Help! Which bass should I go for?

[whitestrat]

Ok guys... I'm NOT a bassist. I repeat. I'm not a bassist. I know NOTHING about basses, except that they have chubby strings and use less pedals than guitarists. I also know they give me blisters every time I play them. Heh.

I'm a guitarist.

If I were to pick ONE bass for myself. Just one, which should it be? I want a do-it-all bass. I like mellow, big tones. Not too much focus please. I also do like agressive tones from time to time like Flea's tone on "Scar Tissue".

Should it be a 4, 5 or 6 string? Bongo? Sterling or Stingray? I've been advised to pick one from a P bass or a Jazz bass from Fender. But I don't know much about that either. I'm pretty much taken in by balls. I've sold my strats and Ibanezes and I've got 7 balls now.

This bass for me is a "just in case" bass. I would probably pick it up from time to time, and most likely just use it to lay simple bass lines on recordings. I obviously can't slap, and actually do like to use picks. I do like comfortable neck profiles. No thick ones for me, and preferably C shaped.

Any advice would be useful.

 

[Jimmyb]

I'd go for a Bongo 5 string.

Oh, wait a second, I did!!!

Serioulsy though, it's a great bass (although like you I'm not really a Bass player. Mind you, I'm not much of a guitar player either).

As for less pedals? That's just a matter of taste....

Here's a picture

 

[oli@bass]

For a guitarist wanting to lay down a bass track every now and then, I'd suggest a Sterling simply because of the neck profile. Possibly a HS model, so you have a wide array of different sounds available. Try a five string if you want, but I guess with a four string model you get all your needs covered.

 

[Jimmyb]

Dude, think like a guitarist...

5 strings = 1 more!!

 

[ronnyG]

A 5 string? Does anyone actually ever use all 5..or keep one for a spare?


J/k..sorry had to. I can work the piss out of a 4 string..but a total spaz on a 5. Since I tune 1/2step down drop C# I have enough bottom..never felt the need to go lower then that.

 

[Elad_E]

I second the Sterling suggestion, prefferably an HH or HS model for the variety of useable tones out of a single bass.

personally I'd go for a 4 string because that what Jaco used.....
just kidding, I'd go for a 4 string because I feel more comfortable with them but do try the new 5 string version of the Sterling and decide wether you need the low B-D# or not.

 

[ronnyG]

Actually he mentions in the OP.."no thick neck for me". Pretty much seals the deal for a 4 string I would assume.

But the best bet is always to decide these things on your own..as everyone has an opinion..whats better..coke or pepsi?..and some wiseguy always says dr. pepper.

Go to the music store and try a bunch out..take your time until one just feels right to you, which will be a 4 string.

 

[Big Poppa]

Right now HS Sterling 5 or Single H bongo 4

 

[Aussie Mark]

I also know they give me blisters every time I play them. Any advice would be useful.

Flatwounds = no blisters

 

[Psycho Ward]

A Sterling 4 or 5 string in an H/S config, yes they're that good. Once you get one you'll give up guitar, the clouds will open and a beam of light will carry you to stardom! You'll be rich beyond your wildest dreams; you can use 100 dollar bills for toilet paper! You will…

OK, maybe not, but you’ll have one fine bass guitar and that’s the truth!

 

[Psycho Ward]

Right now HS Sterling 5 or Single H bongo 4

The "right now" part is very interesting BP.

 

[powersM3]

SIX (6) of these are for sale....pick one!!!!

’73 Rickenbacker 4001 - jetglo
‘74 Univox HiFlier - 3 color sunburst
’75 Gibson Grabber (G-1) - natural satin
’80 Peavey T-40 - natural
’84 Gibson Explorer - alpine white
’86 Gibson Explorer ‘Shadow’ (piezo) – ferrari red
’92 Gibson TBird IV - vintage sunburst
’01 Hamer Chaparral (12 string) - white pearl
’01 Musicman Sterling H – unlined Fretless – premium natural w/mhs - black pearloid
’03 Fender GB-41 (A/E) - natural
’07 Musicman Sterling HH - pacific blue burst w/mhs - black pearloid
’07 Fender ‘C/S Time Machine’ N.O.S.’59 Precision Bass - 3 color sunburst

Moving to a much smaller home and some have to go.

Also Ampeg SVT-VR (one of the first USA Made in '06) and matching SVT 810AV.

 

[nashman]

I suggest ... Sterling, HS or HH, 4 string. Done!

 

[LoEnd]

A 5 string? Does anyone actually ever use all 5..or keep one for a spare?


J/k..sorry had to. I can work the piss out of a 4 string..but a total spaz on a 5. Since I tune 1/2step down drop C# I have enough bottom..never felt the need to go lower then that.

Oh yes, I do. In just about every song. I am a little bias on Bongo's but I would suggest a Bongo 5 to you whitestrat because they just play like a dream. They are extremely comfortable. And how can you go wrong with the 18v preamp and 24 frets

I actually play in the same tuning as you ronnyG (C#, drop B) but I tune up 1 1/2 steps on my 5 strings. I like it because I can have the action extremely low (with no fret buzz) and the sound is real punchy. I love it.

 

[Slingy]

Going from guitar to bass I didn't find any problem with the spacing of a wider neck. I originally bought a P-Bass but couldn't get on with the tone of it, and quickly picked up an MM for tracking.

Reprise Part 1 (Test Mix) — RiffWorld

 

[ronnyG]

Oh yes, I do. In just about every song. I am a little bias on Bongo's but I would suggest a Bongo 5 to you whitestrat because they just play like a dream. They are extremely comfortable. And how can you go wrong with the 18v preamp and 24 frets

I actually play in the same tuning as you ronnyG (C#, drop B) but I tune up 1 1/2 steps on my 5 strings. I like it because I can have the action extremely low (with no fret buzz) and the sound is real punchy. I love it.

Oh I'm totally with ya bro...to each his own. If I ever mock 5 strings its only because I can't play one..and I am aware how good they can sound. If I really need to go lower I kick in an octaver..seems easier to me (I am very lazy..hence I play bass..lol) then practicing to play a 5'er.

BTW the action on my 90 SR4 is also low as well...ludicrouisly low..no buzzing, go figure...MM's RULE !!!

 

[Sweat]

Since I am considering a bass, my choice would be a sterling 4 or a SUB but what the hell I am like you know nothing about bass except big strings

 

[whitestrat]

Dude, think like a guitarist...

5 strings = 1 more!!

If that's the case, I should go for a 6 stringer!!!! That Bongo 6 in Stealth is really yanking my chains...

 

[whitestrat]

Actually he mentions in the OP.."no thick neck for me". Pretty much seals the deal for a 4 string I would assume.

No thick neck doesn't mean no wide neck. I can deal with width. Not thickness. God knows why...

 

[whitestrat]

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?