Prunesquallor

I was in your situation a year ago, and in the end I went for a Squier VM Jazz. As you probably know, it's an inexpensive, solid version of a classic Fender bass that has been used on countless recordings. It's very versatile, the Fender Jazz having been used by everyone from John Paul Jones to Aston Barrett to Flea. The variety of tones you can get from the twin pick-ups will help you find the sound you prefer. And it has a nice, slim neck, which could be easier for you to learn on. I haven't regretted it one instant. Also, if you can, go to pick one with someone you know who plays the bass (a guitarist doesn't count). Quality does vary from bass to bass, and you'd be able to hear it played properly. He or she would increase your chances of getting a good example of a bass you like the sound of.

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1386981054' post='2307273'] I'm for [i]Hall Of The Mountain Grill[/i]. But I never thought Hawkwind were heavy rock, really. Still don't. [/quote] Space Ritual was very heavy, and their highpoint for me. Their other albums... probably not.

One album? OK - Nevermind by Nirvana Don't tell me it's not HM. There's enough Sabbath influences in there. And how come no-one's mentioned The Color and the Shape by the Foos. Again, HM, 90s stylee. <sits back and waits for the flames >

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1386882021' post='2306021'] Fixed. Oh, l love Made In Europe too; arguably my favourite rock bass sound, even if it is actually a Precision. ;-) And of course Live and Dangerous. And British Steel. And Sign of the Hammer (yes, I know). And Bomber / Overkill. And Heaven & Hell. [/quote] Fixed? Sabbath Bloody Sabbath only had the title track, dude. And I should know because my taste is impeccable. Definitely Overkill and Heaven & Hell, though.

Rainbow Rising - classic! Not a duff song on it. Deep Purple's Made In Japan, Hawkwind's Space Ritual, Black Sabbath's Paranoid also rule. And there was a band called Led Zeppelin who had a rather catchy fourth album. Crap, forgot AC/DC: Highway To Hell, or If You Want Blood. Bon Scott all the way. Forget that screecher they've got now.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1384000771' post='2271706'] I read that he uses a ray five for recording these days but never live,i don't get that either really? [/quote] Who knows? I guess there's no perfect bass, even for him with all the money he's had to throw at it. Viva la GAS!

Uneven note output was a key reason why Flea stopped using Stingrays. Here he is after recording One Hot Minute: "[font="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size="2"][font="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size="2"][size="1"][size="2"][size="3"][size="2"]The Alembic isn't as in-my-face as the Music Man, but the high notes are as loud as the low ones, from the bottom of the neck to the top, which is a problem on the Music Man. I probably could have used the StingRay for the entire album, but when we go to record, I always think I need the best bass for recording.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/font][/size][/font]" The rest of the interview's here: http://rhcprock.free.fr/fleamalandrone.html