Thinking of adding a bass to the stable - who has done it?

[dirocyn]

Back to the newbie bass questions - is active vs passive a huge consideration (easy to make a active bass passive but probably harder the other way I reckon)?

Active means it has batteries in it, and also usually means you have a bigger output signal. I don't like to mess with batteries, so it's kind of a turn off for me. And the bigger output signal of an active pickup can drive amps into clipping--meaning you may need to turn down the volume at the bass. Solid state clipping sounds like farts, probably not the tone you're after.

And do most guitar pedals work with a bass?

They do, but the things they do often don't sound good with bass. The main effects bass players use are EQ and compression.

Currently leaning towards the cheaper Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified which is active and PJ and resisting the urge to spend more on a Fender Vintera 70's jazz base + Rumble LT25, screaming deal be damned as it's not what I set out for.

The Rumble 25 is by all accounts a great little practice amp. Try both of those basses and see which one fits you better.

 

[PawFurro]

Probably harder to squeeze an active circuit into a passive bass. I have done similar on an electric guitar and put an Eric Clapton mid boost in a Jaguar (and a Strat). My friend has a Sire active bass and there is a bypass switch for passive, so best of both worlds really, except for a tiny bit of extra weight I suppose.

I have a few bass playing friends, so we sometimes go on road trips (two have bought Rickenbacker 4001 basses in the past few years). One sometimes comes round my place so we can practice as I play drums in the band he plays bass in. We sometimes mess about trying his bass through my various guitar pedals and they do work...maybe not as well as specific bass ones. He was after a chorus/flanger pedal, so at least was able to see how it might work on his bass for example.

The VM Jaguar sounds nice. Two of the bass guys use Rumble amps though I can't remember which specific model. In my music room we just put my friend through my Marshall SV20h and cab as we don't play very loud (mine are electronic drums). I wouldn't recommend that playing out for jams and gigs, but at sensible levels at home it is fine. I practice a lot on headphones, so DI into my Tascam recorder seems to work well too.

It's funny how I have lots of guitars, but I don't feel the need to get another bass...sure fretless or 5 string were interesting to play briefly on our various road trips (including a lurid 'MonoNeon' 5 string in yellow/orange).

I have to say that it's really obvious when either band plays their Ricky instead of their P bass or Ibanez, so I can understand a dedicated bass player wanting more options.

Good luck with the search.

Thanks for the response, cool to hear what you and your friends get up to!

I'll probably have a play with my existing pedals and a bypass switch for the active circuit is a good idea!

 

[PawFurro]

Active means it has batteries in it, and also usually means you have a bigger output signal. I don't like to mess with batteries, so it's kind of a turn off for me. And the bigger output signal of an active pickup can drive amps into clipping--meaning you may need to turn down the volume at the bass. Solid state clipping sounds like farts, probably not the tone you're after.

They do, but the things they do often don't sound good with bass. The main effects bass players use are EQ and compression.


The Rumble 25 is by all accounts a great little practice amp. Try both of those basses and see which one fits you better.

Thanks for the explanation, especially on how an active circuit can introduce clipping (hehe, fart tones)

 

[JohnMac]

Not being a bass player and having short arms, the Ibanez Mikro and a Fender Rumble 25 are perfect for my occasional noodling.

I tried a Squier Jaguar bass and a Rogue VB100 Beatle bass but the Ibanez is the most comfy for sit down playing and sounds pretty good too.

 

[Seamus OReally]

I found too many negative comments on that Squire, mostly about the neck finish and so on. Now I’ve got my eye on an Ibanez SR400. Those Sound Gear basses always look like the necks are pencil thin, but I think it has more to do with the peghead shape than anything else.

 

[Dadocaster]

I have an Ibby bass that is active, P pickups and J pickup and I have found the active stuff to be kind of a pain in the but. I had a happy Yamaha same config with no extra doo dads and I wish I had never sold it.

 

[Stu78]

Love my bass, 2009 Classic Vibe Jazz.

 

[Seamus OReally]

I have an Ibby bass that is active, P pickups and J pickup and I have found the active stuff to be kind of a pain in the but. I had a happy Yamaha same config with no extra doo dads and I wish I had never sold it.

I’m a fan of active EQ, so the SR400’s P&J configuration and three-band active suits me to a “T.”

Sounds like you’ve got the one I want. How skinny IS that neck?

 

[Dadocaster]

I’m a fan of active EQ, so the SR400’s P&J configuration and three-band active suits me to a “T.”

Sounds like you’ve got the one I want. How skinny IS that neck?

I'm a smallish dude and I get around on that neck pretty easily. My Son's Sterling is one room away and it goes around beating up other basses and taking their lunch money.

Miss my yammy.

NOT TROLLING OR ARGUING FOR FUN, JUST A QUESTION: What is it you like about active EQ on a bass??

 

[Seamus OReally]

NOT TROLLING OR ARGUING FOR FUN, JUST A QUESTION: What is it you like about active EQ on a bass??

I’ve always produced music in a lot of different styles. With the active on my old Precision Deluxe, I could get a nice wooly jazz tone or a clanky faux-Rick tone or whatever in between. I like getting the sound on the track rather than in post… just part of my “mix as you go” approach.

 

[Dadocaster]

I’ve always produced music in a lot of different styles. With the active on my old Precision Deluxe, I could get a nice wooly jazz tone or a clanky faux-Rick tone or whatever in between. I like getting the sound on the track rather than in post… just part of my “mix as you go” approach.

Makes sense.

Playing the Sterling Sub right now and the neck is fine for me. I still want my old passive yamaha back.

 

[Dik Ellis]

I started on bass, so I have always had one in the stable, My '88 Yamaha BB1600 gets me there, everytime.

 

[Seamus OReally]

Just pulled the trigger on a used Ibanez SR400 in really nice condition from Guitar Center. Natural finish, P and J pickups. I’m selling my Katana rig to finance the bass. This isn’t the one, but it looks like this with black knobs:

 

[PawFurro]

Just pulled the trigger on a used Ibanez SR400 in really nice condition from Guitar Center. Natural finish, P and J pickups. I’m selling my Katana rig to finance the bass. This isn’t the one, but it looks like this with black knobs:
View attachment 813217

Congrats - HNBD!

I took my Tokai Love Rock in to sell on consignment today so that's a concrete step towards me getting a bass.

Now the hard part is choosing one!

 

[PawFurro]

So finally got into the shop today to check out some used basses - tried a Ibanez - GiO Soundgear Bass but the neck was too chunky and the frets and strings were all corroded

Then I picked up a Squire Jaguar Vintage Modified and the slim neck felt just like a standard satin Fender guitar neck and I was right at home! It's a 2018 and in great condition, pretty much as new and unblemished!

Made sure everything worked and brought it and a lightly used Rumble 25 home, will do a full NBD thread but here is the combo and thanks to everyone for your feedback and input as always!

 

[Nadnitram]

I added an acoustic bass first, then an electric. But no one ever accused me of being stable.

 

[DRugerH]

I picked up an Ibanez Gio Soundgear dirt cheap from a guy who decided the bass was too hard for him. I looked at it, and, no wonder, there was ton bow on the neck due to a loose truss rod. A few turns of an Allen wrench later, and I have a straight neck.



Dan

 

[myredstrat]

cheap and effective! Yamaha rbx170, aprox 2008