The Bass thread

[Daktari]

Hi there, I've just come across this thread and I havni checked back so this guy may have been mentioned before. Mick Karn who used to play years back with Japan, a great band. Here is a link to him playing with David Sylvian also from Japan.

YouTube - David Sylvian & Mick Karn - "When Love Walks In"

[ElephantSack]

Originally Posted by littleknowitall

Funny story about the bass that Mr. Bailey is holding in that video. He lives in the same town as me, and while I was recording the album with my band, I really wanted a fretless bass for a certain part of a song, so our producer told me to look in the gig bag I had been sitting next to the whole time. I pulled out that 6-string fretless bass, and used it for that part in the song. If it's not that same one that's in that video, then it's one that is identical to it. And it was Steve Bailey's. He came in a couple days later while my brother was recording vocals to pick it up, and my brother told him that we had used it. He was cool about it.

[littleknowitall]

Originally Posted by ElephantSack

Funny story about the bass that Mr. Bailey is holding in that video. He lives in the same town as me, and while I was recording the album with my band, I really wanted a fretless bass for a certain part of a song, so our producer told me to look in the gig bag I had been sitting next to the whole time. I pulled out that 6-string fretless bass, and used it for that part in the song. If it's not that same one that's in that video, then it's one that is identical to it. And it was Steve Bailey's. He came in a couple days later while my brother was recording vocals to pick it up, and my brother told him that we had used it. He was cool about it.

Lucky!!! Why does **** like that never happen to me...

[ElephantSack]

Originally Posted by littleknowitall

Lucky!!! Why does **** like that never happen to me...

Dude, if you knew the town that I live in, you probably wouldn't be envious.

[littleknowitall]

Originally Posted by ElephantSack

Dude, if you knew the town that I live in, you probably wouldn't be envious.

Did you like the videos I put up? I liked the french guy. Can't find much on him though other than that I stumbled across his videos....just ha da look, never mind the video has gone somewhere.

[Astronomer]

Advice from all the bass players who I attack regularly with my noobish questions please.

I am going to start saving up for a new bass. At the moment I have a Hartke bass, it's not THAT great because, well Hartke really specialise in amps and not instruments, but it's done its job. I bought it when I first started learning bass and now that I've decided I am going to continue playing and learning the instrument I have decided to upgrade as I feel I've kinda moved on.

I've basically just thought about saving for a standard Fender p-bass. Even though I'm upgrading I'm still on a very tight budget and it will still be a world of difference better than the bass I have now. But I'm not so sure if this is the right thing to do? I just don't know I've played Fender precisions lots (not mine, friends' etc) and I've liked them but I've never owned one so I wouldn't know. I've been looking at price lists online and there are just so many basses and so many differences in pricing that I really don't know what to get. I want to upgrade but I'm not sure how to go about it. I would also like to know if there is much difference between the American models and the Mexican ones? Because most likely the Mexican would be more obtainable for me.

It would be so, so helpful if somebody who knows about basses could give me a rundown of what a person in my situation could do/ look for in an upgrade from a beginner's bass. In Australia the price for a Standard Mexican Fender Precision is about $1000AU (Billy Hyde Music - Shop : Fender - Bass Guitar - Mexican Standard Precision). Is this a good price from this store? I just have no idea what to do. But I need a new bass!

[My Mind Sedate]

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Advice from all the bass players who I attack regularly with my noobish questions please.

I am going to start saving up for a new bass. At the moment I have a Hartke bass, it's not THAT great because, well Hartke really specialise in amps and not instruments, but it's done its job. I bought it when I first started learning bass and now that I've decided I am going to continue playing and learning the instrument I have decided to upgrade as I feel I've kinda moved on.

I've basically just thought about saving for a standard Fender p-bass. Even though I'm upgrading I'm still on a very tight budget and it will still be a world of difference better than the bass I have now. But I'm not so sure if this is the right thing to do? I just don't know I've played Fender precisions lots (not mine, friends' etc) and I've liked them but I've never owned one so I wouldn't know. I've been looking at price lists online and there are just so many basses and so many differences in pricing that I really don't know what to get. I want to upgrade but I'm not sure how to go about it. I would also like to know if there is much difference between the American models and the Mexican ones? Because most likely the Mexican would be more obtainable for me.

It would be so, so helpful if somebody who knows about basses could give me a rundown of what a person in my situation could do/ look for in an upgrade from a beginner's bass. In Australia the price for a Standard Mexican Fender Precision is about $1000AU (Billy Hyde Music - Shop : Fender - Bass Guitar - Mexican Standard Precision). Is this a good price from this store? I just have no idea what to do. But I need a new bass!

Here are my two cents...

The Fender P is a great choice, but you have to keep in mind the fact that the neck is a lot chunkier than say, Fender Jazz basses (which come with very thin and fast necks), and the variety of tones is very limited, since it only has one pick up (but the P bass tone is absolutely classic).

There is a definitely a big difference between American and Mexican Fenders. The build quality of the Mexican Fenders are (in my opinion) not up to par considering they are not exactly cheap. I would advise you to look into second hand instruments, there are plenty around and you should be able to get a much higher quality bass for the same amount you are prepared to dish out for a Mexican P bass. If you are in Australia there is always Ebay, but in NZ, Trademe is the head honcho.

This site is execellent: bass guitar, bass guitars, bass amps, fender bass, musicman bass, rickenbacker. A quick disclaimer: this is not an ad, every now and then they get in a new batch of second hand basses, and there are always some gems in there.

[Astronomer]

^ Thanks for the advice Yeah I think getting something second hand would be much better but I'm failing to find anything appropriate in terms of second hand gear. I've looked on tradingpost.com.au and there's absolutely nothing on there... and I'm always weary of ebay too because I like picking things up in person. Australia is a pretty big country so it's hard to find someone selling from somewhere where you can pick it up or have it delivered without huge costs! So second hand might not be an option... it's also going to take me a little while to save up a comfortable amount and second hand things are hit or miss, whereas most stores usually have standard P basses in stock. I've checked out that bass center website before too, most of the second hand basses on there are pretty pricey though, but I haven't looked for a while so I might go have another look.

Apart from Fender precisions is there any other particular models you would recommend for somebody who isn't a beginner but isn't a pro either? I like the sound of the p basses.

And so you think Mexican Fenders are not worth getting? Because there is quite a huge difference in the price between American and Mexicxan...

EDIT: Just had a look on ebay, there is nothing on there in my area either At all! It's too hard to buy second hand, and when one pops up I might not have the money yet.

[My Mind Sedate]

Originally Posted by Lateralus

^ Thanks for the advice Yeah I think getting something second hand would be much better but I'm failing to find anything appropriate in terms of second hand gear. I've looked on tradingpost.com.au and there's absolutely nothing on there... and I'm always weary of ebay too because I like picking things up in person. Australia is a pretty big country so it's hard to find someone selling from somewhere where you can pick it up or have it delivered without huge costs! So second hand might not be an option... it's also going to take me a little while to save up a comfortable amount and second hand things are hit or miss, whereas most stores usually have standard P basses in stock. I've checked out that bass center website before too, most of the second hand basses on there are pretty pricey though, but I haven't looked for a while so I might go have another look.

Apart from Fender precisions is there any other particular models you would recommend for somebody who isn't a beginner but isn't a pro either? I like the sound of the p basses.

And so you think Mexican Fenders are not worth getting? Because there is quite a huge difference in the price between American and Mexicxan...

No worries.

Yeah the eternal struggle of finding the perfect second hand bass.... I've been there many times, it requires almost inhuman patience and diligence.

I would recommend Japanese Fenders/Squiers or lawsuit era Japanese copies (such as Ibanez basses from the 70s) if you still want to dig around in the second hand market. But in terms of new basses, I have played a few Mexican Fenders, although they can hold their own, they are not worth the money that you have to pay for. I have heard great reviews of the Squier Modified 70's Jazz bass, maybe you should check those out... Ibanez always has a great range of affordable and good quality basses, but most models have really modern sounds which you may not be too happy with. But the truth of the matter is that any bass with two pick ups (meaning neck and bridge) is able to produce is a precision-esque tone.

Hope that helps.

[Astronomer]

Originally Posted by My Mind Sedate

No worries.

Yeah the eternal struggle of finding the perfect second hand bass.... I've been there many times, it requires almost inhuman patience and diligence.

I would recommend Japanese Fenders/Squiers or lawsuit era Japanese copies (such as Ibanez basses from the 70s) if you still want to dig around in the second hand market. But in terms of new basses, I have played a few Mexican Fenders, although they can hold their own, they are not worth the money that you have to pay for. I have heard great reviews of the Squier Modified 70's Jazz bass, maybe you should check those out... Ibanez always has a great range of affordable and good quality basses, but most models have really modern sounds which you may not be too happy with. But the truth of the matter is that any bass with two pick ups (meaning neck and bridge) is able to produce is a precision-esque tone.

Hope that helps.

It does indeed help! Thanks so much! I've actually seen quite a few Japanese Fenders on Ebay but none in my area at the moment, but I will keep my eyes peeled now. I will also take on board all the other suggestions you've made, thanks so much again. I think buying a new bass is going to be a longer process than I thought, hehe, but at least I'll be able to save up a little bit more money in the process of searching.

Just out of curiosity, why don't you think the Mexican Fenders are worth the money you pay for them? Like, what specifically do they lack or what problems do they have? Am just wondering that's all! Because I've played a Mexican precision before, but it was only for a very brief amount of time and it was a while ago. I'm not really that bass-savvy enough to pick up on these kind of things so it would be great to hear more of your views!

Or if anyone else has any suggestions it would be great...

Thanks again for the response!