I made a lot of tracks with a friend that plays piano, guitar and bassguitar and sings along with it, quite a multitalented person..
I play drums...
We always borrowed bassguitars from different people but never seen them anymore after we returned the last bass, were "out of bass" for weeks now
, can't get into contact....Since we know almost nothing about bassguitars ourselves (he only plays them from his guitar experience you see...), I want to know what I should look for when buying a used one.
We're looking for a specific sound like the first one we borrowed, it was a sort of Fender rock lookalike... The next we had was active (with 9V battery) this one didn't sound great, to "slappy" kind of sound..
We want that "round" sound....
What are good details to be aware of (number of pick-ups, knobs or detail on construction....) when searching for one on the net, judging only from pictures and description.
We don't have a high budget and I think the kind of bass that produces "our" sound doesn't have to be expensive.
Any suggestions on brands or recognizeable models much appreciated
I play drums...
We always borrowed bassguitars from different people but never seen them anymore after we returned the last bass, were "out of bass" for weeks now
, can't get into contact....Since we know almost nothing about bassguitars ourselves (he only plays them from his guitar experience you see...), I want to know what I should look for when buying a used one. We're looking for a specific sound like the first one we borrowed, it was a sort of Fender rock lookalike... The next we had was active (with 9V battery) this one didn't sound great, to "slappy" kind of sound..
We want that "round" sound....
What are good details to be aware of (number of pick-ups, knobs or detail on construction....) when searching for one on the net, judging only from pictures and description.
We don't have a high budget and I think the kind of bass that produces "our" sound doesn't have to be expensive.
Any suggestions on brands or recognizeable models much appreciated
The variations in setup are really a matter of personal preference than overall quality. Your best bet is to stay with the established brands. That's not to say there are not some hidden gems out there but overall you tend to get what you pay for.
My personal favorite is the Fender Precision. It's a simple, classic design and Fender builds quality products. My first bass was a Squier which is the lower end line made by Fender. Regretfully, I sold it to a friend many years ago. I wish I had it back as it was a great little player🙁.
As far as features go, head out to the shops and try out as many models as you can. See what you like as far as neck styles and overall ergonimics and narrow your choices down from there.
My personal favorite is the Fender Precision. It's a simple, classic design and Fender builds quality products. My first bass was a Squier which is the lower end line made by Fender. Regretfully, I sold it to a friend many years ago. I wish I had it back as it was a great little player🙁.
As far as features go, head out to the shops and try out as many models as you can. See what you like as far as neck styles and overall ergonimics and narrow your choices down from there.
Hi,
The only way you'll get a decent bass on a budget is to take a bass
player along with you that actually knows what he is talking about.
Yes its true there are "rounded" basses with an "old fashioned"
sound and newer basses designed to to do the modern "slap"
bright sound and plenty of basses that can do both.
Any new budget bass will probably need new strings and a thorough
set-up including a few tweaks, again the only way this is going to
happen is with an experienced and practical bass player.
On a budget its difficult to get past the eponymous Fender clones :
either a Precision clone or similar with the added Jazz bass pickup.
I've been playing bass for years, I can tell if a bass is not good due to
the way its built just by picking it up, if seems physically OK then there
are lots of other things to check on second-hand basses, I'll say it
again, get someone who knows basses.
🙂/sreten.
The only way you'll get a decent bass on a budget is to take a bass
player along with you that actually knows what he is talking about.
Yes its true there are "rounded" basses with an "old fashioned"
sound and newer basses designed to to do the modern "slap"
bright sound and plenty of basses that can do both.
Any new budget bass will probably need new strings and a thorough
set-up including a few tweaks, again the only way this is going to
happen is with an experienced and practical bass player.
On a budget its difficult to get past the eponymous Fender clones :
either a Precision clone or similar with the added Jazz bass pickup.
I've been playing bass for years, I can tell if a bass is not good due to
the way its built just by picking it up, if seems physically OK then there
are lots of other things to check on second-hand basses, I'll say it
again, get someone who knows basses.
🙂/sreten.
Thanks very much for responding,
I will take this friend along when I spotted something interesting. He knows what he wants in a way, but fears to overlook things because of his lack of knowledge about basses. I've had encouters with squire basses in the past, they are good indeed. I think the most preferred one we had was a hondo.
Maybe if I have doubts by the time I've spotted something interesting I will post a picture..
I will take this friend along when I spotted something interesting. He knows what he wants in a way, but fears to overlook things because of his lack of knowledge about basses. I've had encouters with squire basses in the past, they are good indeed. I think the most preferred one we had was a hondo.
Maybe if I have doubts by the time I've spotted something interesting I will post a picture..
I have to agree with the Precision. But, if the player is not a Bass Player, he might prefer the neck of a Fender Jazz. It has a narrower neck that would be easier for a guitar player.
Both sound classic.
Both sound classic.
Thanks, now that's info I need, if the sound is the same but the 'feel' is different this is something to keep in mind...
The purchase has shifted to a later date anyway because we ran out of cash for the moment, but we're not in any hurry... any info on what to choose will come in very handy if we can spend again....
The purchase has shifted to a later date anyway because we ran out of cash for the moment, but we're not in any hurry... any info on what to choose will come in very handy if we can spend again....
Thanks for the link..🙂
We like to rock every now and than, but also love to play more sweet from time to time...
Our music is online at http://www.ongekendtalent.nl you would have to search on 'matt' and also choose the bandname 'matt'.
I'm Vincent and Mattijn is the one to play the bass, you can click on a song under our photo's, if you like you can also vote....
We're also located here:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=24438396
These are simple home recordings with cheap mics and equipment, so don't expect anything fancy....
We like to rock every now and than, but also love to play more sweet from time to time...
Our music is online at http://www.ongekendtalent.nl you would have to search on 'matt' and also choose the bandname 'matt'.
I'm Vincent and Mattijn is the one to play the bass, you can click on a song under our photo's, if you like you can also vote....
We're also located here:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=24438396
These are simple home recordings with cheap mics and equipment, so don't expect anything fancy....
Brett said:
Hmmm....
seems obvious to me they are after the classic Fender Precision tone.
I play bass too .......
🙂/sreten.
Thanks again, we'll be spending in january....(or at least need one before february)...
Should we record through an amp and mic it, or should the bassguitar be connected straight to the mixer by the way?
tnx..
Should we record through an amp and mic it, or should the bassguitar be connected straight to the mixer by the way?
tnx..
Im play bass and a member of talk bass.
I "think" the sort of sound you may be describing is a p-bass. standard 70's rock sort of sound. Like Led Zepplin Dazed and Confused. Also Gibson grabbers have that sort of warm mellow sound. but both can be QUITE expensive.
My first bass was a Fender JP-90, this was an ideal bass for me at first. it has a P-bass pickup and a Jazz bass pick up so you can dial in any sort of sound. these are lightweight and you can buy them for about $250-300usd These have the narrow neck like a jazz bass so they are easier to play then the fat wide neck of a P-bass. and The JP-90's were built better then the Squires by far.
Every player is different. changing your hand posistion even a little bit can totally change the sound. when i stand and play, my hand is down farther over the pickups and the sound thins out a bit, when i sit and play, my hand moves forward, more towards the neck and the sound warms up. I play with my fingers and that has a warmer sound. some players play with a pick and that brightens up the sound.
Only way to really find what your looking for is to go to every music store you can find and try everything.
Zc
I "think" the sort of sound you may be describing is a p-bass. standard 70's rock sort of sound. Like Led Zepplin Dazed and Confused. Also Gibson grabbers have that sort of warm mellow sound. but both can be QUITE expensive.
My first bass was a Fender JP-90, this was an ideal bass for me at first. it has a P-bass pickup and a Jazz bass pick up so you can dial in any sort of sound. these are lightweight and you can buy them for about $250-300usd These have the narrow neck like a jazz bass so they are easier to play then the fat wide neck of a P-bass. and The JP-90's were built better then the Squires by far.
Every player is different. changing your hand posistion even a little bit can totally change the sound. when i stand and play, my hand is down farther over the pickups and the sound thins out a bit, when i sit and play, my hand moves forward, more towards the neck and the sound warms up. I play with my fingers and that has a warmer sound. some players play with a pick and that brightens up the sound.
Only way to really find what your looking for is to go to every music store you can find and try everything.
Zc
P.S. for a little bit more money, you can buy a G&L L-2000 tribute. these are great basses that have active pickups, but they have a very wide range of tonal options. these can be purchased new for $450-550usd
Also taking your bass to be set up is worth every penny. I have an excellent guitar shop here that made a bass that played very well, play GREAT. I was amazed at the difference a pro can make to the setup.
Also taking your bass to be set up is worth every penny. I have an excellent guitar shop here that made a bass that played very well, play GREAT. I was amazed at the difference a pro can make to the setup.
"Should we record through an amp and mic it, or should the bassguitar be connected straight to the mixer by the way?"
That is a question that can only be answered by you, after you try both ways.
Most engineers would preffer a pure signal on the master tape. (straight to the mixer). Or line out from the amp. Then they can tweek it from that point.
But if you are trying to reproduce a certain amplifier sound, like a Marshal or Boogey, then you should mike it
I'd love to get an MP3 of your group! 😉
That is a question that can only be answered by you, after you try both ways.
Most engineers would preffer a pure signal on the master tape. (straight to the mixer). Or line out from the amp. Then they can tweek it from that point.
But if you are trying to reproduce a certain amplifier sound, like a Marshal or Boogey, then you should mike it
I'd love to get an MP3 of your group! 😉
I'm not exactly sure on prices for basses (haven't looked recently), but I own an Ibenez guitar with an active humbucker pickup and bridge pickups. This has given me a lot of options for either mellow warm tones for my high school jazz band, all the way to slap bass metal.
Once again, I don't know what prices range from for a bass like this however.
Once again, I don't know what prices range from for a bass like this however.
Excellent advice both on the G&L and setup. I've only just recently played my first G&L and am impressed with it's tone and flexibility though the neck is more P sized to my hands.Zero Cool said:
davidlzimmer said:
Thanks all of you,
and mp3's can be arranged, I can get them down to 'soulseek'....
davidlzimmer said:
A popular method is to do BOTH - for either recording or live performance. DI the bass on one channel, and mike it on another, the sound engineer can then adjust the relative levels to get the sound he/she wants (added 'she' as my bass playing daughter is also an OCN qualified sound engineer).
Personally I always DI - but I don't have any spare channels available anyway!.
Nice, I can borrow DI boxes from work nowadays...🙂
Our MP3's are on esnips also by the way (I just recently know they can be downloaded here...just click on a song and you'll find the 'download file' button...)
http://esnips.com/_t_/mattijn
Our MP3's are on esnips also by the way (I just recently know they can be downloaded here...just click on a song and you'll find the 'download file' button...)
http://esnips.com/_t_/mattijn
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