What bass shall I buy
 

My band *may* have the chance to do a mini-tour in the US (i'm in the UK)

Unfortunately we're not stars - we will pretty much be paying for the privelege ourselves! I don't mind too much; could be a real adventure

I don't want to lug a bass half way round the world, i'll buy something when I get there.

Can anyone tell me what might be a good bass, fitting the following criteria

1) Cheap
2) Tough - I dont intend to get a harcase, so it'll get abused
3) Short scale (or medium at a push)
4) Available in almost any US shop - I won't have time to shop around
5) I want a fat dubby bass sound. There'll be no slapping here
6) Preferably retro looking


Any ideas?

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

• 1) Cheap
  2) Tough - I dont intend to get a harcase, so it'll get abused
  3) Short scale (or medium at a push)
  4) Available in almost any US shop - I won't have time to shop around
  5) I want a fat dubby bass sound. There'll be no slapping here
  6) Preferably retro looking

Should be easy to find. Except what kind of bass style do you mean Recto looking?

As far as cheap, durable, and sounds/plays good.... a Peavey Millennium comes to mind: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ELAID=26041240

They have 4 strings too.

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

:wallbash:

Ok, you definately don't know what retro means! ::) but thanks anyway Charlie!

I play a lot of different kinds of music, but this band is effectively a twelve bar blues outfiit (with clever lyrics)

I was thinking maybe of this

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ass?sku=519479

Looks acceptable, and you probably can't get much cheaper. Has anyone played one?

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

hello

the ibanez sure looks and sounds good....

i havent personally played the bass ( m a drummer) but the bass player of my band uses the same....and it sounds great....i would suggest you go in for that....neways...have fun...

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

The Ibanez looks like a nice, really cheap buy. Also Rogue makes a bunch of insanely cheap basses that function pretty well. If you ever needed a cheap fretless they're the way to go. Also they have a violin style bass ala Paul McCartney, which might fit your retro sort of taste.

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

Fretless fender jazz

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

Gotta disagree on two points.

First, no need for fretless playing 12-bar-blues based music.

Second, he said he wants a fat sound. If so, a Precision Bass is preferable to a Jazz (I know, have one of each). Since he wants cheap and readily available, I'd a say a Squier P-Bass is best for him.

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

yeah a jazz bass you have to work at a bit to get a "dubby" sound, aston barret got a really fat bass tone out of a jazz bass but it's not really easy, but P basses are made to get low and fat.

so +1 on brian's squire p-bass

Re: What bass shall I buy
 

definatly an ibenaz

def. a squier p bass