What kind of bass is best?

[God's Homie]

I need some info on this. I am not sure what kind of bass to get. Give me some info on this. Past experiences and everything. Lotsa storys are good. Thanks.

[Reuel]

it all depends on what you're lookin for; punch or sustain, jazzy or powerful tone, noizy or clean, cheap or expensive-want it to have humbuckers, pieso, or jazz pickups? straight or angled headstock? active or passive electronics? splitters? phase switches? how many tone & vol knobs? 2,3,5 way switches- or one for each? if you are a begginer, it's best to have a cheaper model to start with....unless you 're like me & buy the best(i started with a 5- string rogue,defretted-it only cost me $150....if you've seen my thead, you'll know i'm a dreamer!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D
B E A D G

[Brent]

None of those brands are the best, that's for sure. But of the three that you listed Ibanez is the best....depending on the model.

Brent

[SenorPapaCabasa]

Peavey Axemaster+


Not really, but that was my first bass, and the favorite:D

[LWatford]

I like blue guitars...







Why do people always ask what the best is? What is good for me might not be the best for you.

From the basses listed-

Ibanez- If you can look past all the sTupiD nU mEtaL guys playing them, they are actually pretty good sounding basses (they don't sound like cRaP).

Ampeg- nice "thud", but heavy! They are reissues of the Dan Armstrong Lucite basses of the 60s and 70s.

Other Basses- It's hard to beat a Fender. And don't give me that stuff about only having four strings... Jaco only needed four strings! :D ;) A Jazz Bass is capable of most any sound, look at everyone who has used one.

[frankthebass]

Hey, so you want to buy a bass??? well first of all how much money do you have??? personally I reckon status-graphite basses rock, www.status-graphite.co.uk but only if you have the money to burn on one... if you want a good bass but dont want to pay the earth, go for a yamaha... they're not top end by any means but I've yet to find one that sounds or plays badly.
personally, I'd stay clear of ibanez... (just a personal preference) warwick are good too...
if you want more info, email me
r_wand@yahoo.co.uk

Rich

[DavidAM]

The best bass is this:

Spend as much time at a store trying out everyting you like until you can answer these questions:

1) Which one is the easiest to play? Analyze fret spacing, string spacing, neck angle when when you are standing, and if you have a good place to plant the thumb of your plucking hand.
2) Can I distinguish the difference in sound between all of these? If you can't, then keep playing the same riff on each one until you can. Also, make sure you always use the same amp, and keep the volume level the same. Different intstruments have different output levels. Scale the amp volume appropriately so you hear each one at the some volume.
3) Which one sounds the best?
4) Which one has the most range of tone available in the on-board controls?
5) Which one appears to have the best manufacturing quality?
6) Which one appears to have the best tuners, nut, and bridge?
7) How easy is it to make adjustments to the setup (change the action), and tune it?
8) Which one is best in the previous categories that I can afford?


That being said, my favorites are the Ibanez BTB series, Fender Active Jazz series, and just about anything from Warwick.

[pUnKBaSs4GOD]

i don't have one but i've played an ernie ball sterling, and it was sweet!

[davey]

My friend has an ESP LTD and I wish I had one :(

[locker57punk]

have to agree on the sterling, incredible!!!!

[AlexTheBassist]

Well I highly recommend and Ibanez for a starting bass. I just bought myself a GSR200 and even though its a beginners bass its great. It has J and P style pick ups, nice size and it has a sweet crunchy sound. If your looking price wise, get a GSR100 which runs for about 179.00

[BowoW]

if u've got mad money.. i'm the one to come to ;)

1.Warwick
2.Aria pro 2
3.Ernie Ball Music Man Sting-Ray 5-stringer
4.Taylor *whoo.. i love those acoustic basses*
5.Martin *believe it or not.. they make acoustic basses, they're not shabby*
6.Fender Delux p-bass.. it has like a humbucker plus the split.

-jamie

[djponyfunk]

ESP makes an awesome bass i got a b-50 its pretty cool but i would like to have a b-104 but thats just me

[robert4xst]

Cheap Basses:
1) OLP MM4 (the 5 string is just BAD)
2) Squier Affinity P (Not any of the higher model ones)

Moderately Priced:
1) Fender MIM Deluxe
2) Ibanez BTB

Mod-High
1) EB Musicman Sterling or Stingray
2) Fender MIA

High
1) Warwick
2) Lakland

[Boba Fett]

Ernie Ball MusicMan

[Bassman1185]

(death metal scream on) AUSTINS SUCK!!!!! (normal voice on) They really are bad. You might want to check out Copley basses. I've been hearing a lot of good stuff about them. their website is Copleyguitars.com. They're on Ebay for $300ish.

[N.tm]

Yamaha makes good beginner basses. And good pro basses for that matter.

Of the brands you list Ibanez is best, but (although they do have some high end basses) you don't often hear bass players talking about how they wished they could own an Ibanez.

I don't think I've even heard of Austin (perhaps it's never made it out to Australia).

There is no single best brand though, it's a matter of individual taste, and what type of music you'll be playing. A (Fender) Jazz style bass probably covers the widest range of genres and tones.

Go into some stores and try out whatever brands and models are in your price range, then pick the one you like best.

N.™

[mang_akong]

i'll go for a Fender american deluxe p-bass
it makes my mouth water :kduh: , i like ummm.. fender stuff but they all look the same. i'll go for exotice basses coz they look bad like; alembic, modulus, roscoe!# 1:ksmile: and others.

[BowoW]

yes.. the american deluxe p-bass is extremely nice.. the person who plays bass for the adult ministry plays one of those connected to a swr super red-head.. so u can guess how good it sounds :)

i love the sounds of a p-bass.. as the bassist from green day would say ' they're the ultimate basses for me'. :p the part i didn't like about the p-bass.. was the lack of controls to change your sound.. but the deluxe covers it all :)


-jamie

[mang_akong]

well of course it'll sound good! if you just look at it's pick-ups, it'll punch off your head right off your neck on to the floor. blood squirting out from your neck. j/k but it has a phat pick up.

[BowoW]

Originally posted by mang_akong
if you just look at it's pick-ups, it'll punch off your head right off your neck on to the floor. blood squirting out from your neck.

i don't want that bass anymore... *covers eyes* ;)

very groosome.. but yea, i get your point :)

yea, it's a nice humbucker.


-jamie

[escaperoute]

I started on an Alvarez 200, which is still a good bass. I moved on to play a Fender P-bass. That's the best I have played so far, but I would like to play a Tobias, I hear that they are awsome.

[Unregistered]

Squier would definitely be the best bass ever made. Fender really knows what they are doing. The pickups are awesome, the paint finish can't be beat, they are played by the most amazing bass players in the world, and the sound will blow you away. The price is amazing as well.

[Bassman1185]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Squier would definitely be the best bass ever made. Fender really knows what they are doing. The pickups are awesome, the paint finish can't be beat, they are played by the most amazing bass players in the world, and the sound will blow you away. The price is amazing as well.


That was a joke, right? I mean, Squires are decent for the money, but I wouldn't put them above say Sammics, or Rouges. :klol:

[jhikel]

I have been playing bass for almost a year. I started out with an old Yamaha bass that had been sitting my church for who know's how long. After a few months i bought my own and went with the Ibanez GSR 200. Its at a reasonable price, not very heavy, gives you a very good sound and looks real sharp. I have no regrets with this guitar.

[pistolpete2]

My friend has a Ibanez Ergodyne EDC700, and it's rad, the action is great, and it's got pretty good sound range, so I think it's pretty good. Jazz basses also look cool, but that's all I can say considering I've never played one.

[Jzak]

Certainly, none of the bass manufacturers listed here would make the top 10. (or top 25) Squire? Sammics? Austin? Are you kidding? You guys need to get out of the bargain basement. A decent bass will cost you at least $1K.

But the point is, buy what you can afford and learn to master it. You’ll eventually find the one that works best for you. And you’ll also learn to make them all work for you. It all comes from experience. Ask any veteran.

[Jzak]

Why am I showing up as a guest? Were did my profile go?

Gee, you don't post in a couple of months and they trash you!

[Bassman1185]

Originally posted by Jzak
Certainly, none of the bass manufacturers listed here would make the top 10. (or top 25) Squire? Sammics? Austin? Are you kidding? You guys need to get out of the bargain basement. A decent bass will cost you at least $1K.

I at least was kidding when I said Sammic. I've only realy played a couple and they stunk. I also realize that a good bass will set you back a lot of money. I own a Warwick Streamer 5, just so you know.:kroll:

[PunkRawker]

MusicMan Stingrays are the best!!!!!

[robert4xst]

The new Ibanez SRX series look really nice. (The ones with the dual humbuckers).

[Goodbye Monster]

i would definatly go with fender or music man ernie balls.

[IzOnThroneBass]

I need some info on this. I am not sure what kind of bass to get. Give me some info on this. Past experiences and everything. Lotsa storys are good. Thanks.

Well, I just recently purchased an Ibanez SRX 705. It's awesome. Of course, I'm a little biased considering I bought it. But you can't find a wider range of sound anywhere. It's got a 35? inch scale, 24-fret neck (whole thing is solid body with "racing stripes" for added stability against the dreaded warpage), two active humbuckers, and a volume/ balance/ bass/ treble cut and boost. Look for prices around $600. It's got a wide range of sounds and can give you anything you need. The only downside is its weight. It's quite a bit heavy. Fortunately, it's balanced well. If natural's not your thing, then check out the other versions (same thing, different name, different color).

http://ibanez.com/guitars/series.asp?s=srx&l=b

Have fun man! God Bless!
:D :D :D

[IzOnThroneBass]

The new Ibanez SRX series look really nice. (The ones with the dual humbuckers).


I agree with you wholeheartedly. Great value too. :rofl:

[BassmanA440]

Other: Roscoe - if it ain't the best, its really close.

I wouldn't kick these basses out of bed either: Tobias, Warrior, Alembic, Pedula, Modulus, Smith, MTD or Fodera.

I'll also Take:
Warwick - (25% of them)
Yamaha - John Patatuchi model
Peavey - Cirus
Ibanez - Sound Gear (higher end)

Well, look at that. I don't see Stingray or Fender. Cause I don't like them. :nope: (That will PO some folks :rofl: )

[Visirale]

Why the heck did you revive this old thread?

Don't do it again.

[Reuel]

Certainly, none of the bass manufacturers listed here would make the top 10. (or top 25) Squire? Sammics? Austin? Are you kidding? You guys need to get out of the bargain basement. A decent bass will cost you at least $1K.

But the point is, buy what you can afford and learn to master it. You’ll eventually find the one that works best for you. And you’ll also learn to make them all work for you. It all comes from experience. Ask any veteran.what? r u 1 of the ones who have a warwick? *drool drool* (i know someone who has a cheap warwick-$600-p&j style pickups; he doesn't play it much anymore, because he's a hacker{programmer} btw, i still love ibanez, even if i owned one of those really nice ones