Bass Forum

[jcpatte2]

Guitar player here.

Need a bass for my project studio in the (~$250) range. I'm leaning towards a 4 string since that's more familiar to me.

Some basses I've looked into include the Sterling S.U.B bass, Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar, AXL Badwater APJ-820, and the Tobias Toby Deluxe IV.

Opinions? Other suggestions? This guitar will be used for recording exclusively.

Thanks in advance.

[ThudMaker]

You want something that isn't junk and will blend in to most genres. Think Used Fender P-Bass.

[lz4005]

Passive P bass is the way to go. It will work in every genre and record with less noise than most inexpensive active basses.

[jcpatte2]

I do remember reading that Passive was the way to go, because of the noise. No love for a Squire with a decent set-up?

[chunky-b]

Jazz...      Juss sayin'!!

:hide:

[Reverse Entropy]

In a recent thread someone suggested an Epiphone Tobias Deluxe IV. It looks pretty solid.

I really liked that Squire Jag bass you mentioned - and I admit I've been prejudiced against the Squire line. But I really liked that Jag bass a lot. Light and a skinny neck. Don't know how I feel about the pickups, but those are easy to upgrade.

I've played some inexpensive Spectors that were really nice. Don't know their models, I was just impressed with the feel and surprised by the low price.

[jcpatte2]

Yeah, I wish Guitar Center carried that Toby so I could try it out firsthand. The Squire feels more guitar-like than most basses which is a plus for me. I'll have to check into the Spector line.

[perrydabassman]

I had a toby 5 string for a while, it wasn't a bad bass at all. 

[jcpatte2]

I think I'm leaning towards trying an SX out based on a few recommendations.

[perrydabassman]

Most of the forumites that used to hang here said they played nice, but had trashy electronics.

[chunky-b]

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perrydabassman wrote:
Most of the forumites that used to hang here said they played nice, but had trashy electronics.

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And poor or no shielding.

[fiockthis]

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4

[coyote-1]

I just stumbled on a Peavey Grind. Used and in great shape for less than $200.

I'm surprised by how good it is.

[RobRoy]

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html

Seriously. I have five basses I purchased from there. Only one was a dog, but I got it from a scratch and dent sale dirt cheap.

[RobRoy]

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perrydabassman wrote:
Most of the forumites that used to hang here said they played nice, but had trashy electronics.

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I upgraded the electronics of my Yamaha to 18 volt Bartollini. I have not done that with my active basses from Rondo, but I tend to depend on my amp and GT6B for strong tone control.

Regarding the passive basses, I use the word "electronics" loosely. The way I put it to beginners looking for a bass, "In a passive bass, the electrics are 60 year old basic tech, the body is a piece of hardwood that anyone with a decent lathe can create, simple math can get you well aligned frets and the rest is a cakewalk. The real challenge is quality control.

My Korean basses are fantastic and I have yet to pay more than $159 for one. I have fretless, five string, six string, passive, active, you name it. Other than the one scratch and dent one, they're great.That one has multiple issues, but it got me into six string for chump change. And, frankly, after my DIY setup it is giggable.

[perrydabassman]

I agree. I have a Korean Spector (i guess you would call it an NS-2), Chinese MTD's and I am not real sure where my SRT-800DX was made, other than it was not made in the USA. I am happy as a lark. My one american, a Peavey G bass, is hanging out in my local music shop on consignment right now.

[frunobulax]

SX basses are what they are - cheap basses.  to my hands, that's what they play like. don't buy one unless you've played one.  which actually is good advice before buying any bass.

if you're looking for a bass for a recording project, give serious consideration to some sort of P bass.  they are simplicity itself, but they ALWAYS give you a good bass tone on recordings.

[RobRoy]

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frunobulax wrote:

SX basses are what they are - cheap basses.  to my hands, that's what they play like.

That is true to a point. The thing is, basses are not cars. The tech in the suspension of a Ferrari is different than the tech in a GM econobox suspension. But when it comes to basses, there is little to improve. The wiring is old school, the wood is, well, wood. The only place wood is really an issue is in the "pretty" stuff. And my SX jazz bass fell off a stand onto a bare concrete floor and other than a SMALL scratch on the back edge of the body, it was completely unharmed. And it has great tone.

I also get compliments from both other musicians and non-musicians on its appearance every single time I gig with it. Some are awed by it's looks. Seriously. That said, where a "cheap" company can really cut corners is in quality control. But It is looking like Rondo is taking care of that. As I said, the only bad one I got was from a scratch and dent sale.

Here is the "pretty" one I was talking about. Photo doesn't show it off very well. It's a ripoff of the Fender Jazz bass that has the chrome covers over one of the pickups and the bridge.

 

[frunobulax]

no issue that SX basses look good.  i don't get on with the necks at all - the basses play like what they are.  

but to each their own.  hence my comment about playing anything before buying. 

[chunky-b]

Well you know, if you ever play an outlaw country song, you have to have a 5 string bass.  Tht's the only way to go!!!