bass advice
- timiscott
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bass advice
Thinking of getting a bass to record with. Squier vi or Fender Mustang... Any advice?
- fuzzking
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- timiscott
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Re: bass advice
MIJ Jag basses seem to cost the same used. Any thoughts on those?
- windmill
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Re: bass advice
MiJ bass have a range of sounds, parallel and series, also active and passive modes
The active circuit can generate a lot of noise so check that everything has been shielded.
The active circuit can generate a lot of noise so check that everything has been shielded.
- Beyer160
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Re: bass advice
The three basses you're asking about are totally different- I'd get thee to Banjo Mart and try them out. Unless your music specifically calls for a VI or short scale bass sound, I'd go with a "normal" 34" scale instrument like a P or J.
I have a MIJ Jaguar bass, and was actually cutting some demos with it yesterday. It's a fine instrument, after you shield the cavity and rewire it. MIJ electronics are uniformly awful, and this one had multiple problems until I replaced all the thin, shitty wire that kept breaking off. The ceramic stock pickups are acceptable, but I punted mine for a Fender '60s J bass set. Here's my thread on this bass from AGF:
https://www.aguitarforum.com/threads/nb ... st-1461475
If you get a chance, check out the Squier VM '70s Jazz bass (maple neck and black block fret markers)- the ones I've played have been really, really good and you can sometimes find them cheap used.
I have a MIJ Jaguar bass, and was actually cutting some demos with it yesterday. It's a fine instrument, after you shield the cavity and rewire it. MIJ electronics are uniformly awful, and this one had multiple problems until I replaced all the thin, shitty wire that kept breaking off. The ceramic stock pickups are acceptable, but I punted mine for a Fender '60s J bass set. Here's my thread on this bass from AGF:
https://www.aguitarforum.com/threads/nb ... st-1461475
If you get a chance, check out the Squier VM '70s Jazz bass (maple neck and black block fret markers)- the ones I've played have been really, really good and you can sometimes find them cheap used.
- Mickster
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Re: bass advice
^ Beyer160's advice is spot on. All 3 are very different bases.
The VI is great, but is a fairly specialised sound & feel and isn't the same as a regular bass. The Jag is closest to a regular long scale bass and like Windmill says has loads of tonal options tho can be a bit EMF noisy for recording.
If you're a guitarist looking to dabble in a bit of bass for recording etc i'd go with a Mustang - the short scale means easier reaches for yr feeble guitarists hands ( ) and they can still sound huge / classic / cutting with the right strings on them. Get some flat wounds for Motown / Jamerson chocolaty thump, or round wounds for edgy aggression / zing / slap. Easy to play on and still sound like a 'proper' bass.
The VI is great, but is a fairly specialised sound & feel and isn't the same as a regular bass. The Jag is closest to a regular long scale bass and like Windmill says has loads of tonal options tho can be a bit EMF noisy for recording.
If you're a guitarist looking to dabble in a bit of bass for recording etc i'd go with a Mustang - the short scale means easier reaches for yr feeble guitarists hands ( ) and they can still sound huge / classic / cutting with the right strings on them. Get some flat wounds for Motown / Jamerson chocolaty thump, or round wounds for edgy aggression / zing / slap. Easy to play on and still sound like a 'proper' bass.
- Larry Mal
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Re: bass advice
Best of luck to you.
Last edited by Larry Mal on Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- Beyer160
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Re: bass advice
Excellent advice on the flats, they sit in a mix beautifully. They'll sound clanky and weird at first, but give them a week or two to break in.Mickster wrote: ↑Sun Apr 08, 2018 5:03 amIf you're a guitarist looking to dabble in a bit of bass for recording etc i'd go with a Mustang - the short scale means easier reaches for yr feeble guitarists hands ( ) and they can still sound huge / classic / cutting with the right strings on them. Get some flat wounds for Motown / Jamerson chocolaty thump, or round wounds for edgy aggression / zing / slap. Easy to play on and still sound like a 'proper' bass.
I've never understood the "short scale basses for guitarists" thing, though. 34" scale basses aren't hard to play, you just have to make a mental adjustment, like going from a Jazzmaster to a Jaguar or a Strat to a Les Paul. I've also never liked the tone of short scale basses, except for Jack Bruce. In the end it's all about personal preference, though.
- NICQ
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Re: bass advice
I bought a 2nd hand Squier Jazz Bass and put Thomastik Infeld Flats on it - sounds great and is totally sufficient for recording and occasionally playing bass if you're a guitar player...
- Embenny
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Re: bass advice
When it comes to bass, i currently play a VI, a Stingray, and a Ric.
I also recently got an Ibanez Mikro and let me tell you, that thing is no slouch!! Smaller and lighter than a JM...28.6" scale with a shockingly authoritative low E string. Mine was set up perfectly out of the box with no fretwork issues.
It's worth checking out in person. You'll either love or hate how tiny it feels. I have no problems playing a 34" scale, but the 28.6" opens up new techniques and fingerings I never considered on 34".
I had a few illogical reactions to it at first "(ha! No way this E string will be useful." "Eww, Ibanez") but then I realized I was having some of the most fun I've ever had playing a bass.
It's also as gentle on the wallet as you could ask for. Am I insane for picking up a cheap bass that the Internet would claim is for kids, when I have a USA-made Stingray? Don't care, am having too much fun playing it to notice...
I also recently got an Ibanez Mikro and let me tell you, that thing is no slouch!! Smaller and lighter than a JM...28.6" scale with a shockingly authoritative low E string. Mine was set up perfectly out of the box with no fretwork issues.
It's worth checking out in person. You'll either love or hate how tiny it feels. I have no problems playing a 34" scale, but the 28.6" opens up new techniques and fingerings I never considered on 34".
I had a few illogical reactions to it at first "(ha! No way this E string will be useful." "Eww, Ibanez") but then I realized I was having some of the most fun I've ever had playing a bass.
It's also as gentle on the wallet as you could ask for. Am I insane for picking up a cheap bass that the Internet would claim is for kids, when I have a USA-made Stingray? Don't care, am having too much fun playing it to notice...
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- Larry Mal
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Re: bass advice
Best of luck to you.
Last edited by Larry Mal on Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- cestlamort
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Re: bass advice
I picked up a bass for the first time in years (and years) for a one off show, using my wife's backup old mim jazz bass (over her Rickenbacker) and it was not only a welcome shift in perspective, it does a lot of the sounds that I imagine for a bass. Don't worry about the longer scale; it's nice to have to rethink the parts.
- Larry Mal
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Re: bass advice
Best of luck to you.
Last edited by Larry Mal on Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- timiscott
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Re: bass advice
Hi. Thanks for the advice - it's really useful!
To put it in context, It's not the first time I would be picking up a bass to record so scale length doesn't matter. However, it would be the first time I have bought a bass and I was looking at Offsets as I play Jags and Jazzies...
Owning both Squiers and Fenders US and MIM, I know the quality differences in guitars but Have no idea how much that will carry over into basses. If it's a Squier, I don't want to be dragging it in and out of workshops for upgrades if I can help it.
Also, I love Barry Adamson's white jag bass... But don't want to pay more than for a Mustang. Sigh.
Anyway, long post... Any more thoughts?
To put it in context, It's not the first time I would be picking up a bass to record so scale length doesn't matter. However, it would be the first time I have bought a bass and I was looking at Offsets as I play Jags and Jazzies...
Owning both Squiers and Fenders US and MIM, I know the quality differences in guitars but Have no idea how much that will carry over into basses. If it's a Squier, I don't want to be dragging it in and out of workshops for upgrades if I can help it.
Also, I love Barry Adamson's white jag bass... But don't want to pay more than for a Mustang. Sigh.
Anyway, long post... Any more thoughts?
- sears
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Re: bass advice
Listen to Larry. Or, see what's being played on your favorite records. A P is just so easy to record.
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