Couple of Bass questions

[booyah14]

A buddy of mine is looking to start playing bass and I have always wanted to purchase a bass for my studio work. So I told him we should split the cost so that he can practice on a better bass which will make him enjoy it more.

Let me say that he has short stubby fingers so I would assume he needs a flatter neck than some that are out there. We have figured that we will split the cost of around a $1000 bass give or take a few hundred. We do not mind buying used.

The biggest factor is the bass must translate while recording. Then the playability factor would be next important part. I assume we would want a four string but haven't ruled out a five string.

So please feel free to give us any suggestions that you guys have had good experiences with or anything to stay away from that would not suit our needs.

[mrface2112]

well, the best advice i can give is simply to play a whole lot of basses in your pricerange and buy the one that you like best. no one tell you what bass will be best for you.

personally, i would start with trying one of the Fender Geddy Lee or Marcus Miller jazz basses and go from there.


cheers,
wade

[booyah14]

We live in the middle of nowhere so that isn't an option. Want to have a few in mind and then go check those out afterwards. Thanks for the options!

[nandoanalog]

In the first 3 learning years, the bass itself won`t make much diference...

A 3500$ less Paul doesn`t sound any better than a 150$ epiphone in the hands of a non skilled musician.

The more experience you have, the less dificulties you`ll have playing no matter what kind of hand you have. I`ve seen pianists with long slim fingers and with short thick fingers. Both top notch.

[booyah14]

Alright, any recommendations for something that translates recording wise then.

[Screwdio]

Fender P and J basses are industry standard live and recording. You really can't go wrong with a good one of either.

[nandoanalog]

Originally Posted by booyah14

Alright, any recommendations for something that translates recording wise then.

Almost any bass will translate... It just needs to be played well.

There is a forum called TalkBass Forums

Go there...

[stevep]

P bass


.

[bluestarbass]

With stubby fingers Id go something with 4 strings and a narrow neck. Normally Id say pbass just for recording but the neck may be too chunky for your friend. A jazz bass or a musicman sterling would be my choices. I dont like either of these basses becuase of the necks, but i love the tone of both. I have big hands and i always feel like im choking a jazz bass.

[Blast9]

Ibanez SoundGear basses have nice thin necks.

I've heard good recordings of these basses, although a lot of peeps don't like their version of the "active sound"... It is a very "modern" tone and can be toppy unless you tweak the tone controls... In fact a lot of peeps don't like the "active sound" full stop...

However I've heard plenty of great recordings wiht active basses.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

A 3500$ less Paul doesn`t sound any better than a 150$ epiphone in the hands of a non skilled musician.

Hmm... Many years ago as a wee lad my friends & I used to debate this like some sort of Zen koan: "Which would you rather listen to, __________ (insert name of favorite virtuoso guitarist) playing a $30 Sears guitar, or my six-year-old sister playing a Les Paul Custom?"

At that time my vote always went with the former (so in essence I was agreeing with your point, cited above). It sure seemed to me that my favorite virtuoso guitarists were capable of exuding musical brilliance from whatever instrument they played, and their musical personalities seemed to easily transcend the instrument.

But the thing that made me pause, both then and now, was a comment by one friend, who asked "But what if they each only played one note?"

In other words, what if you tried to separate the idea of the instruments' TONE from the sound of that instrument being used to play MUSIC?

Pluck an open D string on a $3500 Les Paul. Now pluck an open D string on a $150 Epiphone. Are they really indistinguishable?

[ScottTunes]

I bought a 1981 Carvin bass new. It hasn't been used regularly in over 7 years (cause I have too many instruments) and probably has 10 yr old strings on it. But I can pull it out of the case right now and it'll still be in perfect tune. Very stable.

Carvin basses consistently win comparisons/competitions. Well built, well respected. They are also one of the best used bargains on the market, IMHO (I'm not alone in that opinion either).

That said, my "go to" basses are my Hofners or a vintage Mustang.

For guitar players, and those with small hands, the Mustang basses are like mini P basses. The newer Japanese made reissues are affordable as well. Definitely worth a look/listen.

[camerondye]

P Bass tones always seem to mix easier and sound great in mixes for some reason, but I hate how they sound by themselves...very annoying. I would recommend a 4 string though, starting out playing 5 string is a mistake IMO. Controlling the vibration of the B string can be tough in the beginning. Lakland has a foreign series that sounds really good also, good studio bass. Good luck...
cameron

[Old Cane]

A P or J or a Yamaha. The Mexican Fenders are about $3-400 and are great. You can always get some boutique pickups at any time. Personally I do not like active guitars/basses.

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by tifftunes

I bought a 1981 Carvin bass new. It hasn't been used regularly in over 7 years (cause I have too many instruments) and probably has 10 yr old strings on it. But I can pull it out of the case right now and it'll still be in perfect tune. Very stable.

Carvin basses consistently win comparisons/competitions. Well built, well respected. They are also one of the best used bargains on the market, IMHO (I'm not alone in that opinion either).

That said, my "go to" basses are my Hofners or a vintage Mustang.

For guitar players, and those with small hands, the Mustang basses are like mini P basses. The newer Japanese made reissues are affordable as well. Definitely worth a look/listen.

Carvin will also let you return the bass if ya dont like it!!

A buddy of mine has 2 custom Carvin guitars and loves 'em. I must admit they are very sweet.

I think my next new bass will be a custom carvin!!