Bass guitar for guitar player

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Bozman

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I'm a guitar player of many years who is finally putting together a home studio. I'm looking to get a bass guitar to lay down tracks in the studio, nothing else. What recomendations to you guys have based on the following:

- Less than $500 (preferably much less)
- New or Used, doesn't matter
- Primarily will be used for straight ahead rock, blues, and some fusion. No techno or dance.

I', bassically looking for a nice full bass sound for recording. It doesn't have to be perfect, but playable, functional and decent sounding.

Thanks,
Mark
 
Thanks for the info. What is the difference between a Fender Precision and Jazz basses. I know they have different pick-ups and that they are configured differently, but what impact does that have on the sound. Also, Any other differences???

Thanks Again,
Mark
 
Bozman said:
Thanks for the info. What is the difference between a Fender Precision and Jazz basses. I know they have different pick-ups and that they are configured differently, but what impact does that have on the sound.
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Big impact. It's like comparing a telecaster to a strat. :)

The Precision is pretty much a one-trick pony, with a very punchy and warm low-mid oriented tone. The Jazz, can thanks to the pickup configuration, basically get three different sounds. With the neck pickup soloed it sounds a bit like the precision, but with more highs and less punch. Both pickups on gives a full and crunchy tone (I love that one), and the neck pickup soloed gives what is commonly referred to as the "J-bass tone", growly with a lot of upper mids (I love that one too).

Other differences - a slight one in body shape, and the Jazz neck is a bit smaller (back to front) than the Precision.

If you're only to get one bass, I strongly suggest a Jazz bass - perhaps the most recorded bass of all time? The Mexican maybe is cheap to buy, but its tone is not!
 
Oysterman is dead on here. I have a MIM Jazz myself, just for recording when my bass player is MIA, and it is a really great bass...stock pickups and all.

Alchuck- Do you seriousally like those POS things? IMO MusicYo.com is a junk dealer that is best left avoided. Steinbergers and Kramers are just crap now. Yes, they had their day...but it has passed now.

Stick with a Fender Jazz, you won't regret it...and if you do, it's an easy resale.

H2H
 
Hard2Hear,

I have a Steinberger-licensed Hohner actually that was made in 1989 or so... it's quite nice and very useable for a cheapo guitar. I was assuming those Steinbergers were the same things, though they are cheaper than my Hohner... my boss just bought one from MusicYo and then he bought a bass too... I tried it for a few minutes and it felt very nice and sounded decent... but maybe you are right... maybe it's crap.
 
I'll second that

Last summer I took that same plunge and I agree. An MIM Jazz, or a Precision for that matter, would be a great place to start. I came close to a buying a standard Jazz but ended up buying the Jazz Deluxe V, which cost me $500.
 
Close enough for Rock & Roll

I recently made the decision that I needed a bass to put down basslines before my friend (a guitarist NOT a bassist;)) puts down the REAL bass parts.

Sound wasn't a factor (as the original track is for reference and not mixdown) so I decided to spend as close to nothing as possible.

I ended up buying a Rogue SX100b. Came with case stand and strap for $90 including tax.

Like I said, sound and performance were never an issue. I didn't even try it out in the store, that's how unimportant the properties of the instrument were to me. :p

But, what's this? Pretty decent tone? Not too bad feel? What's going on here????? :confused:

Anyway, to be sure it wasn't just me, I let a bassist friend have a go, and it was agreed that this was an outstanding value for the money paid.
:cool:

I'd say this type of purchase is just what the doctor ordered for the thread starter.:D
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'll go out shopping this weekend and hopefully have some luck. Feel free to keep the suggestions coming.

Mark
 
I have a USA Fender Jazz bass, I bought off a semi Famous Canadian Band, and it was used on all there albums..... (They broke up and the guys are broke now and selling everything off)......Anyways.....I love it, for fingering and playing jazzy shit, but when I want to use a thick pick and play a rock song, and have a nice edgy attack, I end up grabbing my $189 Samick..(Don't even know the model number....) It's not really deep sounding, or fat sounding, but a nice, slightly higher pitched bass, great for using a pick......

If I want a fatter sound with that bass, I can usually fudge it, with eq... (Add some low mids, and shit)

Joe
(By the way that band was called "The Killjoys")
 
I am also a guitarist who decided to go get an inexpensive bass, for recording in my little home studio. Last month, I went down exactly the same path you're on now.

Add me to the list of folks who will recommend the MIM Fender Jazz bass. I paid $300 (new) for a sunburst from GC.

I've recorded with it (through POD) and am very, very happy with the result.

As others have noted, the variety of sounds you can get from the J-bass are considerable.

The one advantage the modern P-bass has is that it's humbucking. The J has two single-coils, which do hum.

I tried the MIM P-bass, the MIM Jazz bass, and several modern basses (Ibanez, Yamaha, and the very interesting Cort Curbow model). But I'm an old bloozfahrt, doin' rock and blooz, and the MIM-J-bass delivers that sound we've all heard a million times.

Now you gotta play the thing - but if you keep in mind that it's just the same as the bottom four strings of a regular guitar, it's a lot less mysterious.

MIM Jazz Bass. Okay? Now, go!
 
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