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I'll try. 🙂 And thanks for the forum discount.
Coincidentally Kemper released a free pack of bass amp profiles yesterday...
Yes!! I am now a bass player owner. First impressions is how much I have to move my hand to get just behind the fret to a clean sound.
But blimey it is the sound of the Gods!
A beautiful condition great playing beast. A lot of work ahead. 🙂
Oh god, why did I start reading this thread?
Not played bass for 35 years (a Westone Spectrum DX)....but found myself testing a few out today.
Tried loads of Squiers, Ibanez and Cort.
2 favourites by far were the Corts, a B4 Element at £450 and a short scale Action Junior at £150!
A mate (pro bass player) also has a couple of Yamahas for sale, a BB1100 and a BB400.
Any opinions?
Buy my Stratocaster or my JTV59.
I need more Teles and basses.
But seriously, I’m just starting and loving it,
A mate (pro bass player) also has a couple of Yamahas for sale, a BB1100 and a BB400.
I’m a big Yamaha fan so I’d be looking closely at those.
New, the Yamaha TRBX 304 is excellent, but tbh any of the brands you mention will be great.
Keep an eye on gumtree and Facebook marketplace for something second hand?
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
Just off the phone with my mate, he's coming up to try a few out with me.
My excellent local music shop, Pro Solo in Burnley can get any of the Corts in, as well as several other brands.
I tend to keep stuff (7 guitars so far!) and I know Pro Solo will look after me in terms of price and after sales.
Mate rates the Cort basses very highly, but thinks the Bartolini pickups may be a bit polite for the music I usually play (psych/stoner/metal).
However, I'm a big believer in buying an instrument that speaks to you and based on today, the Corts aren't just speaking, they're shouting quite loudly!
I was convinced I wanted a Squier Affinity PJ or a Squier Anniversary - the Affinity PJ would need work, neck finish, tuners and a fret polish, all of which I can sort out. Lovely profile neck and insane value at £209.
The Anniversary J I tried was immaculately finished, but the neck was huge at the dusty end, a real handful, not what I was expecting.
Going to try some Yamahas at PMT tomorrow.
Pray for my wallet.
eddiebaby
Full Member
Buy my Stratocaster or my JTV59.
I need more Teles and basses.
Get thee behind me! 🙂
I've already got my perfect Strat, Jap Limited Collection 2019 - Nitro, Custom Shop '69 pickups, deeeeeelightful.
But yes, you need more Teles.
Specifically, you need a Squier Vintage Modified Tele Custom II, the one with 2 P90's and one piece maple neck.
'Just' a Squier, but my god, they are heavenly.
Prices keep going up, don't leave it too long!
Currently running a Am ProII with a Twisted Tele at the neck and a Bootstrap Palo Duro in the bridge. Epicness x 10.
But the P bass is getting the love at the moment.
I prefer short scales and the Cort action junior plays well but the single humbucker is not the best and can be a bit limiting. I currently play an Ibanez Mikro and it plays as easily and fast as a guitar - very nice neck with scale of 28.6"
It is tiny though and guess some would not see as a 'proper' bass but suits me fine.
I currently play an Ibanez Mikro and it plays as easily and fast as a guitar – very nice neck with scale of 28.6″
Slightly longer than my baritone. Nice one.
Can you tell what it is yet?
Just restrung it,changed to a gold anodised pickguard, halved the releief and slightly raised the saddels but the net result is a lower action with no buzzing, other that when I'm not fretting just behind the fret.
Just been setting up drum loops on garageband in different tempos, keys and rhythms and (attempting) playing along. Brilliant fun.
They look like the saddles on Junior'sz Jazz bass. They used to rattle down with playing until I put some wood glue on the threads. It looks like the middle saddle screw and the one to the left of it need tightening - worth a check.
Check the intonation too, the A-string saddle isn't where I'd expect, the adjustment screw looks a bit bent but that shouldn't be an issue as you'll be winding the saddle in. I find tuners don't work very well on open A and E strings and have to rely on my ear relative to the G and D strings.
Correction; Middle bridge screw needs tightening.
@Edukator As ever thanks for the input.
Bridge screws are bang on tight. Probably a criticism of my dodgy iPad photography/lighting.
Intonation. Again might be the photo.
I'm running a Peterson StroboStompHD with sweetened bass tuning with .1% accuracy and the tuning and intonation at the 12th and 19th frets are bang on.
Maybe I'm running a different action to you but as I say, no buzz unless I'm screwing up fretting. Only using fingers so not hammering it with a pick.
Edit: Oh string gauges are slightly "light top / heavier bass". 45 65 85 105
Your tuner is no doubt more accurate than my eye, and your screw driver feel better than the photo too.
It could be down to string gauges that the saddles don't have the usual steps between them. The A and D are often closer than the others with only 2mm or so stagger between them but I've never had them at virtually the same position on any bass I've set up. To be honest it's not worth worrying about too much, slight tuning errors aren't as noticeable as on a guitar.
Hiya!
Ended up buying a Cort B4 Element and it's lovely. I really fancied a Jazz, but as above, this one just felt much comfier. I'm very, very happy with it.
Currently playing through a Fender Mustang Micro headphone amp, great at home but I need something for jam sessions with mates and possibly the odd small pub/club gig. I can't guarantee a PA.
So, I need an amp.
Drummer and one or two guitars, psych, old school punk and rock, but reasonable volumes.
For guitar I use a 15 watt Orange Rocker 15 valve amp and it's bloody loud, but still sounds fantastic.
Ideas?
Ideally I'd like something light but flexible;
Effects loop.
DI out if possible.
Nice clean tones (I have a pedal board I can use for distorted sounds).
Simple - modellers with hundreds of built in amp sims and effects confuse me.
The Fender Rumble 100 looks like it might fit the bill.
I'd happily take the Rumble 40 if it was loud enough.
I love Orange guitar amps so happy to try a Crush 50 or 100.
Ashdown? Ampeg?
I'm also very open to the idea of something like a Trace Elliot Elf head and adding a nice (Barefaced!) cab later.
All suggestions welcome.
Ideally I’d like something light but flexible;
Effects loop.
DI out if possible.
Nice clean tones (I have a pedal board I can use for distorted sounds).
Simple – modellers with hundreds of built in amp sims and effects confuse me.The Fender Rumble 100 looks like it might fit the bill.
I’d happily take the Rumble 40 if it was loud enough.
I love Orange guitar amps so happy to try a Crush 50 or 100.
Ashdown? Ampeg?I’m also very open to the idea of something like a Trace Elliot Elf head and adding a nice (Barefaced!) cab later.
All suggestions welcome.
Rumble 40/100 etc., won’t be enough if you want to play in a band. What’s your budget and would you consider used?
My Crush 100 is a beast. It has an effects loop, nice clean tones, plenty EQ shaping. It also has a gain and blend function so you can dial in grit/filth and blend in clean at the same time, footswitch option to control/defeat the blend. Balanced xlr line out. If you're anywhere near West Yorks come and have a play.
Rumble 40/100 etc., won’t be enough if you want to play in a band. What’s your budget and would you consider used?
Ta!
Budget flexible, but realistic.
I'd rather buy nice than twice.
Used?
Mmmm, not too sure. From someone I trusted, yeah. But not from someone I didn’t know.
Amps lead a hard life. I'd want to know the history.
Scapegoat, that's lovely, thanks.
Luckily, I'm not too far from Promenade in Morecambe, who seem to have a damn good selection of bass amps in atm.
Might have a drive up tomorrow!
Rumble 40/100 etc., won’t be enough if you want to play in a band. What’s your budget and would you consider used?
A 40 maybe too small, but a 100 should be fine mic'd up.
Ashdown stuff is good VFM second hand, but a trip to Promenade should never be passed up!
Cheers all.
No one locally has the Rumble 100 in stock but I'll have a drive up to Morecambe anyway, see what they recommend.
RustySpanner
Full Member
Cheers all.No one locally has the Rumble 100 in stock but I’ll have a drive up to Morecambe anyway, see what they recommend.
Honestly if your end goal is to play some gigs I’d be looking at a rumble 500 as a minimum. When you are sandwiched between a drummer and a guitarist with a 4x12 you won’t be able to hear yourself with just a rumble 100, especially in a rock/punk band, you might get away with it in a jazz band. I have gigged a lot with a GK mb212ii which I really recommend, it has a great tone that really cuts through. I used to have a rumble 500 but prefer the GK which is a bit more powerful and has a more modern tone, while the rumble is more vintage, less hi-fi. They don’t make the mb212 anymore, replacement is a legacy212 combo which is £799 (on offer at the moment). Think the rumble is a bit cheaper. I’d also suggest you get better flexibility with a separate head and cab, though a combo can work out a little cheaper.
Oooohkay.......
Nice trip to Promenade yesterday.
Rossi recommended the Rumble 200 but it's huuuge and I'm running out of room!
Also managed to have a listen locally to a Trace Elliot Elf combo, the 1*8.
Obviously a totally different beast, but I liked it. If they'd had the 1*10 in stock I'd probably have bought that.
I'll have a think about how they'll both fit into the room.
I could sit on the Rumble (and use it as a table!) but I'm not sure I'd want to be schlepping it to and from jams.
The 1*10 Elf seems to be the favourite atm........
Ended up with the Elf 1*10 combo.
Managed to test one up against a drummer in the shop and it was surprisingly loud. Too loud with an additional 1*10 cab.
Small and loud, nice tone.
The 1*8 was punchier, but lacked some real low end.
Great deal from Cam at PMT Leeds as well.
PMT have always been very fair with me.
Took the Elf to a jam tonight and it held up very well.
A drummer and 2 guitarists, one with a solid state 100w Marshall and one with an Orange OR15 into a separate cab.
On it's own, it was fine at rehearsal, no earplug volumes. The compression kicked in with the gain up and the volume lowered a bit, sounded fine. Able to get grindy, treble emphasised early Hawkwind tones, generic rock and old school 60's thump no problem.
Not a huge amount of headroom spare, but it worked well.
Tried it plugged into a Markbass 15" cab (not sure of the model), so the built in 10" plus the 15" cab at 4 ohms. Too much for my ears, tbh, even with foam plugs in.
A Barefaced cab is definitely, definitely in my future.
Most importantly, I managed to carry the bass and the amp down and back up a flight of stairs without putting my back out!
Loved it. Think I played six notes all evening, but not necessarily in the right order.
The Cort is delightful btw.
I'd prefer something with classic looks, but the thin neck is a delight, it feels very natural and accommodating, the bass equivalent of my Ibanez RG550.
The active electronics remain a bit of a mystery, small adjustments result in a very marked tonal shift, but I'll get used to it.
Love to all.
Loved it. Think I played six notes all evening, but not necessarily in the right order.
That's my playing style 🤘
Anyone got any experience of the Fender Rumble modelling amps? I only play for fun these days (at home) and use a SWR Workingman 10 combo which is great. But my old Zoom multi effects unit has died, and my cheap and lowly Sonicake effects unit is pretty limited (pre-amp, boost, compression, fuzz and octave). I feel the need for some reverb, delay, chorus, phase type stuff.
Happened upon a YouTube video of the Rumble 40 Studio combo and it looked great. Anyone use one or has tried one?
Currently torn between getting one of these to expand my playing, or picking up a fretless bass (had one back in the day and always regretted selling it on). Been watching some of Tony Franklin's stuff on YouTube, hence my renewed interest in fretless, though have always loved that mwaah!
I have the Rumble Studio 40 and really like it. I also have the Rumble LT 25 for the living room which is very similar, but slightly smaller and without the Bluetooth or app support. They are great for messing about with different effects and cab sims - if an 800 comes up for sale nearby at a reasonable price, I’ll jump at it.
Practicing at home I just use the bass amps in the THR10 II.
With mates I use the modeller (Kemper or BOSS) into a FRFR PA speaker. Not played live with it yet, I'm finding bass rather hard as I have to try to stop playing as a much as a guitarist would.
So, I got sidelined by Andertons having one of the Sire D5 fretless basses in their autumn sale. Ordered yesterday morning, arrived at 11am today (been playing it pretty much all the time since then!)
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I'd read quite a bit about the rolled edge roasted maple necks on these basses, and I have to say its the nicest feeling neck I've played (id say better than my Musicman...).
Also found returning to fretless after a few decades fairly straightforward, and have had great fun playing along to some 80's and 90's albums by Kate Bush, Simple Minds (New Gold Dream) and Japan for the Mick Karn fretless vibes...
Was worried the pick up might have been a bit limiting, but the tones are fab. Shipped with flatwounds too, and really well set up out of the box, so kudos to Sire and Andertons
That looks lovely - need to embrace the inner Pino Palladino a la Wherever I lay my hat with that!
I've been tempted by one of those D5 Fretless basses.
I was the owner of a Squire Classic Vibe Fretless but sold it, have you any idea how much it weighs?
I’ve been tempted by one of those D5 Fretless basses.
I was the owner of a Squire Classic Vibe Fretless but sold it, have you any idea how much it weighs?
@sam3000 Weighs in at 3.65kg on my luggage scales (my Stingray is 4.15 kg). The Sire has a bit of neck dive, though solved with a grippy wide strap. That neck is lush though.... 😉
Thanks for that. You must've had one of the last ones from Andertons, guess I'll not be getting on then!
Bassists of Singletrackworld, I need your advice.
Having started playing at home a lot more than I have for ages, I was about to invest in a Fender Rumble Studio 40, for the plethora of effects and modelling options. Trouble is I already have a decent amp (SWR Workingmans 10 which is perfect for home use with great sound). So, I'd probably have to move that on if I got a new modelling amp.
So, started looking at multi-effects instead, to replace my very old and very temperamental Zoom BFX708.
Anyone tried (or use) any of the following options?
Zoom B3N https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/zoom-b3n-bass-multi-effects-processor
Boss GT1-B https://www.boss.info/uk/products/gt-1b/
and, at my upper price limit: Zoom B6 https://zoomcorp.com/en/gb/multi-effects/bass-effects/b6/
Thinking the B6 might be a bit "extra" for my needs, but have some gifted cash to put towards it before it gets swallowed up cost of living stuff.
Any real world opinions? Can't be arsed to go select separate pedals and put a board together, really just after something to augment my clean sound mucking around at home! I'd be putting a passive fretless, Music Man 2 band eq, and an active 5 string through it.
Alternatively, any opinions on getting the Rumble and selling the SWR?
Any thoughts on the Squier Bronco?
I'm thinking it might be a fun modding project and something my grandaughter might enjoy.
I've played a mate's modified example and it's great fun.
Wasn't expecting it to sound good, but very surprised!
I also have a modded Squier Bullet Mustang guitar that I've really enjoyed taking to bits and upgrading a bit, so aware of the limitations of budget Squires.
Any ideas?
Sorry, no opinion on the choice of amp, luv2ride. I like the rumble series but don't know how it compares with effects pedals.
As for a short scale bass, the Bronco isn't a bargain IMO. For just a littel more you can get much better. The Vintage modified Jaguar SS used to be my favourite cheap bass if you can find one. The short scale Ibanez with a jazz pickup near the bridge and a P in the middle would be my second choice. Add a bit more and you get quite a choice:
@Edukator. I went all out and got the Zoom B6, which seems to work well through the effects loop on my SWR amp. Haven't had time to mod many preset patches yet but, to my ear, the SVT sims sound great as does the Markbass amp sim. Getting a lot use use from the Octaver patches, a "Geddy/Chris Squire" style prog bass patch, and a Simon Gallup'esque "Curelike" patch. The on-board rhythm section seems really good too, as does the looper...mucho fun!
Acquired a new (to me) amp today 😎
I'd played a separate Little Mark head and 2x10 cab a few times before, so know that I love the sound.
The same setup, but in a more easily transported combo is great!
I was thinking the 250w head might feel a bit under powered compared to the 500w one I'd played before. But it's loud enough to rattle the windows 😆 should easily do for smaller venues.
Ooo that's cute!
Fender + Keanu Reeves. Oh yeah!
I had a moment of madness in Forsyth's yesterday. Just picked it off the wall and couldn't put it back...
It's a Cort, I don't know much about them, but it's fantastic. I've been playing a Squier PJ which I thought was fine until I played this. Feels like a proper musical instrument.
It must be the season for it, my ongoing quest for low end clank has lead me down a dark path and I may have acquired this yesterday.
It's very silly.
Saw this earlier, could be fun...Geddy Lee tv series - Are bass players human too?
Recently treated myself to a Hofner Ignition violin bass. Was alright straight out of the box but not quite the sound I was expecting / looking for. Did a bit of reading and sprung for some flat-wound Hofner strings to replace the stock round-wound. Wow! What a difference, the contrast is amazing. Like two different instruments, Absolutely love it now.
My current set up is a Warwick rockbass corvette active short scale with TC Electronic BG250 amp and 208 cab. Also have an Ibanez artcore semi hollow body, plus an Squier VM mustang. I didn't mean to end up with 3 basses, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
Strictly a bedroom bassist of several years, but still completely rubbish. I tell myself it's the journey, not the destination.
I didn't find the mustang very comfortable so decided to sand down the body to stop getting a sore forearm. Much better now, but looks rough. Also put piccolo strings on. Just the thing when I want to noodle with all those Ennio Morricone cowboy film scores.
If we are showing and telling here's my latest edition. It was time to move on the Flea bass and the JMJ Mustang so I replaced them with this.
I picked up this Jackson in the sale a month or so ago. It's a lot nicer to play than my old £50 ebay special was!
Nice! Jackson basses are pretty underrated, my daughter wanted a Bass for her birthday and she's tiny so it had to be shortscale and she was adamant it had to be purple.
Ended up spending £200 on a Jackson Minion basically because it was purple and wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised, lovely little thing. Electronics are nothing special but.. £200, and the overall build was really good.
As someone who is thinking about learning a guitar - is the bass easier to learn for someone with fat fingers who struggles to only press one string on a normal guitar?
Maybe, I guess. The main reason to learn is that the bass is more awesome!
I'm a recent (lockdown) guitarist - I got a bass first (short trip with an Ibanez and then to the Squier Mustang that i still love) - always wanted to play bass as bassists are super cool. Especially women bassists, from Carol Kaye through Tina, Gail-Ann, Kim, Kim, and many many more.
I then also got a six string (Jazzmaster copy from HB)
I find bass way easier even though I don't have particularly fat finger and there's some iconic bass lines that are great to turn up loud when no-one's around.
Next step as well being able to listen to and mimic some bass lines (or cheat and look them up online) would be to understand a bit of practical music theory. I did music as a kid but have forgotten most of it - I can do scales and arpeggios on the bass but knowing enough so that if someone was to say this one's in F major.... I'd know what chords / root notes go with that and hence then be able to I IV V shuffle around in time with the music rather than having to 'know' what notes to play.
Any decent resources anyone can recommend?
FFS someone talk me out of buying a Chris Wolstenholme signature Status Graphite.
I play a good amount of Muse basslines and they stopped making the CW signature year or so ago. The maker has just started making them again and I happen to have the asking price of a new one burning as hole in my pocket. He's my main influence and I am sorely tempted. It's a helluva price for a bass, but in my heart of hearts I know I won't settle til I've got one.
Bad enough this place is always tempting me to buy bikes, now I find this thread. I don’t play but have been bass-curious for a few months. Never played any guitar, but did a bit of high school keyboards for a few years (35 years years ago!). Not great a reading bass scale but some memory of timing If I’m honest, was reasonable mechanical player but lacked much flair or imagination but then again I was a teenage boy at the time. Still fancy giving it a go though.
Read the thread like a newbie trying to understand gear ratios and suspension settings. What would I actually need to start? <br />No desire to be out gigging and have a young child and elderly neighbours, so no need for a big amp. Also P and J sound more like a sandwich to me. Stuff I like the bass in is 90’s/ early 2000’s punk pop stuff. Think Green Day, Alkaline Trio and (don’t judge too harshly) Blink 182. <br /><br />
Don’t know enough to confidentially buy second hand or online, so probably physical shop buy. Seen the all in one starter kits but not sure if they are just a BSO ( Bass shaped object). <br /><br />
Point me in the right direction.
if green day and blink 182 are your thing then a Pbass is probably a good starting point: P means Fender Precision bass, just like the one that OldTennisShoes has just pictured above, simple controls are great for a learner and the guy from green day plays one.
J means Fender Jazz bass, which is slightly different, they have a different shape neck - but if you are going to shop to try, have a go on all the different shape ones and buy the one that makes you think 'yeah !'
Ideally see if you can find a passive (i.e. no battery required) 'PJ' configuration.
That gives you the classic Precision split neck Pickup as a well a Jazz style bridge one.
Turn the neck pick-up all the way and turn off the bridge and you basically have a P-bass but with the options for more bright, twangy bridge tones down the road if you decide to go that way, keeps your options open.
It's still a passive so nice and simple, not much to go wrong.
Squire Affinity and Harley Benton from Thomann are both well regarded.
Also worth looking on Gumtree and Facebook Market place for second hand. If going second hand, Yamaha are also a safe choice.
Thanks guys.
@hatter I’m sure that sounds perfectly reasonable, unfortunately it means absolutely nothing to me! Told you I really know nothing.
Also worth looking on Gumtree and Facebook Market place for second hand.
I’m sure there’s great stuff out there, but for me it would be like sending someone into the Pinkbike classifieds for their first bike. I could pick up an absolute dog and be none the wiser.
Different configurations of bass pickups give a different tone to your sound. Put as simply as possible (based on the way my mind works anyway...) there are two main configurations which are both based on the original Fender bass guitars of the "good old days".
A Precision Bass played with no effects will generally speaking give you a thumpy bass tone, so think hefty bass lines with a little bit of leeway depending on where you set the tone knob. They have one pickup (which is split into two halves) and so the only control over the tone is via a single knob which tends to back off treble rather than add bass. They're simple, they're great fun and sound awesome in all kinds of genres. As another rule of thumb P Basses tend to have a slightly wider neck so maybe don't play quite as fast as a Jazz, but there are plenty of virtuosos out there to whom that won't make a shit of difference.
The Jazz Bass style is again based on the original Fender Jazz Bass. That design has two pickups which are (as standard) two single coil pickups spaced quite wide apart. That spacing means that they are taking string sounds from two different places, ie from near the bottom of the neck, and from near the bridge and these can have quite wide tonal variations due to the way the strings behave. The controls are set so you can dial in as much or as little of each pickup as you like, and then there's an overall tone knob, which gives you a fantastic sliding scale of tonal possibilities. That's way too much information for a novice (it certainly was when I started!) so the bottom line is that a Jazz is, generally speaking, more versatile, and can be bright and zingy/jangly if that suits, or you can dial in something that approaches a thumpier tone. A Jazz bass will also tend to have a narrower neck with a slimmer profile, and will suit some hands more than a P Bass.
Both designs have been copied ad infinitum and there are loads out there that will suit any budget. Some are better than others, but if I were starting out today I would go to a big music store and get a friendly salesperson on your side. Be honest about your budget and tell them what you intend to play. They'll steer you in the right direction but most importantly let you try them out.
Whereabouts are you?
Point me in the right direction.
A Yousician account and some decent headphones. It's like being in a band. You'll be flying in no time.
Thanks @scapegoat that makes sense. <br />I’m in Angus, nearest biggish shop is in Dundee and has been there for years, so probably used to complete numpties wandering in asking daft questions. Just a bit daunting for a 49 year old complete beginner.
Recently traded a Cort Element for a Yam 734a at Promenade in Morecambe.
Both were lovely, but I wanted a more trad style instrument.
The quality and value on both is quite exceptional for the money, with the Yam being nicer overall.
Both Cort and Yam make exceptionally nice instruments.
No worries. The most important thing to bear in mind is that no-one gives a damn how good you are, we all had to start somewhere, so try and overcome any misgivings about trying out a bass in the shop. Be upfront with the salesperson... they want to sell you the right thing so you'll come back in the future. Get them to set it up properly if you buy one there.
Otherwise, the advice a few posts back about used Squier Affinity basses is good. They are made under the name of Fender for a reason, and you'll see many of them at gigs simply because they work. Factor in the cost of some new strings into your budget, and maybe even the price of a setup, or the price of a few tools/gauges and a spare hour or two of YouTube setup tutorials if you're reasonably handy. Loads of folk buy a bass on a whim, then spend a couple of weeks discovering they aren't Geddy Lee then let them gather dust until it's time to move them out of the spare room in time for Christmas. There are bargains to be had but they'll probably need setting up properly.
If you can get face-to face lessons do so. If not, then scour the 'Tube for an established tutor such as Scott's Bass Lessons, Talking Bass, or BassBuzz . Don't skimp on technique or theory and if you can, learn to read music. There will always be someone who tells you just to "play by ear" but that's a non-starter unless you're some gifted/neurodiverse musical ten year old.
for all the discussion of pickups and neck profiles, one of the big differences in a P and J bass is body shape. The J bass is offset, the lower cut out is further back and when I played them side by side in shops the J bass plays better sat down.
The PJ above has a P shaped body; below is a J
https://58eca9fdf76150b92bfa-3586c28d09a33a8c605ed79290ca82aa.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/fender-player-jazz-bass-tidepool-maple-neck-722671.jp g" rel="nofollow" >@Clubby I'm in Perth. I'd be happy to lend you a bass and amp to have a play with if you fancy it?
Both Cort and Yam make exceptionally nice instruments.
Cort are the contract manufacturer for a huge chunk of more famous brand's 'budget' lines (i.e. Squire, Ibanez, PRS etc). If your mid-range guitar or Bass was made in Indonesia then there's pretty good odds it came out of the Cort factory, I'm pretty sure my LTD did.
Obviously the level of attention to detail and craftsmanship varies wildly depending on what a client is willing to pay but the higher end stuff coming out of there is fully worthy of respect.
also, sorry Clubby, I wasn't trying to confuse.
@oldtennisshoes thanks, that’s a very generous offer, I’ll bear it in mind.
@hatter , no worries, didn’t think you were. Just need it all explained very simply.
Looking at local shops and this kind of appealed.
It’s in the price range where I wouldn’t worry about shelving it if I got bored. Also has the advantage I wouldn’t need to worry about setting it up. Would be able to try first as well. Seems to fit lots of the advice above.
A decent shop might not be as cheap as an internet box shifter, but will do a proper set up before sale.
If they won't, no matter the price point, go somewhere else, even if it means compromising on colour or even make of instrument.
My small, local shop (Pro Solo in Burnley) sets up every single instrument before it gets hung on the wall. If it can't be set up properly, it goes back to the importer.
They are successful because Paul has a fantastic reputation and offers proper customer service, not just to those buying expensive gear, but to everyone.
I would say the same of Promenade in Morcambe and Sound Affects in Ormskirk.
That kit on Kenny's looks ideal as a starter set and having local support for a proper set-up is a plus as well.
Only thing I would mention is that if you're looking for a bit of of a punk rock vibe then you'll be wanting a bit of overdrive to give your sound that crunchy/dirty edge.
Most amps have some kind of overdrive built in but the Rumble 15, being the basic one, doesn't.
So, it may be worth seeing whether Kenny's can swap it out for a Rumble 25 or 40(assuming you're sticking with Fender) to get you that.
Or.... you can always add an overdrive pedal down the line.
Overdriven bass is one of the greatest sounds yet invented by man so I wish you luck on your quest.
Thanks everyone for the advice. Went into Kenny’s in Dundee to have a look at the Squier set up. Staff were really good and after chatting about what I was looking for, plugged the bass in for me to make noise with. Left me alone for 10 minutes to twiddle the nobs then showed me some similar ones. Tried a Yamaha next which instantly felt nicer. Little bit narrower neck and felt nicer finished. Couldn’t tell any difference in sound. Tried a Cort next which was too narrow. Never picked up a guitar before but funny how it just felt right or wrong straight away. It was a Rumble 25 they’d plugged into and @hatter was right the overdrive sounded great (in the hands of the salesman). So for just going in for a look, I walked out with a Yamaha TRBX174 (in old violin finish) a Fender Rumble 25 amp and nice looking woven cable for £410. More than the Squier bundle but Iooking online seems pretty good value for what I got. Watched the first Scott’s Bass Lessons beginners vid and just need some peace to get a chance to practice. Wish me luck.
Sounds like an excellent start. Have fun!
Fantastic stuff! Enjoy
Great stuff!
Those Yamahas are lovely.
Yay! have fun! Glad you went for an overdrive option, much enjoyable racket-making to be had there.
Glad you went for an overdrive option, much enjoyable racket-making to be had there.
Oh yes. Making a big deep growly noise is all part of the fun.
You said you're doing SBL, of course that's important but absolutely obligatory is a few iconic basslines that you can whack out on loud
- The Chain
- Peaches
- Seven Nation Army (not strictly a bassline, burn me)
- Psychokiller
- and drop D tuning for Killing in the Name Of