Discussion
Thinking of getting back into playing again, after too many years away. I've still got my old bass that I bought 35 years ago; an Ibanez Roadster (pic below; must be almost an antique now!) Can't help thinking that things may have moved on a little in the intervening years though. Is it worh trying a 5-string? Do they have any advantage, apart from going loooow? Also, active/passive?
Considering one from the Yamaha TRBX Series. Anything else I should be looking at? Budget up to around £700. Will be playing mainly classic rock-style.
Considering one from the Yamaha TRBX Series. Anything else I should be looking at? Budget up to around £700. Will be playing mainly classic rock-style.
If you old bass plays well and the electronics work fine then there's little point changing it. I'd leave off a while, get back up to speed and then look to replace depending on what you want to do with it.
I recently retired my 20 year old Washburn for a pre-owned Musicmann Sterling and it's a different thing entirely. I found a place that allowed me to spend 3 hours trying out basses before going with a choice I hadn't considered and am thoroughly happy with. You might be able to find somewhere down your way that has a similar policy!
If you're stuggling to get the right tonal variation out of it I can't recommend the SansAmp Bass Drivers enough. Massive EQ tweakery plus a really good drive that goes from clean through to very rude with a presence that will really pull out all the harmonics. Simple to use too which is a big plus for me - too many options with the multi-fx to ever find a sound that works.
I recently retired my 20 year old Washburn for a pre-owned Musicmann Sterling and it's a different thing entirely. I found a place that allowed me to spend 3 hours trying out basses before going with a choice I hadn't considered and am thoroughly happy with. You might be able to find somewhere down your way that has a similar policy!
If you're stuggling to get the right tonal variation out of it I can't recommend the SansAmp Bass Drivers enough. Massive EQ tweakery plus a really good drive that goes from clean through to very rude with a presence that will really pull out all the harmonics. Simple to use too which is a big plus for me - too many options with the multi-fx to ever find a sound that works.
IainT said:
If you old bass plays well and the electronics work fine then there's little point changing it. I'd leave off a while, get back up to speed and then look to replace depending on what you want to do with it.
I recently retired my 20 year old Washburn for a pre-owned Musicmann Sterling and it's a different thing entirely. I found a place that allowed me to spend 3 hours trying out basses before going with a choice I hadn't considered and am thoroughly happy with. You might be able to find somewhere down your way that has a similar policy!
If you're stuggling to get the right tonal variation out of it I can't recommend the SansAmp Bass Drivers enough. Massive EQ tweakery plus a really good drive that goes from clean through to very rude with a presence that will really pull out all the harmonics. Simple to use too which is a big plus for me - too many options with the multi-fx to ever find a sound that works.
But...but...but...I've got a severe case of GAS! Hence 20-odd 6-strings that I rarely touch, the latest of which is a Bender Distortocaster that I will never wield in anger...I recently retired my 20 year old Washburn for a pre-owned Musicmann Sterling and it's a different thing entirely. I found a place that allowed me to spend 3 hours trying out basses before going with a choice I hadn't considered and am thoroughly happy with. You might be able to find somewhere down your way that has a similar policy!
If you're stuggling to get the right tonal variation out of it I can't recommend the SansAmp Bass Drivers enough. Massive EQ tweakery plus a really good drive that goes from clean through to very rude with a presence that will really pull out all the harmonics. Simple to use too which is a big plus for me - too many options with the multi-fx to ever find a sound that works.
I'd advise you get out there and try and few. Nothing beats hands on experience, especially with such a decent budget and no real idea of what you're after. Try a few brands, try five and 6 strings, try active and passive setups, try humbuckers, singlecoils and split coils.
What sort of sound are you after? Do you have any preference for vintage sounds, or modern sounds?
If anything, I would get back to playing on your old bass and concentrate on getting back into the groove. Once you get a feel for what sounds you like, and what sort of feel and balance you like in an instrument, you'll be much better set to spend your money on something worthwhile!
I don't play bass anymore, but I spent 15 years playing it and played it long before I played guitar. My preference was for Yamaha TRB, Status Graphite and Spector basses.
What sort of sound are you after? Do you have any preference for vintage sounds, or modern sounds?
If anything, I would get back to playing on your old bass and concentrate on getting back into the groove. Once you get a feel for what sounds you like, and what sort of feel and balance you like in an instrument, you'll be much better set to spend your money on something worthwhile!
I don't play bass anymore, but I spent 15 years playing it and played it long before I played guitar. My preference was for Yamaha TRB, Status Graphite and Spector basses.
AdeTuono said:
But...but...but...I've got a severe case of GAS! Hence 20-odd 6-strings that I rarely touch, the latest of which is a Bender Distortocaster that I will never wield in anger...
When does one cross the line between collecting and hoarding? 
Nice guitars, very nice.
If you find yourself up in the North West (quite a trek from Dorset) book yourself in at Manchester Bass Lounge - Drew has the patience of a saint and will happily let you play his entire collection of new and used basses.
Just don't buy the Jack Bruce Thumb Bass - I can't afford it yet but I'm hoping he'll still have it when finances allow splashing out!
Evangelion said:
I'd advise you to buy a Tokai Love Rock bass.
But only 'cos I'm selling one on eBay at the mo.
(No link otherwise the moderators will beat me up ...)
Had a play of this (http://manchesterbasslounge.com/?p=3553) Tokai Jazz Sound and was very impressed by it. Is the Rock similar quality?But only 'cos I'm selling one on eBay at the mo.
(No link otherwise the moderators will beat me up ...)
If you want a quirky, well made but not too expensive bass that sounds awesome too, then I can thoroughly recommend the BC Rich Warlock Bass:
FWIW, I wouldnt bother with 5 strings unless you really really want or need it to play a select few songs. I've always viewed it as a bit of a gimmick.
FWIW, I wouldnt bother with 5 strings unless you really really want or need it to play a select few songs. I've always viewed it as a bit of a gimmick.
Get one with 4 strings (unless your playing in a gospel/pop band, or detuned metal type stuff)
Like alot of the Jap basses of the 70's and early 80's, The Roadster was a decent bass. However it's a single pickup old school beastie so it just depends on what you want or how flexible you need it to be.
Jazz style basses are great for getting different tones depending on what's needed, whereas P bass stylee are a one-sound wonder..
(I use my Stingrays 90% of the time cos they just work, but do deviate to the Precision or Jazz occasionally)
Like alot of the Jap basses of the 70's and early 80's, The Roadster was a decent bass. However it's a single pickup old school beastie so it just depends on what you want or how flexible you need it to be.
Jazz style basses are great for getting different tones depending on what's needed, whereas P bass stylee are a one-sound wonder..
(I use my Stingrays 90% of the time cos they just work, but do deviate to the Precision or Jazz occasionally)
ChemicalChaos said:
If you want a quirky, well made but not too expensive bass that sounds awesome too, then I can thoroughly recommend the BC Rich Warlock Bass:
FWIW, I wouldnt bother with 5 strings unless you really really want or need it to play a select few songs. I've always viewed it as a bit of a gimmick.
So much no. There are so many basses out there which will out-peform some budget BC Rich in just about every way it's impossible to list them all, but it's the idea of a 5 string being a gimmick I find laughable. For a "select few" songs that could "need" a low B, but on that string you've got an additional B, C, C#, D and D# in a lower register. You'll find more than a select few songs have those notes in them. Choosing the number of strings you want is about balancing playability of the instrument (as some find the bigger necks and additional strings a hindrance) and how much range you want, not deciding whether or not additional range is a "gimmick".FWIW, I wouldnt bother with 5 strings unless you really really want or need it to play a select few songs. I've always viewed it as a bit of a gimmick.
Mastodon2 said:
ChemicalChaos said:
If you want a quirky, well made but not too expensive bass that sounds awesome too, then I can thoroughly recommend the BC Rich Warlock Bass:
FWIW, I wouldnt bother with 5 strings unless you really really want or need it to play a select few songs. I've always viewed it as a bit of a gimmick.
So much no. There are so many basses out there which will out-peform some budget BC Rich in just about every way it's impossible to list them all, but it's the idea of a 5 string being a gimmick I find laughable. For a "select few" songs that could "need" a low B, but on that string you've got an additional B, C, C#, D and D# in a lower register. You'll find more than a select few songs have those notes in them. Choosing the number of strings you want is about balancing playability of the instrument (as some find the bigger necks and additional strings a hindrance) and how much range you want, not deciding whether or not additional range is a "gimmick".FWIW, I wouldnt bother with 5 strings unless you really really want or need it to play a select few songs. I've always viewed it as a bit of a gimmick.
However, my guitar teacher, who has been in a few bands, has been playing for 40 years or so and owns lots of mouthwatering guitars, said my Warlock Bass was just as nice to play as the Fender J-bass he had tried to steer me towards buying instead. I'd count that as praise enough
Thanks for the advice, all.
Still undecided; as advised, I need to go somewhere and try a few. That Warlock though; it's a bit teenage/death-metal-looking for me. The current Ibanez is perfectly serviceable (it's almost vintage!), just wanted thoughts from those in the know on how the game has moved on in the last 30 years.
Still undecided; as advised, I need to go somewhere and try a few. That Warlock though; it's a bit teenage/death-metal-looking for me. The current Ibanez is perfectly serviceable (it's almost vintage!), just wanted thoughts from those in the know on how the game has moved on in the last 30 years.
AdeTuono said:
Thanks for the advice, all.
Still undecided; as advised, I need to go somewhere and try a few. That Warlock though; it's a bit teenage/death-metal-looking for me. The current Ibanez is perfectly serviceable (it's almost vintage!), just wanted thoughts from those in the know on how the game has moved on in the last 30 years.
The main difference in the last 30 years is like guitars and most things, manufacturing has become so accurate that cheaper instruments are pretty good now compared to the ol' days... It's less luck of the drawer than it used to be to find a good one.Still undecided; as advised, I need to go somewhere and try a few. That Warlock though; it's a bit teenage/death-metal-looking for me. The current Ibanez is perfectly serviceable (it's almost vintage!), just wanted thoughts from those in the know on how the game has moved on in the last 30 years.
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