Soledad

Hi all - got into a chat recently with TheGreek and I mentioned I was looking for a fretless, probably a 5 but maybe a 4 - not sure and I do think how the B sounds is critical (some lack pitch definition low down I think). So I had a Warwick Thumb NT years ago, and it was definitely good. I've seen a couple of Mayones on here and wonder if the body wood (normally ovankol?) helps mid-range or warmth a little - a good thing on fretless I suspect). TheGreek mentioned Spector - which I had not considered. One important thing - I reckon that good fretted basses don't always make good fretless, I mean just deleting frets. I think the natural acoustic tone matters a bit. I tend to find fretted Warwicks a bit hard - that's their trademark isn't it, the growl? But my Thumb fretless was pretty good. Any hand-on input please - and if anyone has what I'm looking for going spare (someone here has a Moyenes NT BE4 I think), I'm shopping.

Thanks Greek - I'll have a punt, sounds about ideal for what I want.

Ah yes, seen that, very neat - but too ££ for what I have in mind. All the simple cheaper ones seem to require a DC power supply, so more leads all over the place. Sounds simple but can't find one: must be small, flat response amp + vol control (output for phones only), 6.3 jack in, 3.5 out, battery or rechargeable. 50 quid ??

Is there such a thing as a flat response headphone amp around - I mean gain only so the bass onboard controls all sound shaping. Or just something really simple, no gimmicks or effects etc. And not silly money. Part of the idea here is to practice in private (ha, ha) but to know the true sound of the bass before any amp system adds its own colour. I've seen a Vox thing around but it has built-in rhythms FFS, and it looks so naff it'd give me a headache. Actually, just thought, wireless bluetooth would be fairly cool...?! And I could send my grooves to Alexa in the kitchen - she'd like that.

Interesting, what gummy says - that was always the thing I reckon - the P (see, I'm resigned now) has one particular native sound that belongs to the P alone. I agree Jazzes are prob a bit more versatile but they always sound like they have a hole in the middle to me and I never quite got the tight bottom end the P gave me (I'm talking straight US Fenders here). I suppose that's where P/J hybrids came from - if they really do that then every session player has one, right?

Today I think this - the Jazz is good. But the P is gooder. (see what I did there, Ricky?)

I reckon something's changed then. Nearly everyone has (and can afford) one of each. So are we talking a U.S. one of each here, or is there need (desire) for one of each but Mexican (say) is fine? I'm going to sound very 20th Century here, but I liked the old days* - one player, one bass - JFDI. * and cabs that weighed a sack o' spuds - that's 112lb in old money, about 50-odd Kg. Get in there

Is it still how it was when I was a kid - there's the Precision (not P Bass please!) and the Jazz - pick one. It was like joining a gang - for life. Years on I've owned both and calmed down a bit - I'd be OK being seen with either. So what's the current view - Jazzes seem more common these days. Give me the current state of play.

I remember Going up the country really well, but don't ever recall playing it - here we go! Be good to hear of any other deceptively simple basslines. Re the audition piece, I think it is a v good test of technique (we used to play it in A which I think was the original key), that quick A/G with the right accents and precise focus, that's where the fun is I reckon 😂

I'm new here so if this is old hat (it's certainly old) then apologies. In my view, one S.O.B. bassline to really nail. Check out 'Whipping Post', both studio and live. The late Berry Oakley was just 24 when he died in a motorcycle accident just one year after Duane Allman had done exactly the same. Oakley gets overlooked I think, but that band worked live a LOT like non-stop and it shows. When they'd just played a great gig, Duane come offstage saying they'd been 'hittin' the note' Intro sounds simple, but getting absolutely down in that groove, with accents right, super-tight? One of the hardest 'sounds easy' lines i EVER came across. (hope I put this in the right place... just needed to share!)

There we go - thought it looked a bit tasty, but I'm not blowing several grand on a bass just now. I might just blow a few bob on a U.S. Jazz though... that'd do.

On YT, Scott does a thing about 70s bass players - he's holding / playing a 4 string thu-neck. Does anyone know what it is please (doubt I could afford one anyway). Here's a screen shot, it's called 'the players you need to know'

New here so bear with me! I've been playing decades and came back to my first love (bass) recently after years over there (classical, flamenco). When I was starting out in the 60's (yep) affordable basses were really sh*t, I mean awful. Same with amps. So I just picked up a Yamaha RBX370A 4 string for no money - well £100 on FB and local too. I am utterly gobsmacked how good these low-price entry basses are. I spent my life playing Fenders (all '60s vintage, several pre-CBS) and to come back now and find basses like this Yamaha for peanuts is quite a shock. I'm not saying it's a match, but it is plenty good enough and a great starter bass I'd say. I'm not specifically recommending the Yamaha either - there seem to be loads of Far Eastern basses around at a similar used price. My input on this would be keep it simple: 4 string, no weird shapes or extreme designs:, get a knowledgeable helper to sift the good from the bad. I think there are quite a few budget basses sitting under beds unplayed (and probably unmarked). Mine needed setting up - it had never been touched at all and truss rod needed a series of tweaks. Set of D'addarios and sounds a lot more than OK. Don't know yer born, you kids....😂

Thanks all - I reckon I have some catching up to do - new gear, styles, basses etc. Probably be along with questions soon.

Found Basschat when I've been looking at used basses, amps etc. Been playing many years but why stop - the notes haven't changed after all. Now tutoring my 9 year old grandson! Was always a Fender devotee (3 Precisions but only one at a time, a '67 Jazz) a Warwick Thumb thru-neck (about a '95), a Sei Flamboyant 5 string headless (got to know Martin Petersen). When I started out there were very few actual bass amps - Fender bassman if you could afford, Vox Foundation, Selmer Treble n Bass 50... so I feel like I go back to the beginning. The 3 landmarks in bass that I see are / were, Leo's original design; bass sound systems (Acoustic 360 and onward); and round wound strings. So now I'm playing at home - a budget Yamaha 4 string, a Dean (budget) fretless; a Trace 715 combo. On the lookout for a decent fretless, not too decednt, maybe around a £400-ish something. Sorry to ramble on - I love bass, always have and it never goes away. I'll be in good company here I guess.