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Steer me right on a new bass! (well, it could be a used new bass)


barrycreed
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Sold off some gear over the last while. I'm not gigging at the moment, so not sure I'd justify looking for a used Ric!

Sold a Rockinbetter Ric. Nice bass, has my curiosity piqued for a Ric (if I were only gigging again....)

Only bass I have at the moment is an upgraded Epiphone EBO. Really like the feel of this, does what it does.

On my radar:

Epiphone Thunderbird bass (put off by the neck dive, and not sure if the bolt on would be too "low quality", or go for Vintage Pro. Again, neck dive, neck dive...). They sound really really cool though.

Gibson DC Junior Bass (I'd keep an eye out for a used one. Sound very nice, no neck dive, decent reviews all round, and would be good for rocking out)

Gibson SG Bass (based on what the Epiphone does, not sure one of these could be justified)

Spector Performer 4 (passive would appeal, but again, a used Legend 4 could be good)

This leads me into P or PJ territory. So so so many options at any price point. I wouldn't like anything heavy. Interested potentially in the Sire D5 or a G&L tribute P or PJ bass (weight dependant, I hear these are heavy?)

Low end, a Squier Affinity PJ, stick a set of Geezer Butler's in them...

Also spied a Reverend Wattplower used not too far…

 

If I won the lotto in the morning, or got a decent gig: Ric 4003s (still with their issues though apparently!)

 

Or all of them... 😛 

Edited by barrycreed
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If it's something light you're after, then unfortunately a standard maple 4003 doesn't meet the bill. Weighty buggers.

 

I believe that the Walnut 4003 is somewhat lighter though.

 

 A Spector might be a good option, as would a through neck Thunderbird. Though as you say, neck dive might be an issue, but a decent grippy strap usually helps.

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34 minutes ago, barrycreed said:

How is that J pickup? Looks very close to the bridge? Hard to tame? I wouldn't be too worried about the lack of a tone control....

 

A quick summary of the SB-2's behaviour:

 

IMO, no need for tone controls. The way the volume controls work is such that they alter the tone as they go; roll off the P volume by 25% and it doesn't get a whole lot quiter, but tonally, the "grunt" fades and gives way a more traditional P bass thud.

Same for the J.

The trick (for me) is to get the P delivering the bulk of the depth of tone, then just wind the J up a touch for a bit more definition. 

 

P sounds fine on its own. The J doesn't. 

That's not to say that a J- biased sound isn't good,  it is. The solo'ed sound in too thin. 

On the plus side, it's one of the few configurations that I've played where the P doesn't totally overpower the J.

 

The above observations are heavily influenced by 3 factors

 

I play with my fingers. A plectrum player may indeed find it too twangy. 

 

I'm using DR Lo-Riders (50-110)

 

I spent an age fiddling with the pickup heights to get just the balance of output and tone I wanted. 

 

Edited by Lfalex v1.1
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I have a template from this guy which I think I will proceed with, so that will take care of the one pickup single coil type sound

 

 

A bass I had not considered but sounds good on demos is the Ibanez SR500E BM. Tune it to BEAD!! That or the Spector Performer or Legend 4 , or the Thunderbird have me intrigued for now.

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5 hours ago, Lfalex v1.1 said:

 

A quick summary of the SB-2's behaviour:

 

IMO, no need for tone controls. The way the volume controls work is such that they alter the tone as they go; roll off the P volume by 25% and it doesn't get a whole lot quiter, but tonally, the "grunt" fades and gives way a more traditional P bass thud.

Same for the J.

The trick (for me) is to get the P delivering the bulk of the depth of tone, then just wind the J up a touch for a bit more definition. 

 

P sounds fine on its own. The J doesn't. 

That's not to say that a J- biased sound isn't good,  it is. The solo'ed sound in too thin. 

On the plus side, it's one of the few configurations that I've played where the P doesn't totally overpower the J.

 

The above observations are heavily influenced by 3 factors

 

I play with my fingers. A plectrum player may indeed find it too twangy. 

 

I'm using DR Lo-Riders (50-110)

 

I spent an age fiddling with the pickup heights to get just the balance of output and tone I wanted. 

 

 

I agree with much of what is said above - no need for a tone control and once you get used to it, you'll question why you ever needed one before.

 

Very under-rated as a bass IMO. If I could find a fiver....

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