New Bass Choices

  • Thread starter Thread starter dwillis45
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dwillis45

dwillis45

Número sesenta nueve
Ok, I feel like an idiot asking this question, but here goes....
I'm looking for a new/used bass guitar for recording purposes only. I have about $900-$1,200 to spend and I don't need a case. My music ranges from alt/indie/college/loFi (or whatever you want to call it) to traditional/oldtime. I used to own a Fender P-bass during the 80-90's and a Mustang shortscale before that. I'm primarily a guitar player but I need an electric bass for the material I'm recording. My past experience has me leaning towards Fender but I have my doubts about Fender quality. My second thought was a Rickenbacker 4001(?), since I have a 6 string electric Rickenbacker (360) and I'm happy with it. Any thoughts or suggestions? Any other American made basses out there in the price range?
 
Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
If you feel comfortable with a P-bass, then I would suggest going with that.

I've had the same bass for 7 years, so I'm not really up on the new stuff.
 
The new (relatively) model Rickenbacker is the 4003, which is in your price range. I have one and love it, but it has a very distinctive tone and is not to all tastes.

Does it have to be American? Warwick basses are German but have a huge following in the mid price market. Top end Yamaha gets good reviews (they tend to have thin necks - if you liked the Mustang that might appeal); also worth trying a Peavey Cirrus. Also a used G&L - Fender designed but better quality. Burns Bison, Music Man Stingray...all worth trying. You owe yourself a nice day out in a big music store.

Many (perhaps most) basses in your price range will have active electronics these days, which means careful listening before buying is critical as (unless you find oen with a bypass) you'll have a fairly coloured tone coming out of the jack socket.

Have fun choosing - I envy you:)
 
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Try a Music Man SUB. It's the same active electronics as the Stingray, without the glossy finish. I've seen them around for less than $700 here in KC. Made in the US, super high build quality. The only downside is that it heavier than a motherf***ker.
 
I'm "thirding" the Musicman nomination, but I'd recommed the Sterling model. I'm primarily a guitar player too, and the Sterling is every bit a "guitar player's bass". It's small, comfy, and sounds a plays great. EBMM instruments are top-shelf!
I got mine off Ebay for about $800.


got mojo?
www.voodoovibe.com
 
i just bought an OLP musicman.



it, like the sub, like the stingray......wiegh as much as a school bus.




but they play nice.



in your price range you could get a sub, or spend a little more and get a stingray.



all are very very nice





freak
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look further into the Ernie Ball Musicman bass series, although I'm starting to get nervous about the Sub model! A school bus, huh!
 
Let us know how you get on and what you choose. And you have to try a Rick - five minutes in a shop with one and either it won't be for you or nothing else will do:)
 
Gary:

Can you describe the Rick bass tone? Any particular musician/band that plays one? I went to the Rickenbacker site but they did not have the usual "artist" list.
 
Famously, McCartney used one on Abbey Road, and has alternated between a Rick and the Hofner ever since. Geddy Lee of Rush, Chris Squire of Yes, Bruce Foxton of The Jam are among the best known.

I find it hard to describe the tone - it has a more aggressive sort of mid range quality which makes it sound sort of trebley - but it's not really trebey - it cuts through a mix, it's the antithesis of a shy and retiring bass.

You'll know when you try one:)
 
Thanks Garry. I always associated McCartney with the Hofner and Geddy Lee with the Fender Artist series that carries his name. And The Jam with another Rick! If Rickenbacker made drums, the Jam would be an all Rick band!
I'll give the 4003 a try if I can find one.

Thanks again.
 
Re:
Famously, McCartney used one on Abbey Road, and has alternated between a Rick and the Hofner ever since..
Click to expand...

McCartney actually used a Fender Jazz on Abbey Road.

The first use of the Ric 4001 was on Rubber Soul....listen to "Nowhere Man" as an example.
A great early track to listen to if you want to hear the Ric is "Paperback Writer" or pretty much anything on Revolver, Sgt Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour and the "White Album".

After that he switched between the Hofner and the Jazz until he formed "Wings". The Ric became his primary bass for live work throughout the 70's.

...sorry about the history lesson but I didnt want you to dismiss the Ric when you were actually listening to a fender (if you know what I mean?).

I picked up a 4001V63 in Mapleglo for US$1200 absolutely MINT condition, when I was in LA last year....what a fucking machine it is.
 
qiktune - thanks for the correction. Your ric sounds awesome - I just have a new stock 4003, but am very happy with it.

dwillis have you bought a new bass yet?:)
 
I have an Americian Fender Jazz, and P-Bass and Rick 4003... and I love them all. I seem to use the Rick 4003 most of the time for recording... you just can't beat the 4003 tone and the pickups are about twice as hot as the Fender's. ;)
 
Garry:

No new bass unless my wife put one under the tree! I have to travel about 40 miles to get to the nearest dealer (Guitar Center AKA Guitar Satatn or Guitar Sinner) and even they may not have Rickenbackers in stock. Hopefully, it will happen in January. Until then I'm operating with a Tacoma Thunderchief accoustic bass guitar. It's great for recording with all accoustic instruments!
 
Also, the 4003 is built like a tank and feels like playing a baseball bat... where as the J-Bass has low and fast action. The P-Bass is kind of between the 4003 and J-Bass... the 4003 makes you have to work a little harder than the J-Bass , but it kicks butt.
 
I agree with whoever said Musicman, you also can't go wrong with a nice P-bass.
 
Both of the brands you mentioned would be my first 2 choices. Although I would go with the Fender jazz instead of the p-bass. You cannot go wrong with rickenbacker. All of the greatest rock bass players have used them at one point in time or another. I would kill for a classic rickenbacker.
 
I would kill for a classic rickenbacker
Click to expand...

Good job you don't know where I live then!! But if you meant the older 4001, all those stories about weak truss rods make me slightly nervous.

Hey dwillis, have you bought yet?
 
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