What bass for a guitarist?

[Electro Analogue]

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.

[Tristan]

I dunno, a Fender Mustang Bass or a Gibson SG Bass maybe?

[Electro Analogue]

In terms of sound and playability, are they all the same? (Sorry for my ignorance)

[Pepe]

No, they are definitely NOT the same. There are, in my opinion, bigger differences between bass models than between guitar models. My simple advice: go to a music shop with a good assortment of bass guitars and take some of them in your hand to see what might fit. Everything else might be a complete waste of time. If it feels right, check if it also sounds right. And if the price is right ... well, you know what I mean.

[oscillateur]

If you can, try a Mustang Bass, these things are super nice. Squier also makes one or two models too, so they might be easier to find now (I have a Fender Japan version, basically awesome).

And if you have the opportunity (depending on where you live), definitely go to a shop and try a few things. I'm not an expert but for full scale (and staying in Fender-land) Precision and Jazz basses have different neck types, the Precision one being chunkier. Worth checking too, to see what type you prefer.

[Electro Analogue]

That's great, thanks guys. Gonna check that mustang first.

[PeteeBee]

Yeah go spend some time with them. I was given a jazz bass a few years ago and I totally thought of it as just a bass, any bass will do and now I have one. After spending quite some time with it and then small amounts of time with other basses it turns out that I really don't dig it. Short scale would be nice and a slightly different neck shape.

[rfurtkamp]

Yea, spend time with the available options. I have a Jazz, P, and VI. I play the VI most (it replaced the Jazz for anything I used the Jazz for 99% of the time), and the P when I want that particular sound.

P was also won in a contest or I wouldn't have purchased it outright myself, but hey, free is free.

[oldangelmidnight]

As a guitar player, the most shocking thing about basses to me is that the strings are so expensive.

[rfurtkamp]

You don't change them *anywhere* near as often. So it's "spend $20-40 once every so often" at most.

Flats evenmoreso, I've had the same set of stainless flats on my Jazz for 18 or so years now.

[PeteeBee]

You don't change them *anywhere* near as often. So it's "spend $20-40 once every so often" at most.

Flats evenmoreso, I've had the same set of stainless flats on my Jazz for 18 or so years now.

Now that you've mentioned it... Might restring the jazz with flats. I think that'll smooth it out and get more the sound and feel in my head

[kosta]

I gateway drugged into playing bass via a Jag Baritone (tuned E - e like a Bass VI.) The shorter scale (28.5") was comfortable to me right off the rip. Then I went to a Bass VI, and then to a Precision. Precision is my daily driver now. Love it.

[waltdogg]

You don't change them *anywhere* near as often. So it's "spend $20-40 once every so often" at most.

Flats evenmoreso, I've had the same set of stainless flats on my Jazz for 18 or so years now.

Now that you've mentioned it... Might restring the jazz with flats. I think that'll smooth it out and get more the sound and feel in my head

Turn the bridge pickup down a smidge or off.

As a guitarist I feel at home on a P-Bass.

[cheesecats]

back in the day, most guitarists would prefer the jazz bass because of the slimmer, more narrow neck. i think that's why noel redding played one.

http://fenderbassplayer.com/jazz-bass-vs-precision-bass

[Electro Analogue]

Ok, just checked out video reviews, and I must admit that I am now almost conquered by the Bass VI concept... Dumb question : is it still sounding like a bass?