KASH Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Right, I fancy getting a (cheap) active bass. I usually play a Jazz, so I would like something quite different. I must admit I'm quite lost with so much stuff to choose from so any help much appreciated. [b]Style of playing:[/b] mostly fingerstyle but some songs with pick. No slap/pop stuff. [b]Genre:[/b] heavy rock/metal. [b]Budget:[/b] max £250 - second hand [b]Criteria:[/b] Active, 4 strings, must have a deep thunderous bottom end, and ideally have different/distinctive looks. [b]More visually appealing options:[/b] Schecter Stilleto (or another model? - the Chaos seems a bit 'too normal') Traben - some are a bit cheesy but some youtube clips sound good & looks different Kramer Disciple - specs look great on paper and looks cool Dean (Edge model, but which one?) [b]More visually boring options imo:[/b] Ibanez GSR200 (yes, really - at least the youtube clips sound pretty good!..though it might feel really cheap) or SR300 Yamaha RBX374 SBMM SUB Ray4 - not crazy about typical stingray tone tbh, but heard some good stuff lately played with a stingray, so might as well give it a chance. [b]Not very familiar with these, but seem to fit the criteria:[/b] ESP LTD (no idea which model!?) Cort (Artisan or Action?) Warwick Rockbass (Streamer or Corvette?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 A Rockbass Corvette has so much bottom end you'll blow doors off. Although what you really want is a P bass, you know you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Is there a Yamaha BB with that spec in your price range? They're great things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASH Posted March 15, 2013 Author Share Posted March 15, 2013 [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1363372026' post='2012056'] A Rockbass Corvette has so much bottom end you'll blow doors off. Although what you really want is a P bass, you know you do [/quote] it's on my list actually ...just parted with one. but fancy trying something different for now...the P can wait [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1363373097' post='2012085'] Is there a Yamaha BB with that spec in your price range? They're great things. [/quote] .i know the BB414 at least is not active i don't think. and are ugly as f**k imo...and huuuuuuge., but to the PJ thing pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 SR300 or RBX374. Both really good basses. Crap re sale value though but if that`s not an issue, dinky doo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 (edited) Distinctive looks, thunderous bottom end, actives, gotta be an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_thunderbird_proiv_vsb.htm?gclid=CNLW6fbI_7UCFcrHtAodn3cAzg"]http://www.thomann.d...CFcrHtAodn3cAzg[/url] Edited March 15, 2013 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Westone Thunder I or IIA would be my choice. Huge bottom end. Epi Thunderbird Pro probably looks cooler and are nice. More money, but I play in a heavy rock band and my gigging bass is a SBMM SB-14. Nice thinner neck than a Ray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilievans Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 (edited) Go for the rockbass corvette. I have one and it's a beast. The first fret does feel like a mile away though Edited March 16, 2013 by chilievans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1363379664' post='2012211'] Distinctive looks, thunderous bottom end, actives, gotta be an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_thunderbird_proiv_vsb.htm?gclid=CNLW6fbI_7UCFcrHtAodn3cAzg"]http://www.thomann.d...CFcrHtAodn3cAzg[/url] [/quote] I should have recomended that Lozz as I have one sitting in my lap at the moment Great price for that bass as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 How about the RockBass Vampyre? Seems to tick all the boxes from where I stand. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgbass Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 If you don't have a short scale bass, .................... Give one a try. Gibson or Epiphone. (SG, EB0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilievans Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 There are a ton of basses in this price range on gumtree mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASH Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 had a TBird before, though a normal one, the Pro looks sexy, but not really what i had in mind. the vampyre is a bit out of my budget i'm afraid the SG is not really an option I know there are always loads of options available on gt and ebay, hence this thread...i've always been a passive fender basses type of guy so i wanted to experiment with other stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 I have schecter stiletto 5sring. Very metal.awesome bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Then I'd say get the RockBass Corvette, and do indeed get the active version in your case. As said before: it's a beast - not too far removed from even the Bongo, the beasts' beast. At the price, even new, I feel it's a steal. The only drawback I can find is that the body wood is relatively soft and thus more easily dented than the expensive ones. It gave me a kick that straight out of the box it was almost perfectly tuned and well set up.. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASH Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1363427092' post='2012525'] I have schecter stiletto 5sring. Very metal.awesome bass [/quote] yeah, that's one in the top of my list, but 4 string version. which stiletto precisely? how does it play, etc? [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1363445490' post='2012833'] Then I'd say get the RockBass Corvette, and do indeed get the active version in your case. As said before: it's a beast - not too far removed from even the Bongo, the beasts' beast. At the price, even new, I feel it's a steal. The only drawback I can find is that the body wood is relatively soft and thus more easily dented than the expensive ones. It gave me a kick that straight out of the box it was almost perfectly tuned and well set up.. best, bert [/quote] that one's on the table as well, though i'm more inclined to get something cooler visually.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Only you have the answer to this question as everyone else here will simply offer you advice you based upon their personal bias. You need to get hands on with as many of the instruments you have listed and take it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Trabens are monsters! I own a John Moyer 4 String Signature and it is an absolute beast! It has more bass than you'll ever need! It's insane however for me personally it doesn't cut through the mix clearly enough and the neck is very tiresome on the hands. Ultimately it's your choice, Traben's are very good basses and will suit what you are playing as will all of the basses you've mentioned, best thing to do is go and play them all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 i would recommend the ibanez roadster rd500 ive got one you get the stingray tone with the bonus of a neck pickup which is very powerful plus it has coil tap for all sorts of options and the output is very hefty it says ibanez duncan pickups on mine and they are really punchy i owned a usa musicman sub and i prefer this bass one for sale here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/189978-fsft-ibanez-rd500-for-5-string/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/189978-fsft-ibanez-rd500-for-5-string/page__fromsearch__1[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 i own a thunderbird pro i bought mine secondhand and it had pickup noise issues i bought some seymour duncan ssb and had to do some dremel work to fit them kept the original active circuit wired it all up last week sounded awesome ordered some pickup rings in black aluminium to finish it off set it all up yesterday awesome action plays great today its just stopped working hardly any output i think mine is cursed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Another for a Yamaha BB - an active one, obviously !! Speaking as somebody with nothing but active basses - I'm not sure it makes a great deal of difference. Unless you desperately want some fancy-pants EQ on your bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbrag Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 There's been a few yamaha bb1100s in the for sale section for about that price. I've had mine years and they are bargins now. Really versatile active / passive switch nice neck and a really broad range of tones. Not the most flamboyant looking though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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