Ticktock Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I've been playing a Hohner Jack headless for the past 21 yrs...ok just started playing again after a massive hiatus. I want a new bass, or rather another one. Keeping the Jack. Looking at a budget of about £1000 to £1600. ( my wallet is flinching....at least I think it's my wallet.) Not so fussed on Fender to be honest. Any recommendations on what would be suitable at this budget for a barely able to play player? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Why not speak to some of the UK Luthiers and have something adapted or to your own spec? ACG, Shuker, could be starting places? Re GAP, is that what all the students do a year of before they enter the world of (no) work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 obviously second hand will get you more 'bang for your buck' as it were...you can get some seriously nice basses for that cash... Some Of Alan's custom ACG stuff will go for around that so you could pick up a seriously lovely custom bass for that! 4, 5 or possibly 6 string... mass produced stuff, a Lakland 55-02 s/h will be about £750, 35" scale and one of the finest mass market instruments for the money older stuff, classic Tokai stuff on here at the mo, or vintage Ibanez Blazer basses (p-bass variant) for about £350 each, There is a nice Jap Fender J on here too at a decent price... You could get a few basses for that money and have a variety to play with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Can you handle the x-over from headless to headed..or do you want to..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) Getting something built for me is something I hadn't considered. I thought it be beyond my budget. Have to look in to that more thoroughly. The move from headless to headed. I can do that. I mean, I went from headed to headless. Do love headless I must admit. Oooh ! Just checked out ACG...really like the work. Possibly affordable too. I know what way I'm headed now. Thanks for that. :-) Edited July 18, 2013 by Ticktock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceonaboy Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Not fussed about Fender??? You Philestine you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Shameless as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 [quote name='Ticktock' timestamp='1374148633' post='2145783'] Getting something built for me is something I hadn't considered. I thought it be beyond my budget. Have to look in to that more thoroughly. The move from headless to headed. I can do that. I mean, I went from headed to headless. Do love headless I must admit. Oooh ! Just checked out ACG...really like the work. Possibly affordable too. I know what way I'm headed now. Thanks for that. :-) [/quote] ACG will do you a mean headless too if you're that way inclined I can't recommend ACG basses enough by the way! Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 To be honest, I wouldn't recommend a custom bass for someone in your position. You may find that your idea of your ideal bass changes quite a lot as you get back into playing. Buying a custom bass and then changing your mind about it is a great way to lose a fortune. To be honest, your budget is so good that pretty much everything in that range will be a very good instrument. Get yourself to a good shop and play as many things as you can and see what jumps out at you. Also, in the current market, if you have that kind of money to spend, there are some seriously good second hand bargains out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) You are at the start of a long journey, so start with small steps. No use paying out thousands on a custom build when you're at this stage. I'd look at a good sub £800 used bass at this point. Edited July 18, 2013 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 What is this "planning" you speak of? I bought a bass at the weekend because a) I liked it, b) I was in a good mood and c) the sun was shining ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1374166865' post='2146064'] What is this "planning" you speak of? I bought a bass at the weekend because a) I liked it, I was in a good mood and c) the sun was shining [/quote] Like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 If you like the Hohner , why not try a headless Status ? You often see them used on Basschat at very reasonable prices . They might feel fairly familiar to you , and will sound great in comparison to the Jack Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Guys, thanks for all the replies. I am at the start of a journey, I feel better about playing now than I ever did and since time passes quickly and life is perilously short I have a want for something nice to play on. I understand the logic of baby steps and " Working my way up" to a custom made instrument but I feel like I've wasted 20 years or so by not playing. I don't have all the money yet, part of the way there and quite happy to work towards getting the remainder. I generally don't impulse buy. Much thought and, yes, planning before I part with me moolah. Those ACG basses are just beautiful looking.......midlife crisis, better than a red sports car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Might I suggest a trip to bass direct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Another vote here for the custom build! You'd be surprised at what you can get for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I would personally opt for a Precision, Jazz or Stingray. Custom build at this point is probably a bit mind boggling. Plus they lose a lot of value unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Just go out to a few music shops and try a bunch of basses. It will be a fun day out and it will help you to identify the types of instruments which appeal to your own tastes. You might even find an instrument that you want to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 You could start here.... [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Second_hand_Ex_demo_Bass_Guitars.html"]http://www.bassdirec...ss_Guitars.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1374241158' post='2146797'] You could start here.... [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Second_hand_Ex_demo_Bass_Guitars.html"]http://www.bassdirec...ss_Guitars.html[/url] [/quote] It's a long way from N. Ireland. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Gonna head to a music shop as per suggestion. I do need to play some basses to get a real feel for my likes and dislikes. Gotta be early morning to avoid the drooling teenage contingent ( I was one once, I think I can remember....I was thrown out, or should that be asked to leave every music shop in Belfast in the late 80s.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 If you are buying new, just choose a store that allows you to return it (as they all no doubt will) should you buy it and not like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 [quote name='Ticktock' timestamp='1374187142' post='2146375'] Guys, thanks for all the replies. I am at the start of a journey, I feel better about playing now than I ever did and since time passes quickly and life is perilously short I have a want for something nice to play on. I understand the logic of baby steps and " Working my way up" to a custom made instrument but I feel like I've wasted 20 years or so by not playing. [/quote] My advice of "don't go custom" isn't based on working your way up to a nice instrument. If you can afford a nice instrument then you should get one and (rightly) enjoy playing it. However, if you get a custom bass without being 100% sure of the spec there is a danger that in a year or so, as you get more into playing, you'll decide it isn't really the perfect bass for you. Anything custom tends to have horrible resale value and that wouldn't be a nice position to be in. So, you should definitely get yourself a great instrument - and quite rightly so - but if I were in your position I personally would be looking at of the shelf models, and probably second hand. Anyway, with your budget there are some outrageously good deals just now. Enjoy the journey :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticktock Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Frank, Bassdirect is not at all "just down the road". Unfortunately. Shopping choice here not so great for my projected budget. Though ok for about half that. Dawson's have a branch or two here and I'll probably head there in a couple weeks when the schools are back, get the shop all to myself etc. Uncle Psychosis- indeed, comments here and a couple days reflection lead me to consider much testing of likes and dislikes and maybe make a purchase if I play something and don't want to put it down. Time will tell. Ordering a custom and not being happy down the line with it doesn't bear thinking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borisbrain Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 MusicMan Bongo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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