GroovyAdventure
Member
About four years ago, I played bass for a year and sold all my gear to help fund buying a car. I thought I was done with bass until a friend needed a bassist for his hip-hop band. I agreed to the gig without any gear. I bought a TC Electronic BG250 amp and a Sterling Sub4 and off I went. I’ve been playing guitar for 14 years and the transition to bass has been very easy for me. It makes me think that all the years I’ve been playing guitar, should have been spent playing bass. I’m very good at pick style, working on finger style and trying to learn slap bass.
Anyhow, I’m looking to pick up one good-quality bass that’s good for any style of music and wanted some help deciding on a direction to go. I’ve played quite a few basses and have narrowed my choices down to either an EBMM Sterling Stingray, Bongo or possibly some sort of Carvin made out of Walnut/Koa/Maple.
I played the Sterling and liked that it was easy to dial in to get a good sound. It was very similar to a normal stingray as far as tone went, but where a stingray has a very rich and thick low end, the sterling felt a little less rich and maybe a little clearer sounding. I kind of liked that. I’d almost describe it as somewhere between a J and P bass kind of sound. Does that make sense? The neck also seemed thinner than a stingray.
The Bongo on the other hand was harder to dial in. Going back and fourth between the bongo and the sterling, I kept coming back to the bongo. It sounded a little cleaner but I was still able to get stingray tones if I worked with the EQ. It felt more like a JBass, but I’ve never been a fan of the JBass. I also really liked the neck. Some people complain about the body shape, but it doesn’t bother me at all.
I’m also considering some kind of Carvin. For the price, it seems like good option. I could get a bass that’s made from a butcher’s block of Koa/ Walnut/ Maple and still not break the bank. The only issue is not being able to play one beforehand.
As for options, no matter what bass I end up getting, I think I want to get a lined fretless bass. I’ve played fretless basses in stores and I’ve liked the sound and feeling each time. I also really like the sound of slap bass on a fretless. One of my favorite bassists is Scott Owen from the band The Living End and he plays slap on a double bass and I really like the tone. Are there any big disadvantages to getting a fretless?
What pickup configuration is best (H, HH, HS)?
Then there’s also the question of 4 or 5 string. So far, I haven’t had the need for a 5 string bass. What would I need one for? Should I get a 5 and play it as a 4 by leaving a string off? Or should I get used to a 5? What would you do? Which bass do you like more? What would you recommend? As for music, currently I’m in a hip-hop/ rap band and a cover band. I have some upcoming auditions with various local bands as well. I want a thick sound that’s very hifi. Any help would be appreciated.
Peace~
Anyhow, I’m looking to pick up one good-quality bass that’s good for any style of music and wanted some help deciding on a direction to go. I’ve played quite a few basses and have narrowed my choices down to either an EBMM Sterling Stingray, Bongo or possibly some sort of Carvin made out of Walnut/Koa/Maple.
I played the Sterling and liked that it was easy to dial in to get a good sound. It was very similar to a normal stingray as far as tone went, but where a stingray has a very rich and thick low end, the sterling felt a little less rich and maybe a little clearer sounding. I kind of liked that. I’d almost describe it as somewhere between a J and P bass kind of sound. Does that make sense? The neck also seemed thinner than a stingray.
The Bongo on the other hand was harder to dial in. Going back and fourth between the bongo and the sterling, I kept coming back to the bongo. It sounded a little cleaner but I was still able to get stingray tones if I worked with the EQ. It felt more like a JBass, but I’ve never been a fan of the JBass. I also really liked the neck. Some people complain about the body shape, but it doesn’t bother me at all.
I’m also considering some kind of Carvin. For the price, it seems like good option. I could get a bass that’s made from a butcher’s block of Koa/ Walnut/ Maple and still not break the bank. The only issue is not being able to play one beforehand.
As for options, no matter what bass I end up getting, I think I want to get a lined fretless bass. I’ve played fretless basses in stores and I’ve liked the sound and feeling each time. I also really like the sound of slap bass on a fretless. One of my favorite bassists is Scott Owen from the band The Living End and he plays slap on a double bass and I really like the tone. Are there any big disadvantages to getting a fretless?
What pickup configuration is best (H, HH, HS)?
Then there’s also the question of 4 or 5 string. So far, I haven’t had the need for a 5 string bass. What would I need one for? Should I get a 5 and play it as a 4 by leaving a string off? Or should I get used to a 5? What would you do? Which bass do you like more? What would you recommend? As for music, currently I’m in a hip-hop/ rap band and a cover band. I have some upcoming auditions with various local bands as well. I want a thick sound that’s very hifi. Any help would be appreciated.
Peace~
