Which bass?

Parsley

I've decided I'm getting my first real bass (Harley Bentons don't count) and it's gonna be five-string. I've looked at a few, and want some opinions. I haven't gotten to play any, cos my local music shop (Savins in Limerick) sucks donkey balls.
Here they are:
Ibanez SRX 505

ESP Ltd F-255

2nd hand Ibanez ATK 305 - €425 + shipping (from Belgium)

Peavey Cirrus 5 BXP Bubinga

I'll mainly be playing rock/metally stuff, and my absolute highest budget is €700.

Any thoughts/other suggestions?

bombidol

I'd go with the peavey myself or the first Ibanez. I reckon the Ibanez is better but the peavey looks a lot nicer. The ESP is cool looking but you will regret having a bass that looks like that in a year

Doctor J

I don't think you could go wrong with any of them but the SRX 505 would be my choice.

Parsley

I'll be in Dublin over Christmas, do any of the music shops there stock any of them so I can try em out? Seems like that's the only way I'd be able to choose between em.

Doctor J

I don't know if anywhere stocks Peavey but Musician and Musicmaker are Ibanez dealers, Instrumental stock ESP/LTD.

Parsley

Thanks, and where would I find these shops?

Doctor J

Musicmaker is on Exchequer street, Musician is Drury street and Instrumental is on Bachelors walk, near O'Connell bridge.

Rustar

I have an older version of the SR505, nothing fancy but a very solid and nice-playing 5-string.

Doctor J

Nice

Parsley

Doctor J wrote:

Nice

That's the one I'm really considering now, but how much would I get stung for import duties/shipping? It's €620 inc. shipping on Thomann.

Doctor J

You won't get stung. Shipping is €20 and as Germany is a member of the EU, no import duty.

Parsley

Doctor J wrote:

You won't get stung. Shipping is €20 and as Germany is a member of the EU, no import duty.

I know that, I was referring to the one in your link, it's coming from America. :v: But it's got a hardshell case as well... would make the best Xmas prezzie evar!

Doctor J

Ahh right, my bad. Email them, it'll probably be about $100 for USPS (slow) and double that for UPS (fast). You should count on getting hit for import duty, though it may not happen it more than likely will.

Parsley

Well I just fired off an email to order@basspalace.com and I got an address failed error

Doctor J

Try bob@basspalace.com or perhaps call them?

Mongo

Get the ATK man!!!!!Seriously great underrated bass.Hard to come by now!!!!

Parsley

I'm trying to decide between the SRX 505 and the ATK 305, and tbh I don't like the idea of ordering it from the US, and the SRX is a good €150 more expensive, if I get it from Thomann. Also, the ATK comes with a gigbag, and is in Europe too.

Decisions, decisions!

Parsley

Any opinions on ATK 305 vs SRX 505? Good/bad points, or which is more suited to metal? I've only heard good things about the ATK, and the only gripe I've gotten about the SRX 505 was the pickups. If I were to slap a set of EMG's in there, would it be hard? Which kind would fit and how much would they cost?

Thanks for all the help. :v:

Mongo

ATK's are apparently similar in tone to Musicman Stingrays as used by Justin Chancellor of Tool.Also the bass player for Kyuss Scott Reeder played an ATK!

Parsley

Mongo wrote:

ATK's are apparently similar in tone to Musicman Stingrays as used by Justin Chancellor of Tool.Also the bass player for Kyuss Scott Reeder played an ATK!

I love those bands, gotta love Justin's tone.... :v:

Doctor J

This bass sounds a LOT like a Music Man and the neck is slim at the nut yet wide at the bridge for maximum comfort.

That's on the ad for the SRX :v:

That ATK is fugly to the extreme, plus, with the SRX you get tonal choice of two pickups to the ATK's one. I'm not sure if that's the stock ATK pickup, so it might sound different to a regular ATK.

DIRTY69

Out of those I'd go with the Ibanez. I picked up a tanglewood 4string bass on the cheap locally a couple of years ago and its still doing the rounds for me. I'm prob the only one that thinks tanglewood is any good!:rolleyes:

Parsley

Over at TalkBass.com, they're _ALL_ saying go for the ATK, so I'm gonna. Plus, I just about have enough money to buy it now...

Parsley

Well, the ****r sold the ATK, so I cannae get that.

It's now down to the Ibanez SRX 505, Ibanez RD 505, and Yamaha BB 415, Which I have all seen brilliant reviews of. The Yamaha is the cheapest and the SRX is the most expensive.

I NEED OTHER PEOPLES' OPINIONS!

Parsley

bumpage.

Doctor J

Another ATK has just popped up on www.chrisguitars.com

smog

Personally i would go for the SRX, but I love the kick out of the EMGs on my DWB35, but then again depends on what style you play? and if this will be your "all round" bass or one or many.

ferdi

if it was me i'd go for the ATK, i love the look.

Parsley

smog wrote:

Personally i would go for the SRX, but I love the kick out of the EMGs on my DWB35, but then again depends on what style you play? and if this will be your "all round" bass or one or many.

The only bass I have at the moment is a Harley Benton P-Bass copy, I think it's time I bought a proper bass. It's mostly heavy rock, some metal, but I'd like some versatility.

Doctor J

I don't know of a bass that isn't versatile. Get a Jazz bass, you'll never be stuck with one of them. The SRX is more versatile than you'll ever realistically need and they play very well. There's the ATK on chrisguitars, which will also do whatever you need.

Parsley

Aaaarrggh too much choice! I can get the SRX 505 cheaper than the ATK on chrisguitars, I think that's what I'll get.

But I've heard the pickups aren't the best. What could I put in instead and how much would they cost?

Doctor J

Wait until you hear the pickups before you decide whether they're good or bad.

Parsley

Ok, but say if I was to change them, how much would a good set cost?
How would one go about installing them?

Doctor J

A good set? A good set doesn't mean an expensive set, a good set is what sounds good to your ears and what compliments your playing style. You're judging these pickups without actually having heard them. You don't seem to know what you want and, until the time you do, I would suggest you keep your money in the bank. Forget what they're saying to you on Talkbass, websites like that and this should be used as a reference, for second opinions and whatnot. You need to know what will suit you first though. What I would recommend you do is get into Dublin early some Saturday and spend the day trying out basses. Try every brand and model which comes even remotely close to suiting your needs in every shop you can find. Only then will you know what it is you're after. Don't pre-judge something as being crap just on what some guys on a forum tell you. Get out there and play it. See if it suits you. See if you actually need active EQ. See if you actually need two pickups or one pickup. See if you prefer the sound of single coil pickups or humbucking pickups. See if you feel more comfortable on a skinny Ibanez neck or a fatter Fender neck.

Nobody can tell you that, you'll have to find out for yourself.

Parsley

Ideally, that's what I'd like to do, but I can't as I live in Limerick, and don't have a car of my own. I've been relying on other peoples' recommendations based on their experiences, because in my situation that's all I have to go on. There's sweet **** all here in Limerick when it comes to musical instruments.

So you see the awkward situation I'm in?

Doctor J

I do, but I think if you go solely on the recommendations of web forums you might regret it. Compared to the cost of a bass you mightn't like, a day return ticket on the bus is fairly small peanuts.

Parsley

Do any of the guitar shops in Dublin have one of these?

smog

Very much doubt it ... what ever you decide stick a photo up when you get it