Suggest a bass.. Let’s stick with the Pbass

[BassAdder60]

Ok I really like PBass for rock and I’m always looking at alternatives but don’t know where to start 

 

I tried a Stingray ( Sterling ) and I just didn’t like the sound although for years before I gigged a EB Stingray with my SVT rig and loved it !

 

So suggest a bass ( circa £1000 max) that is great for rock that isn’t a PBass or a Stingray 

 

Ive never tried a Jazz bass with the band so I’m undecided about that as an option 

Edited March 9, 2023 by BassAdder60

[itu]

Start from any shop that sells basses. Play, feel with an open mind and find few things you like in different instruments. Come back with those attributes and we will steer you.

[ToneFree]

G&L L2000 if you want a few sonic options.

G&L L1000 if you need less sonic options.

G&L SB-2 if you find a tone knob too much hassle.

[Lozz196]

Jazz is good, neck pickup on full, bridge about 30% and you’re pretty near Precision territory, but it’s of course much more versatile, skinny neck might be off putting. Or maybe a Deluxe Precision - P/J pickups, option of active/passive, def the most versatile basses I’ve used.

[lownote]

It has to be unlined fretless.  Not because that's good for rock but because I just think everyone should play unlined fretless 🤣🤣🤣

[chris_b]

IMO Jazz basses are good in any situation. Take your pick. Maybe start with Sire. 

 

I'd also have a look at Lakland Skylines. Great basses for not very much money.

 

I'd also have a look at another (better?) P bass. One with rounds and one with flats? IMO they take some beating in any genre.

[Paul S]

Try something Gibson flavoured.  Great for rock but completely different to Fender.  Thunderbird or, if you fancy giving a short scale a go, SG or LP Jnr DC.

[Crusoe]

1 hour ago, lownote said:

It has to be unlined fretless.  Not because that's good for rock but because I just think everyone should play unlined fretless 🤣🤣🤣

No way. I watched the video on that other thread. 😄

[Guest]

Might I be radical and suggest....

 

A Harley Benton MB4, perhaps in black.

 

Add some Wilko tuners and bridge, Warman pup, strings of your choice, and (most importantly) skull and crossbones knobs and you'll have a decent playing, fantastic sounding, snarling rock beast of barely £200 all in.

 

I use just this recipe myself as my backup live tool, and sometimes out of badness use it as my main bass live and it acquit itself in a manner many £1000 planks couldn't match. As a rock beast this combo punches several divisions above its weight.

[Waddo Soqable]

Go to a shop somewhere that has quite a lot of basses, try a whole bunch of them, buy the one YOU just like. 

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Waddo Soqable said:

Go to a shop somewhere that has quite a lot of basses, try a whole bunch of them, buy the one YOU just like. 

What a quaint idea!

[bagsieblue]

2 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Ok I really like PBass for rock and I’m always looking at alternatives but don’t know where to start 

 

 

 

For rock? - Has to be a Spector......

[BassAdder60]

Question about Jazz basses .. do they have noisy pickups compared to a PBass ?? 

Edited March 7, 2023 by BassAdder60

[lownote]

11 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said:

Question about Jazz basses .. do they have noisy pickups compared to a PBass ?? 

If fthey're single coil, of course.  If they're posh hum-cancelling no.  Many prefer the single coil effect.  To me it's like preferring a crash gear change from 100 years ago on your car because it's 'ethnic'.  Can't see the point, but that's just me. .

[TheGreek]

Are you asking about a bass or pickup configuration?

 

I find both Precision and Jazz pickups to be lacking yet a PJ compliment the other. That would be my recommendation - however I wouldn't discount a Humbucker with a P pup.

 

You'll go round in circles with various permutations till it drives you mad - there probably is no "ideal" that suits everybody. The solution might be to go for the SimS system - each pickup can be set as H,P or J. Get a pair and you have 15 permutations. At £225 each they're not an inexpensive but I don't think you'll find many disappointed customers. I have them in my Silk Bass and would recommend them.

 

https://www.sims.guitars/pickups/super-quad

 

Fitted as standard in Enfield basses: 

 

 

If you plan to keep the bass then it'll be money well spent. Like most things, you'll probably lose money if/ when you sell.

 

If you're near Herts contact me for a trial of my Silk Bass.

 

 

 

[Lw.]

What is the P lacking for you that makes you look for alternatives? 

 

I think all bassists should own [at least] a P and a J, so that is the obvious answer. After that... depends on the kind of rock you're talking about - Warwick's have incredible growl that can work very well when needing an aggressive tone but looks wise they might not work. 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

The Precision is perfect for what you do. If you need to scratch an itch, get one in a different colour. 

[uk_lefty]

Double P pickups, a Warwick Buzzard or S D Curlee.... Gibson Thunderbird.... I do like the Sandberg's that are MM/P config too.

 

Personally I play rock with a Stingray mainly. I have an Epiphone Jack Casady strung with flats for a different approach that also fits the bill. 

[miles'tone]

Epiphone Vintage Pro T-Bird

 

[jd56hawk]

8 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:

Ok I really like PBass for rock and I’m always looking at alternatives but don’t know where to start 

 

I tried a Stingray ( Sterling ) and I just didn’t like the sound although for years before I gigged a EB Stingray with my SVT rig and loved it !

 

So suggest a bass ( circa £1000 max) that is great for rock that isn’t a PBass or a Stingray 

 

Ive never tried a Jazz bass with the band so I’m undecided about that as an option 

Quite a few good basses, but you don't want good, you want great, right?

Dare to be different!

Reverend Thundergun, one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world...it's a super P bass.

Edited March 7, 2023 by jd56hawk

[Ed_S]

15 hours ago, bagsieblue said:

 

For rock? - Has to be a Spector......

 

Yup, I'd be having a look at those Pulse II models for a grand. The only reason I've not got one to keep my Rebop company is that they don't do them in high-gloss poly finishes.

 

Aside from that, when you've gone through P, J, Ray and Spector, I'd say Ibanez SR Premiums rock pretty hard and can be found new for around a grand (sometimes a bit less if you're flexible on colours, finishes and ex-display).

[neepheid]

15 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

The Precision is perfect for what you do. If you need to scratch an itch, get one in a different colour. 

 

BORING

 

[neepheid]

Second the Reverend suggestion.  I'm very happy with my Triad, but the Decision P is no slouch either.

 

The Epiphone Jack Casady Signature is a great rock bass, and completely different to a P bass.

 

Just so you know, I went through over 50 basses to hone and fine tune my curmudgeonly opinions about what basses I like and don't like.   It can be a long journey, enjoy it, even if your wallet doesn't 

[Supernaut]

Go to a shop and try some out. 

[Grahambythesea]

Spector - a Legend or even a 2nd hand Euro may be in your price range.