Help Me Find A Bass - Wishlist

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Short scale (32“ or less)
Sounds like a P bass (other tones a bonus)
Vintage styling a preference
Absolutely not sunburst
Less than £600

Go.

ICBM · January 2021

Aria CSB series - 80s, usually about £250-£450 depending on model and condition. I think there's someone here selling one.

Ibanez Mezzo series - modern, active PJ, only about £250 new! I haven't played one personally but they seem to be well regarded.

stickyfiddle · January 2021

The Squier CV Jaguar is 32" isn't it? Definitely vintage-looking with P/J pickups and non-sunburst options.

fretmeister · January 2021

Ibanez Mezzo.

32 scale. PJ. Adequate EQ.

£200-£250 depending on colour.

Spend the rest on upgrading the preamp if you don't like it.

I have 2. a 4 and a 5 and they are excellent, and not just for the money.

polotska · January 2021

The 1980s Aria TSB is another 32" scale option—the higher-end ones are neck-through, the lower-end ones are bolt-on. More expensive than the CSB but still under your limit, I think.

JonHosker · January 2021

No sunburst ... darn it, thought you might say yes to my P bass for sale on here!
32" scale! Oh.....I'll stand down!!

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

JonHosker said:

No sunburst ... darn it, thought you might say yes to my P bass for sale on here!
32" scale! Oh.....I'll stand down!!

Looks like a great bass. Scrape that horrid finish off and spray it something tasteful like Orange Sparkle and we'll talk :-)

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Cheers guys.

Something about the Aria CSB doesn't chime with my tastes.

The Ibanez Mezzo looks great, but I think I want something more vintage and less modern than an active Ibanez - plus, being honest with myself, the 2+2 headstock is just wrong on a Fender - style bass. So heart over ruling head on that one.

Bridgehouse · January 2021

What’s the reason for short scale?

Bridgehouse · January 2021

Oh, and which aspect of the P bass tone is important?

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Bridgehouse said:

What’s the reason for short scale?

I already have a 34" bass, fancy trying something different - it's an active G&L M2000, it does a lot but not really vintage passive tones!

As for what aspect of P-bass, not entirely sure how to describe it but I'm into players like Mike Mills as a reference.

Bridgehouse · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Bridgehouse said:

What’s the reason for short scale?

I already have a 34" bass, fancy trying something different - it's an active G&L M2000, it does a lot but not really vintage passive tones!

As for what aspect of P-bass, not entirely sure how to describe it but I'm into players like Mike Mills as a reference.

If you can cope with single coils then I’ve actually found I prefer the 51P style SC precisions sound to the split coils. Can’t say why for certain, but they give a more defined tone and more attack whilst still having that characteristic P bass sound.

Having said that, what you really want is a MARUSZCZYK Jake:

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/MARUSZCZYK_Jake_4P_Blue_Wave_Metallic_32_2.html

But the price is well out of your budget tho!!

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me...

Bridgehouse · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me...

You’re going to struggle to get an authentic vintage look in short scale for your budget tbh..

I wanted a semi hollow 51P and spent ages looking - ended up doing my own as a partscaster. It may be a solution for you...

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Bridgehouse said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me...

You’re going to struggle to get an authentic vintage look in short scale for your budget tbh..

I wanted a semi hollow 51P and spent ages looking - ended up doing my own as a partscaster. It may be a solution for you...

True. I think I really want a CV Mustang to be honest. May just need to take a punt on one via Distance Selling Regs...

ICBM · January 2021

Bridgehouse said:

If you can cope with single coils then I’ve actually found I prefer the 51P style SC precisions sound to the split coils. Can’t say why for certain, but they give a more defined tone and more attack whilst still having that characteristic P bass sound.

That's partly why I prefer the Squier Affinity Bronco to the PJ Mustang Bass of the two I've got here. But I don't like hum, so I would never have a true single coil on any bass I was intending to use in public. I know you can get some humbucking '51s now, but I haven't tried one.

(Before you ask, yes my Rick does have humbuckers fitted

.)

MattBanshee · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Short scale (32“ or less)
Sounds like a P bass (other tones a bonus)
Vintage styling a preference
Absolutely not sunburst
Less than £600

Go.

Normal p-bass and a pair of bollocks to get over the short-scale nonsense?

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

MattBanshee said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Short scale (32“ or less)
Sounds like a P bass (other tones a bonus)
Vintage styling a preference
Absolutely not sunburst
Less than £600

Go.

Normal p-bass and a pair of bollocks to get over the short-scale nonsense?

Bridgehouse · January 2021

ICBM said:

Bridgehouse said:

If you can cope with single coils then I’ve actually found I prefer the 51P style SC precisions sound to the split coils. Can’t say why for certain, but they give a more defined tone and more attack whilst still having that characteristic P bass sound.

That's partly why I prefer the Squier Affinity Bronco to the PJ Mustang Bass of the two I've got here. But I don't like hum, so I would never have a true single coil on any bass I was intending to use in public. I know you can get some humbucking '51s now, but I haven't tried one.

(Before you ask, yes my Rick does have humbuckers fitted .)

The humbucking 51’s I’ve tried have been custom wound, but do a very good job of retaining the 51 tone.. but with less hum (obvs!)

Course, I have the famed Rick-o-like custom 51 fit pup in one of my 51’s as well

Funkfingers · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:
fancy trying something different.

Go fretless.

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Funkfingers said:

UnclePsychosis said:
fancy trying something different.

Go fretless.

Thought about it... dismissed it :-D

Bridgehouse · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Funkfingers said:

UnclePsychosis said:
fancy trying something different.

Go fretless.

Thought about it... dismissed it :-D

Don’t - I resisted for years, tried it reluctantly, and now play 90% fret less.

It just encourages more creativity, more practise, more skill, more fine finger control, everything.

ICBM · January 2021

Bridgehouse said:

Don’t - I resisted for years, tried it reluctantly, and now play 90% fret less.

It just encourages more creativity, more practise, more skill, more fine finger control, everything.

I have to agree. I still enjoy playing fretted, and probably still do more, but fretless has been an absolute revelation - and far easier than I expected to adapt to.

There’s also much more justification for owning another bass - although there is a lot of crossover, there are definitely some things which you can’t do on one of them.

fretmeister · January 2021

Mezzo demo. Great low B even with the medium scale.

Magnum · January 2021

Have you bought anything?

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Magnum said:

Have you bought anything?

No. I still want a short scale but don't know if I can actually justify another bass to myself.

Bridgehouse · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Magnum said:

Have you bought anything?

No. I still want a short scale but don't know if I can actually justify another bass to myself.

You’re not trying hard enough

UnclePsychosis · January 2021

Bridgehouse said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Magnum said:

Have you bought anything?

No. I still want a short scale but don't know if I can actually justify another bass to myself.

You’re not trying hard enough

Dunno, I can be very trying when I want to be ;-)

Bridgehouse · January 2021

UnclePsychosis said:

Bridgehouse said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Magnum said:

Have you bought anything?

No. I still want a short scale but don't know if I can actually justify another bass to myself.

You’re not trying hard enough

Dunno, I can be very trying when I want to be ;-)

Lockdown 3 is the ideal time to frivolously buy basses

JezWynd · January 2021

Bridgehouse said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me...

You’re going to struggle to get an authentic vintage look in short scale for your budget tbh..

Not impossible. This old Hofner has a had refin and new wiring/pots but these are great players once properly set up.

https://reverb.com/uk/item/35684033-hofner-185-artist-1960-1970-red

It's been for sale for a while so an offer might be accepted.

Bridgehouse · January 2021

JezWynd said:

Bridgehouse said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me...

You’re going to struggle to get an authentic vintage look in short scale for your budget tbh..

Not impossible. This old Hofner has a had refin and new wiring/pots but these are great players once properly set up.

https://reverb.com/uk/item/35684033-hofner-185-artist-1960-1970-red

It's been for sale for a while so an offer might be accepted.

I think the problem is the OP want P bass sounds - those hofners are indeed good but they are a neck and bridge configuration

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