Help! Which bass should I go for?

[Jeffbass]

Hello "Whitestray" you want a bass with two pickup positions. of course I prefer Music Man basses and would recomend something to the Sabre Bass. I know Ernie Ball is making something similar now. A bass with two Humbucks. You definately need active elecs'. However I've always liked the Musicman because I play Acoustics. She's an electric that rides you like a "big girl". So for a guitarist you might wanna reconsider Ibanez. Puke! I just said that? Although, the Bongo is an option for you. But if you don't like those and you live in a metropolitan area with the proper dealer...proper funds...a guitar player might enjoy Read basses. Not PRS but Read. Oh and yeh...if you don't have any real bass technique go ahead and get a five-string. -Jeffbass-

 

[Jeffbass]

Oh yeh, I forgot to mention that while the Bongo is ugly as sin it does play nicely. But again I like those chunky monkeys. I'll stick with the 79Sabre and the 92Stingray. Good luck hunting.

 

[Slingy]

Are you saying that a guitar player can't handle a nice big stout bass? Everyone knows guitar players make the best bassists, ala John Paul Jones.

Now I'm gonna run for cover.

 

[Jeffbass]

Are you saying that a guitar player can't handle a nice big stout bass? Everyone knows guitar players make the best bassists, ala John Paul Jones.

Now I'm gonna run for cover.

but guitar sucks compared to the tone of bass. Thats why I left guitar over ten years ago. Oh and for "Whitestray"; I do tend to use a wild menagerie of effects on bass because I'm trained on piano, percussion, and I dig on synth. So besides chunky monkeys I also love Skinny Puppies. -Jeffbass-

 

[TheBassGuy]

Whitestrat, I'm a guitar player too and recently bought a Stingray. I love how this instrument is made and how solid it feels. The only thing that bothers me is that (for me) it misses the "EBMM" vibe. The neck is ok, but not like Silo perfection ok. and I miss the contoured neck pocket. I'd suggest you look for a Bongo or the gorgeous Sterling 5! (i want one!!!! )

 

[RocketRalf]

I play an EBMM guitar and an off-brand 5 string bass, I wish it were an EBMM too but I can't afford one. I recently tried a Stingray and a Bongo 4 in a GC, and I must say, the 4 strings didn't do it for me. When I hear a bass in my head, I want crazy deep notes with lots of fundamental and sustain. The Bongo 6 would be my weapon of choice, although a Bongo 5 may be enough for you. If you prefer your bass to cut trough with tone instead of fundamental, then go for a sterling 5. Unless you want that timeless stingray sound. It's all about what you want. Just don't be afraid to grab and try a 5 stringer.

 

[Duarte]

Oh yeh, I forgot to mention that while the Bongo is ugly as sin

Don't let jack see that! The bongo is a design masterpiece, a beautiful thing.

Any bass you choose from EBMM will make you happy. Every bass that comes out of the factory is quality, amazing tone, great to play. So if you can't make up your mind, just buy the prettiest one!

 

[phatduckk]

Sterling HS. I'm a 4 string fan but a 5 string Sterling sounds very awesome as well

 

[ronnyG]

Ok guys, thanks for all the replys. I see many pushing the 4 and a staple bass. But if I'm working with a 7 string guitar, don't I need a 5 at least?

Not at all...regardless of how many strings a guitar OR bass has..there are still only 12 notes that exist. (although I wouldn't be surprised on THIS forum that someone argues that too)

Realistically how many octaves do you require?

I find my 4 string bass has enough octaves for me to play with any guitar....(did Sheehan have any trouble keeping up with Vai's 7 in the David Lee Roth band?) And there is no law that says you can't drop the tuning (to a point) on a 4...mine is in C#....not a buzz or a problem what so ever.

But once again try a few different basses out 4/5/6/30 string lol whatever floats your boat...if it feels good in your hands...you will enjoy playing it more.

How many strings are on this guitar? LOL

 

[RGFLyer]

Being a guitarist first and bassist second, I went with a Bongo 4HH and I use flat wounds I think the low E is a 95...

The bass is very easy to play....oh, and it sounds great too...

 

[RobertB]

... But if I'm working with a 7 string guitar, don't I need a 5 at least?

I don't see what one has to do with the other. There are 12 notes, period, whether you have a 4 stringed instrument or a 13 stringer. The lowest string on your 7 string guitar is still an E, just like the lowest string on a 4, and unlike the lowest ("extra"/5th) string on a 5 string bass, which is a B.

A 6 string bass and a 6 string guitar are still two very different animals, even just in terms of how they're strung (BEADGC vs. EADGBE), to say nothing of technique ... so in short, I'd suggest not focusing on the number of strings as something which might "level" the experience of playing the 2. It won't. I'd instead go for what covers your bases without adding "overhead". For example, since you plan on using it to add simple bass lines to your recordings (as opposed to doing multi-octave scale runs, etc...), a 4 would certainly fit the bill, and you wouldn't have to spend time and attention on things like learning how to keep a low B string quiet when you're not playing it (not trivial ... when a string that size resonates even just a little, you hear it). Plus, I would think the neck of a 4 would most closely match the feel of your guitar's neck.

Anyway, good luck. You can't go wrong with any EBMM bass.

 

[ronnyG]

I don't see what one has to do with the other. There are 12 notes, period, whether you have a 4 stringed instrument or a 13 stringer. .

^

I thought I said that a few posts back? Anyhow it makes complete sense and glad no one has argured that point...(yet)...

And I notice from seeing a few bands (well cover bands in bars..no original bands I like seem to use more then a 4 string) that do use 5 or 6 string basses, don't utilize all 5 or 6 strings..... ever.

So it also depends somewhat on the style of music as well...although I have seen all styles of music played on 4's as well and never heard a complaint that they needed more strings.

Had to post this pic again..too funny

IQ test...how many strings on this guitar?

 

[mynan]

My reasons for preferring a 5er...

Low Eb and D without having to use a D-tuner.

 

[ronnyG]

My reasons for preferring a 5er...

Low Eb and D without having to use a D-tuner.

And there is nothing wrong with that reason...

However it wasn't difficult at all to tune my SR4 1/2 step down and drop C#. No issues at all.

If whitestrat plays in conventional tuning (which wasn't mentioned) then it wouldn't really be enough of a deciding factor for him regardless. I suggest what feels/sounds best to him personally..there seems to be no other reason per say to reccomend which bass he should get..or to tell what HE will be happy with based on our individual opinions and experiences..

All we have to work with is that he is NOT a bass player and just wants a bass around to lay down tracks....
oh, and he doesn't like a "thick" neck.

 

[mynan]

And there is nothing wrong with that reason...

Thanks...I can't tell you how much that means to me.

My suggestion for the OP would be a Sterling5 HS.

A guitar player might be more comfortable with the tighter string spacing on a 5er and the Sterling5 has a thinner (front to back) neck than the 'Ray or Bongo. It's capable of "mellow, big tones" and "aggressive" certainly wouldn't be a problem. Since he's only interested in owning "ONE" bass and hasn't already learned on a 4-string, he might as well start out on a 5er and take advantage of the added options that a 5er provides.

 

[ronnyG]

Perhaps..no disagreement here..it's up to him in the end. I only suggest he try different basses to see what he feels most comfortable on..not trying to talk him out of a 5..or 10 string for that matter..don't really make any difference in my life.

But I have been playing guitar longer then I have been playing bass and although I only play bass professionally now..I play guitar everyday and use it to write tunes....

...and I still can't deal with anything but a 4 string bass. And never had the need to. But again that's what works for me. Occasionally I may sit in with a house band and be forced to play a 5er..just seems awkward to me, like there's an extra string in the way..and although I can force a tune or 2 out of it..it will never be my ax of choice.

As far as achieving "mellow, "big tones" and "aggressive", A 5er is definatly capable...and add in "bright" as well for MM's. But I know a good 4 string can achieve that as well..a rosewood fretboard may be a better choice and something with more then one pup...IMO of course.

 

[whitestrat]

Oh yeh, I forgot to mention that while the Bongo is ugly as sin it does play nicely.

I don't think it's ugly. I actually think it's the coolest looking bass I've ever seen.

 

[whitestrat]

I don't see what one has to do with the other. There are 12 notes, period, whether you have a 4 stringed instrument or a 13 stringer. The lowest string on your 7 string guitar is still an E, just like the lowest string on a 4, and unlike the lowest ("extra"/5th) string on a 5 string bass, which is a B.

Uh... the lowest string on the 7 is a B. That's why I was asking...

 

[whitestrat]

Realistically how many octaves do you require?

I find my 4 string bass has enough octaves for me to play with any guitar....(did Sheehan have any trouble keeping up with Vai's 7 in the David Lee Roth band?) And there is no law that says you can't drop the tuning (to a point) on a 4...mine is in C#....not a buzz or a problem what so ever.

Honestly, I don't know. I was thinking of bands like Korn and Evanescence, and Alterbridge. When the guitarists play in low B, does the bassist use the low B string too? or stick to a conventional B note?

As you can tell, I'm totally clueless about basses.

 

[whitestrat]

If whitestrat plays in conventional tuning (which wasn't mentioned) then it wouldn't really be enough of a deciding factor for him regardless. I suggest what feels/sounds best to him personally..there seems to be no other reason per say to reccomend which bass he should get..or to tell what HE will be happy with based on our individual opinions and experiences..

All we have to work with is that he is NOT a bass player and just wants a bass around to lay down tracks....
oh, and he doesn't like a "thick" neck.

Hahahaha... good point. Yes, I prefer to work with conventional tuning. I would have thought a 5 would be more useful than a 6 for me, JUST IN CASE I want those low notes. I doubt I'll be soloing on a bass, so the high B might not come in handy. Then again, you never know.

I basically want a do-it-all bass. Something staple. Like a Jazz bass. I would probably need that more than a Warwick.

So I get a lot of recommendations for the Bongo and the Sterling, but no Stingray? Is there a reason why? I've had bassists tell me it's the best they've ever played, but the tone is really punchy, and it's hard to get it to lay back. Is this true?