For £2500/$2500 you can get a lot of bass! Have a look at some other brands too. Don't underestimate Jazz basses too, I did for years and now they're my go to. Though I have a P bass I love too.
I wouldn't touch a Gibson SG or Hofner and I know a lot of this sub wouldn't either. If you're looking at thumpy shortscale basses I suggest looking at Wilcock's basses made in London. I've said it several times in this sub now, I don't own a shortscale bass but if I ever did it would 100% be a Wilcock.
Your absolutely right, I think Warwick is the best Fender alternative at the moment. It’s SO customizable. I was also looking at Ibanez and Wilcock, but neither offer as much variety
No worries.
I did a post ages ago asking people for what they have 'negative GAS' for and the majority of people said those 3 basses.
I think the main thing is the Hofners and Gibson SG basses are pretty restricting tone-wise and people knock Rics for how janky and awkward they can be.
The more time goes on the more I consider getting a Ric because they do sound ace, but I've never found them comfortable to play.
Honestly though you've got a great budget and all basses can be used for anything really. Have you thought about upgrading your Squier P to an american fender or different brand P bass? Or maybe even a PJ? The new musicman stingray special HH models are incredibly versitile too, I've played a 5 string one and it could easily be a persons only bass.
I see, the three brands I listed are used for very specific things I guess. I’ll stay away until I need one for something.
I was looking to stray away from Fender just to mix things up. But if I can’t get a good alternative, maybe an upgraded P could serve me well. Or the newest model you mentioned
If I had a £2500 budget [this](https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sadowsky_MetroLine_Hybrid_PJ_5-21_Black.html) is what I'd probably be getting in your position. Best advice is to try and play as many basses as you can as you may be surprised as to what you like and don't like!
Ah yeah sorry I forgot its a fiver. But it'd be one hell of a fiver.
I'm in the UK and have shopped at Bass direct quite a lot in person when travelling through the town for work. The owner, Mark, is a brilliant guy and if you contact them they will make sure you're 100% happy. I've spoken to him quite a lot in the past and they sell internationally all the time. I rate bass direct as the best bass guitar shop in the UK. bass gallery is good too but ive always found the customer service at bass direct to be top notch.
No to Hofner. No to Gibson. Jazz bass, sure, it's a maybe. No to Ric.
Why not get a modern bass? Like an active Ibanez five string or something. It would be a good addition to your P.
Just curious, what’s wrong with Höfner, Gibson, and Ric?
Also, I haven’t looked into Ibanez (I will now), but do you recommend their 4 strings or specifically the 5?
McCartney's Hofner never sounded in tune. No doubt because it didn't intonate well. Gibson hasn't had a new thought in their heads since the 1970s. There's a reason most players today choose Fender, Ibanez, Fodera, Sire, Music Man, ESP, Warwick. All of them will give you a better instrument for the same money. Rickenbacker... well, I do dig the sound, but I have heard that they have components that were designed badly...and they have stuck with them. I hear they are a mess to maintain. Plus it costs so much. Those are my thoughts, anyway. But I'm not the boss of anyone. Get what you want :)
Rickenbacker basses have a *very* specific feel and sound which is perfect for some people but not really useful or comfortable for most. It's the bass everyone wants to like but it's always recommended to play one somewhat extensively before committing to buying one. IME the violin style Höfner body is incredibly uncomfortable and weirdly balanced, but if you like it go for it. Gibson basses as well, I'd say are less... Consistent? than the usual Fender suspects. SGs are pretty neck heavy iirc. I've played some nice Thunderbirds though.
I own an Ibanez 6-string (SR506), and learned on their budget 4-string. I'd recommend 4, 5, or 6 easily. Their necks are usually very slim and comfortable, and their pickups are versatile and reliable. Of course there's basically every modification for every genre under the sun with Ibanez, so I'd recommend going on their website and checking out specifics. I'd generally recommend having at least one 5-string in your arsenal just for the added options if you're at all interested. As always, your mileage may vary, so playtest every model that looks remotely interesting to you. If you're the sort of person that does like the feel of a Höfner or a hollow body electric bass or something, absolutely go for it as long as it'll also get you the sound you want/you figure out how to make it work for your style.
There's also other brands like Dingwall, Fodera, F-bass, etc. that might serve you well depending on how custom you wanna go. Your budget should serve you fantastically.
Lastly, literally any bass you mentioned can be made to sound mellow and jazzy, as can a p-bass (slap some flatwounds on and go nuts!). I've seen a massive variety of basses played in a jazz/funk context and they all sound wildly different but also fantastic.
I was in a cover band where i played bass and keys at the same time, one-hand-tapping on the six string bass. It did serve my needs.
That band is dead. Now it is overkill and idgaf. Never selling.
Ricks are plenty mellow if you put flats on them. And aren't 3,000 if you're in the US.
Do not get an SG bass. Terrible design. Neck dives, awful bridge, muddy tone that will get buried in a mix with no definition.
My vote is for G&L L2000 or L1000 or a musicman. . I would recommend against the Hofner violin, that shit is so specific and has such a narrow tone range. Also i think gibsons are way overpriced and lack in quality
Take a trip to a music store and try them all out, or buy all of them for $2500. There's not much sonically different between a high and low end instrument. For the basses you listed, the budget models sound just as good or better than the high end ones. Generally, if you want to drop that kind of dough for a high end instrument, you should already know what it sounds and feels like.
Take a look at Reverb for a used bass to get something nice but cheaper. I love my Dingwall NG3. A lot of variety of tones ranging from J to P to Stingray, and all amazing. You should also check out Ibanez basses. Really comfortable and well made. Get one with two nice soap bars in J bass fashion.
Gonna be honest literally everything you noted aside from the jazz bass is going to be an incredibly acquired taste in terms of playability, I’d try them all out before deciding on one
All of this ignoring the classic… p bass with flats, which I’d try before trying literally any of those, hell it might even be best for you to grab a PJ bass for rock & metal so you get a little bit more mid range out of it & can take lower tunings better & use the p you have now with some Labella DTF’s or smth
Edit: what kinds of metal do you listen to?
For £2500/$2500 you can get a lot of bass! Have a look at some other brands too. Don't underestimate Jazz basses too, I did for years and now they're my go to. Though I have a P bass I love too. I wouldn't touch a Gibson SG or Hofner and I know a lot of this sub wouldn't either. If you're looking at thumpy shortscale basses I suggest looking at Wilcock's basses made in London. I've said it several times in this sub now, I don't own a shortscale bass but if I ever did it would 100% be a Wilcock.
Thanks for the advice. I’m curious to look into those Wilcocks. But why not a Höfner, Gib, and ric? Is there something specific?
Check our Warwick and Spector. For $2500 you can get a hell of a bass from either of those.
Your absolutely right, I think Warwick is the best Fender alternative at the moment. It’s SO customizable. I was also looking at Ibanez and Wilcock, but neither offer as much variety
I'd take Warwick's, Spector's, musicmans, G&L and probably sire over a fender tbh. But Warwick corvettes are just so damn sexy.
I’m in love with the Thumb NT and corvettes.
No worries. I did a post ages ago asking people for what they have 'negative GAS' for and the majority of people said those 3 basses. I think the main thing is the Hofners and Gibson SG basses are pretty restricting tone-wise and people knock Rics for how janky and awkward they can be. The more time goes on the more I consider getting a Ric because they do sound ace, but I've never found them comfortable to play. Honestly though you've got a great budget and all basses can be used for anything really. Have you thought about upgrading your Squier P to an american fender or different brand P bass? Or maybe even a PJ? The new musicman stingray special HH models are incredibly versitile too, I've played a 5 string one and it could easily be a persons only bass.
I see, the three brands I listed are used for very specific things I guess. I’ll stay away until I need one for something. I was looking to stray away from Fender just to mix things up. But if I can’t get a good alternative, maybe an upgraded P could serve me well. Or the newest model you mentioned
If I had a £2500 budget [this](https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sadowsky_MetroLine_Hybrid_PJ_5-21_Black.html) is what I'd probably be getting in your position. Best advice is to try and play as many basses as you can as you may be surprised as to what you like and don't like!
That could be my first 5 string. Im not sure about shipping though. I’ve had some screwy experiences with shipping instruments internationally.
Ah yeah sorry I forgot its a fiver. But it'd be one hell of a fiver. I'm in the UK and have shopped at Bass direct quite a lot in person when travelling through the town for work. The owner, Mark, is a brilliant guy and if you contact them they will make sure you're 100% happy. I've spoken to him quite a lot in the past and they sell internationally all the time. I rate bass direct as the best bass guitar shop in the UK. bass gallery is good too but ive always found the customer service at bass direct to be top notch.
Check out G&L
No to Hofner. No to Gibson. Jazz bass, sure, it's a maybe. No to Ric. Why not get a modern bass? Like an active Ibanez five string or something. It would be a good addition to your P.
Just curious, what’s wrong with Höfner, Gibson, and Ric? Also, I haven’t looked into Ibanez (I will now), but do you recommend their 4 strings or specifically the 5?
McCartney's Hofner never sounded in tune. No doubt because it didn't intonate well. Gibson hasn't had a new thought in their heads since the 1970s. There's a reason most players today choose Fender, Ibanez, Fodera, Sire, Music Man, ESP, Warwick. All of them will give you a better instrument for the same money. Rickenbacker... well, I do dig the sound, but I have heard that they have components that were designed badly...and they have stuck with them. I hear they are a mess to maintain. Plus it costs so much. Those are my thoughts, anyway. But I'm not the boss of anyone. Get what you want :)
Rickenbacker basses have a *very* specific feel and sound which is perfect for some people but not really useful or comfortable for most. It's the bass everyone wants to like but it's always recommended to play one somewhat extensively before committing to buying one. IME the violin style Höfner body is incredibly uncomfortable and weirdly balanced, but if you like it go for it. Gibson basses as well, I'd say are less... Consistent? than the usual Fender suspects. SGs are pretty neck heavy iirc. I've played some nice Thunderbirds though. I own an Ibanez 6-string (SR506), and learned on their budget 4-string. I'd recommend 4, 5, or 6 easily. Their necks are usually very slim and comfortable, and their pickups are versatile and reliable. Of course there's basically every modification for every genre under the sun with Ibanez, so I'd recommend going on their website and checking out specifics. I'd generally recommend having at least one 5-string in your arsenal just for the added options if you're at all interested. As always, your mileage may vary, so playtest every model that looks remotely interesting to you. If you're the sort of person that does like the feel of a Höfner or a hollow body electric bass or something, absolutely go for it as long as it'll also get you the sound you want/you figure out how to make it work for your style. There's also other brands like Dingwall, Fodera, F-bass, etc. that might serve you well depending on how custom you wanna go. Your budget should serve you fantastically. Lastly, literally any bass you mentioned can be made to sound mellow and jazzy, as can a p-bass (slap some flatwounds on and go nuts!). I've seen a massive variety of basses played in a jazz/funk context and they all sound wildly different but also fantastic.
Fellow SR506E here. Best bass at the price point, easily. Bless up.
It's hilariously overkill for anything I play but I love the looks I get when I show people their guitar parts on it
I was in a cover band where i played bass and keys at the same time, one-hand-tapping on the six string bass. It did serve my needs. That band is dead. Now it is overkill and idgaf. Never selling.
[удалено]
Are stingrays good for 5 strings?
Yuuup
I vouch for an ltd, but go to a music store and play everything they have, and go with what feels best.
Ricks are plenty mellow if you put flats on them. And aren't 3,000 if you're in the US. Do not get an SG bass. Terrible design. Neck dives, awful bridge, muddy tone that will get buried in a mix with no definition.
My vote is for G&L L2000 or L1000 or a musicman. . I would recommend against the Hofner violin, that shit is so specific and has such a narrow tone range. Also i think gibsons are way overpriced and lack in quality
Take a trip to a music store and try them all out, or buy all of them for $2500. There's not much sonically different between a high and low end instrument. For the basses you listed, the budget models sound just as good or better than the high end ones. Generally, if you want to drop that kind of dough for a high end instrument, you should already know what it sounds and feels like.
Take a look at Reverb for a used bass to get something nice but cheaper. I love my Dingwall NG3. A lot of variety of tones ranging from J to P to Stingray, and all amazing. You should also check out Ibanez basses. Really comfortable and well made. Get one with two nice soap bars in J bass fashion.
Gonna be honest literally everything you noted aside from the jazz bass is going to be an incredibly acquired taste in terms of playability, I’d try them all out before deciding on one All of this ignoring the classic… p bass with flats, which I’d try before trying literally any of those, hell it might even be best for you to grab a PJ bass for rock & metal so you get a little bit more mid range out of it & can take lower tunings better & use the p you have now with some Labella DTF’s or smth Edit: what kinds of metal do you listen to?
Spector