Ping: Musicians (Esp. bassists)

Vince, Pt. II · 03-15-2013, 09:56 AM

I'm in a band. We play '60s rock - Beatles, Kinks, Stones, Monkees, Tommy James etc. I used to be the keyboard player, but we needed a bassist so I taught myself to play. I'm no great shakes yet, but I'm good enough to be proud of what I can do onstage.

I'm currently rocking on an Ibanez SoundGear (4 string), and its decent enough to get the job done, but I'm looking to upgrade. Our lead guitar player is unable to play at a volume of less than 'deafening,' so I'm looking for an active bass with a lot of punch. I'm also looking to get a 5 string. Outside of that, I have no clue. Here are some of the basses I'm considering (I'm in the $1,500-$2,000 range):

Lakland Skyline 55-01
Lakland Skyline 55-02
MusicMan Stingray 5
MusicMan Bongo 5
Rickenbacker 4003
Fender Jazz

(I'm also willing to step up outside this price range a bit if the bass is simply incredible. Probably not enough for a Fodera or Alembic though)

Are there any others you think I should consider, or do you have any advice on these?

Obviously this choice is supremely personal - I'm not trying to get you to tell me what to buy, necessarily. More looking for opinions to help shape mine, maybe some pros and cons.

King of New York · 03-15-2013, 10:15 AM

I used to play a Rickenbacker 4003, and I loved it. It was durable, and it had a distinctive sound that would be perfect for the the sort of music you play--a little twangy, a little growly, but in a good way. And it had plenty of punch--the Rickenbacker could shake the fillings out of people's cavities without getting too muddy.

I've also played a Music Man Stingray, which I liked as well, although the model I played (cannot remember which one) had a really fast action that took some getting used to--it struck me as the sort of instrument that, once you got the feel for it, lent itself to virtuoso playing. Not being a virtuoso, I stuck with the Rickenbacker.

JediKooter · 03-15-2013, 10:34 AM

The Rickenbacker is pretty good. I also love the Fender Jazz bass, has great mids in my opinion. Their P Basses are pretty damn good too.

johnnyshaka · 03-15-2013, 10:38 AM

Sorry, had to.

Carry on...

Vince, Pt. II · 03-15-2013, 10:59 AM

Thanks Jedi, knew I was forgetting one on my list. The Jazz is up there as a potential as well.

I played a Stingray for a little while and enjoyed it, but I was a complete scrub noob at bass back then, so I'm not sold on it as what I must get back again.

britrock88 · 03-15-2013, 11:28 AM

Among the basses mentioned in this thread, my bass-playing friends would probably say the best things about the Stingray and the Jazz, with the P Bass getting honorable mention.

JediKooter · 03-15-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Thanks Jedi, knew I was forgetting one on my list. The Jazz is up there as a potential as well.

I played a Stingray for a little while and enjoyed it, but I was a complete scrub noob at bass back then, so I'm not sold on it as what I must get back again.

You're welcome. I played a Jazz for a while and loved it. That will be my next purchase when I'm ready to buy.

Never played a Stingray before, though I do like how they look.

Lonnie · 03-15-2013, 12:24 PM

I'm a guitarist, but I do have a bass. I have the Ibanez SR500 which does the job I need it to. I mainly use it for recording.

In your price range I can go by my buddy who plays bass mainly. He has one Jazz and one P bass with both active preamps. I'm sure he wouldn't pass up a nice Stingray though.

Good luck and post a picture one you get it!

Jughead Spock · 03-15-2013, 12:43 PM

Those are all very good choices, going to depend a lot on your preference - especially 4 or 5? Fat or skinny neck?

You cannot go wrong with a Fender Jazz (not a huge Fender shill here, it's just the industry standard).

I love the Ric tone, but do NOT buy one without playing it. The necks are very much love/hate. I was totally enamored with them - until I got one in my hands. It was fun, but just wasn't 'me' overall. Same with the Jazz to a lesser degree; however if you're used to an Ibby, you'll probably prefer the skinnier necks of the Jazz and Ric.

With the stuff you're playing, I'd probably recommend sticking with the Ric or Jazz to fit the 'vibe'.

Jughead Spock · 03-15-2013, 12:46 PM

Dola... don't be afraid of buying used, especially in the higher end models. American Fenders can be inconsistent, Rics can take forever to get new. Talkbass.com is a great site for buying/selling (and everything else).

Vince, Pt. II · 03-15-2013, 01:23 PM

I've never actually played a 5 (I plan on doing so before purchasing, obviously), but we're starting to pull in some songs that go below the low E...and I really don't feel like re-tuning my guitar mid-show. I also like the flexibility the B string offers.

Whether or not I like to PLAY it (or CAN play it, For that matter), is another matter entirely. Going to swing by my local music shop (Guitar Showcase in Campbell) after work today to futz around with some of their basses. Unfortunately I haven't often seen anything in there outside of Fender and Ibanez.

Speaking of Ibanez - that's all I've ever played. I like my Ibanez, but I want a higher quality bass. In my research, I've NEVER stumbled across a high end Ibanez. Do they simply not make a high end bass? Or do the people of the Internet just not like the quality of the upper end Ibanez?

Vince, Pt. II · 03-15-2013, 01:25 PM

I actually had the opportunity to buy a Music Man Bongo 5 string for $800 from a buddy's friend. The guitar had a bunch of minor body damage, and he had literally painted the spots black (it was a black bass). Painted them poorly, I might add. I got cold feet because of the damage, and by the time I convinced myself that I could just refinish it, he sold it to someone else. C'est la vie.

Lonnie · 03-15-2013, 01:27 PM

Isn't the Grooveline supposed to be Ibanez's upper end stuff? Check out some of those.

corbes · 03-15-2013, 10:59 PM

60s rock sounds to me like a Precision all the way. http://assets.rollingstone.com/asset...0x600/main.jpg Otherwise only other thought I'd have would be to see if there's a Modulus kicking around in your price range.

Groundhog · 03-15-2013, 11:52 PM

My friend's dad had been playing his same Fender bass since he bought it in the late 60s. Last year he borrowed my Rickenbacker 4003 for one gig. One week later, he had bought his own.

Jughead Spock · 03-16-2013, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Speaking of Ibanez - that's all I've ever played. I like my Ibanez, but I want a higher quality bass. In my research, I've NEVER stumbled across a high end Ibanez. Do they simply not make a high end bass? Or do the people of the Internet just not like the quality of the upper end Ibanez?

They do have some high-enders, like the Gary Willis model and even the Soundgears will get up there. But at that point (with Ibanez), you're paying for the exotic woods more than anything. Ibanez is very good at what they do, but it tends to work best with, or appeal to, two types - jazz soloists and metalheads. It's a very modern tone with a fast neck, usually, and also modern look. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Ibanez in general, and you will get a good instrument for the money. If it's what you want, go for it.

That being said, they do not fit in the vintage look/sound very well.

03-15-2013, 10:15 AM	#2
King of New York High School Varsity Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edge of the Great Dismal Swamp	I used to play a Rickenbacker 4003, and I loved it. It was durable, and it had a distinctive sound that would be perfect for the the sort of music you play--a little twangy, a little growly, but in a good way. And it had plenty of punch--the Rickenbacker could shake the fillings out of people's cavities without getting too muddy. I've also played a Music Man Stingray, which I liked as well, although the model I played (cannot remember which one) had a really fast action that took some getting used to--it struck me as the sort of instrument that, once you got the feel for it, lent itself to virtuoso playing. Not being a virtuoso, I stuck with the Rickenbacker. __________________ Input A No Input

03-15-2013, 10:34 AM	#3
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	The Rickenbacker is pretty good. I also love the Fender Jazz bass, has great mids in my opinion. Their P Basses are pretty damn good too. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

03-15-2013, 12:24 PM	#8
Lonnie High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midlothian, TX	I'm a guitarist, but I do have a bass. I have the Ibanez SR500 which does the job I need it to. I mainly use it for recording. In your price range I can go by my buddy who plays bass mainly. He has one Jazz and one P bass with both active preamps. I'm sure he wouldn't pass up a nice Stingray though. Good luck and post a picture one you get it! __________________ Lonnie

03-15-2013, 01:27 PM	#13
Lonnie High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midlothian, TX	Isn't the Grooveline supposed to be Ibanez's upper end stuff? Check out some of those. __________________ Lonnie

03-15-2013, 10:59 PM	#14
corbes College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2003	60s rock sounds to me like a Precision all the way. http://assets.rollingstone.com/asset...0x600/main.jpg Otherwise only other thought I'd have would be to see if there's a Modulus kicking around in your price range. Last edited by corbes : 03-15-2013 at 11:04 PM.

03-15-2013, 10:38 AM	#4
johnnyshaka College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB	Sorry, had to. Carry on...

03-15-2013, 10:59 AM	#5
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	Thanks Jedi, knew I was forgetting one on my list. The Jazz is up there as a potential as well. I played a Stingray for a little while and enjoyed it, but I was a complete scrub noob at bass back then, so I'm not sold on it as what I must get back again.

03-15-2013, 11:28 AM	#6
britrock88 Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Madison, WI	Among the basses mentioned in this thread, my bass-playing friends would probably say the best things about the Stingray and the Jazz, with the P Bass getting honorable mention.

03-15-2013, 12:43 PM	#9
Jughead Spock High School Varsity Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lowcountry, SC	Those are all very good choices, going to depend a lot on your preference - especially 4 or 5? Fat or skinny neck? You cannot go wrong with a Fender Jazz (not a huge Fender shill here, it's just the industry standard). I love the Ric tone, but do NOT buy one without playing it. The necks are very much love/hate. I was totally enamored with them - until I got one in my hands. It was fun, but just wasn't 'me' overall. Same with the Jazz to a lesser degree; however if you're used to an Ibby, you'll probably prefer the skinnier necks of the Jazz and Ric. With the stuff you're playing, I'd probably recommend sticking with the Ric or Jazz to fit the 'vibe'.

03-15-2013, 12:46 PM	#10
Jughead Spock High School Varsity Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lowcountry, SC	Dola... don't be afraid of buying used, especially in the higher end models. American Fenders can be inconsistent, Rics can take forever to get new. Talkbass.com is a great site for buying/selling (and everything else).

03-15-2013, 01:23 PM	#11
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	I've never actually played a 5 (I plan on doing so before purchasing, obviously), but we're starting to pull in some songs that go below the low E...and I really don't feel like re-tuning my guitar mid-show. I also like the flexibility the B string offers. Whether or not I like to PLAY it (or CAN play it, For that matter), is another matter entirely. Going to swing by my local music shop (Guitar Showcase in Campbell) after work today to futz around with some of their basses. Unfortunately I haven't often seen anything in there outside of Fender and Ibanez. Speaking of Ibanez - that's all I've ever played. I like my Ibanez, but I want a higher quality bass. In my research, I've NEVER stumbled across a high end Ibanez. Do they simply not make a high end bass? Or do the people of the Internet just not like the quality of the upper end Ibanez?

03-15-2013, 01:25 PM	#12
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	I actually had the opportunity to buy a Music Man Bongo 5 string for $800 from a buddy's friend. The guitar had a bunch of minor body damage, and he had literally painted the spots black (it was a black bass). Painted them poorly, I might add. I got cold feet because of the damage, and by the time I convinced myself that I could just refinish it, he sold it to someone else. C'est la vie.

03-15-2013, 11:52 PM	#15
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	My friend's dad had been playing his same Fender bass since he bought it in the late 60s. Last year he borrowed my Rickenbacker 4003 for one gig. One week later, he had bought his own. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

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