What bass for a guitarist?

[waltdogg]

Depends on eq/how the thing is played and individual guitars.

VI sounds like a Jazz if I want it to, no sweat. Won't do some P bass sounds, but not much else will.

This. A P Bass sounds like a P Bass because it's a bloody P Bass. You don't hear people complaining that their Telecasters sound nothing like Rics or Les Pauls, why the fuck do people expect a VI to sound like something it is not is beyond me.

really though… the pickups in a Bass VI and a 51-56/tele bass are pretty much the same thing.. also.. if I could get all my P basses to sound like my Rics.. I would

'51 P-Bass with a non split single coil is verrrrrry Ric sounding and I have compared them side by side through the same amp. A Telecaster Bass sounds more like a Gibson EB in the mudbucker position.

own 3 RICs they do not sound like any kind of fender I own maybe 7 fender types and have built 4 so 11..], you could put fender pickups in a RIC it will still sound like it does just like if I put RIC pickups in a fender the fender will still sound like a fender.. there is a lot more to the sound of things than pickups… construction.. pickup placement [hugh important thing here] scale length… yeah sure you would get it to sound different BUT all you would do is get that bass to should like it does with whatever pickups you put in it…

also the mud bucker version of the tele bass was the second version of the tele bass, the first one that was put out in around about 69 which was basically a reissues of the original version of the pbass was the better known version of the tele bass until recently and you did not see many of them [although I do like them better]

All I'm saying is non-split single coil pickups in a big slab has a certain sound that Rics and '51s and (probably) those early Telecaster Basses all do. To my ear at the very least.

[Chuckchuck]

Hi guys,

I'm looking forward to get a bass to complete my guitar only tone. I've heard about short-scale, precision, VI, etc.. But I don't anything about it.

What could you advice for a guy like me, that will probably play bass like a guitarist (no funky things or other speedy crap) ?

Thanks a lot.

The Epiphone Casady signature model is very nice. So is the Epi viola bass. Both have manageable necks.
Just get whatever you like; it doesn't matter.

[WayToHip]

Hi guys,

I'm looking forward to get a bass to complete my guitar only tone. I've heard about short-scale, precision, VI, etc.. But I don't anything about it.

What could you advice for a guy like me, that will probably play bass like a guitarist (no funky things or other speedy crap) ?

Thanks a lot.

The Epiphone Casady signature model is very nice. So is the Epi viola bass. Both have manageable necks.
Just get whatever you like; it doesn't matter.

I have an Epiphone Casady bass, and it has a huge body, and is uncomfortable to play sometimes. It is isn't a bass I'd recommend as a first time bass. Also it neck dives, and the viola bass is worse.

[Electro Analogue]

Finally, I decided for a Squier VM Bass VI. I received it yesterday and enjoy it a lot. I love the playability, the sonic territory and the options given by the switches. My only regret: the finish, that is just OK. Cannot wait to receive my replacement pickguard, staytrem, aluminium knobs and black pickup covers to make it look as well as it sounds.

Thanks again to every contributor of this post for their posts and advices, that have been much appreciated.

[Chuckchuck]

Those are cool. Congrats.
I want one too. Pretty sure I'd use an OC-2 with it.
As for neck dive--nothing a wide strap can't handle.