Looking to buy a new bass, 6-string. Any Thoughts?Music

[Pako]

or suggestions?

Here's what I'm looking currently:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7326745455&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Definately want a neck-through! The added sustain just can't be beat. Looking for that "growl" and something that will fit nicely with my SWR rig. I play stickly finger style. Picks are for guitar players... Don't want to go over $2k, actually can't go over $2k.

Any ideas?

 

[Gil]

What happened to the Warwick?

Or do you have a bad case of G.A.S?



(Gear Aquisition Syndrome)

 

[Pako]

Oh yeah...got bad GAS! LOL I mainly play the Warwick [fretless] at church, and it's a bolt on. I'm thinking I need a fretted, neck through to help with the tone I want, but just not sure.....

I've also been missing the extended range of my 7-string, but this 6'er would be a nice way to go without getting carpel tunnel from playing bass. That Conklin 7-string was like playing a 2x6.

So yeah, still on the tone quest and major GAS as well.

 

[Gil]

Have you considered a Carvin?
www.carvin.com
They have several 6-string, neck thru body instruments. (Check out the LB70W)
Carvins are well made. You can customize it for your taste. (active or passive or combination electronics, choice of woods, colors, inlays, etc.)
And I believe that all their choices come in under your thresh-hold price.

 

[chinko]

i know its not a thru neck, but have you considered a Musicman Stingray? theyre pretty good, but definately not close to a warwick!

that 6 string warwick will have a huge neck though and nearly 2k is a tad much but then again i am a student

and picks are not for guitar players

 

[Pako]

I have looked at the Musicmans. I already have a fender 4-string that I slap a bang on. "Silly Rabbit, picks are for kids". J/K.

The Carvins are an interesting choice. For the price, seems like the best bang for the buck, although I'm reading where users have experienced the frets sticking out past the wood as the neck shrinks in colder climates (Montana has a tendency to get pretty cold) so that kind of bothers me. I also see guys saying they can get that Warwick growl out of their LB70's as well as any other bass tone. Is this too good to be true? Surly there must be something wrong. I would hate to spend $1500 with the options I want to find out another $350 would have got the bass I really wanted.

Gil,
Know of anyone currently using a Carvin? Interestingly enough, my first bass was a studio stereo bass. It had two inputs with seperate controls for each input. It was old and it hurt to play, but back in the day I bet it was a nice bass. I got it used with a Bassman 20 combo amp back in the late 80's early 90's.

 

[xcsti]

Picks smell 👎

I dunno about six strings, just thought I add on a question to this.

I've played bass for about seven years now; always with the same crappy p-bass. Right now I'm considering getting a new (or well used) nicer four string for around a grand. I don't have any knowledge of the equiptment available, any suggestions?

 

[Pako]

If someone stole my Fender Jazz 4-string, I would definately get another one, probably a deluxe version with active electronics. Running Swamp Ash body, maple neck so the highs are nice and bright, great for slapping....almost too bright running through the SWR rig. G&L's are also nice for that style of bass. If you go with Fender, I would definately consider the American Standards. Everything about them are built better, more solid hardware, better craftsmanship.

I have heard of people say they like some of the Yamaha's and Ibanez lines as well. Suppose it depends on what kind of music (and tone) your going for. At the time I got my Fender, I was looking for consistant tone and consistency up and down the neck. I found this with the Fender.

I then picked up my 5-string Fretless Warwick Corvette standard. Great bass for smooth lines and dark lows. Bolt on with pretty good sustain, but could be better with a neck-through. Totally different tone than my Fender so it carrys it's own characteristics. Hopefully you live in a more, shall we say, cultured town then where I live and can actually try some different bass' out.

 

[xcsti]

Thanks for the advice. I've mostly played jazz but in the past year or so have been doing a good amount of ska. There are a good number of shops around here that I can check out. I'd love to get a warwick but some of the body lines are a bit too odd for me, plus the cost is a bit much.

 

[Pako]

The Warwicks also tend to be a bit on the heavy side. That 6 string weighs in right at 12 lbs. Well you know, the Ska tone is a Fender Jazz running through a Eden setup.

 

[LoudMusic]

I'd get a shiney black one. With sparkly silver parts. And some of those thick wires that run the length of the thing.

Rock, ROCK ON!

 

[Pako]

I'd get a shiney black one. With sparkly silver parts. And some of those thick wires that run the length of the thing.

Rock, ROCK ON!

I seen dem dare shiney black ones yous takin 'bout. Dems is purrrdy.

 

[xcsti]

I'd get a shiney black one. With sparkly silver parts. And some of those thick wires that run the length of the thing.

Rock, ROCK ON!

All walkers and slappers step forward. Not so fast lm.

 

[LoudMusic]

Hey man, I can air with the best of`em. And when I air, it's black`n shiney with sparkly bits. In fact, I've got a label wanting me to sign with them. Yup.

 

[xcsti]

Again, your sig works wonders.

 

[fattim85]

Look into Schecter. In my experience they make high quality equipment for a reasonable price.

 

[Gil]

Gil,
Know of anyone currently using a Carvin? Interestingly enough, my first bass was a studio stereo bass. It had two inputs with seperate controls for each input. It was old and it hurt to play, but back in the day I bet it was a nice bass. I got it used with a Bassman 20 combo amp back in the late 80's early 90's.

I don't know of anyone that uses a Carvin around here.
However, In my music store "hauntings" I have seen just about every kind of guitar you can imigine that is made for American consumption.
Yet I have only seen one Carvin guitar of any kind.
That leads me to believe that people buy Carvins and keep them.
As they are pretty much mail-order only outside of California, I imagine that has something to do with it as well.

I'm trying to convince the wife that I need an AE-185 Electric with Acoustic pick-up.

Perhaps the nice people at Carvin will put you in touch with several customers. (likely satisfied customers. )
Or check www.harmonycentral.com for an instrument review.

*edit*
I checked the site, under "bass users" reviews.
OVerall, the Carvins are rated pretty well.

 

[Pako]

Well, I ended up with the Warwick. See pic below:

I've been playing it all weekend, but haven't had a gig with it yet. Time will tell, but as it sits right now, I am totally blown away by it's tone. Totaly clearity and growl! Oh yeah!

 

[Mr. McShake]

I wish I had a new bass, I'm still using a Squier P Bass.

It's black and white with a bunch of black and white stickers over it and I put electrical tape over the name so you can't tell.

 

[Pako]

In the 15 years I've been playing, I've only had a handful of basses. I have three now, that's only one every 5 years.

Keep on playing and the bass will come.

 

[xcsti]

In the 15 years I've been playing, I've only had a handful of basses. I have three now, that's only one every 5 years.

Keep on playing and the bass will come.

One every five years...I'm a bit behind.

It looks like I should have aroun a grand saved up by the end of the summer to be used on a bass. Now I just have to decide what.

How much did that set you back paco?

 

[Pako]

They list for $4299, I got it used for $1800. The ONLY thing wrong with it was a worn out output jack, which was replaced at no charge to me.

 

[Mr. McShake]

Sounds like a good deal. I didn't know they had basses that expensive.

I want a MusicMan Sterling. Those are about $1300 and I thought that was expensive.

 

[xcsti]

They list for $4299, I got it used for $1800. The ONLY thing wrong with it was a worn out output jack, which was replaced at no charge to me.

WoW great deal.

 

[ceiling_fan]

AWESOME Deal. 👍

 

[Gil]

I've been out of the loop for a while...
Does that make 2 Warwicks and the Fender?

When father's day came. I choked and asked for my first really good Wrist watch.
If I'd known that the wife would spend that much, I should have gone for a nice A/E guitar.

But, I'm getting really disillusioned about playing out, usually at church. so I don't really need another guit. I felt like a needed a good wristwatch.

I've moved up from my Fossil to a Seiko Sportura. Part of me wants to wear it all the time.
And another part thinks that my wife spent in excess of $500 for a watch for me. I should keep it in a holy shrine and wear it only on "occasions".

On topic:
I'm with Pako. I have some fundamental issues with buying a brand-new instrument. Especially since I play mostly acoustic guitar.
I have been "slacking" so much in the last couple of years, as far as my playing, and expanding my knowledge base of theory. So I figure it would take me about 6 years to get a new instrument "played in" so that it sounded it's best.
I'd like to find a well-loved, but hard played Gibson Gospel, J-35, or Hummingbird.
Or perhaps a slighly above entry level Larrivee A/E. That might even get me playing more.
Sadly, I only play when I'm down to play at church. I just haven't made "woodshed" time for my guitar playing.

 

[Omnis]

the pic is broken. i want to seeeee!

i just blew my stash on these here headphones, and will blow the next accumulation on a headphone amp (Total Bithead, most likely.). therefore, the star-guitar is still the Brownsville's title. (hey, it's my only electric. excuse the noobage.)

get to recording, pako-mon.

 

[Pako]

I've been out of the loop for a while...
Does that make 2 Warwicks and the Fender?

When father's day came. I choked and asked for my first really good Wrist watch.
If I'd known that the wife would spend that much, I should have gone for a nice A/E guitar.

But, I'm getting really disillusioned about playing out, usually at church. so I don't really need another guit. I felt like a needed a good wristwatch.

I've moved up from my Fossil to a Seiko Sportura. Part of me wants to wear it all the time.
And another part thinks that my wife spent in excess of $500 for a watch for me. I should keep it in a holy shrine and wear it only on "occasions".

On topic:
I'm with Pako. I have some fundamental issues with buying a brand-new instrument. Especially since I play mostly acoustic guitar.
I have been "slacking" so much in the last couple of years, as far as my playing, and expanding my knowledge base of theory. So I figure it would take me about 6 years to get a new instrument "played in" so that it sounded it's best.
I'd like to find a well-loved, but hard played Gibson Gospel, J-35, or Hummingbird.
Or perhaps a slighly above entry level Larrivee A/E. That might even get me playing more.
Sadly, I only play when I'm down to play at church. I just haven't made "woodshed" time for my guitar playing.

Yes at this point this makes two warwicks and the fender. I haven't even been taking the Fender to gigs...., but after a while I'll start to miss it. The last couple of gigs I have also been trying a different head. I've managed to get my hands on a used SVT Classic, 300w of ALL TUPE power. It's a tank and sounds great! What a difference between tube and sold state.

:-)