First Bass

mathias · Post by **mathias** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:50 pm

Hey guys,

I've asked this kind of question before in other places, but never was able to actually make a purchase on anything I really liked.

Basically, I want to take up bass. I've tried some in stores, but I don't play bass (yet!) so I don't know what I'm looking for. I play guitar, so most basses seem heavy and dead compared to what I'm used to.

I'd like to figure out what I want to get, so any suggestions and guides would be awesome. I'm not looking to grab one ASAP so if I have to save to get something decent, that's not a problem. I'd rather have an instrument I'll play for life, than one that won't get played.

Edit: some additional details: Not afraid of the weight/scale length, I just want something that feels comfortable. I want to sound good loud and clean, as well as distorted/fuzzed up. I'm a huge fan of the basslines in CAKE. (among lots of other things!) I don't know if that means single coils or not, or active or not. I'm guessing passive works a lot better in concert with fuzzzzz.

bronzetalon · Post by **bronzetalon** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:11 pm

Pick any squier classic vibe bass and you will be fine. http://www.squierguitars.com/classicvibe/

masked elwood · Post by **masked elwood** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:15 pm

bronzetalon wrote:Pick any squier classic vibe bass and you will be fine. http://www.squierguitars.com/classicvibe/

i would agree..... :thumb:

.... pick one and rest assured it'll be a fine start.

theavondon · Post by **theavondon** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:29 pm

Either that, or go to Rondo Music on the interwebs.

mathias · Post by **mathias** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:35 pm

I watched some demo videos (even one that compared the Squire Classic Vibe basses to the Fender models they are clones of) and none of them were really a standout.

What's the things to look for when purchasing a bass? I know how to look at the frets to see if they're level, check the neck for arch, etc. And of course test the electronics to see if they actually work & don't crackle.

theavondon · Post by **theavondon** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:44 pm

The best thing to look for is if you like it. Honestly, that's what matters most. Do you like playing it, do you like how it looks, do you even like having it in your hands? Everything else is secondary.

bronzetalon · Post by **bronzetalon** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:45 pm

IMO most of the bass tone comes from the amp or how you are recording the bass. And yea you look at the same things you would look for in a guitar as far a playability.

Heavy_Soul · Post by **Heavy_Soul** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:55 pm

Definitely squier classic vibe, I have the white/tortoise shell 60's jazz bass and its totally killer

blahquaker · Post by **blahquaker** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:06 pm

I went to guitar center and played a bunch of sub-$400 basses and wound up buying a schecter raiden special. the neck feels great and the pickups are pretty versatile.

mathias · Post by **mathias** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:13 pm

I like the look of the Ric basses (4003, I think?) but I've heard they're very uncomfortable to play. Thoughts?

bronzetalon · Post by **bronzetalon** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:19 pm

mathias wrote:I like the look of the Ric basses (4003, I think?) but I've heard they're very uncomfortable to play. Thoughts?

Those are pretty pricey and I thought they played the most like guitar or something.

kaboom · Post by **kaboom** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:13 pm

I agree with the squier classic vibe or vintage modified. I play mim fenders with upgraded pups and like them a lot. Typically jazz necks are thinner, precision necks are wider. I prefer a dead and thumpy sound, and I think new bass strings sound like ass until the tinniness wears off.

Noise... · Post by **Noise...** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:18 pm

kaboom wrote:I agree with the squier classic vibe or vintage modified. I play mim fenders with upgraded pups and like them a lot. Typically jazz necks are thinner, precision necks are wider. I prefer a dead and thumpy sound, and I think new bass strings sound like ass until the tinniness wears off.

This. The VM and CV lines are great. :thumb:

bubstance · Post by **bubstance** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:58 pm

Mudfuzz · Post by **Mudfuzz** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:02 pm

mathias wrote:I like the look of the Ric basses (4003, I think?) but I've heard they're very uncomfortable to play. Thoughts?

I think they feel fine, but to me the price isn't worth it, to many it is but to me no :idk:

but I still want one... :lol:

Ok other things to look for... one thing I do is to pay attention to how much the instrument vibrates/resonates while being played, I tend to like ones that do this a lot where the whole instrument feels alive... but that isn't a bass only thing...

ilovefuzz.com

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