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11 Jan 00 - 04:24 PM (#161275) Subject: What's a good bass? From: Allan C. I am contemplating the purchase of a 3/4 bass. I just realized that I have no idea how to compare one with another. They all look pretty much alike to me and I haven't had enough experience with them to recognize any real differences in tone or volume. Are there any indicators or whatever that you can tell me about to help me to be a bit more likely to get a good one? |
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11 Jan 00 - 04:52 PM (#161298) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: JedMarum 3/4 String Bass? Before you do, please try Martin's acoustic bass guitar. It is a beautiful instrument, has plenty of volume (that's unusual for bass guitars) and a lovely tone. ... can't help you with a String Bass. |
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11 Jan 00 - 05:00 PM (#161303) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: clare s If you could mention what sort of price range you're looking at, and - more importantly - what you want to do with the instrument, it'd be easier to give advice Clare |
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11 Jan 00 - 08:23 PM (#161413) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: Terry Allan Hall OK, maybe this'll be of some help: Under $500...a re-tired high-school orchestra bass....Plywood back and sides...Kays and Roths are pretty good. $500-$1500...new plywood bass of the same quality as above. Solid wood bass...Begnner grade starts around 5K, up to 25K+. Sound wonderful, but out of so many folk's price range. Obviously, most folks use the plywood basses...which have the dual advantages of sounding very good amplified and being MUCH harder to break in travel...BTW, ever see the hard-cases for these? The above info's why so many bassists use electric bass guitars.
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11 Jan 00 - 10:04 PM (#161442) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: catspaw49 Allan, I read your question and frankly, I'm surprised you brought this topic here to the forum. I suppose anything is OK, but I admit I was surprised. First, I have a question as to why you would want a three-quarter size bass. Why not a full size? Especially important depending upon the type you decide to go after, I would think. I don't see that a 3/4 size is any significant advantage, except perhaps when you clean it....Are you looking for sea, largemouth, or smallmouth? I think for eating, the sea bass is superior by far, but if you enjoy the sport, largemouth is the best, so I'm told. Do you plan on live bait or crank bait? I have friends who swear by the AC shiner and others who advocate the Texas rig, although I suppose the broken back reppala still gets some usage too. What line are you using? To get the most enjoyment, a lite test line is generally a good idea. Regarding your mention of tone and volume, I am a little confused as I have never heard any of these fish sing and I'm surprised that any abilities they might have in that direction would be relevant to catching them. Spaw |
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11 Jan 00 - 11:54 PM (#161488) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: Owlkat Hi hi, Speaking as an upright, and electric bass player, I think it depends on where and what you plan to play. If you're wanting to play stand-up, I'd suggest a used 3/4 size plywood bass. If you want/need to amplify, there's several makers of bass pickups out there that work pretty well. There aren't a lot of full size basses out there. They are very large, and unless you're taller than about five foot ten or so, they can be a sweat to play. Bass response is generally a little better, but I haven't found that it's worth the hassle.Not to mention transporting the behemoth.Most basses you see out there are actually 3/4 size basses. Acoustic guitar basses are tres cool, and feel good to play, and are fairly easy to electrify if they're not already equipped. Up here in Canadaville and especially in the Far North where I am, you'd have to order one specially.They're also kind of pricey, at least up here. Electric solid body basses are easy to play and setup, but you have to spend a few bucks to get one that sounds half decent, has a usable and stiff enough neck, and has good enough pickups that don't sound like slush. It can be a good idea to have someone check out an instrument with you. if you're not familiar with that particular style, especially if it's an upright. You don't want to spend a lot of money on splinters held together with 5 minute epoxy, duct tape and/or rubber cement. Bonne Chance, eh? Cheers, Mart.
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12 Jan 00 - 09:23 AM (#161622) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: JedMarum spaw - you're warped!! |
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12 Jan 00 - 09:24 AM (#161623) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: Allan C. In another thread I mentioned that I got poor marks in "plays well with others". I meant that in terms of my ability to join in guitar picking with other pickers. I am just a bit too slow, I suppose. But I really like the idea of being able to play SOMETHING along with other people. I have a really good ear for bass lines. I plan to try to play along with whoever will have me: folk, bluegrass or oldtime mostly. I am a lover of things made of wood and although I have had electrified instruments in the past, I would not be interested in an electric bass. And, although the bass guitars have a nice sound, they certainly don't have the throat of a good stand-up bass.
Thanks for all the great info above. I am sure that my finances could only justify the purchase of a plywood body bass although the beauty of a brand new, fine wood instrument would be nice to dream about. And Spaw, I have an old Heddon Cobra Minnow which still catches most of the big ones along with a silver Rapala solid body. And if all else fails, I break out my father's black Hula-popper. And you are right, they don't sing, but if you squeeze them just right, you can get a nice croak out of them. |
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12 Jan 00 - 11:29 AM (#161682) Subject: RE: Help: What's a good bass? From: Liam's Brother What's a good bass? Although they run smaller in size than largemouth of the same age, smallmouth bass are the better fighting fish. For sheer power there are few fish on earth, pound-for-pound to equal the striped bass. I hope this is of some help.
All the best, |