Thinking about a bass...

[pete12345]

(Not sure if this is the right place to put this, so feel free to move it around)

Title says it all really. I'm basically considering getting a first bass, possibly by building one from parts.

I thought about a P bass style, probably in black, derived from some no-namer. Really just something basic with four strings to get me going (nut-ification can come later) ;D

Any bassists here have any thoughts on a good bass to start with?

Pete

[newswede]

I bought a couple guitars from Rondo Music and really like them - an SX STL 50 (which was so so) and an Agile 3100 CSB (my new favorite). Anyway, I told my friend who saw the prices, heard me rave and instantly bought a Jazz bass. He got it two days later and loves it. He's even taking it to the studio next week! I'd start by looking there.

On a side note, because he gigs a lot, he bought a hardshell case for it. I didn't, but he said the quality was really good (and I trust him) so maybe I'll order one for my Agile soon.

[ux4484]

I was at GC the other day hammering on some basses. I had been wanting to try the cheapo Hofner, and the Epiphone Jack Cassidy bass. I had some time, and ended up going through a lot of stock. On the low end, there were three I really liked:
Gretch Electromatic Junior Jet Simple straight forward and very playable.
Squier Viintage Modified Modified 70's Jazz bass Not much build difference between this bass and an American Standard (except quality of wood, and just a bit more noise) that I could tell from the minutes I spent with them. Does what you'd expect from a Fender Jazz bass, good low end, good for slapping/popping, but not as flexible as a P/J configuration is (IMO).
But the Bass I walked away wanting was a Dean EABC Cutaway Acoustic Electric . Very playable, great factory setup, felt great in my hands, and using it electric, you could tweak it to sound like either an electric or acoustic. I miss my old Aria hollowbody bass from H.S., it's handy to be able to play bass unamplified and actually hear yourself.

[dunkelfalke]

Hello
I hope I am not too late for this question

If it is possible for you, try Hohner The Jack bass by all means. Here in Germany you can get one for about 200 Euros at eBay and the bass really rocks. Great sound and not too heavy (good for your back). The only downside is that it is a bit more difficult to tune.

This one is mine:

[cynical1]

Pete -

I'm not sure what the availability is in the UK, but an older Peavey would be an excellent choice if you only wanted one bass. I have a 20 year old Foundation I bought used over 15 years and can't say enough about it. It's a tank, the neck is two piece maple and never gives me trouble, and the sustain is remarkable.

Happy Trails

Cynical One

[ux4484]

Thread resurrection....

Been bassing it up during my Hiatus this year after all the work I did on my Fender JP-90, it's been a blast to play it after being neglected for so long. Of late I'm 50/50 on playing bass and guitar. Funny after hammering things out so much on guitar for the last 4-5 years, all of a sudden, the bass seems so easy. I got the Jones for a fretless recently when I saw a SX SJB-62 5 string fretless on craigslist for $90, which got me researching SX basses and Rondo Music that we've discussed here before. Didn't end up getting it (it sold fast), but did hit some places and play a couple other fretless basses.
Fretless used to intimidate me, but something in my bass approach has changed which makes it seem easier and logical to give it a try. At GC, at the price/value end of the scale was a Squier Vintage Modified Fretless. But honestly, given the favorable reviews on the SX 5 string, I think I'd like the extra string for half the price of the Squier (though it will probably require some tweaking). I'm not looking to switch back to bass full time, but I think I'm ready for fretless....and 5 strings.

[ChrisK]

I really like the lined fretless necks (at least I get a clue where I am).

I had a Hamar bubinga lined fretless (a metric tonne) and with flatwounds it could sound very much like a trombone.

[ux4484]

May 21, 2009 19:32:12 GMT -5 ChrisK said:

I really like the lined fretless necks (at least I get a clue where I am).

I had a Hamar bubinga lined fretless (a metric tonne) and with flatwounds it could sound very much like a trombone.

Lines do help, I played Bass Viola for Orchestra in H.S. and used to make little chalk lines for the 1st, third, and 7th position on the neck
I did orchestra as a favor to our jazz band director as they had no others, he said "A bass is a bass, Right?"

[ux4484]

Fathers Day came a day early this year. On Saturday, the "Girls" presented me with a Blue SX 5 string Fretless so I could have a few hours to play with it (as our Sunday was booked up).

Remarkable build quality for under $150 (dual truss rod!). It's one of the most narrow necks I've seen on a 5 string, which makes it easy to reach the "B" String. They got me one of their cases as well, It's about the nicest case I have now...well...except for my SKB (for the Yamaha A/E).

There are just one or two things that could be considered "Broke" by Gnutz standards.
The Nut is cut a bit close to the edge of the neck for the "G" string. Hum is minor compared to how my Fender was stock, but a shielding job is likely in it's future, as well as a hold down bar for all 5 strings (the hold down strip provided holds down just the middle three strings, this makes the middle three stings a tad brighter than the two outside strings). The action is low.... almost too low for vigorous playing, it needs just a bit more height. Intonation is perfect. Shipped with D'Addario flatwound light gauge strings, though the nut could accommodate mediums with no adjustment needed.
For now I'm just going to enjoy playing it.

I think (for now) this will satisfy my GAS, I think the only changes or additions will have to be Trades (as this fills up my side of the Bedroom closet).
I am very happy with the stable.

[blueswaite]

I liked to record and wanted a bass. I make jam tracks to jam with for myself put some on the net.
I wanted to add bass to the songs I found a used Squire Affinity P Bass made in Indoniesia for $100 in excellent condition. Plays and sounds nice. May change the pickups to Fender 62 P Bass ones.