Buying a Bass Guitar.

Whitewater · 30 Jan 2006 at 17:49

I have a Stagg P300 at the moment:

The neck and head are quite heavy which makes for some awkward playing especially when standing. Has anyone used a bass guitar that's better balanced, a one that has a lighter neck and head?

Jotun · 30 Jan 2006 at 20:11

Is the problem that you have to support the neck with your fretting hand when playing? It could be simply down to the strap you use, originaly i had one made out of some fibre type stuff that just slid down, and made playing awkward, but i've got a plastic one, and a leather one (i think), both of which stop this happening, Might be worth checking out, depending what you currently use.

Phalanx · 30 Jan 2006 at 21:06

that's called neck dive, your best bet is to try them a load of basses out. What's your budget and what styles of music do you play?

SidewinderINC · 31 Jan 2006 at 12:21

i used to have that a little with my guitar (i play lead guitar) then i got a leather strap as evil-penguin says, and it grips onto the clothes i'm wearing and the guitar stays where it is

simisker · 31 Jan 2006 at 12:36

Yup, a wider and grippier strap should sort you out and save you some money.

I wholeheartedly recommend a Comfort Strapp. Worked for my bass, which is renowned for being a bit on the hefty side.

Whitewater · 31 Jan 2006 at 17:55

Evil-Penguin said:
Is the problem that you have to support the neck with your fretting hand when playing?

Yes, I had a nylon strap not so long ago that was terrible for sliding. I bought a leather one which is better but no matter how I adjust it the head insists on heading floorward :confused:

My budget's £500, I don't play anything in particular at the moment.

Neoni · 31 Jan 2006 at 19:55

how about a fender jazz bass? im in a metal band and the bassist uses one, awesome guitars such a good sound very good output on them, finish is nice, by the fender strap with it aswell...

cant go wrong!

burns · 31 Jan 2006 at 19:56

Ive got an Ibanez BTB406 which despite being a six string is less prone to neck dive than my P-bass, so I'd imagine the BTB404 should be fine. It sounds really good too, good eq and a nice tone to start with. I'm probably going to sell it soon though, I don't really need the two extra strings.

Whitewater · 31 Jan 2006 at 21:46

Ibanez BTB-550MP looks nice. Admittedly I can't tell a good bass from a bad one at the moment :confused:

Soul Rider · 1 Feb 2006 at 16:51

The Warwicks are lovely Basses, but very heavy, although there is more weight in the body so they don't tend to dive. Beautiful sound, solid beasts with a price tag to match tho!!

Angel · 1 Feb 2006 at 22:43

You could get yourself

Fender Active Jazz V
Fener Active Jazz
Fender Jazz with a Sadowsky outboard DI/preamp (just)
Fender P bass

Of course they'll all be Mexican Fenders but there still good. Of course i'm bias towards Fener i've played a fair few basses and i think Fender have the best look and tone and blance for my musical taste. However the BTB 6 string is amazing and for a long time i considered getting one.

Personly i'd go for a Jazz bass thinner neck off set body and lighter than a P bass. You can get the active mexican ones which have a bit of extra growl to them but would eat up your whole budget. you may want to consider saving a few hundred more and getting an American jazz.

SexyGreyFox · 1 Feb 2006 at 23:44

Angel gives good advice.
Fenders have been the 'standard' bass sound on millions of different tracks over the decades and they feel right as soon as you pick them up.
I think I'm right in saying they were the first electric bass and so everybody has had to copy them.

However, if I had the money I would seriously consider one of these -

http://www.line6.com/variaxbass/

Angel · 2 Feb 2006 at 17:09

dmpoole said:
Angel gives good advice.
Fenders have been the 'standard' bass sound on millions of different tracks over the decades and they feel right as soon as you pick them up.
I think I'm right in saying they were the first electric bass and so everybody has had to copy them.

However, if I had the money I would seriously consider one of these -

http://www.line6.com/variaxbass/

Yep Fenders were the first electric bass back in the 50's with the P bass. Its well worth playing a 51p even if its just the model they sound so Tinny and flat compared to modern basses.

The Variax bass is nice but for the 800-1000 i've seen them for i'd put my money in the Fender again. If you have a few good basses i'd get the Varaix but as a main bass i'd be a bit put off.

Andelusion · 2 Feb 2006 at 17:30

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Whitewater · 2 Feb 2006 at 20:07

There's a pretty well-stocked shop at the Metro Centre with some Fender basses, I'll take a look and hold a few after my lesson on Saturday. I'm not looking for the best (or even the second best

) at the moment but something that will last for a few years while I learn to play the instrument. I hope to be in a position both financially and ability wise to invest in a really good one in a few years, fingers crossed.

Chronos-X · 2 Feb 2006 at 20:48

I go for the Ernie Ball strap from stringsdirect - its the only one I've found that doesnt leave the guitar at nipple height! Its amazing how so many shop-bought straps are ludicrously short - you cant get any Slash-style swagger with them at all.

The likes of Jimmy Page and Brian May always used thin leather straps that looked like belts to me! Not seen where to get them though.

Andelusion · 2 Feb 2006 at 21:42

Chronos-X said:
I go for the Ernie Ball strap from stringsdirect - its the only one I've found that doesnt leave the guitar at nipple height! Its amazing how so many shop-bought straps are ludicrously short - you cant get any Slash-style swagger with them at all.

lols i'm totally opposite, I can't help but find straps which just seems to be built for kiddie-nu-metalers

Guitar up by the chin is the only way for proper technique imo

Angel · 2 Feb 2006 at 21:45

Whitewater said:
There's a pretty well-stocked shop at the Metro Centre with some Fender basses, I'll take a look and hold a few after my lesson on Saturday. I'm not looking for the best (or even the second best ) at the moment but something that will last for a few years while I learn to play the instrument. I hope to be in a position both financially and ability wise to invest in a really good one in a few years, fingers crossed.

Look a Fender Mexican basses, then play an american one and then go away and have a think about spending the extra money. Trust me if your serious about playing its worth the investment. I got a very nice Mexican Jazz which i really love, but sometime i wish i had saved a bit more and got the USA version.

Advanced techniques such as two handed tapping and slap alway sound off on a Mexican to me. Pickups aren't sensitive enough for tapping and slap can sound a little rough. But for true tapping goodness you want a Musicman Stingray with pizo pickup!

Chronos-X · 2 Feb 2006 at 21:57

Andelusion said:
lols i'm totally opposite, I can't help but find straps which just seems to be built for kiddie-nu-metalers

Guitar up by the chin is the only way for proper technique imo

I find the sort of people that are into "technique" dont own a strap at all, which says a lot about their idea of the practicality of the instrument.

Andelusion · 2 Feb 2006 at 22:04

Chronos-X said:
I find the sort of people that are into "technique" dont own a strap at all, which says a lot about their idea of the practicality of the instrument.

If you're not 'into "technique"' at all then i'm confused as to how you'd expect to play anything at all :confused: