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Bass Guitar Package


cris the man
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Hi guys, how are we?

Been saving for a while and I finally have the funds to get myself a new rig and bass guitar.

I play in a covers band and dep out quite a bit. Playing everything from the Darkness and Lily Allen to jazz standards and concert band pieces.

I'm after a bass that can be used in all these styles and genres, as well as having great playability and feel.

I'm currently thinking of a 5 string fender jazz bass, but i haven't come across a passive one (i prefer passive basses because sods law the battery always dies at the wrong time).

Amplifier wise, i was thinking a TC head with the TC 210 and 212. That way for the odd rock band gig i can take both cabs, and for jazz combo at dinner nights i can just take the 212 and not take up the entire room.

I'd be an idiot not to utilize your opinions.

I'm looking at approximately £3000.

any ideas?

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[quote name='cris the man' timestamp='1425121549' post='2704121']
(i prefer passive basses because sods law the battery always dies at the wrong time).

[/quote]

That's never happened to me, they last years.

I think the best thing to do is get yourself along to Bass Direct near Warwick and try a load of instruments and see what you like and what grabs you. You'll undoubtedly get a load of specific suggestions but until you play one you won't know if it's right for you. I would tend to stay away from Fender 5-strings though based on the ones I've played.

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With the budget avaialable I think Seans advice is spot-on, get to a good bass specialist outlet and try as much as possible. Amp-wise getting out and about and hearing bassists whose tone you like is always a good pointer as well, as what sounds good to the ear soloed sometimes doesn`t work in the mix how we want it - and vice versa. If you invariably like a certain brands tone in the ix with bands then there`s a good chance it will work for you. But yes, Bass Direct, Bass Gear, both worth the trip to get the right rig.

And bass-wise, try as many different brands/varieties as possible - if you like the Fender Jazz 5 string, if they have 6 of them there, try them all - one may sing out to you as the bass that`s right.

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[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1425122764' post='2704142']


That's never happened to me, they last years.

I think the best thing to do is get yourself along to Bass Direct near Warwick and try a load of instruments and see what you like and what grabs you. You'll undoubtedly get a load of specific suggestions but until you play one you won't know if it's right for you. I would tend to stay away from Fender 5-strings though based on the ones I've played.
[/quote]
Spot on Sean. Sure you will get pages of advice mostly based on what the posters use.
I would agree about Fender 5 Strings, but if you are fixed on a passive 5er, try and get to the London Bass Guitar show and try an ACG Graft. Alan builds them in passive format and it's a hand built bass for the price of a mass produced Fender.
Personally never had a problem with active basses and dying batteries, but each to his own.
Same with amplification. With your budget there is a lot of choice, so try as much as you can, preferably after you have bought the bass.

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I'm currently borrowing a friends yamaha trb, its a 5 but not sure on the exact model, but its a tank to play, neck just feels so slow and long.

It plows through batteries! i'm changing them almost every month, the battery starts dieing and the bass sounds absolutely dire! Sometimes i have to change before they get to that point so i change before gigs, but its happened mid song to me at least 3 times now. someone in the sky obviously doesn't like me!

I'll be going to the london bass guitar show so i'll try a few there, but i've always wanted to take a pilgrimage to bass direct. I'll have to see.

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if you are considering a Fender 5 string, based on numerous comments on here a Lakland 5 string has a really good rep for having a great B string. I have a 4 string 44-02 and the neck is absolutely amazing. really thin (front to back) and fast. Is right up there with my ACG for a wonderful neck. Will probably do everything you'd expect from a Fender but better (i own a USA Fender too and i believe the Lakland is better for playability and pick ups can always be changed). However i do prefer my ACG for playability, and 5 string USA spector for serious growly sound!! If you have £3k burning a hole in your pocket, take your time, try things out. There are some amazing bits of mid-high end gear going for cheap as chips on here at the moment. I wouldn't over look ACG definitely worth a play and really high quality for the money. Might be worth having a basic back up bass too (i always want 2 basses so i have a back up)

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I skirted around all the 5 string Jazz basses last year then ended up with an actual Fender 5 string USA Standard Jazz! it turned out to be the best of the bunch on the day and is built really well, tight B string the lot and this is from a die hard EBMM Ray 5 player so don't write off a passive Fender 5 Jazz just yet, a lot if not most of the opinion here and on the net is based on the pre 2008 and pre 2012 updated Fender 5s which I agree with most folks in that I have never tried a good one but stay this side of 2012 and you might bag a belter?!

The Sandberg left me cold and the MM pickups dont do it for me at all in them on those models
The Lakland was ok but had a pinched wire under the plate and just felt cheaper than the US Fender (How about that, I even took pics to prove!)
The Fender Deluxe preamp was a bit poop IMO so I would rather fit a preamp to a US stnadard at a later date really.

Xotic Jazz5 is probably the best 5 I have played ever and sorry to JTUK that includes SEIs, Alleva, Sadowsky etc so I would try one but that will eat some of your amp budget?

Happy shopping :)

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Why not look at a Yamaha BB2025? The cream of the crop when it comes to passive basses in my, and many others, opinions.

They're stocked at Bassdirect so make sure you try one. They really are outstanding instruments! Ok, they're not JJ config, but sometimes you'll play songs where you'll wish you had a P pup.

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[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1425307298' post='2706033']
TRB's don't suck batteries, there's a problem there. Either is the bass that's somehow shorting the battery or is you that [b]don't unplug the jack when not using the bass...[/b]
[/quote]

realised that after the first time it happened, but i'm unplugging it now.

How long is the battery life supposed to be in hrs? any ideas?

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I can't advice you too much on which bass but I personally thinks a 5 string active is better then passive. Don't ask me why.

Amp wise I would would say get something light weight that can easily port around for gig.

If a Markbass CMD2x10 combo available I would go for that. Light and loud.

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Right guys,

Had a great time at the london bass guitar show.

I tried a cracking 5 string lakland with bartoli (sp?) pups and preamp. felt great to play and had such a meaty sound!

I'm gonna look into getting a day at bass direct and get a more intimite experience. Some people were playing and i felt so intimidated!

Rig wise, i used a great TC combo. was a 2x10 with the RH head slot, and it fit the bill perfectly.

Thanks for all your input on this!

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I would say my bass goes through one battery per year but i change it before it goes dead every time i give it the good old spring cleaning. allways carry a backup on the gig bag just in case, the TRB hasn't got a passive mode, it's a 30 sec job replacing the battery so it's not a gig breaker issue.

If yours is eating away batteries even unplugging when not in use then it's a issue with the bass. My first guess is the jack barrel, the battery clip may be stuck inside the jack and making permanent contact thus draining the battery even unplugged. A quick test with a multimeter will alow you to see if the bass is passing current unplugged.

Cheers

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[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1426160005' post='2715015']
I would say my bass goes through one battery per year but i change it before it goes dead every time i give it the good old spring cleaning. allways carry a backup on the gig bag just in case, the TRB hasn't got a passive mode, it's a 30 sec job replacing the battery so it's not a gig breaker issue.

If yours is eating away batteries even unplugging when not in use then it's a issue with the bass. My first guess is the jack barrel, the battery clip may be stuck inside the jack and making permanent contact thus draining the battery even unplugged. A quick test with a multimeter will alow you to see if the bass is passing current unplugged.

Cheers
[/quote]
[quote name='GregBass' timestamp='1426161908' post='2715045']


Just a word of advice about Bass Direct - call and book a slot to ensure you get the attention you need. The website does suggest that, but in the small print. As a small operation, at busy times they cannot give lots of time to everyone who just drops in.
[/quote]

Thanks for the heads up, i'll get the multi meter out and have a look!

i'll give them a call!

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