paulbass Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Hi i'm growing an interest in fender basses.I always considered them an old mans guitar when i was younger( how naive was i!) and over the last couple of years after watching various bands and clips on youtube i'm growing a strong interest in buying one.The question is which one? whats the pros and cons with them? I play to a funky/rock style and a bit of slap.Whats your advice? Cheers! =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Go to shops - try 'em out - then buy what suits you & don't forget the basschat marketplace What's your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbass Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 I do have a budget of £1000. I'm willing to go a bit more for the right one.I have tried several fenders but where i live there isnt much choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) [quote name='paulbass' timestamp='1319879969' post='1419540'] I play to a funky/rock style and a bit of slap.Whats your advice? [/quote] Probably a Jazz Bass... No, wait! A Precision Bass. Like John says, try 'em out, then decide. If I had £1000 right now I'd buy a Fiesta Red Roadworn Jazz Bass: [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/fender-road-worn-60s-jazz-bass-fiesta-red--61381"]http://www.dv247.com...esta-red--61381[/url] Mark Edit: Another excuse to post Bobby Vega! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_kvjO7xsc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_kvjO7xsc[/url] Edited October 29, 2011 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 As KiOgon states, best thing to do is play some, and then look on here for one of those in the For Sale section. You`ll save a good deal of money - probably some £300 - £400. Sometimes, the best sounding bass isn`t necessarily the right bass for you. I love the sound of Jazzes on their own, but just can`t get on with them, either playing-wise, or, how they sound in the mix - for the type of music I play, I must add. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 If you have a grand I recommend a new American Standard Jazz Bass, it's got the funk built in! Here's a couple of vides showcasing this bass [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8xozvFWEqg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8xozvFWEqg[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlgiEzf-eqU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlgiEzf-eqU[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) and a 5 string version Precision reviewed by Ed Friedland [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THITANX322E[/media] Edited October 29, 2011 by Grand Wazoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 going to the shop to try them out is a waste of time IMHO, as soon as you play in a band situation everything changes, it's how a bass sits in the mix that counts, if you play in a band with just one guitar I'd go for a P, it's got a fat tone and fills the sound out better, but plenty of people will disagree I imagine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 [quote name='paulbass' timestamp='1319879969' post='1419540'] I play to a funky/rock style and a bit of slap.[b][i]What's your advice?[/i][/b]Cheers! =) [/quote] Stop slapping & let the funk flow from your fingers try a Pino Palladino if you can find one, not that they're in your budget range - but if you like the P with flats thing - you're on the right road you can get the P-bass you fancy, fit a good set of flats, then get down & boogie, play that funky music 'til you die (not wishing any untimely mishaps - just saying like) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1319884741' post='1419640']going to the shop to try them out is a waste of time IMHO, as soon as you play in a band situation everything changes, it's how a bass sits in the mix that counts, if you play in a band with just one guitar I'd go for a P, it's got a fat tone and fills the sound out better, but plenty of people will disagree I imagine[/quote] Trying them out in a shop is really important if you ask me.How else will you know how a particular bass feels? I pretty much know what I'm going to get tonally with any Fender,but they all feel different to me. Go try out loads-it doesn't matter if it's US,Mexican,Japanese,Chinese or Squier,try them all and go for the one that you like the most. Don't discount the secondhand Market either. I generally favour Jazz Basses over Precisions-although I own 3 of each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Trying one in the shop is surely better than buying one blind? I love everything about P-Basses but can't get on 'regular' P-Basses (see below for the ones I do have) I have tried because a/ they are too heavy and b/ I prefer skinny necks. Unless you try them you can't possibly know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 find a good shop with a good selection of both fender and squier and compare the two unless money is not significant factor in your final choice, id wager a tenner i can guess which one you will end up buying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1319890499' post='1419746'] Trying them out in a shop is really important if you ask me.How else will you know how a particular bass feels? I pretty much know what I'm going to get tonally with any Fender,but they all feel different to me. Go try out loads-it doesn't matter if it's US,Mexican,Japanese,Chinese or Squier,try them all and go for the one that you like the most. Don't discount the secondhand Market either. I generally favour Jazz Basses over Precisions-although I own 3 of each. [/quote] fair enough, there is the feel, I've never had trouble getting on with any basses I've owned, J or P necks but I've got quite big hands, it's always been the sound that matters to me, which I think you can't tell about till you've lived with it for a while and had a few band practices, so buying second hand is a good idea, if you don't like it chances are you'll get most or even more of your money back. Being cack handed I suppose I've been forced down that route, finding shops with any selection of lefties is practcally impossible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Size of hands is neither here nor there - someone recently posted a picture of one of the smaller female bassists sporting a 6 stringer. It is what feels comfortable to the individual. Comfort is my #1 priority, tone can be changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Plenty of horror stories here about buying blind particuarly the cheaper basses and I agree with them often feeling very different across same models....which would make not playing it before purchase a ridiculous idea, IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 like I said, plenty of people will disagree, all I know is I've bought basses that I thought were fine at first but later decided they weren't for me, and I've never been comfortable trying out basses in shops, always found it intimidating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 I own two Jazz basses. Both Squirer with silly Fender decals applied (not by me!). One's fretted and the other fretless. I bought them off BC members. Both are brilliant and play well. As second hand instruments they have had better pickups etc added so good value I love the feel of a Jazz neck. If you are unsure, get a cheaper one and live with it for a while. Then you can lash out on a uber cool American one. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbass Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Thank you for all your help and advice guys!.....and youtube clips! I guess the answer is for me to try as many as possible and go for it! I didnt realise that there were so many different types of fender.I do like the big fat sound some of them make.I'm a massive fan of pino palladino he is awesome(although fretless is another instrument altogether!)I do like Paul Turner out of jamiroquai,the sound he has is perfect.When i get one i will post on here what i decide to get. Cheers Guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbass Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1319881044' post='1419550'] Probably a Jazz Bass... No, wait! A Precision Bass. Like John says, try 'em out, then decide. If I had £1000 right now I'd buy a Fiesta Red Roadworn Jazz Bass: [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/fender-road-worn-60s-jazz-bass-fiesta-red--61381"]http://www.dv247.com...esta-red--61381[/url] Mark Edit: Another excuse to post Bobby Vega! Nice bass! does it come with his fingers! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_kvjO7xsc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_kvjO7xsc[/url][/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbass Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1319884361' post='1419631']and a 5 string version Precision reviewed by Ed Friedland [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THITANX322E[/media][/quote] i have tried a 5 string and i cant get on with them after using a 4 stringer for so long.....sounds great though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbass Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1319884264' post='1419625']If you have a grand I recommend a new American Standard Jazz Bass, it's got the funk built in! Here's a couple of vides showcasing this bass [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8xozvFWEqg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8xozvFWEqg[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlgiEzf-eqU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlgiEzf-eqU[/url][/quote] i'm liking the sound on the sunburst jazz bass.....i'm liking it a lot!! thanks for uploading this clip for me Grand Wazoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 [quote name='paulbass' timestamp='1320359326' post='1425966'] i'm liking the sound on the sunburst jazz bass.....i'm liking it a lot!! thanks for uploading this clip for me Grand Wazoo! [/quote] Trust me I've got the very same one and it's the b0ll0x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Fender have a lot of variations of a couple of great models within a range of prices. I recall playing a killer Squire VM with a USA pick up in it and that bass sounded better than the USA bass the pick up came out of. The combination of body wood and pick ups does make a difference and you wont know until you try one out. I currently play a Mike Dirnt which I bough unseen but knew it had extensive work done to the neck (£100+) before I got it and it feels and sounds immense - meaty neck, custom shop pick up which actually takes the tones from Punk to Country with some help from the tone pot! It has classic looks and built like a tank. Plus you wouldn't know its a 'signature' bass which is the best bit The beauty of Fenders is there are so many out there on BC, ebay etc etc you can whack in replacement pick ups higher quality pot's and jacks, different cap's. Find one you like the feel of and then modify it to find your sound if it's not there already. I'm sure some local BC'ers would be happy for you to have a go on their Fender to let you have an idea of feel and sound. If you were local to me you'd be more than welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnut62 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 or you could try a G&L, maybe an L2000 or an Asat. Leo himself reckoned they were the best instruments he ever made and they do cover a lot of the same sonic territory, plus a whole lot more. They are also very consistent in terms of build quality and feel to play. an Asat is close to a Jazz neck and an L2000 is close to a Precision neck Also you could get a used USA model for around £600-700; which is a bargain for an instrument that is probably better quality than any Fender you could buy today for just about any money. sorry guys, this probably didn't help, did it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 The Japanese Fenders are nearly always exceptional if you get a chance to come across one. Personally if I was playing funk I'd lean towards a Jazz purely because they cut through a little more but there are plenty of examples of people doing that on P-basses. I'm a life long Fender player and currently play a Jazz although I'm probably more associated with Precisions. I'd also echo the comments about trying stuff out live rather than buying online. With your budget I'd also be looking at a day trip somewhere so you can try a few. [quote name='paulbass' timestamp='1319879969' post='1419540'] Hi i'm growing an interest in fender basses.I always considered them an old mans guitar when i was younger [/quote] Just a thought but is it possible that you've just become an old man!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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