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Post by Mfitz804 on May 25, 2021 18:27:33 GMT -5
Getting the urge to pick up the bass again. Favorite one I ever had was a MIM Jazz Bass. Prices have really gone up on them, and I’m not sure spending $600-700 is what I want to do.
What suggestions might you guys have? Obviously Squier is an option, but I was wondering if maybe there’s some hidden gem I’m unaware of.
What do you think?
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Post by Leftee on May 25, 2021 19:07:44 GMT -5
Ibanez and Yamaha come to mind.
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Post by justin on May 25, 2021 20:09:58 GMT -5
G&L Tribute? Sterling, by Music Man? Gretsch? Schecter? Or stop intp GC (or their website) to check out the used gear. For example, I've recently seen a Squier Jaguar for $269 and a MIA Strat for $659. This 4 string Sterling is only $299. This looks like a bargain, but might weigh a ton. Sterling
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Post by Taildragger on May 25, 2021 23:31:34 GMT -5
If you can find a less expensive J-type bass that doesn't weigh a ton and has a neck profile that feels good to you, DiMarzio DP-123 "Model J" pups are a reasonably-priced replacement pup that sounds really good (at least, to my ear) and is a great upgrade for such a bass. Be sure to measure the length of the pup cavities anytime you order pups to replace even those in a genuine Fender "J" because, over the years, some are routed to accept neck and bridge pups that are dimensionally identical while others are loaded with neck and bridge pups that are slightly different in length. DiMarzio makes DP-123s to accommodate either situation, but you have to tell them which set you want when you order. www.dimarzio.com/pickups/standard-bass/dimarzio-model-jThey have individually-adjustable pole pieces, which is helpful for dialing in even string response.
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Post by rickyguitar on May 26, 2021 3:11:59 GMT -5
G and L tribute again
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Post by hushnel on May 26, 2021 16:14:08 GMT -5
Depending on how you plan on using it you may want to try an Ibanez PNB14E-OPN. It’s an acoustic bass guitar with a 25” scale. It has a transducer in it but you’ll need a sound hole plug if you want to use it that way.
It must be string technology but this bass sounds good before you plug it in. I’ve used it acoustically with a few guitars around the camp fire, or to just grab to figure stuff out. When I have used it powered it was in a guitar circle type jam that the upright bassist couldn’t make. So I snuck in the Ibanez and amp, adjusted the volume so it just sits in the mix, at the end of the evening as I packed up, I pulled the PJ 2X4 out to pack, the guys didn’t know I was playing through an amp. I even used this bass and amp (Phil Jones Double 4) rig at the Rendezvous last year, I’d of been tarred and feathered if anyone caught on that I had an amp in my canoe basket. This was at an outdoor wine testing, that could of helped a bit. The front man, guitar and vocals, noticed a blue LED in my canoe basket at the end of the evening and asked me about it, I told him it was my emotional support basket, don’t ask. He said “Well it sure sounds good”.
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woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
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Post by woody on May 26, 2021 16:42:58 GMT -5
Sire Marcus Miller V3 2nd Generation are very nice for $369.
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 28, 2021 14:19:13 GMT -5
G&L Tribute? Sterling, by Music Man? Gretsch? Schecter? Or stop intp GC (or their website) to check out the used gear. For example, I've recently seen a Squier Jaguar for $269 and a MIA Strat for $659. This 4 string Sterling is only $299. This looks like a bargain, but might weigh a ton. SterlingI had a Stingray years ago, that Sterling might be exactly what I need... Never had a bass with a maple board...how does it differ from the more "traditional" rosewood and such?
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Post by morrow on May 28, 2021 17:55:22 GMT -5
I used to swear that my preference was rosewood , and then one day I realized that my two favourite basses had maple necks . Now I say it really doesn’t matter , and my two favourites (today) have rosewood !
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 28, 2021 18:16:01 GMT -5
I used to swear that my preference was rosewood , and then one day I realized that my two favourite basses had maple necks . Now I say it really doesn’t matter , and my two favourites (today) have rosewood ! The mint green with the maple neck is calling me...
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matryx81
Wholenote
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Post by matryx81 on May 29, 2021 11:18:31 GMT -5
I used to swear that my preference was rosewood , and then one day I realized that my two favourite basses had maple necks . Now I say it really doesn’t matter , and my two favourites (today) have rosewood ! The mint green with the maple neck is calling me... Then give in! (The Sire may be a good bet as well if you want a P or J type without spending Player money. I do not have a Sire, hence why I say may.)
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 29, 2021 14:15:52 GMT -5
The mint green with the maple neck is calling me... Then give in! (The Sire may be a good bet as well if you want a P or J type without spending Player money. I do not have a Sire, hence why I say may.) I gave in within 10 minutes of my previous post. I’ll report back when it arrives, assuming I have successfully ordered it (said only one left in stock so you never know).
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matryx81
Wholenote
I think I know the reason but I can't spell it.
Posts: 763
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Post by matryx81 on May 29, 2021 15:53:55 GMT -5
I hope you like that bass!
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Post by Leftee on May 29, 2021 16:27:23 GMT -5
Report to the bass amp thread.
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 29, 2021 21:03:16 GMT -5
I hope you like that bass! We shall see. As I said, I did have an EBMM Stingray back in the day (shocked by how much the price has gone up since then, I got mine used for $600 plus a Squier bass), so I am hoping it is similar.
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 29, 2021 21:04:25 GMT -5
Report to the bass amp thread. I am definitely not, nor have I ever been, an amp guy. I only need one. With the bass, I’ll need a small practice amp I guess, although 99.9% of my playing is done unplugged.
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Post by justin on May 31, 2021 9:14:12 GMT -5
G&L Tribute? Sterling, by Music Man? Gretsch? Schecter? Or stop intp GC (or their website) to check out the used gear. For example, I've recently seen a Squier Jaguar for $269 and a MIA Strat for $659. This 4 string Sterling is only $299. This looks like a bargain, but might weigh a ton. SterlingI had a Stingray years ago, that Sterling might be exactly what I need... Never had a bass with a maple board...how does it differ from the more "traditional" rosewood and such? Congtrats on the purchase. Can’t wait to hear your impressions on it. I was actually shocked when I saw the price of the Sterling. As far as maple vs rosewood, I usually just go with the look I prefer. I think string choice is way more impactful on tone and is easy enough to experiment with. Bass strings ain’t necessarily cheap, but they last forever. I put TI Jazz Rounds on my one and only bass. They’ll probably stay on for years!
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woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
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Post by woody on May 31, 2021 9:26:59 GMT -5
Nice choice Mfitz804. I like the mint one as well. Looking forward to your highly detailed review.
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tmc
Wholenote
Posts: 893
Formerly Known As: tmc
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Post by tmc on May 31, 2021 11:27:36 GMT -5
Report to the bass amp thread. I am definitely not, nor have I ever been, an amp guy. I only need one. With the bass, I’ll need a small practice amp I guess, although 99.9% of my playing is done unplugged. Playing unplugged caused me to develop a heavy handed technique which revealed itself when I plugged in. I always use and amp or headphones when playing now, even when just sitting at the desk.
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 31, 2021 13:55:11 GMT -5
I am definitely not, nor have I ever been, an amp guy. I only need one. With the bass, I’ll need a small practice amp I guess, although 99.9% of my playing is done unplugged. Playing unplugged caused me to develop a heavy handed technique which revealed itself when I plugged in. I always use and amp or headphones when playing now, even when just sitting at the desk. I do quite a bit of playing while watching TV. Did it with guitar for years and it never really had a negative effect on my playing. In fact, if anything I found that it improved my technique, as it made me have to put more effort into sustaining notes and to focus more on right hand technique since the notes didn’t just ring out as easily as with an amp. Got to the point where I sounded pretty good unplugged and really good when plugged. That said, bass needs to go boom, so I’ll need a cheap and efficient practice amp.
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Post by morrow on May 31, 2021 14:45:31 GMT -5
You really need to hear what your bass is doing to develop your touch . Best to plug in .
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Post by LTB on Jun 5, 2021 11:39:59 GMT -5
I had a USA Sterling several years ago. Played well, high quality and felt good to play. My only issue was it had way more growl than I wanted so I sold it. Wished I had kept it and put some TI Jazz flats on it to smooth the tone out.
The Maple neck is just a little brighter than the rosewood. It will make each note a little clearer sounding (at least it has in my experience)
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Post by morrow on Jun 5, 2021 15:31:26 GMT -5
I’ve had a Stingray for ages . For years I put flats on it , and then decided that I have a ton of other basses with flats and it seemed like a better idea to use the Ray for that uptown clank . So I keep fresh rounds on it . The big thing with a Ray is to center everything , and then adjust the eq . Don’t start with everything maxed out . They have big chunky necks , and they’re comfortable to play . Mines a mid weight . I keep it right beside the couch , and put a surprising amount of time on it .
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Post by Leftee on Jun 5, 2021 15:45:47 GMT -5
Nice image ^
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Post by Laker on Jun 5, 2021 17:55:37 GMT -5
Getting the urge to pick up the bass again. Favorite one I ever had was a MIM Jazz Bass. Prices have really gone up on them, and I’m not sure spending $600-700 is what I want to do. What suggestions might you guys have? Obviously Squier is an option, but I was wondering if maybe there’s some hidden gem I’m unaware of. What do you think? My advice is...if you’re a guitar player, don’t try to be a bass player; they are two different feels and trains of thought. Guitar players, to me and many of my friends, often seem to be either solo players or very stiff as bass players.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jun 5, 2021 18:36:42 GMT -5
Getting the urge to pick up the bass again. Favorite one I ever had was a MIM Jazz Bass. Prices have really gone up on them, and I’m not sure spending $600-700 is what I want to do. What suggestions might you guys have? Obviously Squier is an option, but I was wondering if maybe there’s some hidden gem I’m unaware of. What do you think? My advice is...if you’re a guitar player, don’t try to be a bass player; they are two different feels and trains of thought. Guitar players, to me and many of my friends, often seem to be either solo players or very stiff as bass players. Well, I haven’t played the guitar regularly in at least 8 years. And I haven’t played it other than for my own enjoyment for over 25. I have owned and played basses from age 14 through about age 36. So I’m not exactly unfamiliar with it. I have always been a rhythm player and I’m quite comfortable playing bass. If I’m stiff, I don’t think it really matters since I’ll only be playing for my own enjoyment. I’ll add to that, discouraging anyone from playing any kind of instrument is, in my opinion, the absolute wrong thing to do.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jun 9, 2021 13:48:39 GMT -5
New bass arrived today, and thus far I have the following observations:
Fit and finish quality is excellent. Looks fantastic.
The neck is NOT as thick as my former EBMM Stingray, and is rather closer to a Jazz Bass neck. I looked at it in the pictures and thought that was the case, and I was happy to find I was right.
It is quite resonant when played unplugged. I don't think I hear or feel much of a difference with the maple board, maybe that'll change when plugged in.
The stock strings feel HUGE. I prefer a much lighter gauge, probably because of the primary instrument having been guitar for so many years. This was not unexpected and I have a set of extra light GHS Boomers that arrived a week ago ready to install.
I bought the cheapest generic hardshell bass case on Amazon ($77), and it fits great. Obviously not a custom fit and maybe if you were traveling with it, that may be an issue. You can feel a little wobble inside when you shake the closed case. As I am really just going to use it for storage, I don't think its an issue.
Looking forward to getting some time on it to really take it for a test drive.
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Post by Leftee on Jun 9, 2021 14:45:07 GMT -5
The stock strings feel HUGE. I prefer a much lighter gauge, probably because of the primary instrument having been guitar for so many years. This was not unexpected and I have a set of extra light GHS Boomers that arrived a week ago ready to install. As a guitar player, my bass is strung with lighter strings. It still makes bass-ee noises.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jun 9, 2021 15:34:56 GMT -5
The stock strings feel HUGE. I prefer a much lighter gauge, probably because of the primary instrument having been guitar for so many years. This was not unexpected and I have a set of extra light GHS Boomers that arrived a week ago ready to install. As a guitar player, my bass is strung with lighter strings. It still makes bass-ee noises. I've done it on every bass I ever owned, and while bass players might scoff at them, I have always gotten bass-ee noises out of them as well. Ironically, when I was a gigging guitar player, I played 12's, a heavier set than anyone else I knew. Most of those wusses were using 9's lol.
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Post by Leftee on Jun 9, 2021 15:45:49 GMT -5
Heck, I’m down to 8s on Fender scale guitars these days.
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