Good Bass for Intermediate

[SicBarney]

HI, I'm a guitarist and drummer by nature, and a drummer in my band. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, I am now the bassist in the band. I am able to play some scales on bass (stuff I've improvised from my guitar playing).

My question is, can anyone recommend a good bass for intermediate players? I don't trust those damn SX basses. Personally, I prefer ESP guitars. Does ESP make great basses as well?

Need help here!

 

[b33r]

i have no idea what ESP basses are like. what's your budget like?

 

[teokiatuan]

hm kinda off topic, but do you like bass? no point playing an instrument you may not like..

back on topic, maybe an ibanez bass would be good.

 

[splintersfury]

maybe get something from city music.. i think its the only one with sales still going on...

try hamer =)
or ibanez
or second hand fenders?

u like esp guitars due to the shape or the sound?

 

[Resetti]

ESP makes basses, but ESP basses are expensive.

ESP has a cheaper line called LTD, that's a little cheaper.

I advise NOT buying a Ibanez in singapore, simply because the local Ibanez dealer jacks up the price to a ridiculous amount, if it was me I wouldn't want to reward them with my hard earned money. If you're getting a Ibanez overseas, then go right ahead

 

[SicBarney]

1. Yes I enjoy playing the bass as much as playing the drums and guitar
2. Yes I do know about ESP and its younger sibling LTD
3. I prefer ESP because of the sound
4. Personally, I've never did take a liking for Ibanez and Fender. Its just a personal opinion.

Budget wise, I'm still not too sure though. What do you guys reckon would make a good bass, regardless of budget?

 

[Resetti]

Budget wise, I'm still not too sure though. What do you guys reckon would make a good bass, regardless of budget?

I would say there's a lot of choices for good basses - Ibanez, ESP, Fender, Musicman, Lakland, Sadowsky, Warwick, Peavy, Yamaha, etc etc....

It's actually too bad that we're not like the USA with big shops like Guitar Center where you can just walk in and try out all of them and buy the one you like best.

 

[ahkiatt]

SX makes good basses... So...


PPPPPPFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!! at you!

 

[VinOnBass]

there's a YAMAHA RBX375 on sale at the bass section. Check it out, it's pretty decent.

hahaha (i would bargain the price alittle, ahem!) But still, it's a good bass. =)

 

[b33r]

Fender MIM/MIJ Jazz. not too expensive, versatile, can be modded, definitely a safe buy.


oh wait didn't see that you don't like Fender or Ibanez. if i weren't to get either or those i would probably go for Yamaha.

 

[VinOnBass]

buy b33r thunderbird man..lol!

 

[b33r]

haha! better tell you first that it's probably not for fussy buyers.

 

[rayson]

I'd say Lakland, especially if you want a low B str. I think.

 

[lordie]

u can try warwick ;p not so bad. ESP are ok too but not cheap lah.. unless u looking at LTD, i am still using my ESP LTD F-104 very metal. but nowadays pls more with my wick as well ;p.

 

[5stringwonder]

I take it you don't like Fender-style basses not just Fender basses. That narrows down the field quite a bit. Being a guitarist, I'm guessing you may prefer thinner necks. If you have the budget, look for a Rickenbacker. Alternatively, you can try a Warwick (or Rockbass).

 

[trowaclown]

Everyone's throwing out brands only

I say you go to shops and try stuff out. Figure out what kinda tone and design features you want. It's easier to shop for stuff when you actually have an idea of what you want. Importantly, may I suggest

1. Price
2. Tone (pickup type? body/fingerboard woods?)
3. String spacing
4. 4 string or extended range basses
5. Neck dimensions (fat/thin)
6. No. of frets, upper fret access
7. THE FEEL OF IT OVERALL.

 

[lardylard]

i'm selling my LTD though ! haha ,

 

[shinobi]

if you like ESP, maybe you can look out for edwards, ltd or grassroots

it's a very wide generalization to say that you don't like 'fender' or 'ibanez', but having said that i understand what you mean

its true that you should look out for the specs of the bass, like what kind of woods etc etc, but that is only at a very advanced stage of selection. if you like a jazz sound, you would narrow it down to jazz basses first, and THEN look for maple/rosewood neck alder/ash bodied C-shaped neck 24-fret jazz basses, for example. not the other way round, where you choose the specs, and then decide between a J, P, LP, Tbird or warwick per se.

basses are not just the sum of their parts, and certain brands do make basses with a broad kind of tone in mind

 

[trowaclown]

Mmmm yeah actually that makes more sense than I did. I stand corrected!

 

[ahkiatt]

What's your budget?