kyuuga Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 (edited) Hey folks. I’m looking to purchase a bass and I’d like to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Here’s what I’m looking for: Tone-wise: A strong, defined low-end. Definitely not too muddy but not completely lacking in the lows. A good low mid presence with no overbearing “mud” A powerful midrange. I love having a full tone and I generally dislike scooped basses. The midrange should be solid but in the right frequencies, not really looking for that high-mid sizzle. Clear top end. Not too harsh & bright but clear enough to be heard in a mix. Playability: I prefer thicker necks. Something like a Precision & Stingray neck with a wider witdth at the nut. A good balanced body with no neck dive. 4-string and no more than 21 frets... Here’s what I DISLIKE: Harsh top end with super present high-mids/treble. I like having my action low and I don’t mind a bit of fret buzz but all that “clicking” sound doesn’t appeal to me; I don’t mind if it’s active or passive or whatever the brand is. Would love to hear some fellow bass player recommendations. Let me know what you think would fit me. Cheers. Edited May 12, 2019 by kyuuga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 That sounds an awful lot like a Stingray. You might equate them with having too much sizzle, but they don't have to be that way. Or in my case, a Sandberg Basic, which has a similar pickup configuration. It has a set of TI flats on and is often run in passive mode. Warmth, tight lows, pokey low mids, subdued highs but still very present. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Precision methinks, solid lows, powerful mid range mainly in the low mids, thick neck profile, no harsh top end, this all spells Precision to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 What you have described is a P bass. If we know your budget we can give better advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Sounds like a precision with SD quarter pounders meets your brief, so a Fender Nate Mendel would be a excellent way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Just a suggestion , but have you looked at the Yamaha bb , range , it seems to fit with what you’re describing, I’m not 100% sure if the neck widths vary, the Yamaha thread is great reading, and lots of good information 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Choose a set of flats whatever bass you choose. Sometimes a new bass isn’t always the answer (heresy on here, I know) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 What have you tried so far? What’s your budget? Any examples of songs where you like the bass sound? We’re going to need more info as many of the things you describe are subjective and you’re only going to get people recommending what they use! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead56 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 A Japanese-built Fender Jaguar Bass may be of interest Capable of covering all of the above (for the most part) and option of running active or passive and clear, warm tone which can be endlessly EQ'd on the bass itself. Granted it has more of a Jazz neck profile but still not paper thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Plus one for a Sandberg. California vm. Has a p pick up reversed for less mud and a Stingraystyle humbucker if you want a bit more bite. Think you can even turn off half the $ to make it into a jazz bass. Also beautifully built and a good price. The perfect sound will be in there somewhere. Bit ...erm ... Is " anodine" the right word? Lack of personality .. bit BMW, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyt Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 That sounds like a P-bass or a Stingray then . Obviously you have to play before you buy as personal taste is key. or just go for the Sandberg VM and get a very good Ray-P hybrid. I love Sandbergs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 (edited) 19 hours ago, garyt said: I love Sandbergs. .. and so you should, and so should I .. in theory. On 12/05/2019 at 09:54, Burns-bass said: Choose a set of flats whatever bass you choose. .. and don't spoil it with flats. Dull thuddy things. This is purely my personal opinion as a lover of coffee table style boutique basses endowed with zing and twang ... .. and which I know is very unfashionable and quite unacceptable in modern popular music ... and perhaps why I don't actually own a Sandberg or a Precision (though keep trying them, as I feel I should). I have compromised on one bass with EB Cobalt flats which feel as nice as the best round wounds and actually sound very good .. even to me ;¬) I'm kidding ... the sound you want probably does demand flats. Thomastic Jazz Flats? I'm told they're pretty good too - though at the price, they should be. Edited May 25, 2019 by NickA format Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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