The Bass thread

[ElephantSack]

If I may interject...

I grew up playing a Mexican-made Fender Jazz, and it was an all-around great bass, although it was my first, I didn't take very good care of it, and it was eventually stolen from me But mine was made in the early 90s, so that might also have something to say about the quality. I've never been big on precision basses, but then I've never owned one, either.
I was also going to recommend Ibanez for a starter upgrade. They're lightweight, easy to play and have a pretty wide range of tonal capability, and they're relatively inexpensive. Some of them are straight up cheap, but you are looking for an upgrade, after all. Same story with Peavey.
Schecter makes some quality basses. My weapon of choice right now is my Custom Stiletto 5. They're mostly mid-range to high end as far as price goes, but if your heart is set on a Fender, you might want to go with that, but you should also decide whether or not to side with a passive electronic set up or an active set up.

[Necromancer]

Originally Posted by ElephantSack

If I may interject...

I grew up playing a Mexican-made Fender Jazz, and it was an all-around great bass, although it was my first, I didn't take very good care of it, and it was eventually stolen from me But mine was made in the early 90s, so that might also have something to say about the quality. I've never been big on precision basses, but then I've never owned one, either.
I was also going to recommend Ibanez for a starter upgrade. They're lightweight, easy to play and have a pretty wide range of tonal capability, and they're relatively inexpensive. Some of them are straight up cheap, but you are looking for an upgrade, after all. Same story with Peavey.
Schecter makes some quality basses. My weapon of choice right now is my Custom Stiletto 5. They're mostly mid-range to high end as far as price goes, but if your heart is set on a Fender, you might want to go with that, but you should also decide whether or not to side with a passive electronic set up or an active set up.

Very good advice my friend, Fender Jazz/Ibenez, I owend a mexican 5-string Jazz, (I owned 2 of them in fact).one of them was a 96 anniversary Jazz Bass. Ibenez's are the low end$ basses that will stay up with the average top end$ basses. Ibenez does! have high $ end bass guitars forsale. "Its who is behind the bass guitar playing it is what really matters anyway", not a certain popular & high dollar bass guitar.

[My Mind Sedate]

Originally Posted by ElephantSack

If I may interject...

I grew up playing a Mexican-made Fender Jazz, and it was an all-around great bass, although it was my first, I didn't take very good care of it, and it was eventually stolen from me But mine was made in the early 90s, so that might also have something to say about the quality. I've never been big on precision basses, but then I've never owned one, either.
I was also going to recommend Ibanez for a starter upgrade. They're lightweight, easy to play and have a pretty wide range of tonal capability, and they're relatively inexpensive. Some of them are straight up cheap, but you are looking for an upgrade, after all. Same story with Peavey.
Schecter makes some quality basses. My weapon of choice right now is my Custom Stiletto 5. They're mostly mid-range to high end as far as price goes, but if your heart is set on a Fender, you might want to go with that, but you should also decide whether or not to side with a passive electronic set up or an active set up.

Good point, passive electronics sound more "organic" but have lower output and lesser tone shaping abilities, while active electronics are louder and have onboard EQ, but tend to colour the tone somewhat and they require either one or two 9v batteries. The majority of Fender basses are passive.

I think Mex Fenders are good instruments, but they are just not as good as one would expect, considering the price.

At the end of the day which ever bass you like the playing the most will be the "best" bass for you!

[Astronomer]

Originally Posted by ElephantSack

If I may interject...

I grew up playing a Mexican-made Fender Jazz, and it was an all-around great bass, although it was my first, I didn't take very good care of it, and it was eventually stolen from me But mine was made in the early 90s, so that might also have something to say about the quality. I've never been big on precision basses, but then I've never owned one, either.
I was also going to recommend Ibanez for a starter upgrade. They're lightweight, easy to play and have a pretty wide range of tonal capability, and they're relatively inexpensive. Some of them are straight up cheap, but you are looking for an upgrade, after all. Same story with Peavey.
Schecter makes some quality basses. My weapon of choice right now is my Custom Stiletto 5. They're mostly mid-range to high end as far as price goes, but if your heart is set on a Fender, you might want to go with that, but you should also decide whether or not to side with a passive electronic set up or an active set up.

Hey Dave Hrm, I'm thinking about Ibanez now... but I know nothing about them. Would there be any particular models of Ibanez that you would recommend for someone who's still pretty amateurish? And Schecter? And what is their sound like compared to Precisions?

As for passive/active I was just gonna stay with a passive set up... but now I don't knowwww. It's all so confusing.

EDIT: And thank you, My Mind Sedate, for all of the advice so far, you've been a great help! =)

[Shell444]

Hi! I have been playing bass for really 6 weeks. I am borrowing a Washburn from a friend to learn and then after much research I bought an Ibanez SR300 b/c it sounded great in the store after playing it on a few different visits. I got it home and I don't like it at all. Way too bright---couldn't compare it in the store, but it sounded (and played GREAT) there. I'm a petite gal, so I am looking for a sort of lightweight bass that is NOT active (I figured this out NOW--I just need something more simple for my purposes). I just want a nice bassy bass that won't kill me to play. The Washburn weighs on me literally after awhile. So does anyone know of a passive bass that is light but is not a total beginner's bass---but one I could happily play for years?
Thanks so much for your help!!!

[mr dave]

Originally Posted by Lateralus

As for passive/active I was just gonna stay with a passive set up... but now I don't knowwww. It's all so confusing.

passive is less hassle, and perfectly fine for most average applications, there's the potential for more 'noise' in your sound though, especially if you use lots of effects.

active electronics require some sort of power source as there's an actual preamp built into the pickups. it provides a much cleaner sound, but can border on being sterile. it's best if you want to ensure a strong signal at all times.

generally speaking actives are more predominant with metal and more technical styles, while passives are for the rest of us.

if you had your heart set on a P-Bass then go for it. i'm with ES on this one, i've known a few people with Mexican Fender basses and had no complaints (doesn't Antonio also own one?). it's not like you've gotten used to a higher quality instrument and the build quality will be immediately noticeable (if ever). just remember to try out a handful of models while you're in the store before you drop your cash. even if there is a specific model that catches your eye as soon as you walk in, try others to make sure that it's still the be all end all for you that you thought it was on entry. after all, you're the one who'll be playing it. you might want to try the J-basses as well, don't let the Jazz name fool you, it works for anything.


@Shell444 - any reason why you can't bring that Ibanez back to the store for a return? especially where you're looking for something else, they should be able to provide some store credit. the hassle of active electronics is the necessity of a 9volt battery in the body of the instrument, it has no bearing on its overall weight.


ALSO - it sounds like you made a typical beginner's mistake. you say it sounded great in the store but WAY too bright at home. did you try it out on a similar amp setup as to what you had at home? or just run it through the wicked awesome Ampeg stack in the corner of the shop? it's a common sales technique that often results in disappointment.

[Shell444]

Mr. Dave---THANKS!!! I can definitely take the active Ibanez back. I just wanted direction for passive basses. Yes, when I called the store about the brightness and being a little uneasy when I got it home, they brought up that the difference in amps might be it. But after talking with a bassist friend (and now you), I am sure that passive is where I need to be.

[mr dave]

it's not like there's a specific list of passive vs. active models out there. most manufacturers offer options for both once you get out of the beginner level gear. since you did like the Ibanez in the first place it might just be a matter of looking at their other models.

their artcore line might be right up your alley, being that you said you were petite, semi-hollow, passive electronics, good price point, and stylish as hell

[90'sMusicKid]

I play an Ibanez GSR-100. Savin up for a musicman stingray.

[mr dave]

Originally Posted by 90'sMusicKid

I play an Ibanez GSR-100. Savin up for a musicman stingray.

always loved the look of the Stingray, supremely disappointed when i finally got to try one. just didn't click with me. also invest in lots of 9 volts and make sure to keep a spare in the case when you do get one (active pickups hehe).