The classic all-round bass guitar?

[Looper]

My vote goes on a jazz bass, fender or copy. Would think though that versatility is mostly down to the player.

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1357116235' post='1917548']
IMO Fenders are a bit like ford escorts, they sure ain't pretty!
A lot of the design looks fine, but some bits are just "why!". Like that top horn. Though they do sound good enough, there's basses with better sounds (again IMO).
I would say an Ibanez SR would cover the majority of sounds, but I wouldn't say it's a classic bass.
[/quote]

They are a bit like ford escorts in that they are ancient and everyone still loves the look and sound (well, not everybody).

I can't see why people would hate on fenders. It seems to be usually because they are tired of the designs (understandable). But, like an old escort (my dad is literally a MK1/2 Escort guru), they have a big following for a good reason. Personally, i love an escort and a decent fender. Can't imagine what it would be like to hate them. Peugeots on the other hand....

[Kiwi]

I can't hear a jazz bass on stage very well with both pickups on. For any track that has a non-specific bass low in the mix, a Precision with flatwounds does a pretty damn fine job. But a jazz with flats and just the neck pickup would be good enough.

For covers that have specific sounds, its a little more challenging. My Spector NS5 has been customised with coil splits to cover most situations and it does a pretty good job in a covers band.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Kiwi
clarifications

[SpaceChick]

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1357078707' post='1917333']
Anything... it's only a bass. Only bass players care about what a bass sounds like. It's all about moving air about
[/quote]

I know you said it tongue in cheek, but ironically you make a good point! Most punters woulnd't be able to tell the difference between a Jazz, a P bass or the uniqueness of a Ricky!

Now, for my opinion, wouldn't be without my Ibanez's... great all rounders at a reasonable price... that coupled with my Boss GT10B and I can get virtually any sound I want.

[dmccombe7]

I'd go for my Jazz.
Not sure why the arguement about Jazz not standing out in the mix with both pups on full.
Simply adjust the vol pots to accomodate what you want and need - easy.

Love the look and sound of the Stingray but always felt the necks a bit too wide more like a precision so couldn't realy get used to them. Is that true about all Stingrays or have i played a bad one back when they first appeared. ? Would def consider one as an all rounder if necks had a slimmer feel.

General conscensus of opinion on thread so far seems to be the Jazz. Can't all be wrong i guess.

Dave

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357102973' post='1917501']
Some people have said a P bass. surly it can't achieve that many different tones with one pickup and tone control? I mean, that is what we are talking about, isn't it? how many variants a bass can pull off well? well, the P does have a distinct tone that anybody could spot a mile off, and you could play anything on it (like any other bass) but i don't think you could call it an all-rounder.
[/quote]

The title of the thread covers a couple of different areas .....

- 'Classic' meaning iconic and has stood the test of time
- 'all rounder' meaning really versatile. This can be achieved by being able to create a variety of tones to suit whatever genre (J) or to have a limited range of tones which will fit in any genre (P)

IMO, suggestions like an ACG six string can't satisfy the first of these criteria (although who knows, it could be a future classic), and a Stingray can't satisfy the second.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Roland Rock

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1357118067' post='1917568']
I'd go for my Jazz.
Not sure why the arguement about Jazz not standing out in the mix with both pups on full.
Simply adjust the vol pots to accomodate what you want and need - easy.

Love the look and sound of the Stingray but always felt the necks a bit too wide more like a precision so couldn't realy get used to them. Is that true about all Stingrays or have i played a bad one back when they first appeared. ? Would def consider one as an all rounder if necks had a slimmer feel.

General conscensus of opinion on thread so far seems to be the Jazz. Can't all be wrong i guess.

Dave
[/quote]

I think (and i'm nowhere near an expert in this, so feel free to correct me) that all the rays have more precision style necks. I have been told before though that the sterling necks are slightly slimmer (again, no expert).

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1357118250' post='1917571']
The title of the thread can mean different things...

- 'Classic' meaning iconic and has stood the test of time
- 'all rounder' meaning really versatile. This can be achieved by being able to create a variety of tones to suit whatever genre (J) or to have a limited range of tones which will fit in any genre (P)

IMO, suggestions like an ACG six string can't satisfy the first of these criteria, and a Stingray can't satisfy the second.
[/quote]

Yeah, i get the meaning of the thread, but I honestly can't see why anybody would say that a P suits the sound of every song whereas a Ray doesn't. They are both incredibly distinct sounding basses that any of us could spot a mile off. They are both incredibly similar in terms of what they offer, so how can you honestly say that one is more of an all rounder than the other? I think people are just more used with hearing a P being used to play everything, so they think that it suits everything song better than a similar bass with the same abilities and qualities (like a ray).

The general consensus seems to be a Jazz, and i see why, it can do ray-ish or p-ish if you want, or any combination of the both.

[Norris]

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1357117243' post='1917562']
I know you said it tongue in cheek, but ironically you make a good point! Most punters woulnd't be able to tell the difference between a Jazz, a P bass or the uniqueness of a Ricky![/quote]
I've been playing my Squier PJ quite a bit recently. It's got such a great tonal range that covers most sounds that my Jazz or Thunderbird can produce, plus a lot more that they can't do. I like to change the tone around quite a bit, but whenever I ask any of the audience (including other musos) if they noticed a difference, they very rarely do. They all agree it's a great sound, but to be honest it's not the primary aural focus in the trio - which is the guitarist (who is a genuinely great bloke & musician so will not get the 'guitard' moniker) - so they just don't notice the bass! Unless it's a song where the bass is the main focus or a major definitive 'hook' sound, it really only makes a difference to you (and possibly any other bass players in the audience). That of course will have a big difference on your own performance overall - if your bass is sounding great to you, you'll be more likely to bop around and have a good time, which helps to elevate the whole performance.

That's why I'm playing a bass that cost me £150 and the expensive ones stay at home

[hamfist]

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1357117083' post='1917560']
I can't hear a jazz bass on stage very well with both pickups on.
[/quote]

That is why experienced Jazz players rarely use them like that. There are a load of other settings which work beautifully.
Just like you wouldn't use your amp with the bass on full and mids and treble on zero, you wouldn't use a bass on a setting which doesn't work either.

Actually, in honesty, I was very, very slow catching on too. It took me several ownings of J basses and many others to realise this fundamental fact about J's. I am now a confirmed J bass user but NEVER use that "both pickups full on" tone.

Oh, and going back to the P bass suggestion, to me a J can get 90% of a P bass tone as well as the other J tones, but a P can only do ...... a P.

I suspect you're all getting the point that my vote is for a J bass.

[Kiwi]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1357119756' post='1917590']
That is why experienced Jazz players rarely use them like that. There are a load of other settings which work beautifully.
Just like you wouldn't use your amp with the bass on full and mids and treble on zero, you wouldn't use a bass on a setting which doesn't work either.

Actually, in honesty, I was very, very slow catching on too. It took me several ownings of J basses and many others to realise this fundamental fact about J's. I am now a confirmed J bass user but NEVER use that "both pickups full on" tone.

Oh, and going back to the P bass suggestion, to me a J can get 90% of a P bass tone as well as the other J tones, but a P can only do ...... a P.

I suspect you're all getting the point that my vote is for a J bass.
[/quote]

I have a Celinder Jazz bass. Both pickups on full is the classic jazz bass sound that is heard on countless records. If someone isn't going for that then I don't see the point of staying with a jazz bass. Many other instruments out there are more versatile and look nicer. The Fender Roscoe Beck signature for example is definitely more versatile. Those coil split humbuckers really come into their own.

But if someone is playing mostly fingerstyle and doesn't need lots of attack, then p-bass with flats for sure.

[xgsjx]

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357116735' post='1917556']
They are a bit like ford escorts in that they are ancient and everyone still loves the look and sound (well, not everybody).

I can't see why people would hate on fenders. It seems to be usually because they are tired of the designs (understandable). But, like an old escort (my dad is literally a MK1/2 Escort guru), they have a big following for a good reason. Personally, i love an escort and a decent fender. Can't imagine what it would be like to hate them. Peugeots on the other hand....
[/quote]

I don't hate Fenders, I'm just not too keen on the body design. Same with Ford Escorts, good value cars, but they're not aesthetically pleasing to me.

[MiltyG565]

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1357121852' post='1917609']
I don't hate Fenders, I'm just not too keen on the body design. Same with Ford Escorts, good value cars, but they're not aesthetically pleasing to me.
[/quote]

The mark 2's aren't good value. Up until recently, boys were still paying 2 grand for a decent shell! (bare, no running gear at all!).

There's no accounting for taste, as they say, but i don't find either item particularly displeasing.

[Leon Transaxle]

I agree with Molan [b]and [/b]Silddx ...

... one of these

Edited January 2, 2013 by Leon Transaxle

[White Cloud]

Every bass is merely a variation on a theme.

Its subjective really - the P & J basses cropping up all the time in this thread is totally understandable...but after some consideration I think the Stingray 5 is the bass that ticks all the boxes.

This bass can be used in virtually every musical circumstance with great success.

[Dr.Dave]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1357099656' post='1917497']
Dave is right on the money with all of these points as far as I am concerned . I would be interested to know why you wouldn't want a Jazz yourself though Dave .
[/quote]

When I was young - shortly after the last dinosaur died out - there were 3 basses in the world plus a load of cheap , unsuable sh*te. The 3 were a Precision , a Jazz or a Ric. I expect whichever one I'd bought and learned on would have ended up being my bass of choice forever more and it was the Precision because the opportunity to buy a Precision came up first. I can't get on with a Jazz not because of the thinner neck - as many Precision players would tell you - but because of the off set body design. It puts the bass in the wrong place for me , esp when sitting.

[Jimryan]

So, classic design (albeit slightly altered), and a great all rounder?

I know you guys are sick of seeing it now, but...
[IMG]http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii527/jimryan88/image-10_zps8d45900f.jpg[/IMG]

P bass looks, P sound, MM sound, a jazz sound is achievable, as is a fretless sound too now.

[thunderider]

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1357121852' post='1917609']
I don't hate Fenders, I'm just not too keen on the body design. Same with Ford Escorts, good value cars, but they're not aesthetically pleasing to me.
[/quote] same here thet shape dont appeal to me,i like odd shape guitars or rics....fenders are to generic!!

[BigRedX]

The thing with Fenders is that they do exactly what they were designed to do in the 50s - be a cost effective way of making an electric instrument to take on the role of the double bass, that was simple to build using people who weren't necessarily trained luthiers using the construction techniques of the time that allowed them to be cheaper than products from competing manufacturers.

However in the last 50 years construction techniques, playing styles and music have all moved on. The Fender bass hasn't really. There's far more interesting instruments that do the same job (in many cases better) that don't have the compromises of the Fender designs but can still be built to a competitive prices.

In the end though, it's as Dr.Dave says, it all boils down to what you are used to and most likely what you learnt to play on that shapes your tastes in instruments.

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357118659' post='1917579']


Yeah, i get the meaning of the thread, but I honestly can't see why anybody would say that a P suits the sound of every song whereas a Ray doesn't. They are both incredibly distinct sounding basses that any of us could spot a mile off. They are both incredibly similar in terms of what they offer, so how can you honestly say that one is more of an all rounder than the other? I think people are just more used with hearing a P being used to play everything, so they think that it suits everything song better than a similar bass with the same abilities and qualities (like a ray).

[/quote]

You had said that you don't see how a bass with one pickup and one tone control could be an all rounder, I was pointing out that it can, if the tones that it produces still sit really well in the majority of genres.

You think that the Ray sound is as versatile as a P, and that's fair enough - I disagree. I had a ray for a few years (mid 80s 2EQ) and couldn't get on with its tone when playing many different genres. It was great for some though. I traded it in for a P and have had no such issues. As I say though, it's subjective.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Roland Rock

[Conan]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1357119756' post='1917590']I am now a confirmed J bass user but NEVER use that "both pickups full on" tone.

Oh, and going back to the P bass suggestion, to me a J can get 90% of a P bass tone as well as the other J tones, but a P can only do ...... a P.[/quote]

Totally agree!! Apart from the bit about both pickups on full. I do agree that it is a tone that is [i]limited[/i] in it's use, but that depends a lot on the situation. In a loud rock band it gets lost very easily. My current band has two guitars, but somehow they still leave quite a wide space for me to occupy. Yes, I know I'm lucky! I find that the both-pickups-full-on sound [i]does[/i] actually work in this particular band - but I also find that it gets tiring to listen to quite quickly. Great for an effect though. I tend to use the neck pickup by itself most of the time, and quite often played with a pick. To my ears it sounds pretty like a P bass!

When I play P basses I miss the tones that I can get from a J. When I play a J I never miss the P sound.

All that said - IMO the best genuine "all-rounder" that I have ever played is my Status series II!! It really does the lot, and no (before anyone says) it [i]doesn't[/i] sound clinical and sterile!! In fact when I use it with this band they politely ask me to go back to the Jazz as the Status sounds to "growly and aggressive"!!

[mcgraham]

After a day or so to think it over further, I echo all the Stingray comments.

While I've played more J and P basses than Stingray basses, my main bass for the last 4-5 years is a fretless 5 string with a single humbucker ala Stingray style. It's not a J or a P, but I've found it captures everything I love above J and P basses (tonally and functionally), avoids the stuff I don't like, works for everything I've needed to play in since I got it, AND brings something all its own as well.

Definitely Stingray for me.

[Rayman]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/russjm/2011-10-17095523_zpsafebb29a.jpg[/IMG]

[JTUK]

If you had a groove gig and just wanted to sit in there all night, then look no further than a P-bass.
Possibly, you'd beef it up a little by adding a J pickup at the bridge and that would do most gigs.
It would certainly cover things that a Jazz couldn't as nothing sits like a P-Bass...
I think their forte is live stage work with a proper mix.
As soon as you need the solo element, the J comes to the fore and the P-Bass loses ground.

MM has such a distinct sound it can't be universal and classic...altho it does have its own version of classic.

Everything else is a variation with a twist...IMO.
Smith, Alembic etc etc..

They can all do a handful of gigs but it pretty much comes back to Fender or people's upgrades on Fenders.
And then you'll get some people telling you want you are going to HAVE to play to get the gig.

Recently had someone do that... basically came from the P-bass and Valve camp to the exclusion of all else.
Never got to hear him play bass tho....the gtr work was funny tho... I put it down to the drink on the day.

[thisnameistaken]

I think the most versatile bass I've used is the G&L L2000. And it doesn't really have any downright useless sounds in there either, so it manages to be versatile and easy to use at the same time, quite a nifty feat.

I wish they weren't so plain looking though.