New Bass

[R_Spaulding]

I'm looking to pick up my first electric bass guitar... but I am not exactly a beginner, I've played guitar and drums for many years and I am now doing my own recording and whatnot... modern rock mostly... and I need a decent Bass (not a crappy Wal-Mart bass) to track the bass tracks. So, I've been looking at a price around $200 or less. Any suggestions?

I've been looking at these one here:
Squire Affinity Jazz Bass
Yamaha RBX170 ESP LTD B50
Ibanez GSR100Z
Peavy Millenium BXP
Ibanez GSR200

 

[porkchop]

Howdy,
I got the 5 string version of that Peavey bass and I like it quite a bit. However, I did buy it online, sight unseen, and I'm not sure I would do that again. This sounds cliché and it maybe unavailable in your area, but definitely try them out if they're in a local store. (If you can.) It's worth doing a bit of research.

That's my 2 cents. Good luck!

 

[ggunn]

I'm looking to pick up my first electric bass guitar... but I am not exactly a beginner, I've played guitar and drums for many years and I am now doing my own recording and whatnot... modern rock mostly... and I need a decent Bass (not a crappy Wal-Mart bass) to track the bass tracks. So, I've been looking at a price around $200 or less. Any suggestions?

I'm not familiar with those specific basses, but Ibanez and Yamaha generally make some good value budget basses.

 

[ermghoti]

Try Rondo Music's SX line. They have your basic P, J, and PJ models, et al. I bought two recently (I intended to switch necks on 'em) and both were entirely competant out of the box, with outstanding action and intonation after a setup. They run less that $120+s/h, depending on model, so your budget will cover a new pickup or two, or a pro setup, if needed.

 

[ScreamingHead69]

If you're just looking for somting that's cheep and won't sound like garbage, I would go Ibanez.

 

[Creamyapples1]

From the list I've only played the Ibanez GSR line, and it seemed decent enough. Personally, I use a Fender American Jazz, LOVE the jazz setup, comfy, great sound, etc, so I almost want to suggest the Affinity, but I've not played it, so I won't.


OT: I've been curious of the SX line, the look very nice, but they don't cost much. Are they that outstanding? Or just a good base (not bass) to start an upgrade from?

 

[PhilWilson]

I've been looking at basses, and my plan is to buy the Carvin bass kit, about $400. I built their Bolt guitar (a strat clone) recently and was very impressed with it. The bass looks easy to put together, and I expect it to sound pretty good.

I've played a Ibanez GSR for a while (recording) and it's ok, but just ok if you know what I mean.

 

[notCardio]

Well, as the owner of a couple of SX basses

I would NOT recommend them for someone who knows what they're doing. They are either for a complete beginner with limited funds who doesn't want to sink much into something that they don't really know if they're going to stick with, or just want to play around with (hey, I wonder what it would be like to try and learn bass), OR someone who wants a bass to play around with modding, and they don't want to hack up something good. Now, you may accidentally get a really good one that you would just love the heck out of. I wouldn't count on it. I bought them (and I may yet buy some more) because I wanted something to mod, but more importantly because they've got some weird stuff you won't find anywhere else (like a short scale fretless maple fretboard). I just like their weird factor.

I think you'd probably do OK with any of those except I'd stay away from the Squire Affinity. Any other Squire would be OK, but the Affinities are generally thinnner and lighter, which also makes them hard to upgrade. Not enough depth for aftermarket pickups, pots and things like that.

The Carvins would be an excellent choice (hear that, APL?), as would a MIM Fender, but they're seriously out of the stated price range. And the Carvins have those pointy headstocks - bleh!

 

[notCardio]

Quality-wise, they're probably all about the same (except the Affinity). So now it's down to personal preference, so guess what I'm going to say?

Yup. You just have to try 'em yourself, and pick what you like best.

What kind of music, btw ('modern rock' covers a lot of ground), and what's your amp/pre/DI/whatever setup? (What's it gonna go through?)

 

[notCardio]

Also, fwiw

I think you get more verstility out of a PJ configuration, but then I'm one of the few who prefer a P to a J most of the time, so my opinion is probably outside the mainstream (that's what W tries to tell me, anyway).

 

[dmc777]

Try Rondo Music's SX line. They have your basic P, J, and PJ models, et al. I bought two recently (I intended to switch necks on 'em) and both were entirely competant out of the box, with outstanding action and intonation after a setup. They run less that $120+s/h, depending on model, so your budget will cover a new pickup or two, or a pro setup, if needed.

Are you a Bass player and do you other basses to compare it to? How does it sound recorded DI? I'm looking into get my first bass as well mainly for recording purposes. Another guitar player!

 

[notCardio]

Well, I haven't tried to record any of my SX's yet

but I can't imagine that it would be good compared to any real bass. Like I said, I got them more because they were sort of perversely twisted (like me). Don't get me wrong, they're fun as hell. I just don't consider them 'real'. More along the lines of a 'Wal-Mart' bass. I've still got my Fender Mustang that I've had for 30 years, I had a Jazz (I'd say about mid-70's, cream, maple fretboard, block inlay) and a Gibson EB-3 (for a very short period). I've played countless others over the last 35 years and I know what I like. Like I said, you might get the exception and really have something, or maybe it will speak to you, in which case, more power to ya. Just know, you're rolling the dice.

 

[notCardio]

And my recommendation to any guitar player

that wants to play bass just on his own stuff (he's not necessarily looking to become a bass player in bands, etc) is to get a Fender Mustang. It ain't cheap, and some don't like them, but as a guitar player, the transition will be so much smoother (it's a short scale bass, if you're not familiar).

I remember the bass player in the Wallflowers using one, as well as Glen Hughes who went on to play bass for Deep Purple for awhile. He didn't play it in DP, but in his earlier band Trapeze (one great f'in band, btw).

My Mustang makes me go all Charleton Heston. (you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands)

I'm always trying to decide whether to have it buried with me.

 

[ermghoti]

I've played guitar for sixteen years, bought my first bass, maybe thirteen years ago, but never made it my primary instrument. I can play Higher Ground, but not Tommy the Cat. My main bass is a Kubicki Key Factor 5, I needed a four-string, because the fifth string confuses the hell out of some of the people I play with. The Kubiki does sound stronger (active soapbars-duh), but amp settings will pretty much nullify the difference. I expected to have to replace the pickups, and I might, but I feel no urgency. It DI's fine.

The SX's ship with absurdly light strings, but once set up with 100's, they sound and play fine. The light dtrings did produce a juicey twap, so a hybrid set would be ideal, IMO. 105's are too much for the neck/truss rod. Right out of the box, the SX was no more than 10 cents out anywhere on the neck. After I worked on the nut and intonated it, it is out perhaps 2-3 cents at the worst frets, which are waaaay up in meedlymeedlyland. The finish is better than one would hope for on a bass in the $100 neighborhood, particularly on my sunburst. Both have a nifty tint. The PJ had an almost too-tight neck pocket (the finish has a tiny stress crack from the fit), the P was about like a typical MIM or Squire. If the necks curl up on them, I'll change my mind. Also remember, if there is a defect, Kurt will exchange the bass, I believe he will pick up shipping each way.

For the money, you could buy the SX and a Mighty Mite neck and come out ahead, but I don't think it is necessary in order to get a perfectly giggable and recordable Fender simulator.

No img tags, so click:

$230 + s/h. For both. http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/450004265/15.JPG

Neck pocket. http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/450004265/16.JPG

Looks straight to me. http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/450004265/13.JPG

 

[dmc777]

Wow they sure don't look bad. I've actually been debating on getting a Standard MiM Precision Bass for a while now but haven't gotten to it. You guys think they might be equivalent to the SX? Also, any other basses around $300 mark that are nice and recording worthy? sorry to hijack thread. thanks guys

 

[notCardio]

Glad you got lucky

but I still don't consider it the equivalent to a MIM. Squire Affinity, maybe.

But, we may just like different things. Maybe if I put a new nut on it. But out of the box, no.

Take a shot. They say if you don't like it, you can send it back.

Just don't get an SX fretless.

 

[dmc777]

Got any recommendations for a decent starter amp? Just for practice cause Im sure i'll be doing all the recording direct. Don't guess my hot rod deluxe 10 wouldn't work would it?

 

[ermghoti]

but I still don't consider it the equivalent to a MIM. Squire Affinity, maybe.

I meant the pocket on the worse one was fit like a MIM. Overall, the MIM's I have seen are better, except the intonation. $280 better...?

But, we may just like different things. Maybe if I put a new nut on it. But out of the box, no.

Fair enough. I have been kind of itching to throw a brass nut on mine (I sold the s/b P to my brother, he has liked it. I also know at least one or two Interwebz contacts that have gigged SX P basses as delivered, without complaints.

Take a shot. They say if you don't like it, you can send it back.

Just don't get an SX fretless.

Heck, if you don't like it, you can probably sell it locally to somebody as a backup for what you paid less shipping (which you don't get back for a "don't like it" return, vrs. a "something's wrong" return). I have about a half-dozen gigging locals planning a purchase already.

A bad experience with a fretless? Tell me more, before I steer somebody wrong!

dmc777: You have a PA at your practice space? Get a Sansamp DI, record direct, plug into the board for loud noises. Works great, costs less than $200. The HRD would technically work, in that it will make vaugely bass-like sounds, and not explode, but it won't be inspiring, probably.

 

[jeffree]

I was in a similar situation a year ago, and after auditioning and researching several low-end models, I chose the Yamaha 170 and have been completely satisfied. It does a great job in the studio--quiet and clean--and even though I'm primarily a guitarist, not a bassist, I've even been receiving compliments about my sound when playing bass at live gigs. In fact, after a recent set opening for Melissa Etheridge, she sent a message to me asking if her bass player could use my Yamaha for a few of her songs. I smiled, remembering the $160 (retail) I paid for it last summer, and politely declined. I have a collection of quality 6-strings, but this cheapo Yammy has found a solid place in my line-up. Excellent value. One obvious tip, though: I've found that cheaper guitars usually have inconsistent workmanship, so once I decided on the Yammy, I tried several out of box to find one that was clearly superior in build and finish, especially related to neck issues. Personally, I wouldn't buy such a cheap bass (or any guitar, for that matter) online; buying an instrument, for me, requires lots of seeing and touching.

Good luck,
J.

 

[R_Spaulding]

I'd be recording directly into a Line 6 Toneport UX2, and probably an MBOX soon as well.

From the basses I listed in my 1st post I've narrowed it down to (but not limited to):
Yamaha RBX170
Ibanez GSR200
ESP LTD B50

Any suggestions?