Bass noob alert: Baritone guitar questions

[synthezatory]

Suggestions needed. I play guitar, I need to add bass for my home recordings. I'm planning to either get a straight up cheapo but goodie Squier Classic Vibe Precision Bass (tried one of my buddy's, loved it), or something more useful/versatile (?) for my future for me as a guitarist and get a Fender Bass VI instead?

Would the VI be enough to cover all the needs from the bass sounds? And would it be safe and effective to play it through my guitar amp (swart sst30) -> 2x12 (alnico gold & g12h30)? I'm such a noob in this department. What do you think?

[sonidero]

It would totally be safe to get a VI and I have a total boner for one (like you have for your mom up there) but you should get a REAL BASS first...

Small scale or whatnot you gotta have that scale and low end... The Telebari is a beast and it blends well with either Bass or Guitar but it's B to B...

If you can get a Bass and capable Amps you should go that route eggspecially since you wanna Homecord...

[synthezatory]

Yea, I don't know if I want to spend more money for bass amp and everything else as well since it's more like recreational needs, but goddamn that VI is rad as hell. I was planning to plug it straight to the soundcard and let the vst do the rest. I've been filling in the bass needs with my synths, but something just lacking without those strings. Just wondering though, will I get "enough" bottom end with baritone guitars?

[sonidero]

Oh man get what ever you want but DON'T "plug it straight to the soundcard and let the vst do the rest."

Let's map this out yo...

[synthezatory]

Oh man get what ever you want but DON'T "plug it straight to the soundcard and let the vst do the rest."

Let's map this out yo...

Shit, I knew this would be deeper than I thought.. looks like this left me the option of getting a cheap bass and cheap bass amp gimme a light here!

[sonidero]

You could do a cheap Bass and a Good DI if you just wanna record but most newer cheap Bass Amps have a line or record out so...

I wanna a Bass VI like I said and if that what you want then go for it but for the price you could Bass, Pedal, DI and Amp...

[D.o.S.]

What kind of music is it? You could fake it with an octave down for scratch tracks.

[synthezatory]

What kind of music is it? You could fake it with an octave down for scratch tracks.

Nothing fancy really, just some post-punkish thingie. I tried to fake it in some ways, it just didn't feel and sound right.

What's the cheap but decent enough bass amp and wattage for home and small venue? And back to the op, is it safe to plug the baritone guitar to guitar amps with regular celestions?

[Derelict78]

Peavey combo. TKO 65, I bought mine for $65 10 years ago and instill love and use it.

[Holy Schnikes]

I recently got a Custom Shop Bass VI and that thing kills, actually replaced my bass no problem. Being a guitar player primarily, I prefer the tight string spacing and 30" scale on the VI to any bari I've tried. I run mine through and Ampeg Micro head and matching 2x10 at home.

Not sure I'd feel confident running it thru my guitar cabs as the 12s I use aren't really capable of handling the bass tonez without incurring damage over the long haul. I'd find a good deal on a combo or head/cab setup with some 10's or 15's to get the most out of it.

[synthezatory]

I recently got a Custom Shop Bass VI and that thing kills, actually replaced my bass no problem. Being a guitar player primarily, I prefer the tight string spacing and 30" scale on the VI to any bari I've tried. I run mine through and Ampeg Micro head and matching 2x10 at home.

Not sure I'd feel confident running it thru my guitar cabs as the 12s I use aren't really capable of handling the bass tonez without incurring damage over the long haul. I'd find a good deal on a combo or head/cab setup with some 10's or 15's to get the most out of it.

Finally. Your setup is exactly what I had in mind, the VI and the cute little Ampeg Micro. Do you think the lows are "enough" to cover all the basic bass needs, or something is lacking in that department with the Bass VI? And, do you also think that the amp would be loud enough for a small venue with loud guitars and keys?

[Holy Schnikes]

I recently got a Custom Shop Bass VI and that thing kills, actually replaced my bass no problem. Being a guitar player primarily, I prefer the tight string spacing and 30" scale on the VI to any bari I've tried. I run mine through and Ampeg Micro head and matching 2x10 at home.

Not sure I'd feel confident running it thru my guitar cabs as the 12s I use aren't really capable of handling the bass tonez without incurring damage over the long haul. I'd find a good deal on a combo or head/cab setup with some 10's or 15's to get the most out of it.

Finally. Your setup is exactly what I had in mind, the VI and the cute little Ampeg Micro. Do you think the lows are "enough" to cover all the basic bass needs, or something is lacking in that department with the Bass VI? And, do you also think that the amp would be loud enough for a small venue with loud guitars and keys?

I def think the lows will cover it, sounds every bit as good as the humbucker loaded Reverse Jag bass it replaced. Mine has the the 3 custom wound Jag-style pickups with the 4 slider switches, an on/off for each pickup and a bass cut switch if you want a little less thump or happen to be running it thru a guitar cab and wanna give the speakers some relief. The Pawnshop version gives you the bridge humbucker which most traditionalists whined about but I've read pretty good things about it online.

The only issue I had initially was stings as options are limited. Fender's 25-95 set is discontinued, the D'Addario set 24-84 was a little light on the low end, and LaBella's sets are stainless rounds 25-95 and Flats which I didn't want. Then I emailed LaBella and found out you can custom order nickel plated rounds thru their guitar string order page, specify they're for a Bass VI, and get whatever gauges you want. I got a balanced set for E standard currenty sized 22-100, only $20 shipped with a 3-7 day wait, awesome service! Getting a little thicker set now to drop tuning a full step to match most of my guitars. You can find those here:

http://www.labella.com/products/hrs-custom/

The Ampeg rules, perfect little home/recording/small venue amp. I've never used it live but I've jammed with a drummer and guitarist several times. If you ran it through a 4x10 or 2x10 plus 1x15 setup, you'd be golden live. To clarify, I have the Micro-VR and one 8ohm 2x12 with stock Eminence drivers, puts out 150W at 8ohms (single cab) or 200W at 4ohms (dual cab setup). It gets loud, maybe not loud enough for an incredibly LOUD band with two guitarists but it's no slouch either. Has the master and gain controls and loves pedals, surprised me considering it's a little solid state. They have the Micro-CL now days too, a little cheaper, a little less power, and no Eminence speakers in those cabs. Not sure what else is different in terms of specs, think the it's only master with no gain....

[alexa.]

been pondering about switching to baritone.. hmmmm

I'd really love one. what would you suggest that sounds great and isn't too expensive? (like, 600% max)
Sounds I love: Botch, Isis, Electric wizard, giraffes giraffes

http://www.thomann.de/gb/gretsch_electr ... ritone.htm
that's mah baby

[rfurtkamp]

A Bass VI is a real bass.

That said, and as much as I want one myself, I find myself reaching for my venerable Jazz Bass when I want bassy stuff.

If I want VI, I fake it with a Roland GR-55 using a Jaguar as a controller.

Basic Squier VM will make you happy though, if you want a genuine bass thing though.

[watchyourscrew]

i picked up one of the older Eastwood Sidejack baritones from Malekko before they closed up shop in the Austin area. You'll probably want to swap the pickups, but the neck p/u is good for bassier rhythm parts, nice and grindy. also has pretty cleans. and it's not a proper bass VI but I get enough low-end out of it in a 4-piece with another guitar, singer and drums.

I've never used the speakers you have in your cab, but i play an AB165 Bassman with an extra gain mod through a 215w Emperor and it's more than loud enough. So I'd recommend getting some efficient speakers. Eminence Texas Heat is a good choice for baritone, I've found.