It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 1:52 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:30 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:00 am
Posts: 1
Well, I know that opinions are like certain body parts - everybody's got one; but I figure that there are probably an above average of intelligent and honest people here who will try to steer me in what they sincerely feel is the best direction.

First I need to tell you a bit about who I am. (Skip to the next paragraph or the one after that whenever you get bored. For some reason this turned into my life story...sorry) I said my fist Bass; but I'm almost into my 41st year of playing guitar. I started out with a cheap classical - a few years later my parents tried to bribe me into staying in school - the deal was a les paul (good deal, sadly I dropped out before they sprang for an amp...). I went on to play with a very early and fairly talentless punk band who had divorced, wealthy parents and great equipment (including the Marshall they let me have). Sadly that magnificent guitar ended up becoming a victim of my drug addiction a few years down the road and left my hands for a price so ridiculous I'm too embarrassed to say. I played with a few crappy bands that went nowhere; but after hitting bottom and dragging along it for a while I managed to pull myself together. Fortunately I had mad computer skills in a time when few people did as well as some exceedingly forgiving friends of my late father who helped me get where I needed to be. I got my hands on a Norman B-20 on the way back up and quickly added a Squire Strat and lil Peavy amp, Over the years I've owned a number of outstanding classical guitars and some passable electrics and I have pretty much always played, alas only for my own amusement - not so bad really, I lived well and have some great kids to leave behind. I also just got to buy my grand-daughter her first guitar for her 10th BD :)

Bottom line is I have a lifetime of music behind me, mostly guitar (although keyboards and a few other odd instruments have been part of my life as well). Today I sit here with a Classical from a well known Spanish luthier, a Squire Strat, a PRS and a G&L "ASAT Classic" (read tele) prototype and Marshall and Fender amps, a piano, some mics and a copy of Pro Tools. Which brings us to what should probably replace the last two paragraphs:

This year for my BD I've decided to buy myself a bass. Never really played one; but I understand the principles and can read music, tab, chord charts, whatever...and I am trying to decide what is my best investment. I won't say money isn't an object; but I can afford a decent instrument...

I like the sound, look and many of the comments that I have heard about the J-Bass. They have a rather nice, older one sitting in one of our local pawn shops or I can easily afford to just walk in and pick out a new one. I've also been considering some of the G&Ls available - and of course the P-Bass...

There are no stupid questions; just stupid answers - let's try to avoid those pls. thanks

that being said all input is greatly appreciated.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:33 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:37 pm
Posts: 176
You sound like a Precision Bass kinda guy to me. The neck of the P bass will probably feel best to you..since you're used to the wide and fat classical guitar neck.

I prefer Fender Mexico.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:23 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
Posts: 670
Thanks for introducing yourself and welcome to the forum lilChris.
It doesn't matter if you get knocked down, it does matter if you get up or not....right?

I'm sure you've probbably heard this before, but go try out as many basses that you can. Find the one that feels and sounds right for you. You can get that ole p-bass thump or the growl of a Jazz or the best of both worlds with a P/J bass (P-bass pup in the neck position with a Jazz pup in the bridge position).

Used or new......that's a personal decision. Pros and cons both ways. Do what's comfortable for you and you've made the right choice.

Good luck and keep us informed.

P.S. I recommend a Fender. :mrgreen:

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Last edited by grho50 on Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:47 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
My opinion is that since you are only going to occasionally play your bass, I would rec. that you try out a Classic vibe Jazz bass or Classic Vibe precision bass because of the outstanding value that they present to the beginning player.

You may find other brands that suit you, but the Classic Vibe series of Squire basses are worth a good test for your needs.

I own a CV Precision and a Jazz and I have taken them out on gigs with no noticeable difference in performance between them and my USA made Fender basses.

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:48 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Welcome to the forum lilChris. Yep opinions are like noses! Therefore as pointed out, it is best to get out there and try a bunch. There is user bias. If you buy a Jazz first you'll probably always favor Jazzes. If you buy a P-Bass first you'll always probably favor Precisions. Ask a Jazz player which to buy they will say a Jazz, ask a P-player which to buy and they will say a P-Bass.

You didn't mention for what purpose you'd be getting the instrument or whether you want to play finger-style or with a pick, at least so far as I can tell.

Passive Precisions record well in my opinion and are equally receptive to both finger style and pick play for me. They are inherently quieter noise-wise than Jazzes due the noise cancelling pickup design. They tend to have less upper mids with the tone cranked wide open than a Jazz will have, but instead feature a richer bottom. As mentioned the neck profile on a P-Bass is a bit wider. The passive P-Bass controls are simpler with one volume and one tone.

Passive Jazzes (and their uncle, the First Generation single coil P-Bass) have a more upfront and brighter tone which is very beneficial in cutting through a mix and also seem to work well in smaller outfits like a 3 piece band ala' Grand Funk Railroad or ZZ Top. The slightly narrower and thinner Jazz neck is frequently cited as being favored by guitarists who double on electric bass and many say a Jazz neck is "faster." Passive Jazzes typically have a volume/volume/tone three control arrangement which means one more knob to fiddle with. Passive Jazzes can be played with a pick, but pick players usually will choose a Precision as the pickup voicing on a P-Bass seems more receptive to pick play. Passive basic Jazzes have single coil pickups which are not as immune to RFI noise as the split P-Bass pickup. Some Jazzes use Noiseless pickups which mitigate the noise issue some but at the expense of upper mids.

The P/J configuration was mentioned. These have one Precision pickup in the neck position and one Jazz pickup in the bridge position. In a passive P/J the two pickups interact loading wise with each other so that even when soloed the Precision pickup doesn't sound exactly like a Precision and the Jazz pickup doesn't sound exactly the same as a Jazz. This loading effect is somewhat mitigated in instruments with an active preamp. Fender makes two such active P/J basses. The Mexican made P-Bass Special typically selling new for about $700 and the top of the USA line Precision Bass Deluxe which is significantly more running just under $1600 new. The MIM one has a Jazz width neck and the USA one has a P-Bass width neck. The MIM one represents possibly the biggest bang for the buck in the entire Fender line while the USA one is a truly fine USA made instrument. Both require batteries to run the preamp. I'm not particularly fond of the finish offerings/pickguard combos available on the MIM P-Bass Special but still it is a good buy feature, sound and playability wise even if it ain't pretty to me.

After 41 years of playing guitar, you might find it odd to work with a full 34" scale bass neck and there might be a temptation to go with something shorter scale. While there are some fine shorter scale instruments, I'd highly recommend buying a Precision or Jazz in standard scale as they are usually easier to sell if you lose interest in bass. In their favor though, short scale basses are fun and easy to play. They can be mighty tempting to a guitarist who isn't comfortable with a full scale neck. Among short scale basses, the Fender Mustang with a 30" scale (4" shorter than standard long scale) is a long running model with a legion of fans. The Squier Telecaster Basses (2" shorter than a standard long scale) are well made and reasonably priced. There are two models with different pickup arrangements on the Telecasters. Also there is a short scale Squier Jaguar Bass that has a 30" scale. The Squier Jaguar is a very very inexpensive series, but still makes a good starter bass with a good tone so try one of those too.

There's a lot to be said for buying new and also for buying used. Buying new you get a warranty and a nice new instrument. A real brick & mortar dealer will usually throw in some accessories or a professional setup with a new instrument.

Buying used looks more economical, but you are on your own if something goes amiss or isn't quite right in the first place. Still you can get more bass for less money used, but paying for a setup (which you almost always will need) negates some of the savings. Usually there are some really good used basses around, many owned by guitarists who didn't use them much, then there are some that have been rode hard for years and put up wet a few times. So use care. Also be alert for FRAUDS as there are fakes out there in the secondary market. Even on a used instrument you can eliminate worry about fakes by dealing with a reputable dealer instead of meeting some Craigslist flake in the McDonalds parking lot at exit 87 off the Interstate.

Try as many as possible, then decide. Many players, myself included, find the Mexican Standards to be plenty good enough. USA made ones are nicer of course, but they cost more. While the wood, hardware and electronics are better on the USA ones, spending that extra money won't really make you a better player. The Mexican Standards are enough bass for most players out there, including 99% of those who for status sake insist that only a USA made one is "good enough" for them. I think I'd start off with a Mexican Standard Jazz or Precision because they play well and sound decent for about half what a USA one costs. Lots of people like the new Chinese made Modern Player models, but I really don't have any experience with them. I'd expect them to be fine also and there's no reason not to try one out. Fender Japan has made some real nice basses over the past 30 years. (Happy 30th Anniversary to Fender Japan!) I have had several of them over the years. The electronics will almost always be the weak point on a Fender Japan model with hardware on par with the Mexican Fenders. Fender Japan's strengths are wood quality, fit and finish which will rival USA made instruments.

The American Specials may look like great buy compared to the American Standards, but if you want an American I'd go to the Standard as it comes with a hard case which about makes up the price difference all by itself. Plus you get better hardware, wood and electronics on the American Standard. This is one time when spending more money makes sense.

If you play a bunch of them you'll find one that screams "BUY ME." It might be a new American Deluxe or it could be a used Mexican Standard or it could be a Fender Japan Aerodyne or Squier Jaguar or you could go off the reservation to wind up with a non-Fender bass. Just have confidence that it is "the one" before buying it, and then play it until you wear it out and then start the process over again!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:56 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:33 am
Posts: 4583
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Welcome to the Forums. You've had a lot of good advice so far, a lot of information to process.

The best advice I can offer is, get out and play as many as possible. The "buy me" bass may be out there. If you get an American Standard, you'll probably be very happy. They're the most consistent line that Fender manufactures.

I won't tell you whether a Precision or a Jazz will be better, now that you're buying a bass, you'll become a collector like the rest of us. :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: My first Bass - is this what I want
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:27 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
Welcome to the Forum!

I was going to suggest you consider a Fender Mustang bass. While I have never played the newer versions, the older 60's basses really sound pretty darn good and have some professional credits to their name. My thinking was that since it has a short, 30" scale, it would not be physically intimidating to you after 41 years of guitar.

But I have to say, the American Made Fender Jazz and Precision basses are, without a doubt, the finest instruments you will ever find....okay, maybe that is an opinion. I started with a jazz and still love a jazz, but I own just as many precisions and my primary go to bass is actually a precision.

I will tell you what is fun. Order a brand new jazz or precision from the factory. I had a color combo I wanted back in 2010 and nobody had one in stock, so Sam Ash had to order it for me. When it arrived and I opened the case I was greeted by smell of the still curing finish. There is no smell in the world I enjoyed more than that one, that day. Even beats the new car smell.

I think if you buy a Mustang, you will eventually buy a full scale J or P, so maybe you should just give in now and get one.

Play a bunch, as everyone has said. Two identical basses, side by side, will sound slightly different.

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: