R'n'B/Funk bass suggestions

[Kiwi]

yeah, how about the classic, tried and tested combo of a P-bass and Ampeg SVT? Last you for years that will.

[bassjamm]

Right...some headway

Nah, didn't try that with the F Bass mate, would have liked to, but didn't have it with me. I'm not really an Ashdown, nor Ampeg kind of chap normally. I like the ampeg combos...but never tried the SVT heads and what not.

I think i'll keep my eye out for a P bass then, something like the one i posted earlier, the Jazz bass special with the P Bass pickup...on a P bass zone, i really like the whole PJ set-up...and preferably active so i can get one phat sound, but we'll see!!!

Thanks for your help guys!

J

[TimmyC]

If you want to go up-market, how about the Sadowsky metro PJ?

Edited December 5, 2007 by TimmyC

[bassjamm]

[quote name='TimmyC' post='99667' date='Dec 5 2007, 03:44 PM']If you want to go up-market, how about the Sadowsky metro PJ?[/quote]

If i had that kind of cash available to me then i'd certainly be looking at something like that...but i haven't, and to be honest, i quite like the thought of having a cheap gig bass, that way i'm not carrying a 2k+ setup with me all the time, lol!!!

I've been playing about with my amp and the F Bass today, got something with a bit more poke out of it, but i still think it's all a bit too polite if you know what i mean...still, it's punchy now!!!

[bass_ferret]

How about trying something like an EBS Microbass II. Its an HD350 in a foot pedal.

[chris_b]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='99737' date='Dec 5 2007, 05:30 PM']If i had that kind of cash available to me then i'd certainly be looking at something like that...but i haven't, and to be honest, i quite like the thought of having a cheap gig bass, that way i'm not carrying a 2k+ setup with me all the time, lol!!!

I've been playing about with my amp and the F Bass today, got something with a bit more poke out of it, but i still think it's all a bit too polite if you know what i mean...still, it's punchy now!!![/quote]
Checked out Jebo1's sale yet?

[bassjamm]

Certainly have Chris!!!

Does anyone know if a jazz bass neck will fit in a P Bass neck pocket? And in turn, if the J Bass string spacing on the P bass would be ok...with pickups etc?

[Brave Sir Robin]

To recap,

P/J
Passive (added preamp?)
Thin Neck.
Warm Vintage sound (alder body, rosewood FB, maple neck?)
Cheap.

Yamaha BB414 / BB614?

The 5 strings are sweet too.

[bassjamm]

[quote name='Brave Sir Robin' post='100063' date='Dec 6 2007, 11:08 AM']To recap,

P/J
Passive (added preamp?)
Thin Neck.
Warm Vintage sound (alder body, rosewood FB, maple neck?)
Cheap.

Yamaha BB414 / BB614?

The 5 strings are sweet too.[/quote]

I see what you're saying mate...but i have a real hatred of the look of those things...i don't care what they sound like, in my opinion, they don't look that great, lol! No offense meant by that. That set-up on a fender would be beautiful...lol!!!

[mcgraham]

Perhaps grabbing the Geddy, getting a P routing done and a replacement pickguard and adding a P in place of the neck J may be a possibility?

Come and try mine, as I may have said before the pickups are P's in J housings so you may find you like the P-like sound it gets whilst not having to do any routing mods, just pickup replacement.

Mark

[bassjamm]

[quote name='mcgraham' post='100122' date='Dec 6 2007, 12:24 PM']Perhaps grabbing the Geddy, getting a P routing done and a replacement pickguard and adding a P in place of the neck J may be a possibility?

Come and try mine, as I may have said before the pickups are P's in J housings so you may find you like the P-like sound it gets whilst not having to do any routing mods, just pickup replacement.

Mark[/quote]

I haven't written off the Smith yet mate...it's all a matter of cash flow at the moment though, gargh!!!

I'll certainly come over though, i'm away next week, well, from tomorrow through to a week on sat, so i'll give you a shout then my friend!!!

The geddy thing sounds interesting, i'm just not sure that i like the whole black block inlay thing on them...i'm a bit weird like that!

J

[bass_ferret]

Still think you should check out the pre-amp BDDI before you regret selling the TF.

[bassjamm]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='100503' date='Dec 6 2007, 08:28 PM']Still think you should check out the pre-amp BDDI before you regret selling the TF.[/quote]

The EBS one or the sansamp?

[BB2000]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='99913' date='Dec 5 2007, 11:27 PM']Certainly have Chris!!!

Does anyone know if a jazz bass neck will fit in a P Bass neck pocket? And in turn, if the J Bass string spacing on the P bass would be ok...with pickups etc?[/quote]

I'll throw in a leftball - how about a G&L SB-2 (with tone control added)?

[bassjamm]

[quote name='BB2000' post='100624' date='Dec 7 2007, 12:32 AM']I'll throw in a leftball - how about a G&L SB-2 (with tone control added)?[/quote]

Any links to see one please?

EDIT:

Just found them...hmm...they're ok, still not exactly my kinda thing, i think i'd rather stick to Fender for the moment, maybe if funds were there, a Lull PJ5, in fact, definately if funds were there, lol!!!

Edited December 7, 2007 by bassjamm

[bass_ferret]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='100517' date='Dec 6 2007, 08:55 PM']The EBS one or the sansamp?[/quote]
The EBS one is quite a bit more but also a lot better according to those that have used both. I use the EBS one. It has both tube simulation and drive, plus a parametric mid. The BDDI just has drive and 3 band EQ IIRC.

[bassjamm]

Guys...

Case closed...i went, i saw, and the earth trembled as notes were played!!! No, not a new P/J bass...an earth shaking, pure valve warmth of tremendous preportions!!!

Bought an Ampeg SVT-II (the 80's non-pro one)...phwoaaahhhhhhh!!!

Safe to say, i've got the 'black', 'phat' tone i was after!!! The F Bass has had some time spent on it, i've been messing with the pre-amp and how i had the eq set-up and pickup pan, i've found 'the' tone!!! Gone for a more sub-bass kind of vibe with it, less of the punchy cutting through sound that wasn't working...

All bassfulness with a happy ending...ahh!!!

Thanks for all of your suggestions and what not!

J

[Kiwi]

So mate, the ampeg was a good call and we've persuaded you away from selling the F-bass, yeh?

[bassjamm]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='109017' date='Dec 24 2007, 06:09 PM']So mate, the ampeg was a good call and we've persuaded you away from selling the F-bass, yeh? [/quote]

Now if i agree i have to accept the fact that you were right...how rude!!! lol!

Yeah man, the F Bass is staying put, although, getting the amp hadn't persuaded me to do that, i'd already realised letting it go would be a cardinal sin!!! I'm just no longer think i need something else to gig with...the only exception would be a 70's P or J bass, something to compliment the Ampegs rawness However, if i cam across a nice P bass with a J pup in, i may be tempted...but my monies going to be waiting for a nice old Fender, i've wanted one for too long...and for the first time ever, i'm thinking Precision as opposed to Jazz i've got the F Bass favouring the P Bass sound at the moment...it's awesome!!!

And yes...the ampeg is by far the most awesome amp i have ever heard/used/gigged etc...even with all the eq set to 0, it sounds awesome...i love it! But the whole, ubber sub bass thing is really rocking my boat man

Thank Steve...you're a real gem, the site owes a lot to you, maybe a 10 minute free-for-all of the F Bass...if you're good that is, hehe!

Did you end up with Flanker's Celindar P Bass as well as the 4 string Update?

Jam

[bassjamm]

[quote name='BeLow' post='109156' date='Dec 24 2007, 11:05 PM']These threads are really interesting as we all go through our various voyages of discovery sound wise.

I have a fretted shuker and I asked Jon to build me a bass for playing live and he suggested bartolini's. I have always felt like the strings have 'gone off' on it faster than on any other bass. When I play it at home I get frustrated I can'tget the twang I am looking for.

Recently bought a Squire Active 5 string - very good value for money with twang all over the place.

I gig with the shuker because Jon did exactly what I asked him to - build a great live bass that sits in the mix. The preamp and pups, combined with the little mark and have just got that pervasive live bass sound that makes the audience know that you are there, without tripping up everyone else.

Glad you got sorted - sounds like quite a journey![/quote]

Yep...quite a journey indeed...quite a quirky one, seeing as i set out to buy a new bass, not a new amp

I have no doubt about it being the right decision though. My tastes in sound have changed dramatically...i'm still fairly unexperienced in that i've only been playing 6 1/2 years, and whilst i've managed to progress a lot technically, i'm still learning about the different sounds etc. So when i set out to buy a new amp last time around, i thought the Thunderfunk was the dogs bits n bobs...but looking back, and knowing what i do know...it's too modern for my tastes! I'm very much in love with the old sounds of yester-year, i first learnt that when i realised Fenders were where it was at for me...the tones the Jazzes and Precisions make and pure and bliss to my ears. But i like the modern take on them like that of my F Bass, it still has the old school sounds, but with some hot modern tweaks But the Ampeg, it's the sound i've been after for a while i guess, and i thought my bass was the weak link...as if that could be the case with an F Bass hehe!

I'm just pleased with how well it's taken to the Dr.Bass cabs! I'm still trying to get over how bassy the amp is though, it's got a really fat low end, love it...need to learn how to tame the beast

Thanks again for all of your comments guys!

[Kiwi]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='109040' date='Dec 24 2007, 07:03 PM']Yeah man, the F Bass is staying put, although, getting the amp hadn't persuaded me to do that, i'd already realised letting it go would be a cardinal sin!!![/quote]
Mission accomplished then

[quote name='bassjamm' post='109040' date='Dec 24 2007, 07:03 PM']However, if i cam across a nice P bass with a J pup in, i may be tempted...but my monies going to be waiting for a nice old Fender[/quote]
Well, how about an old Fender with a p/j pickup combination? They do come up on fleabay and because they've been buggered about with, the prices are often quite reasonable - even for gigging instruments. Plus you won't have to be too precious about keeping it in good condition, in fact the occasional extra ding would probably just add to its mojo.

[quote name='bassjamm' post='109040' date='Dec 24 2007, 07:03 PM']Did you end up with Flanker's Celindar P Bass as well as the 4 string Update?[/quote]
Yeah, I've got both of Flankers 4 stringed Celinders plus the Stingray which gives me a full house as far as funky 70's bass sounds go. I never expected to use the Celinder Update P as much as I do but it completely nails the sounds on so many 70's soul, disco and funk covers. The Update J doesn't really get a look in at the moment.

[bassjamm]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='109216' date='Dec 25 2007, 09:41 AM']Well, how about an old Fender with a p/j pickup combination? They do come up on fleabay and because they've been buggered about with, the prices are often quite reasonable - even for gigging instruments. Plus you won't have to be too precious about keeping it in good condition, in fact the occasional extra ding would probably just add to its mojo. [/quote]

Could be worth a shot my friend...although i'm a bit funny about stuff like that, very much an untampered bass kind of chap...but i see where you're coming from, and it does make sense

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='109216' date='Dec 25 2007, 09:41 AM']Yeah, I've got both of Flankers 4 stringed Celinders plus the Stingray which gives me a full house as far as funky 70's bass sounds go. I never expected to use the Celinder Update P as much as I do but it completely nails the sounds on so many 70's soul, disco and funk covers. The Update J doesn't really get a look in at the moment.[/quote]

What...the Update J is a monster man. When i last played that bass, i was pulling of some slap lines that i just didn't think were possible for my slap skills! It's nuts! I was really impressed with the P Celinder though, that's the bass i was playing when Ari and i were jammin' away and it was beautiful to play!

Ahhh...i'm getting GAS again! What's even more worrying is that i realised, for about £400 more than a '78 P Bass, i could get a Mike Lull P/J with an all singing all dancing EQ and pups and...it's a Lull (i think they're wicked...the Gallery's one is welllllllll overpriced though)!