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First Bass and need advice


synthetic
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Hi, new to the site and although I make music (synth based) am about to purchase my first bass guitar. Have been looking at various makes and models but as I don't already play it's hard to know what may be weak or strong points of them.

Don't want to spend much at the moment so have been looking at the entry level Aria STB-JB deluxe, STB-PB and also some of the Squier Fender Precision and Affinity basses. From what I understand some of these have different pickups for a different tone? Jazz being at the back end lower/smoother and higher up midrange? Noob so could be way off the mark haha

I'll give some examples of the type of tone I want to be aiming for.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdKCSKsaTU4"]Bass example 1[/url]
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62GnslYanxk&feature=fvst"]Bass example 2[/url]
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cStgzpX4xBY&feature=related"]Example 3 Slap style[/url]

I guess I need something that can give smoother tones as well as p funk type bite bass when pushed, if that's at all possible.

Thanks in advance if anyone can offer some advice

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You have expensive taste. :)

Bass example 1 sounds like a muffled Musicman Stingray
Bass example 2 has never seen a real bass, it's a synth
Bass example 3 Warwick custom shop streamer

Those two basses are way above your budget. Probably the cheapest way to get the Stingray sound is to get something like [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=82701&hl=sterling"]this[/url].

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I always suggest a Jazz to first timers, great variety of tone and if you don't get on with it they are easy to move on.

Look at the Squier stuff, if you can afford something better that an Affinity do, maybe a Vintage modified, Classic Vibe or a Standard. Look to go second hand you will get much more for your money.

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[quote name='Ou7shined' post='941378' date='Aug 31 2010, 08:48 PM']You have expensive taste. :)

Bass example 1 sounds like a muffled Musicman Stingray
Bass example 2 has never seen a real bass, it's a synth
Bass example 3 Warwick custom shop streamer

Those two basses are way above your budget. Probably the cheapest way to get the Stingray sound is to get something like [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=82701&hl=sterling"]this[/url].[/quote]

Haha Oh dear really? So the Squier would be no good. Actually you're right about example 2 I think there's just sample cuts of a live bass thrown in here and there over the synth bass. Bad example

How do the Yamaha RBX270 fair?

I'll take a look at the link, thanks.

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[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='941385' date='Aug 31 2010, 08:54 PM']I always suggest a Jazz to first timers, great variety of tone and if you don't get on with it they are easy to move on.

Look at the Squier stuff, if you can afford something better that an Affinity do, maybe a Vintage modified, Classic Vibe or a Standard. Look to go second hand you will get much more for your money.[/quote]

Yeah It's tricky on 2nd hand market with not much knowledge on basses if there is something not sounding as it should for the particular model/make. Hard to believe my father is a well known bassist although we haven't spoken in 20 years. Sucks right now haha

Are Jazz basses easier to get to grips with? I think the variety is the key for me, some slap bite and also smooth tone. That's dictated from the pickups and controls?

Edited by synthetic
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[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='941388' date='Aug 31 2010, 08:57 PM']This would be good if it's still around

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=89133&hl=squier+jazz"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...;hl=squier+jazz[/url][/quote]

Thanks although would be too far distance wise. Price would be about budget though around £200. I'll see if I can find an audio demo :)

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[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='941385' date='Aug 31 2010, 08:54 PM']I always suggest a Jazz to first timers, great variety of tone and if you don't get on with it they are easy to move on.

Look at the Squier stuff, if you can afford something better that an Affinity do, maybe a Vintage modified, Classic Vibe or a Standard. Look to go second hand you will get much more for your money.[/quote]
But Jazzes don't have that pinched sound he's indicated. You want a humbucker not single coils. Good point about re-sell though.

You mentioned Aria before. Perhaps one of [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-STB-GT4-Bass-/120573252876?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]these[/url] might be more appropriate.

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[quote name='synthetic' post='941414' date='Aug 31 2010, 09:13 PM']Ou7shined, looks like it's been sold. What a nice looking guitar as well[/quote]
Yeah I know I was just pointing you in the right direction on the second hand market and letting you see what the Ray34 looks like too.

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[quote name='Ou7shined' post='941420' date='Aug 31 2010, 09:20 PM']But Jazzes don't have that pinched sound he's indicated. You want a humbucker not single coils. Good point about re-sell though.

You mentioned Aria before. Perhaps one of [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aria-STB-GT4-Bass-/120573252876?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]these[/url] might be more appropriate.[/quote]


Fair point mate, personally I think tone is only really a problem when you can actually play.

I have a Stingray copy I'd get rid of but it's not great quality.

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I have a fender squire P Bass id sell to you , but i have no idea of its history. I do own it myself and it plays fine for me, i just prefer more frets and growl. Id describe it as.. Road worn. occasional bumps n such. Oh, and its the sunburst :rolleyes:

Although in the area of humbuckers, a good starter bass is the Hamer sunburst (Sunburst Flattop Bass (SFB)) here's a link.
[url="http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=909"]http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=909[/url]

Looks alot better than that pic too.. think deep purple, but no smoke :) aside from that, just go to a music shop and try everything within your price range n see what they recommend

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Thanks for all the replies and great suggestions. Will make sure to look into all of these.

I had a quick look at the Warwick as have seen a few vids on youtube and the tone of them sounded ballpark to my ears. Can only see left handed ones listed on Thomann but will search around other sites. The Ibanez I had heard seemed more of a rocky vibe, would that be correct to think that?

The J/P, is that Jazz and Precision? So a hybrid to mix between for tone? I'm trying haha

Thanks again

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[quote name='synthetic' post='941923' date='Sep 1 2010, 12:19 PM']Thanks for all the replies and great suggestions. Will make sure to look into all of these.

I had a quick look at the Warwick as have seen a few vids on youtube and the tone of them sounded ballpark to my ears. Can only see left handed ones listed on Thomann but will search around other sites. The Ibanez I had heard seemed more of a rocky vibe, would that be correct to think that?

The J/P, is that Jazz and Precision? So a hybrid to mix between for tone? I'm trying haha

Thanks again[/quote]

Yeh a P/J is a pickup configuration which has 1 Jazz pickup at the bridge and 1 Precision pickup at the neck.
I didn't realise those Fortress basses were only cheap lefty!

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rockbass_corvette_basic_4_ebass_rshp.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rockbass_..._ebass_rshp.htm[/url]

Thats a good bass, active JJ pickups and electronics plus the closest you will get the Warwick sound you like in your price range.
I have a Corvette Premium RockBass (basically the same bass but with a flamed maple veneer top) and it's great. Strong sound and really versitile.

This is going on BC as well

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=97710&hl=Rockbass"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...amp;hl=Rockbass[/url]

The Fortresses are great basses, personally I prefer the P/J config and that is a silly price.

Edited by throwoff
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[quote name='synthetic' post='941923' date='Sep 1 2010, 12:19 PM']Thanks for all the replies and great suggestions. Will make sure to look into all of these.

I had a quick look at the Warwick as have seen a few vids on youtube and the tone of them sounded ballpark to my ears. Can only see left handed ones listed on Thomann but will search around other sites. The Ibanez I had heard seemed more of a rocky vibe, would that be correct to think that?

The J/P, is that Jazz and Precision? So a hybrid to mix between for tone? I'm trying haha

Thanks again[/quote]
[b]if you're interested i've got a Warwick Corvette 5 string (Rock bass - they're made in Japan rather than Germany) in black which needs a new home...[/b] :)

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Those three examples to me imply a taste for bridge humbuckers. Something based after a stingray or with 2 stingray style pickups.

Change your Yamaha search from an RBX 270 to an RBX 375 and you may get closer to that fat analog sound I'm hearing in your clips. Look for the fat double humbuckers, many manufactures have a few models like this.

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Hi, guys sorry I meant to reply again. I'm picking up a Warwick Fortress that someone on here guided me towards. Thanks again for taking the time with your replies as it's been very helpful.

Hillbilly deluxe, Yeah if it's anything like my synths and studio gear buying I'm in trouble haha

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