Best Way to Shop for Basses

How should I go about it? I own two and I'm looking for another.... not to buy, of course, but to want later. Y'know?

What artists or styles of music inspire you?

look at artists you like and try bass's similar to theirs

Firstly, have a read of my review on my Equipboard of my Epiphone acoustic. A buyer's story.

(In short, go in eyes closed and chose the one that feels and sounds best.)

Having a quick stalk of your page, likes and gear, the artists you follow seem to like fender stuff. That sounds like a decent direction for a start....

I think the Starcaster would be a mistake for you, the distortion and the f-holes are not always compatible. I love the Jag basses, or a good P or Jazz bass, plenty of punch and throat.

Maybe a Schecter could give you a slightly different feel... or an older Yamaha...

If we are talking big spend.. or bigger spend... what about a Rickenbacker 4001 or 4003? There are offshoots about, but will feel like offshoots.

You need to pick up basses before buying them and they need to blow you away. Don't buy any bass that is under $300 minimum. Also, don't buy any more basses if they sound just like your current basses. If you own a Warwick, get a Fender. If you own a Gibson, get a Spector. There should be a reason for you to have this extra instrument.

My 3 best basses are super different from each other and all have killer tones.

1. Custom Carvin 5 string JMJ (Has the best feel)

2. Atelier Z JMJ 4 string (has the most powerful pickups)

3. Spector Euro LX 5 string. (Looks the prettiest and is so pro)

first off, on the note of the starcaster, that's more of a sonic experiment for me.

second- I really want a rickenbacker and have for years.I wish I had that kind of money but I don't. The Schecters really interest me and I'm going to ask my local GC to try one out.n

thanks though- your acoustic story was a great help!

right, yeah, so in terms of that my Ibanez is my ass-kicking distorted bass tone and pup strength. my jaguar is my versatile bass, and it feels WAY better to me. I might look at a 5-string, maybe a TB if I can find one.

I would say certainly that you shouldn't buy anymore Ibanez or Fender basses unless you are replacing one of those with something else. Ibanez's especially have a global tone. You can get an SR300 and it will sound nearly identical to an SR800.

I looked into getting a Lakeland 55-02 for a while. They are supposed to be really versatile in tone shaping.

I would definitely put you up for a 5 string string as early as possible. It's just too handy to not have and it will take some time to really get used to it. I thought about going for 6 strings myself but, I haven't been in a situation where I played higher than the 24th fret of the G string.

What is your budget for a new bass?

up to $800 but no more. i'm thinking about a MusicMan or (if it even exists) a thunderbird 5 stringer.

up to $800 but no more. i'm thinking about a MusicMan or (if it even exists) a thunderbird 5 stringer.

Yes. They call them, "Pollo Cinco" or "Plinkos" for short :)

Seriously though, $800 can get you an amazing buy if its used. You just have to do some digging around.

I'm taking the liberty to stalk around online and will post some ideas.

This first one is a 5 string Thunderbird. You should offer 800 and they may take it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-gibson-5string-thunderbird-bass-chrome-custom-/112313882785?hash=item1a266dd8a1:g:U-sAAOSwjDZYiNGv

and this staying in the Gibson realm... it looks nice too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-2013-EB5-5-String-Bass-Electric-Guitar-USA-Vintage-Gloss-Natural-w-Case-/201813396018?hash=item2efd040a32:g:lqcAAOSw4A5YnOMd

If you are feeling really adventurous, Blakhart Guitars has been trying to get rid of a couple of basses. They are both 6 string. To my ears, they have a really low and hollow tone to them, the complete opposite of a bright and brittle Musicman.

http://blakhartguitars.bigcartel.com/product/monolith-6-bubbinga

that chrome t-bird would kick so much ass if it wasn't autographed allover! Its making me wish my 2 silver gibsons were chromed like that... I guess I'll have to break down and get a Normandy in chrome one of these days....been eyeing them for years now. Again, what a shame everyone on that teen-pop tour autographed that bass :-(

I like the EB5, looks like a solid rocker

The autographs kind of add some personality to it. If not, it being chrome, I'm sure there is a way to get sharpee off, even i fit comes down to buffing it out.

Thank you so much. you've been super helpful :)

I forgot to mention, Peavey's are sort of a hidden gem in the bass community. You wouldn't believe the amount of players that own a Cirrus or a Millennial. I had a Peavey Grind 5 Nat that sounded amazing, but the neck was just too wide for me. If you go the Peavey route, I would suggest you play one in person first.

Drool

Great hint. Thanks.

Tried one in store. Liked the body shape, sound was ok.