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Post subject: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:42 am
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I am a self-producing solo artist, working on my debut album. My sound is definitely headed towards a throwback soulful rock sound, much like the late 50s and early 60s artist, but with a modern twist. I am considering picking up a bass to learn on in a couple of months, since my learning guitar is going faster than expected(what a difference the right guitar for you can make). I am currently on an Epiphone ES-339 Pro for my guitar(plan to pick up a Tele later as my secondary), which I play though Fender amps. I also will have a heavy piano part in my sound. This brings me to my ultimate question. Between the Fender Precision Bass and the Fender Jazz Bass, what would each of you recommend to suit the sound I am going for(early classic rock meets motown with a modern twist).


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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:52 am
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:arrow: The Fender Precision is the benchmark bass. It put the rock in rock 'n' roll, and is the 'funk wrench' in Motown soul. It is the backbone in the Memphis Stax sound. And it was the foundation of Buck Owens' 'Bakersfield Sound'. The Fender Precision is the original electric bass guitar and it set the standard high. It records very well and is always a good choice. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:39 am
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Hard to argue with that. P-bass is the gold standard.


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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:43 am
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P bass is the way to go for that kind of music.


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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:10 am
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My first instinct was to go Precision Bass, but I got to reading a lot of good things about the Jazz Bass too. I had briefly considered a Epiphone or Gibson, but their bass guitars just didn't work for what I needed, so back to Fender. Every guitarist and bassist have their favorites of course, but this will be my first Fender instrument. I have always enjoyed the amps, even when I picked up the tiny Mini Twin years ago(I now own a Mustang I V.2 for a practice amp, and am looking to get a combo for stage use, likely a vintage reissue of a '57 or '65 model). My Mustang amp is one of the best investments I have made, and has helped me to define a sound that works really well for me. Aside from the occasional help a friend can offer, I pretty much have to compose and record my music entirely on my own, but at least I will be a versatile instrumentalist for it, playing no less than three instruments(drums I don't have the space to learn and they can be done in the box now). Thanks for the advice everyone.


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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:01 pm
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You're in luck, a lot of 50s-60s guys here, original production numbers...lol.

I has 100% recommending P until right at the end when you through classic rock in. Motown, soulful rock, as you put it, definitely P, but classic rock, Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, etc. lean more to J.

I would still say P, until you can get both..lol.

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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:15 pm
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A Jazz Bass will give you more tonal options - both pickups together will give a nice deep sound with plenty of high end, you can go with just the neck pickup for a deeper sound, or emphasize the bridge pickup for a treblier but thinner sound.

Whether you need that versatility as a novice bassist in a song-format is a question you should consider. It might actually give you option anxiety! :o :lol:

A Precision Bass will just give a good full range sound that fits nicely in a mix.

There are other ways to get different sounds - string choice, tone control, playing technique (where you pluck, fingers vs. pick, etc.) and EQ.

I'm thinking Precision Bass might be the way to go. I've come back to the P-Bass after years away and finding that I love the simplicity because it's so good just as it is!

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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:49 pm
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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:01 pm
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I don't know what you are saying Oxfan. Could you be a little more pacific?


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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:36 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
I don't know what you are saying Oxfan. Could you be a little more pacific?


I think, but I could be wrong now, ……………..

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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:07 pm
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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:49 pm
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P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:57 pm
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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:38 pm
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Since you're used to probably wrapping your thumb around the lower neck of the guitar, I suggest getting the extra tapered neck Jazz Bass. That technique is not as easy to do on a wider neck Precision. Also, a Jazz can sound pretty close to a Precision, with the neck pickup being used solo. You'll have grounding hum with that, but all you have to do is turn the bridge pickup on just enough.

Another benefit of the Jazz is the way the strings sorta narrow toward the neck. You see a lot of guitarists plucking in that spot when they have to play bass.


Last edited by WildintheStreets on Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Newbie to Bass, need suggestions
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 12:33 am
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affprod wrote:
You're in luck, a lot of 50s-60s guys here, original production numbers...lol.

I has 100% recommending P until right at the end when you through classic rock in. Motown, soulful rock, as you put it, definitely P, but classic rock, Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, etc. lean more to J.

I would still say P, until you can get both..lol.


By soulful rock I mean in the style of late 50s and early 60s combined with some classic r&b riffs(best way I knew to describe it), as opposed to the mid to late 70s style classic rock most people automatically think about. In short, I like a little twang in my music, but with some good low end too. I am taking everyone's thoughts under advisement. I still have a bit before I buy, but do know I am going Fender on this one, even if a bottom of the line model. For a studio workhorse, you don't necessarily need all the bells and whistles, but you do need something that can take a good beating(musically speaking) and still be reliable. I simple don't trust the low end Squiers to do that, and by the time you hit the $300+ models, you might as well just spend a couple hundred extra and get the Fender Standard model. I like the versatility of the Jazz bass, but will start out on a Precision(or see if a friend has one I could try out....got a couple local friends who are musicians and I know one is a guitarist, but not sure if he doubles on bass or not), to keep things simple.


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