4 Grand..What Bass??

[bubinga5]

By some good fortune, i have 4 grand, and was thinking about spending it on a bass....Was wondering what are the top 5 super jazz basses on the market. or anything else for that money????.i would love to try a Low End jazz...Dont get me started on AC's....Im GASing over a new 5 or 4 string. so whats in my ball park?

tis not a jazz, but I was thinking about a Sukop.. i have heard one and it sounded awsome!!!...I know there mega bucks though..

Im still searching for a bass that ticks all the right boxes..the only one that i really love is the Ostinato...i played it live on thursday and it was sooo good..The tone is awsome when playing gently, but when you dig in through the Aguilar its got the most amazing growl and punchy tone..There was a guy in another band playing the same night, with a HH stingray..and he played the Ostinato and said it was in a different league...

Ive come to the thought that, although i love the passive sound, i dig the well amplified bass..the EMG's are superb on the Ostinato..Any suggestions on a new bass??

[rjb]

Celinder? Aren't they meant to be the mutt's proverbials?

You could go seriously bling with a Ritter, but you'd be afraid to take it out if its case!

Edited May 16, 2009 by rjb

[Soulfinger]

With 4 grand you are entering Fender Custom Shop territory. That´s where I´d go with that kind of money, although I admit you´d probably be better off elsewhere if you are set on active electronics.

Sadowsky?

[edstraker123]

Speak to Mr Shuker !!!

[rjb]

[quote]Speak to Mr Shuker !!![/quote]

Or perhaps AGC, RIM Basses or Overwater.

All would build a serious bass for the money you have.

[Kiwi]

I would go for a Celinder (for a bolt on) or a Shuker (for a through neck) personally. I've just come back from visiting Chris Celinder in Copenhagen and some of the instruments I played, like Meshell's J Update, were truly magical. I've had my understanding of what constitutes a well made bass guitar totally redefined in the space of 24 hours.

But the instrument you choose needs to suit your playing style, the music you play, the sound you want etc. I mean, there's no point in buying a Fodera Beez Elite if you're going to play thrash metal is there? Asking other people for spontaneous recommendations on an instrument is like asking them to try on your clothes and tell you if they suit you or not.

So:

What sort of music do you play and what other musicians do you play with?

What kind of playing style do you have?

Where do you play?

What sound do you want?

[lozbass]

I'd be thinking AC, Celinder, Fender Masterbuilt, or Sei - choose wisely, £4k is a lot of cash (and do a lot trying before you buy!)

[Lfalex v1.1]

Any of the above, plus
Vigier
Alembic
Ken Smith
Carl Thompson
Status
Basslab
Gus
Enfield
(Big Red X will doubtless expand upon these!)

[OutToPlayJazz]

Wow - Congrats! I'd definitely pay the Status factory a visit, but apart from that you could have a look at a top end Alembic or Fodera. World's your oyster, really!

I've noted from your previous posts that you like Sadowsky a lot, so why not go for one of the top of the range ones with the amazing sounding Norstrand pickups?

Either that or you could buy 14 Classic Vibe Jazzes

Edited May 16, 2009 by OutToPlayJazz

[Pete Academy]

Take a look at Roscoe.

[BigRedX]

You called?

First up £4000 even with current less than brilliant exchange rates will probably buy you almost any new bass going except for the more exotic offerings from Carl Thompson or Jens Ritter.

First things first. Put your money away somewhere safe and take some time to figure out exactly want you want from your bass. Don't let that cash burn a hole in your pocket, and spend it on the first shiny instrument that comes your way. From your previous posts you sound like your preference is for the more traditional designs and tones, but maybe your ready to look at something new.

There's only so much that can be gleaned from hanging out at bass forums and asking opinions. Go and play as many different basses as you can. Start by checking out the stock at [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/"]The Gallery[/url], [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Home.html"]Bass Direct[/url], [url="http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/catalogue.asp?deptid=9"]Promenade Music[/url] and [url="http://www.mansons.co.uk/shopping/categories/bass-guitars/"]Mansons[/url]. Play everything they have that you like the look of no matter what the price and see what you think. It might be worth taking your current favourite bass with you for a quick straight comparison. If what you're trying isn't as good put it back and move on.

Maybe you're ready for a custom bass. Loads of great UK luthiers building world class instruments to suit a variety of tastes in sounds and looks. I've posted lists before so do a search and you should find plenty to look into. Here your £4000 will go a long way. Even with all the toys and options a Sei J-style bass made especially for you will only be around the £3000 mark.

Still not found anything that really does it for you? Then it's time to look further afield. Your starting point is probably trade shows. Unfortunately you've just missed Frankfurt, but there's the [url="http://www.londoninternationalmusicshow.com/"]London International Music Show[/url] next month and then there's [url="http://www.namm.org/summer"]Summer NAMM[/url] in Nashville in July. Take a holiday and check out some brilliant instruments at the same time.

And finally if you're still not inspired then work your way through [url="http://www.bas-extravaganza.nl/?page=links&catID=1"]this list of luthiers[/url] and somewhere there'll be something that catches your fancy.

[pete.young]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='489596' date='May 16 2009, 10:09 AM']London International Music Show[/url] next month[/quote]

Unless some drastic improvements have taken place in the last couple of years, don't bother. I went to this in 2007 and from a bass player's point of view it was a complete and utter waste of time, money and effort.

[BigRedX]

2007 was exceedingly poor. But last year was very good. Among the big names there were also stands with basses by Enfield, Esh, Overwater, Fox, D'Alegria amongst others. Enough cool stuff to try out to keep me occupied all day.

[The Burpster]

I'd obviously say a private stock PRS EB Grainger V but sadly £4k isnt enough.....

So how about an EUB....?

An NS CR4M is next on my shopping list.

one day

[BigRedX]

And here's my list of UK luthiers. Apologies for anyone I've missed...

[url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/index.php"]ACG[/url]
[url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/"]Crimson Guitars[/url]
[url="http://www.eccleshallguitars.co.uk/"]Eccleshall[/url]
[url="http://www.enfieldguitars.com/"]Enfield[/url]
[url="http://www.fret-king.com/greenlabel_series.htm"]Fretking Green Label[/url]
[url="http://www.gbguitars.co.uk/"]GB[/url]
[url="http://www.gusguitars.com/"]Gus[/url]
[url="http://www.jaydeeguitars.com/"]Jaydee[/url]
[url="http://www.jimfleetingguitars.com/"]Jim Fleeting[/url]
[url="http://www.johnbirchguitars.com/"]John Birch[/url]
[url="http://www.lodestoneguitars.com/"]Lodestone[/url]
[url="http://www.mansonguitars.co.uk/"]Manson[/url]
[url="http://www.overwaterbasses.com/"]Overwater[/url]
[url="http://www.rimcustombasses.co.uk/"]RIM[/url]
[url="http://www.seibass.com/"]Sei[/url]
[url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/"]Shuker[/url]
[url="http://www.simonleeguitars.com/"]Simon Lee[/url]
[url="http://www.status-graphite.com/"]Status[/url]
[url="http://www.streetguitars.co.uk/"]Street Guitars[/url]
[url="http://www.walbass.co.uk/"]Wal[/url]
[url="http://www.zootbass.co.uk/"]Zoot[/url]

[greyparrot]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='489644' date='May 16 2009, 11:24 AM']And here's my list of UK luthiers. Apologies for anyone I've missed...

[url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/index.php"]ACG[/url]
[url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/"]Crimson Guitars[/url]
[url="http://www.eccleshallguitars.co.uk/"]Eccleshall[/url]
[url="http://www.enfieldguitars.com/"]Enfield[/url]
[url="http://www.fret-king.com/greenlabel_series.htm"]Fretking Green Label[/url]
[url="http://www.gbguitars.co.uk/"]GB[/url]
[url="http://www.gusguitars.com/"]Gus[/url]
[url="http://www.jaydeeguitars.com/"]Jaydee[/url]
[url="http://www.jimfleetingguitars.com/"]Jim Fleeting[/url]
[url="http://www.johnbirchguitars.com/"]John Birch[/url]
[url="http://www.lodestoneguitars.com/"]Lodestone[/url]
[url="http://www.mansonguitars.co.uk/"]Manson[/url]
[url="http://www.overwaterbasses.com/"]Overwater[/url]
[url="http://www.rimcustombasses.co.uk/"]RIM[/url]
[url="http://www.seibass.com/"]Sei[/url]
[url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/"]Shuker[/url]
[url="http://www.simonleeguitars.com/"]Simon Lee[/url]
[url="http://www.status-graphite.com/"]Status[/url]
[url="http://www.streetguitars.co.uk/"]Street Guitars[/url]
[url="http://www.walbass.co.uk/"]Wal[/url]
[url="http://www.zootbass.co.uk/"]Zoot[/url][/quote]



MAte a fender c/s jazz at about £2700 Best bass you will ever own! I have owned many top end basses, but for power of sound, quality and sheer class a C/S Jazz. It also will hold value well. To spend 4k on a bass is a massive amount, so think carefully, and take resale into consideration. At the end of the day a bass that looks like a bit of furniture may be very pretty, but for use, it may not be that practical, ie weight, dings, terrifid to gig with it etc...........With a cs jazz You will have a super cool fantastic sounding passive jazz, and a few hundred to have a holiday with!! Mansons have 2 or 3 in stock, and they look very cool.

Enjoy, Rich.

Edited May 16, 2009 by greyparrot

[RayFW]

Ever tried an MTD?

[BigRedX]

But you're always keeping half and eye on the resale value, then unless your tastes in looks, feel and sound are fairly mainstream you're going to be compromising your bass and the chances are you will end up selling it on.

IMO when you have that kind of money to spend, take your time do your research wisely and buy a bass (of the peg or custom) that is exactly what you want and unless the kind of music you want to play changes dramatically, will last you for the rest of your playing life.

[alexclaber]

I have to say that even I'd just come across £4k I'd really struggle to spend it on one bass! There is a lot to be said for taking your time about your big instrument decisions - it took me about two or three years to get all the details nailed down on exactly what I wanted in a custom instrument and consequently when I finally received it I was over the moon and can't see myself having bass guitar GAS for decades. (In no small part due to the fact that no-one makes a stock instrument like mine and I've yet to even see any true customs like it either).

Alex

[CHRISDABASS]

right!!

if i had £4000 i'd be booking a flight to new york for the weekend

[url="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/New-York/Manchester/"]http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/New-York/Manchester/[/url]

then i'd get a cheap hotel!

next on my list of things to do would be to visit Roger Sadowsky's and Jimmy coppolo's workshops!

it would be perfect for me as i would get to meet the people who actually made the instruments and i'd get to try before i buy!


Your so lucky man!! im still paying for my NYC sadowsky from last year!!

if you struggle to spend it gimme a shout

[Platypus]

The Coppolo workshop is in California...

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='489681' date='May 16 2009, 11:50 AM']right!!

if i had £4000 i'd be booking a flight to new york for the weekend

[url="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/New-York/Manchester/"]http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/New-York/Manchester/[/url]

then i'd get a cheap hotel!

next on my list of things to do would be to visit Roger Sadowsky's and Jimmy coppolo's workshops!

it would be perfect for me as i would get to meet the people who actually made the instruments and i'd get to try before i buy!


Your so lucky man!! im still paying for my NYC sadowsky from last year!!

if you struggle to spend it gimme a shout [/quote]

[jakenewmanbass]

I would say that you should not think of it as 4k to spend on a bass but to look for the bass that you absolutely love in every way and then spend however much of the 4k that it costs (I suppose it could end up being a bit more) Given the sort of stuff you have talked about in the past I would say you are steering towards a funk machine of some sort, lots of dark tones with punch and growl and the ability to dial in a bit of ping when needed.
TAKE YOUR TIME! (not shouting at you just being emphatic )
Jake

[wesfinn]

you can get yourself a custom spec custom shop fender..thats what im doing. the price is really good at the moment as fender custom shop stuff hasnt gone up like the rest of fender so you'd get some change back from £4k and im told ill recieve mine within 4 months!!

i just got an awesome zoot funkmeister (super jazz) too, they are well worth a look. youd be looking at under 2k for one of them.

[CHRISDABASS]

[quote name='Platypus' post='489685' date='May 16 2009, 11:56 AM']The Coppolo workshop is in California...[/quote]


are you sure??


[url="http://www.myspace.com/138342557"]http://www.myspace.com/138342557[/url]

[CHRISDABASS]

[quote name='wesfinn' post='489698' date='May 16 2009, 12:04 PM']you can get yourself a custom spec custom shop fender..thats what im doing. the price is really good at the moment as fender custom shop stuff hasnt gone up like the rest of fender so you'd get some change back from £4k and im told ill recieve mine within 4 months!!

i just got an awesome zoot funkmeister (super jazz) too, they are well worth a look. youd be looking at under 2k for one of them.[/quote]


Now this is only my opinion so please dont hate me for sayin this but i could never spend £4000 on a Fender! i dont care who's "masterbuilt" (yeah right) it!!