What to buy for bass?

[jerberson12]

Ive been recording music and play bass tracks in my electric guitar via roland syth guitar. Now, i want to use a real bass guitar. budget would be $100-200. Im a great fan of yamaha products. Are you yamaha bass guitar good? I really dont know much about bass brands. Thnx

For recording the bass, I just want a clean unprocess bass. DO i need to use bass preamp or just direct on my soundcard?

 

[fretless]

i dig yamaha too!

i got a bbg5s (five string active with 2 humbuckers) for some years now and i´m very satisfied with it. it has that certain kind of growl if you know what i mean. but it is also very flexible in terms of sound - you can get some p-ish but even better jazz-ish sounds. this bass is also good for recording AND gigging - the sound can definitely cut through on stage! the low b comes out good, strong and -< surprise >- low!! there´s naturally a four string model available, however i´d say the five string is not that much suited for those small-handed fellow bass players.

over here in europe you pay about 400-450 euros for this model. i looked on the american yamaha-site but didn´t find these there - seems that they´re no longer available on the other side of the atlantic?!

since i have never been disappointed by yamaha (i have some other yamaha instruments & gear) and find their quality/price relation to be excellent i assume that there´s probably a yamaha bass in your price range you will be happy with.

hope to have helped you a little!

fretless

 

[darrin_h2000]

I recently purchased a Washburn Bantam Bass in that price range.

 

[Gidge]

the Yamaha's, Peavey's and Fender's in that price range are decent enough.......

 

[pennylink]

Used Peavey T-40 on eBay: $150-$200 including HSC.

Better quality and sound options than any new $200 (or $300 or $400 for that matter) bass. Check out the reviews http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/Peavey/T-40-01.html

 

[Garry Sharp]

Agree with pennylink.

Darrin I also have a Washburn Bantam - an XB200. Bit disappointing in the sound department but nice to play. After I bought a Ric I had the frets taken out (the Washburn, not the Ric!!) and I like it very much indeed.

This is rather nice http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=104079

 

[Englebert]

For recording the bass, I just want a clean unprocess bass. DO i need to use bass preamp or just direct on my soundcard?

You should definitely use a preamp. You don´t necessarily need a dedicated bass pre though; many mic pre´s have an instrument input. I have used ART tube MP, it´s very good as a bass DI.

And I second all suggestions here, especially Yamaha. However, personal playing feel is very important. The width and thickness of the neck are critical. Try to find an instrument that you feel comfortable playing. String gauge is an important factor too; lighter strings can make a bass much more playable.