Steer me right on a new bass! (well, it could be a used new bass)

[barrycreed]

Sold off some gear over the last while. I'm not gigging at the moment, so not sure I'd justify looking for a used Ric!

Sold a Rockinbetter Ric. Nice bass, has my curiosity piqued for a Ric (if I were only gigging again....)

Only bass I have at the moment is an upgraded Epiphone EBO. Really like the feel of this, does what it does.

On my radar:

Epiphone Thunderbird bass (put off by the neck dive, and not sure if the bolt on would be too "low quality", or go for Vintage Pro. Again, neck dive, neck dive...). They sound really really cool though.

Gibson DC Junior Bass (I'd keep an eye out for a used one. Sound very nice, no neck dive, decent reviews all round, and would be good for rocking out)

Gibson SG Bass (based on what the Epiphone does, not sure one of these could be justified)

Spector Performer 4 (passive would appeal, but again, a used Legend 4 could be good)

This leads me into P or PJ territory. So so so many options at any price point. I wouldn't like anything heavy. Interested potentially in the Sire D5 or a G&L tribute P or PJ bass (weight dependant, I hear these are heavy?)

Low end, a Squier Affinity PJ, stick a set of Geezer Butler's in them...

Also spied a Reverend Wattplower used not too far…

 

If I won the lotto in the morning, or got a decent gig: Ric 4003s (still with their issues though apparently!)

 

Or all of them... 😛 

Edited September 15, 2021 by barrycreed

[horrorshowbass]

Sire

[barrycreed]

30 minutes ago, horrorshowbass said:

Sire

Yes if it’s not too heavy this has to be in the mix 

[TheGreek]

I would recommend the G&L SB2 - PJ pups (but no tone control). Not heavy at all.

[jd56hawk]

You might want to consider this one...made me forget all about PJ'S and Thunderbirds.

7.9 ounces...the only thing heavy is the tone.

https://youtu.be/TG43QMU5Q5o

Edited September 15, 2021 by jd56hawk

[barrycreed]

@jd56hawkI will check the vids !

[barrycreed]

I forgot about Yamaha pj configs.

The choice is overwhelming 

[binky_bass]

1 hour ago, jd56hawk said:

 

7.9 ounces...the only thing heavy is the tone

That's 221 grams... 🤔

[Skybone]

If it's something light you're after, then unfortunately a standard maple 4003 doesn't meet the bill. Weighty buggers.

 

I believe that the Walnut 4003 is somewhat lighter though.

 

 A Spector might be a good option, as would a through neck Thunderbird. Though as you say, neck dive might be an issue, but a decent grippy strap usually helps.

[horrorshowbass]

16 hours ago, horrorshowbass said:

Sire

Sire plus deadlifts, good for the back

[Lfalex v1.1]

16 hours ago, TheGreek said:

I would recommend the G&L SB2 - PJ pups (but no tone control). Not heavy at all.

My recently acquired SB-2 Tribute is very good indeed. 

Definitely not heavy. 

I also like the look of Reverend; The Mercalli or Thundergun get my vote

[barrycreed]

17 hours ago, TheGreek said:

I would recommend the G&L SB2 - PJ pups (but no tone control). Not heavy at all.

How is that J pickup? Looks very close to the bridge? Hard to tame? I wouldn't be too worried about the lack of a tone control....

[Lfalex v1.1]

34 minutes ago, barrycreed said:

How is that J pickup? Looks very close to the bridge? Hard to tame? I wouldn't be too worried about the lack of a tone control....

 

A quick summary of the SB-2's behaviour:

 

IMO, no need for tone controls. The way the volume controls work is such that they alter the tone as they go; roll off the P volume by 25% and it doesn't get a whole lot quiter, but tonally, the "grunt" fades and gives way a more traditional P bass thud.

Same for the J.

The trick (for me) is to get the P delivering the bulk of the depth of tone, then just wind the J up a touch for a bit more definition. 

 

P sounds fine on its own. The J doesn't. 

That's not to say that a J- biased sound isn't good,  it is. The solo'ed sound in too thin. 

On the plus side, it's one of the few configurations that I've played where the P doesn't totally overpower the J.

 

The above observations are heavily influenced by 3 factors

 

I play with my fingers. A plectrum player may indeed find it too twangy. 

 

I'm using DR Lo-Riders (50-110)

 

I spent an age fiddling with the pickup heights to get just the balance of output and tone I wanted. 

 

Edited September 16, 2021 by Lfalex v1.1

[barrycreed]

I have a template from this guy which I think I will proceed with, so that will take care of the one pickup single coil type sound

 

 

A bass I had not considered but sounds good on demos is the Ibanez SR500E BM. Tune it to BEAD!! That or the Spector Performer or Legend 4 , or the Thunderbird have me intrigued for now.

[barrycreed]

Think I am ok for now with the suggestions! Thank you guys. I am veering back to the short scale thread with a few questions...

[TheGreek]

5 hours ago, Lfalex v1.1 said:

 

A quick summary of the SB-2's behaviour:

 

IMO, no need for tone controls. The way the volume controls work is such that they alter the tone as they go; roll off the P volume by 25% and it doesn't get a whole lot quiter, but tonally, the "grunt" fades and gives way a more traditional P bass thud.

Same for the J.

The trick (for me) is to get the P delivering the bulk of the depth of tone, then just wind the J up a touch for a bit more definition. 

 

P sounds fine on its own. The J doesn't. 

That's not to say that a J- biased sound isn't good,  it is. The solo'ed sound in too thin. 

On the plus side, it's one of the few configurations that I've played where the P doesn't totally overpower the J.

 

The above observations are heavily influenced by 3 factors

 

I play with my fingers. A plectrum player may indeed find it too twangy. 

 

I'm using DR Lo-Riders (50-110)

 

I spent an age fiddling with the pickup heights to get just the balance of output and tone I wanted. 

 

 

I agree with much of what is said above - no need for a tone control and once you get used to it, you'll question why you ever needed one before.

 

Very under-rated as a bass IMO. If I could find a fiver....

[Lfalex v1.1]

17 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

 

I agree with much of what is said above - no need for a tone control and once you get used to it, you'll question why you ever needed one before.

 

Very under-rated as a bass IMO. If I could find a fiver....

Don't  think they do one. Only 2500 and 1500s (in Tribute and US, IIRC)

[TheGreek]

Understandable - all part of the Fender Heritage I suppose.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I can vouch for the Epi thunderbird vintage pro - I have two of them. They are excellent basses, look as cool as a polar bear's nads and neither has a problem with neck dive.

[barrycreed]

1 hour ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

I can vouch for the Epi thunderbird vintage pro - I have two of them. They are excellent basses, look as cool as a polar bear's nads and neither has a problem with neck dive.

Probably the coolest of all I have been looking at. They sound good too.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Don't write off the Epiphone Thunderbird because of neck dive,  they can be prone to diving but a decent strap solves it.

And some, like mine, don't dive at all.

[dannybuoy]

If you route the strap on a Thunderbird over the front of the lower wing, it stays bolt upright. You could even hang your coat on the end and you wouldn’t get any neck dive!

[dannybuoy]

 

[Skybone]

Is another Rockinbetter not being considered?

[barrycreed]

12 minutes ago, Skybone said:

Is another Rockinbetter not being considered?

Another faker, maybe, but another Rockinbetter? Nah. Someone posted on the FB faker group the other day about some guy in UK selling a real RIC 4003s for 1000 pounds which seemed like a really good price..