They are not one-trick ponies. And you'd never *need* to trade up--you could become the next bass god, & still be playing a MM as your #1 bass.

Posted

I played the Stingray and the American Standard P-Bass back-to-back today. I liked them both. They were both very easy to play. The Stingray seemed to get a better range of sound because of the active 3-band eq. But I own a Sansamp Bass Driver DI which I think would give the Fender a similar range of sounds.

 

I plan to go back to the store several times before I make a final decision. I am taking everyone's advice and taking my time on this one. It is a big purchase!

Posted
Cool. if you can get into bass Central you will pretty much be able to play everything you could ever want. the music man would be a good choice. a bass that I really love is the Peavey Cirrus. bass central does not carry them but you should try one if you can. if you are into the fender stuff check out the Lakland Skyline basses I have a 55-02 and really love it. but like people have said just play all you can and get what speaks to you. and have fun. bass shopping is the best kind of shopping there is!
Posted

For about $200 more you can get into a Benavente Vortex series.

Other then that, there are a number of good mid level basses out there to choose from. Most are all manufactured, not sure if there are any other quality hand built basses in that price range other then the Benavente Vortex or Vintage Vortex.

 

Heres a shot of the NAMM Vintage Vortex's and two Standard Vortex's.

http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/images/benavente%5C

Thanks,

Brian

www.thelowend.net

Posted

I was just wondering, I am thinking of getting a new bass. I want either a Gary Willis Model from Ibanez, which is 5 string and fretless. Although the Warwick corvette 4-string fretless is $400 cheaper and it sounds just as good.

 

can someone give me a second opinion

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