Electric bass for recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter nuemes
  • Start date Start date
I used the rick on my oldest stuff...before I really knew how to record myself, so it sounds like crap. Those songs (the "BABTEA" songs at the bottom) were actually recorded on a Tascam Portastudio 424 on a casette tape. Ha! I used the 66 P Bass on nearly all of the "Lift" Songs on that page...but used the Jazz for one or two, I honestly can't remember. Then a mix of the Jazz and Hamer on all the other stuff. Tuff to remember exactly, those songs have spanned the last 8 or so years.

H2H
 
My 3 best for recording and what you can usually buy them for:
1. Alembic Essence (A little pricey)
2 Spector Q5 (about $500)
3. Conklin GT-5(used, about $500)
All these can get the sound you're looking for (with roundwounds). For a P-bass sound, I'll use a G&L Tribute L-2500($500) or a Lightwave Classica(now, about $900). Both of these use TI Jazz Flats.
 
nuemes said:
Rickenbacker a one trick pony? What makes you say that? Why do you prefer the Jazz over precision or the Rick? I'm not particularly familiar with them so any personal experience you can offer would be great help.
Click to expand...

The Rickenbacker has a very distinctive sound, sort of sharp edged, many people call it the "Clickenbacker". Look how any players (McCartney, Foxton for example) used one for a while and then moved on. If you like it, great, but there is not a lot of variety.

The Precision is the classic recording bass, just about every Motown, soul and blues song from the 60's and 70's has a Precision on it. It was the first bass guitar ever designed and was intended as a replacement for the stand up (it was so named because it has frets!) It has one pick up and sort of only one sound, but a very round and full one. Engineers love it.

The jazz is different in two ways - 2 pick ups, with a very wide range of sounds, and a much slimmer neck (I prefer it as I have fairly small hands).

Not saying either of the Fenders are necessarily better than the other suggestions here, but I do think you should try them.
 
Is the sub bass good for a funk sound too? I play a lot of blues too and if I get a bass I know I will be playing some funk and slap bass, but blues also. Would this be a good bass for me?
 
patlang12 said:
Is the sub bass good for a funk sound too? I play a lot of blues too and if I get a bass I know I will be playing some funk and slap bass, but blues also. Would this be a good bass for me?
Click to expand...
YOU... want a Jazz.
:D
 
lbanks said:
YOU... want a Jazz.
:D
Click to expand...

Yup, no question. It will do all you need (oh, and it will hold its value better, if that's a consideration)
 
Garry Sharp said:
Yup, no question. It will do all you need (oh, and it will hold its value better, if that's a consideration)
Click to expand...
the smilies after his comment make me a little nervous but all right, you are being serious right? (Don't know much about basses :confused: )
 
Yes, serious. But we're only advising you to try, the only person who can choose is you.
 
Garry Sharp said:
Yes, serious. But we're only advising you to try, the only person who can choose is you.
Click to expand...
all right, thanks. I also play rock and stuff like that too though. I play lots of different styles. I guess I need a good all around bass. Any more suggestions?
 
G&L L2000 (L2500 if you want a 5er) Tribute Premium, as mentioned earlier. The SUB should be on your try list, these are both rock basses with flexibility.
 
The big difference being that the Jazz has single coil pickups and the SUB has a huge humbucker and active EQ. Its very similar to the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul. Now, you can get active EQ and stacked pickups on a Jazz, too. But its not standard. In fact, I had a Deluxe Active Jazz and it was really nice. The basses have a different feel to them, too.

I have to say, though, most of the funk Bassists I have played with (Ive been in 2 different funk groups) have played Musicman Stingray basses. Those guys are the reason I bought my SUB in the first place.

H2H
 
Yes, I should have mentioned that. When I tried the Jazz I was amazed at how good those pick ups sounded (my other two basses have twin humbuckers). On the new Jazz you can put the two single coils into series to make effectively a humbucker.

I think your point about the feel is the most important one though.
 
I went to two stores today and played quite a few basses. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. My favorites were a used Rickenbacker ($1900...), Fender USA Jazz ($900), Music Man Sterling ($839) and Music Man SUB with active preamp ($650).

The Rickenbacker has the exact tone I want but it's simply too expensive. I'm going to give it about a week's thought and then make a decision. It's looking like the SUB at the moment, despite the fact that it litteraly looks like the floor of my old Ranger pickup..
 
Just so you know...

The Stingray pickguard fits on a SUB perfectly..all the holes line right up. So you can ditsh the ugle metal pickguard for a pretty pearloid Stingray guard. It does TONS for the looks!

But you should look at them used if you can. I bought my SUB for $425 used and in mint condition.

Thats a killer price on a Sterling, though. Those are really nice basses and you can do alot with the sound configuration on it.

H2H
 
I still say go with the Jazz; get some of that Fender mojo on you. But actually, you'll simply need more basses... one is not enough! :D And take that Fernedes in for a full set up and new strings(GHS Boomers). That bass should sound better than you described. If it doesn't then the setup and strings will increase its resale value.



And that is a really good price on the Sterling!
 
Garry Sharp said:
I had a Rick for a while but hated it after a few months - one trick pony
Click to expand...

Gary - you are absolutely right about the Rick! I didn't really understand what you meant until yesterday when I recorded the guy with the Rick again and when we listened to test mixes with the rest of the band the Rick lacked deep low end. The Rick sound sort of hits you in the chest rather than in the, uh, ass, if that makes sense - it doesn't really MOVE you. Fortunately, the tracking he did was intended only as a guide so when he puts down the final tracks it'll be with his 70's Fender Precision (considering I can talk him out of the Rick and into the Fender - I feel bad because he bought the Rick just for this project)!

Thanks for the good advice Gary!
 
nuemes said:
Fortunately, the tracking he did was intended only as a guide so when he puts down the final tracks it'll be with his 70's Fender Precision (considering I can talk him out of the Rick and into the Fender - I feel bad because he bought the Rick just for this project)!

Thanks for the good advice Gary!
Click to expand...
IMO, you'll have a tougher time recording the P than the Ric if you're looking for clean and clear, and I'm not a fan of Rickenbackers.
 
ez_willis said:
IMO, you'll have a tougher time recording the P than the Ric if you're looking for clean and clear, and I'm not a fan of Rickenbackers.
Click to expand...

The bassist has a new Ampeg flip-top bass amp that has a direct out that sounds better that the Avalon M5. After the Ampeg he'll go to an RNC and to ADAT. I think that will sound great; if not we'll mic the Ampeg.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top