suggest a bass guitar?

[nomoreflakes]

Originally Posted by softwareguy

They lack exactly what your P Bass seems to have too much of, which is that rich, powerful lower mid section. Squire could always count on keyboard pedals to fill in the low lows if necessary, and he acted within their concept more like contrapuntal low guitar line than like a rhythm instrument.

When I've recorded them (especially direct) there's lots of interesting tone, but it always leaves me jonesing for a Fender sound to just get the job done. There's a reason that they never really became a standard for rock, and made their mark more in prog and certain types of funk (Rick James not Larry Graham).

So yeah, lots of love, but basically she broke my heart.

Nice post

[river]

If you've heard "You Can't Buy My Love" from Robert Plant and Band of Joy, Byron House is playing a P bass with flat wounds and a pick, sounds a lot like a Rick. No idea what pre or compression used in the studio, but you can do an awful lot with a P bass if you experiment with it. BTW, didn't Geddy Lee play a P bass also? Lotsa cut through with his sound.

[BGTProductions]

My first thought when I read the OP was musicman. However something that I've yet to see mentioned in the forums is Warwick, especially the thumb basses. Magical tone.

[Alrod]

Originally Posted by river

BTW, didn't Geddy Lee play a P bass also? Lotsa cut through with his sound.

As far as Fenders go, Geddy Lee actually used/uses a Fender Jazz not the "P". He used it in the studio a lot. Moving Pictures for example was mostly done on a Jazz bass. I think the only exception on that album was Red Barchetta which he used a Rickenbacker on.

I happen to have the Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz bass which is outstanding in the studio! Crafted in Japan, but blows any USA made Fender Jazz that I have played.

[kennybro]

We went with Lakland a few years ago after having Fenders since forever. Never looked back. The offshore Skylines are nice for the money, but heavier. The Americans we have use light resonant swamp ash. Truly, great basses.

[Vic Damone]

An older post, I'm wondering if you ever found your tone? Lots of experienced suggestions so far.

An Avalon U5 is a powerful direct input that will let you and the down stream electronics hear more of your instruments output. What preamplifier are you using?

Wondering if you've given any thought to taking a trip to an urban area with a few real music stores where you can get a much better first hand idea of the direction your interested in? Here in the San Francisco Bay Area there is Rocker Guitars, Gelb, Bananas At Large, to name a few. Modulus, Mesa Boogie, Tone Tubby, are also in the area. Maybe others can suggest retailers in other areas.

Bass Central and Bass Northwest may be another resource.

Personally, when I sold my SVT / PBass my slab playing began to expand greatly. Nothing wrong with that combo, in fact I regret selling that gear purchased new in the late 60's.

Happy shopping.

[DerekJ]

G&L L-2500, USA made

[shanabit]

Originally Posted by Slikjmuzik

Just get a Pbass, woodgrain body, swap out the stock bridge with a Leo Quann badass bridge, then change the pickups to Duncan Quarter Pounders. Done and Done.

+1

[litepipe]

I like a Fender Mustang Bass. Pretty cool sound. Responds well to fuzz and cuts pretty good.

[Muser]

maybe an epiphone thunderbird or a Burns Bison bass is worth a check.

[powmetalbassist]

Big fan of the older Ibanez (Late 80's or early 90's). The Late 80's Ibanez RD 707 is a solid bass with great tone, also not nearly as beefy (heavy) as some of the other stuff out there.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by nomoreflakes

Would a 4003 fit the bill of hard, solid and cutting? Any opinions?

Yes, a Rick would fit the bill perfectly. You mentioned in your initial post about a Rick neck pickup, but to get all the bite you should use the bridge pickup, too. Ricks have more deep bass than a Fender and the highs cut well without the excessive top end earbleed frequencies of a Fender that just competes with cymbals. The mids sit very well with aggressive music. You might want to put a '70s (earlier the better, say around '73) on your lit, too, depending on your budget.

[DerekJ]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

Yes, a Rick would fit the bill perfectly. You mentioned in your initial post about a Rick neck pickup, but to get all the bite you should use the bridge pickup, too. Ricks have more deep bass than a Fender and the highs cut well without the excessive top end earbleed frequencies of a Fender that just competes with cymbals. The mids sit very well with aggressive music. You might want to put a '70s (earlier the better, say around '73) on your lit, too, depending on your budget.

My gf's brother played a Rick bass in his cover band waaaay back when I was in high school. Holy smokes....now that was a nice bass: play and sound was...perfect. Although I've never owned a Rick bass guitar, I think they are among the very finest designs and overall improvements since the P-

Course, if you really want to do it right, get a 3/4 or 4/4 double bass, sheep gut strings, 2 pickups plus a mic w/an ampeg SVT 810...the guy passed out in the alley behind the bar will groove

[Flip_]

you might be able to get the sound you want with your p bass. try stuffing some foam under the strings back near the bridge. it should tighten up the bottom end and give you a crisper/harder attack, and be less boomy/soft sounding since it takes out the sustain.