Novice Question

[robbo400]

Hi there

I only started playing guitar in my late 50s a couple of years ago. I'm not very good at all but really enjoy it.  I am now at the stage where I'm trying to put full songs together for my own amusement and am slowly progressing using technology to do it - a variety of pop records from 50s rock 'n roll through the decades to 90s indie sounds.  I want to buy a bass to add to the acoustic and electric guitar parts. I have decided on short scale mainly as it's more similar to a guitar and also the sound is more what I am looking for from the YouTube reviews I have seen. Here is my shortlist:

 

Hofner Club Ignition SE

Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet ii

Harley Benton HB-60 WB

 

I had initially also thought about the Hofner Verythin shortscale, a Chowny CHB-1 and the Hagstrom Viking but others have told me that a larger size body is not a good place to start, although for the very reasonable price of the Harley Benton, I'd still chance it. So many have tried to steer me towards Fender (or Squier to be more accurate) for quality and reliability. I have thought about the Affinity and Classic Vibe Jaguar but recently found out that the scale length is a medium 32" rather than the short scale I'm looking for. The Mustang look is not for me unfortunately

 

I am lucky to know a luthier fairly well who has told me that while the Hofners have a fantastic sound, based on the Ignition models he's seen, he'd recommend replacing the bridge in addition to a normal set-up. He suggested the Gretsch as a solid body which gets closest to the sound I want and is more bullet-proof.  I've seen such varying reviews of the Hofners and none are neutral. It's either love or hate in terms of quality but, like me, everyone seems to love that sound - I guess 50,000 screaming American teenagers at Shea Stadium were attracted by something 🙂

 

I'm going to try a few out tomorrow but just wondered if anyone can steer me in the right direction or suggest other alternatives. My friend who has also just started playing bass at an old age bought the Ibanez TMB30 which is comfortable to play and sounds good especially for the price. I looked at their Artcore semi hollow models online but they seem hard to find.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

[Geek99]

Take a look in the marketplace here 

[Pea Turgh]

It’ll come down to what feels best in your hands, but from trying Hofners, I didn’t like the narrower string spacing at the bridge end.

You may prefer narrower spacing.

 

My lad has a Junior Jet, and I love it!  Nicely put together instrument, sounds good, feels good.

Again, my version of good might be your bad though!

[TheGreek]

How much do you want to spend? You can pick up one of the Squier minis for under a hundred quid if you shop around. If you want to spend a bit more, try one of the short scale Musicman basses. I have both - neither disappoint.

[Rayman]

I have one of these with flatwound strings on it.... absolutely love the thing as a shortscale option..... not without it's design flaws, but at the price I rate it...

 

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/epiphone-newport-bass-pacific-blue?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2203_PMT_BAU_Search_Google+Ads_Performance+Max_Product_Zero+Sales&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr8eqBhD3ARIsAIe-buPEPERF8AKp19VaRXknhKFQhHS_cMauhqL8KpHUYKcP5Q_IO0oENLkaAs3EEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Otherwise the Gretsch in your short list is hard to beat.... I had one for a while, great bass indeed.

 

At the end of the day, you can take advice, but the most important thing is what feel, looks and sounds good to you. If that's a Hofner, go for it. Don't take what others say as written in stone.

[Paul S]

I have a Harley Benton Shorty which is effectively a short scale P Bass with a scaled down body.  I had intended to use it as a modding platform but straight out of the box it was a case of tune up then gig with it.  I've since changed the pickup and pickguard, both of which are choice things as there was nowt wrong with the bass stock, which had a lovely vintage tone - I wanted more balls.  But I can't recommend it highly enough.  It is a good bass at any price point.  At £88 it is a miracle (it was under £70 when I bought mine, astonishing).

[robbo400]

Budget per se (within reason up to say £600-700) is not an issue. It's more I was persuaded against the semi-hollows as a beginner and didn't want to spend a significant amount on something that I couldn't get on with. Whereas in today's mad world of mixed up priorities and rip-off costs, I can justify taking a punt on the Harley-Benton if I have to write it off/sell at a loss as it is literally the price of 2 parking tickets.

 

If I hadn't got advice from friends, I'd have definitely gone for a Hofner. The Club and the Verythin really appeal to me aesthetically. I'd be nervous about playing the Violin bass - almost like riding a race bike with a yellow jersey on! I would have considered the Club Contemporary but hearing them back to back on Youtube, it's the hollow sound of the Ignition that appeals to me more between the 2 versions. The Verythin looks fantastic to my eyes and if I get a chance to try it, that will help my decision making. If, as some have predicted, I find the Hofners too fragile and unsubstantial, I think I'll follow Pea Turgh's advice and go with the Gretsch. My electric guitar is a G5220 Electromatic so I have affinity with the brand image and like the "Les Paul" cutaway shape. Although, I think I'd be silly not to try a Squier before pulling the trigger given what Fender are to the bass world in terms of iconic instruments

 

Once I get the bass, I will go for some much-needed lessons. Whilst I may have a slight advantage over total beginners in that I have a reasonable knowledge of the fretboard, scales and how to follow chords in a bass line, I have so so so much to learn. My right hand has zero bass technique and I can see from watching professionals that I am plucking the strings incorrectly. Also, while following chords might be a good way to start and add bass to a track, I am acutely aware that it's no more than dipping your toe into the ocean of the bass world so I'd like to quickly get a step further and add some more involved basslines to my playing.

 

Really looking forward to getting the bass. It's such a beautiful sounding instrument. I know very little about classical music but just listened to a Bass Matrix Youtube video of 2 Hofners playing JS Bach. How beautiful! I love that mellow sound of the bass. Slapping is not the sound I'm after and the heaviest stuff I'll play will be Eddie Cochran and some late 1970s New Wave/Punk like The Clash. I'll see if there are any tutorials on learning stand alone melodic pieces on a bass. That video blew me away.

 

[TheGreek]

Not sure where you are @robbo400, if you're in the South East you just missed the local Bass Bash where you could have tried a number of basses which could have suited your needs.

Check the "events" thread to see if there is happening near to you or there may be a BCer nearby who can let you try some of their wares. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by TheGreek

[PaulThePlug]

@robbo400

I was persuaded against the semi-hollows as a beginner ...

 

But you fancy a Hollow Body... or HB

 

...didn't want to spend a significant amount on something that I couldn't get on with. Whereas in today's mad world of mixed up priorities and rip-off costs, I can justify taking a punt on the Harley-Benton...

 

Loads before you have taken the 'Harley Benton Punt'... I loves my HBO-850 Acoustic Bass... You should not be disappointed as all they need is a little tickle...

 

...lucky to know a luthier fairly well...

 

Thats that bit sorted then

 

...if I have to write it off/sell at a loss as it is literally the price of 2 parking tickets...

 

Who are you trying to convince?..

Yourself or your partner? Us lot on Basschat are already sold on the idea...

 

Harley Benton or HB Hollow Body or HB... Which colour?

 

If not seen, LP Shape ya say?.. i find this very nice... but a 34"

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Greg-Bennett-Royale-RLB-3-Bass-Guitar-Sunburst/1IC7

Or this for less, again a 34"

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/San-Francisco-Semi-Acoustic-Bass-by-Gear4music-Wine-Red/1ICK

[robbo400]

@ The Greek. Yes, am in London so a shame I missed it. But thanks for the heads-up. I'll keep an eye on the Events thread

 

 

@ Paul the Plug. You have read me like a book! I rate H-B too. I bought one of their Telecaster copies for £133. It was great but I went to town on it and spent much more than that on parts which was really ridiculous self-indulgence rather than necessity. We bought 2 together and my friend has gigged with his with no upgrades, just adjusted the action and saddle to intonate so as it suited his style. He gets sarcastic comments from people who are like that but once people noodle with it, everyone agrees that it's at least as good as most Squier Classic Vibe Teles. From my guitar experience, I think HB are great quality and VFM and that we're lucky we can still get that quality at that price before the inevitable price hike or buy out by a large corporate etc

 

So Paul, am I right that you don't feel a hollow-body is a "no-no" for beginners? I keep thinking of Chas Chandler walking around with his (I think) Epiphone Rivolta following Hilton Valentine in the House of The Rising Sun video. Good enough for Chas, certainly good enough for me. Talking of Chas, Jim Lea of Slade (whom he later managed) was also a great bassist imho. That Greg Bennett bass looks gorgeous. Shame about the scale length. I've no real knowledge of what's out there bar the usual suspects and what I've seen iconic bands play, so thanks!

[Cosmo Valdemar]

4 hours ago, robbo400 said:

 

I'm going to try a few out tomorrow 

 

 

 

We can all offer our opinions but ultimately this is what it boils down to. Try as many as you can, even different scale lengths - don't be too hasty to write off basses that aren't short scale, nor ones with larger bodies.

 

Bear in mind most (if not all) basses on the shop wall will be wearing cheap roundwound strings, even Hofners et al, so you'll have to do a bit of mental adjustment if you're after that old-school flatwound sound.

 

You'll soon discover what feels right and let us know how you get on!

[Dan Dare]

4 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

We can all offer our opinions but ultimately this is what it boils down to. Try as many as you can, even different scale lengths - don't be too hasty to write off basses that aren't short scale, nor ones with larger bodies.

 

This. What feels right in your hands is what's important. Take your time and visit a few shops to try stuff. You're in London, so how about a trip to the Gallery in Camden? You don't have to buy from them, but you need to play a selection of instruments and they have quite wide stock.

 

4 hours ago, robbo400 said:

From my guitar experience, I think HB are great quality and VFM and that we're lucky we can still get that quality at that price before the inevitable price hike or buy out by a large corporate etc

 

HB is already owned by a large corporate. It isn't (and never was) an actual company. The instruments are designed/specified by Thomann and built by one of the massive instrument factories in China that builds for many different brands. With the exception of some major names or boutique/one off makers, that's how most mass produced instruments are made these days. They are designed/specified by front companies that don't usually make but subcontract the building to giant firms such as Cort (factories in Indonesia, Korea and China), World Musical Instruments in Korea and others.

Edited November 13, 2023 by Dan Dare

[Norris]

If you're used to a guitar and don't want to depart too much from that format consider a Bass VI. They are available as both Fender and Squier, and are a bit like a stratocaster with bass strings on it (even having a trem!). The Squiers should be within your budget

[Newfoundfreedom]

I used to have the Gretsch and they're superbly built, well playable instruments. 

[robbo400]

@Norris

Thanks for the suggestion and I do love the look of the Bass VI's offset body. 

It was actually one of my first thoughts but I struggle when I attempt bass lines on my guitar with the strings being close together (I know a lot of this will be my poor technique as it didn't seem a problem for George Harrison lol). So I thought I'd be better off going for a short-scale traditional 4 string - as the "real thing" if you like.

I've been looking at the reviews of the Squier Paranormal Rascal which is short-scale, apparently the same body as the Bass VI, as well as having humbuckers so it ticks a lot of boxes for me. Yet somehow, it doesn't look as good to my eyes. Maybe it's the green and black colours that change it's appearance from the Bass VI. On the other hand, i love the look of the Jaguar body but it's 32" so not sure how cumbersome it would feel to me.

As many have advised me, I need to actually try one and see them in the flesh

 

[Baloney Balderdash]

Out of the ones you mention I would be inclined to suggest the Harley Benton HB-60 WB.

 

8 minutes ago, robbo400 said:

@Norris

Thanks for the suggestion and I do love the look of the Bass VI's offset body. 

It was actually one of my first thoughts but I struggle when I attempt bass lines on my guitar with the strings being close together (I know a lot of this will be my poor technique as it didn't seem a problem for George Harrison lol). So I thought I'd be better off going for a short-scale traditional 4 string - as the "real thing" if you like.

I've been looking at the reviews of the Squier Paranormal Rascal which is short-scale, apparently the same body as the Bass VI, as well as having humbuckers so it ticks a lot of boxes for me. Yet somehow, it doesn't look as good to my eyes. Maybe it's the green and black colours that change it's appearance from the Bass VI. On the other hand, i love the look of the Jaguar body but it's 32" so not sure how cumbersome it would feel to me.

As many have advised me, I need to actually try one and see them in the flesh

 

I thought maybe you were preferring hollow body bass and a more old school thumby sound, but personally I would much rather have the Squier Paranormal Rascal than any of the basses you list in the OP.

 

I too love how it looks, especially the green one with the mint pickguard, and it gets great reviews, while still being quite affordable.

 

In fact it is very high on my personal GAS list, and I myself plan on getting one, when i at some point got the money to spare for it.

 

Get it!

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[tauzero]

Have you considered a full scale bass rather than a short scale? You're looking at this from a guitarist's perspective, they're different instruments and using a full scale bass might help reinforce that with your subconscious. From my bassist's perspective, when I want to record some guitar parts, I don't string a 6-string bass with guitar strings, I use a guitar.

[neepheid]

On 13/11/2023 at 13:40, robbo400 said:

I guess 50,000 screaming American teenagers at Shea Stadium were attracted by something 🙂

 

It wasn't the bass...

[lemmywinks]

Definitely try and play some of the shortlisted basses before buying, especially the Hofner which can be quite polarising - I had to use one for a jam night (the pricier one too) and thought it was a horrid little thing. Also why the focus on hollow/semi-hollow bodies?

 

If I was looking for a 30" scale bass to cover a wide range of pop sounds covering several decades I'd get a Sire U5 or an Ibanez TMB30 if the budget was tighter. A pal of mine as a U5 and it's excellent.

[jd56hawk]

If you plan on sticking with playing/learning the bass, you might want to consider buying something worth sticking with...G&L Tribute Fallout.

Very versatile and extremely comfortable.

As mentioned above, the Squier Paranormal Rascal is a better bet than quite a few short-scale basses. If you see one, pick it up, plug it in and see for yourself.

(By the way, I started playing bass at 56 and believe me, comfort is very important...I've seen too many people quit because they bought the wrong bass. Don't let this happen to you. It's best to get out there and try as many basses as possible.

Someone suggested I buy a short-scale bass way back when, and I'm glad I ignored his advice, although there are plenty of good short-scale basses available now than ever before.)

Edited November 19, 2023 by jd56hawk

[Cosmo Valdemar]

1 hour ago, jd56hawk said:

If you plan on sticking with playing/learning the bass, you might want to consider buying something worth sticking with...G&L Tribute Kiloton.

Very versatile and extremely comfortable.

 

 

That's the Fallout 😁

[jd56hawk]

3 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

That's the Fallout 😁

Of course.

Looks like I just won the "Duh of the Day" award!