Members Neotriz Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 After some thinking, I decided I want to swtich to bass. No, it's not because I suck at guitar or anything like that, it's just that I think it's cool to learn other instruments and bass caught my eye. I've been playing guitar for 2 and half years. Anyway, I need some suggestions.I have no knowledge on bass whatsoever so I thats why I need help. Here are what I narrowed down.SX SJB-62 Washburn XB100 Bass Pack Ibanez GAX150 Keep in mind that I have no knowledge on bass at all, so I wouldnt know what type of pickup I would use mostly and I wouldnt know if I should start with a 4-string or 5-string or fretless. These bass just caught my eye. As for the amp....Idk. What I play mostly is pretty much anything. Funk, Rock, Metal, Classic rock, etc (except country), but I play Metal mostly. I would need a setup that's good enough for me to use it in my mini studio that I am saving for. Im basicaly forming a mini-studio for a solo-band. Im willing to spend $300, and yes I get what I pay for. So any suggestions? thx in adv O BTW, does any one know a good website that talks about bass descriptions, type of pickup, etc. ?
Members Phantasm Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Yamaha's basses are pretty good for the money. I try to stay away from Washburn or Ibanez, just my personal opinion. For $300 remember you have no amp...
Members Apendecto Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Sounds to me like you only need an amp loud enough to record, wich sounds like a small combo amp. I just picked up a little Fender bassman combo with a 10 in it that I'm happy with, but it wouldn't be loud enough for a band type setting (unless you put it through a PA as well). My amp was like $150 and used isn't a bad way to go. If you need something louder you will probably need 200 or more watts of power and at least 2x10 or 1x15 (or more). Ampeg and Peavey are the names I hear most. More power/speakers are going to cost you more, though, say $300. As for pickups, each one sounds different. The three basic ones are Pricesion, Jazz and Humbucker. A P pickup has the Motown thump to it. Listen to some Clash or anything on an oldies station. Nice full bottom end. A J pickup has more of a higher end growl to it, but it's not horrible on the lows or anything. Listen to some Rush, Led Zeppelin or Rage Against the Machine. Humbuckers are a little different and I only have played one bass with them in it. Mine sounds like a combination of the two with a thick sound that does both pretty well, but is still different. This is very popular with basses like Stingrays and older Gibson modles. Listen to some Nirvanna, Tool or Kiss. I have a P/J bass with one P and one Jazz so I can slelect the sound I'm looking for. As JazzAd said, "It's the best of both worlds." If I were you, I would find a used bass that plays well, feels well and seems solid and use the money you saved for some upgraded pickups. A new bass is going to cost you at least double a used one. I've heard good things about SX, though. Also, I would start off with a 4 string. You can always move up later. And if you've played guitar for a few years a fretted bass will probably make you feel more at home. There is also a lot of great info in the Bass FAQ section that you should look at. Yo.
Members Neotriz Posted July 17, 2005 Author Members Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by Phantasm Yamaha's basses are pretty good for the money. I try to stay away from Washburn or Ibanez, just my personal opinion.For $300 remember you have no amp... Thats why I wouldnt want to spend 300 buks on just the axe. I would like to spend $150 on the axe and the rest on the amp.
Members MageZ Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 I'd say go for the SX. Maybe consider P bass instead of the Jazz.
Members Neotriz Posted July 17, 2005 Author Members Posted July 17, 2005 Thx for the tip everyone. Yeah, now Im convinced that I should a used gear instead, since it will save me big time. The amp isnt what Im worry about. It's the bass. It seems that I cant find anywhere where they hold used bass, except ebay. Any tip on that one?
Members Phantasm Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by Neotriz Thats why I wouldnt want to spend 300 buks on just the axe. I would like to spend $150 on the axe and the rest on the amp. If this is just to record then, I'd suggest a used/new bass around $150 to your liking and a used Sansamp BDDI. That should put you around your target price and will be a good start for recording.
Members Incubitabus Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by Apendecto Sounds to me like you only need an amp loud enough to record, wich sounds like a small combo amp. I just picked up a little Fender bassman combo with a 10 in it that I'm happy with, but it wouldn't be loud enough for a band type setting (unless you put it through a PA as well). My amp was like $150 and used isn't a bad way to go. If you need something louder you will probably need 200 or more watts of power and at least 2x10 or 1x15 (or more). Ampeg and Peavey are the names I hear most. More power/speakers are going to cost you more, though, say $300. As for pickups, each one sounds different. The three basic ones are Pricesion, Jazz and Humbucker. A P pickup has the Motown thump to it. Listen to some Clash or anything on an oldies station. Nice full bottom end. A J pickup has more of a higher end growl to it, but it's not horrible on the lows or anything. Listen to some Rush, Led Zeppelin or Rage Against the Machine. Humbuckers are a little different and I only have played one bass with them in it. Mine sounds like a combination of the two with a thick sound that does both pretty well, but is still different. This is very popular with basses like Stingrays and older Gibson modles. Listen to some Nirvanna, Tool or Kiss. I have a P/J bass with one P and one Jazz so I can slelect the sound I'm looking for. As JazzAd said, "It's the best of both worlds." If I were you, I would find a used bass that plays well, feels well and seems solid and use the money you saved for some upgraded pickups. A new bass is going to cost you at least double a used one. I've heard good things about SX, though. Also, I would start off with a 4 string. You can always move up later. And if you've played guitar for a few years a fretted bass will probably make you feel more at home. There is also a lot of great info in the Bass FAQ section that you should look at. Yo. You forgot about soapbars. They are much more of a less-particular pickup. If you like Any of the other 3's specail tones, avoid soapbars, they cant really mimic any of the other pickup designs, but they can do pretty much anything else. They are usually active, so they produce a hotter signal going to the amp, but it also tends to color the tone. Bartolini Pickups are some of the best (Old Tobias Basses, High-end Ibanez's, and various other high-end basses have these). Their tone, however, is much different than what you would get from EMG-Hz Pickups (low-line spectors, schecters, deans, etc). Both have their own level of versatility, but just know that even though 2 basses may both have soapbars, it doesnt mean they will both sound the same. Metal bassists tend to use J's and soapbars, but a handful (especially in the newer variations of metal) are using basses with Humbuckers. I'd recommend the J for starters. Its fairly versatile, but can also be inexpensive. I would recommend starting with a 4-string. If you need to go lower, maybe try tuning BEAD (a la RATM, Chevelle, etc). Many metal bassists do play 5 string, but it is a bit more daunting to learn. Heres a visual of the pickup types: Humbucker (also occasionally seen in a dual-pickup configuration) P-Bass (again, also occasionally seen in dual or triple pup configurations) J (usually paired, but occasionally paired with either a P or a Humbucker) Soapbar (90% paired with a second soapbar)
Members illidian Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 For that price, get an Essex Bass (your choice) with a Sansamp BDDI. Speaker emulation. Sounds mic'd, but it's not. Sounds a lot like an SVT for what it is, but it's not. And it's cheap. I'm a convert to the P/J pick-up configuration. I keep the P p/up at full and dial the J to taste for each song.
Members JC Bass Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by illidian For that price, get an Essex Bass (your choice) with a Sansamp BDDI.Speaker emulation. Sounds mic'd, but it's not. Sounds a lot like an SVT for what it is, but it's not. And it's cheap.I'm a convert to the P/J pick-up configuration. I keep the P p/up at full and dial the J to taste for each song. For $300 this is an excellent suggestion. You will be able to get a great sound from this running straight into your recording setup.
Members silverkw Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by Apendecto ... And if you've played guitar for a few years a fretted bass will probably make you feel more at home. is that so? Not trying to be funny or anything, i'm really asking the question cauz i'm a guitarist, too.
Members Incubitabus Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 Originally posted by silverkw is that so? Not trying to be funny or anything, i'm really asking the question cauz i'm a guitarist, too. Usually Violinists, Cellists, and Upright Bassists have an easier time picking up a fretless. If you dont have experience with any of the following, it will take longer for you to get accustomed to a fretless instrument. So yes, fretted will be easier if you're coming to bass from guitar (unless you own a fretless guitar! )
Members silverkw Posted July 17, 2005 Members Posted July 17, 2005 ah.... thanks for clearing it up. i think i actually misread it. lol
Members Neotriz Posted July 17, 2005 Author Members Posted July 17, 2005 Ok thx for the feedback. Now I have a better pic of what my bass would be...Now as for the amp...I dont want to conquer a crappy amp. Like for guitar to crate. Those are horrible amps, imo.
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