jpfour23 said:
When you say, "play better"... what do you mean? Easier? What makes you like it more than others?
THX!!
jp
yess i mean easier. With a good bass (the way i feel it) you will feel the strings really well, and won't have the sensation your fingers are getting stock between the strings. You won't have to hit hard to make the stings move, and will be more precise. This is why I'm telling you to have a bass for one day if you have the possibility. You will have a point to compare and will know exactly what i mean, even if the bass is cheap or not. This will be your point of reference.
Also, check for the presure you have to push on the string to touch the fretboard. Some basses have the strings set up to 1/2 (and even 3/4) inche from the fretboard, with no trossrods to ajust it, again, pain in the arse. You are a guitar player, you should be able to feel when there is something wrong with the string placement and fretboard. Try that: 7h10p7 6h9p6 in loop on the fifth string of your guitar (not the biggest one, the one under), if you can do it on guitar you can do it on bass, with no precision lost, but your left arm will probably get tired a bit more rapidly.
the fretboard of the curbow is made of some kind of plastic, which slides really easily compared to a lot of other basses.
Just base yourself on the feeling you have on your guitar, this is just what you should have on a bass, but with just a bit more pressure because of the strings gauge.
If you get a cheap bass ( lets say yamaha cheapo models) you will be left with a difficult bass to play, and it will sound horrible. the result will be an instrument used as a decoration more than anything else
As an example, a friend of mine as a cort with the artisan neck. The bass sounds way descent, but i can't suppost playin more than 2 minutes on it because my right hand feels like i'm a total noob. the stings are really hard to play.
Check for the balance of the bass. ask the seller a strap and stand up. Don't hold the bass and see if the neck tries to reach the ground. It's a bit harder to play if you have to hold the neck in place.
Remember this is a one time investment that will last your life long, dont buy a bass 200$less if you're looosing playability. Try to find some used, if you get fed up with it, you will be able to sell it the price you paid.
hope this help!