Another new bass question

Christosapien · 10-21-2001, 09:18 PM

Alright, I am in need of a new bass. I would like to be able to explore the lower ends of the bass world(aka the low b string). Only one problem, i have a very small budget. I have been looking at some peavy's, but i cant see prices for them, and i would like to get an ibanez but i dont have the $ for it. Any help would be great.

groover · 10-22-2001, 05:58 AM

What is your price range and what style of music do you play?

Peace!

Christosapien · 10-22-2001, 08:17 PM

Praise and worship and i think a max of about 500 or so $(im pretty poor)
[Edit]I play rock too

IFearCarnies · 10-22-2001, 08:23 PM

I'd say go with an Ibanez. Ibanez Soundgear 305 DX series goes for about $450. I bought one a few years ago and I still play it occasionally. I've sort of moved away from playing five string, though. Now I play a four string Ibanez BTB.
If you want to play a five string, I personally think that the Ibanez Soundgears are the best. The thin necks on those are perfect...doesn't feel like a 2X4 like most 5 strings. The 305 DX gets great sound and feels great and sounds like it's in your price range.

LWatford · 10-22-2001, 09:16 PM

For a cheap five, I would go with an Ibanez BTB or a MTD Kingston. If you want to look around for used stuff, you can get some pretty good deals. Check Harmony Central and http://www.bassgear.com for instrument classifieds. If you use eBay, be sure to do your research so you don't overpay.

Lee

Christosapien · 10-22-2001, 10:26 PM

i just wanted to double sure and see if i found the right one. It is black with dual soaps, 2 volume and two tone, PHAT boost, 24 frets, active pickups. etc. I wasn't sure cause i saw the 300dx and it has p and j pickups which i dont like too much, didnt know if the 305 came with differant pickups.

groover · 10-23-2001, 06:14 AM

IMHO, if your gonna get an Ibanez get a BTB. I have never been crazy about the Soundgear line. The MTD Kingston's are definately very nice, some may not like the wider neck. Also check out the ESP LTD's, I have a B-205 that sounds and feels great. Here are a couple others to look at:

- Yamaha BBG5S (Yamaha IMHO has always made decent instruments)
- Yamaha RBX765A (Ditto)
- Hamer Cruise CRV (Never touched one but I heard a lot of good things about it)
- Dean Edge Q5 (Played one at a store in Nashville, not bad. Has the same pickups and electronics as my ESP minus the mid control and has a 35" scale.)

The best thing you can do is to go out to the stores and try as many out as you can. Find out what you like and don't like before you decide to fork out the $$$.

Peace!

mattp · 10-23-2001, 01:23 PM

Fender 5string Jazz (mexican)...best value in the bass world IMO.

IFearCarnies · 10-23-2001, 02:11 PM

Christosapien, that is the 305DX that you're talking about. It does come with humbucker pick ups...the 300DX comes with P and J.
Ibanez BTBs are great basses and I have one myself. I don't like BTB 5 strings, though. The strings are spaced out way too far, it's too much of a pain. Plus, BTB five strings are too expensive. My 4 string BTB costs more than a Soundgear 885 (which is the best Soundgear sold in retail stores).
For a 5 string on a budget under $500, an Ibanez Soundgear 305DX is the way to go.

LWatford · 10-23-2001, 04:25 PM

I don't like any Fender Fives except the Roscoe Beck model and the newest American deluxe model. All the strings are floppy feeling, and the neck isn't very stable. I feel there are many better buys out there. Fender still makes some of the best four strings ever. I like the standard four string jazz, but the design dosen't translate well to five string.

Lee

mattp · 10-24-2001, 10:12 AM

i have a rosce beck (my main bass) and the strings arent any less floppy on it than a jazz5. Alot of it is the fender strings that come on it. they are all the same scale and are even the same scale as the other basses you are talking about. Point being...unless it is a longer scale (35") the same brand strings will have the same "floppiness" from brand to brand. (and yes...some strings have more tension than others....ever try some TI flats?)

later

LWatford · 10-24-2001, 10:56 AM

But the neck on a bass makes alot of difference. On the Standard 5-string Jazz, Fender just appled their 4-string neck to a 5-string. The neck dosn't feel as rigid and stable as it should. Maybe its just me, but the entire Standard Jazz 5 feels "floppy" all around. Make sure you try it, because I don't know what you like, only you do!

Lee

mattp · 10-24-2001, 01:33 PM

The jazz neck may feel flimsy to you but I would be willing to bet that it is the j profile on it. Jbasses have a unique profile in which they get very thin near the nut...this is desirable to alot of players (especially with smaller hands) becuase it is easier to move around on. I prefer a big chunky neck (ala RB5)...but the P and J definately have completely different necks...

powerpuffboy · 10-24-2001, 08:14 PM

hmm i agree with lee i tried one out a couple days ago if you are gonna get a jazz bass just get the 4 string model if you want a 5 string i would check out the MTD kingston everyone tells me they are awesome. im thinking baout getting one but i dunno if i really want a 5 string,.

LWatford · 10-24-2001, 09:00 PM

Why are you not sure about a five string? Just wondering.

Lee