Decisions....Decisions...

Seany

Hey all,

I hope everyone is having a nice christmas!

I am looking at spending a few bob on a decent bass guitar and I have narrowed my search down to 3 possible purchases:

Fireglo RickenBacker 4003 - Probably cost around 1300 (elsewhere than thomann)

Natural Ernie Ball Stingray Bass - Probably cost around 1500

Natural American/Japanese Fender 75 Jazz Bass - Probably cost 750 (Japanese) 1400 (American).

Any thoughts on any of the above?

Karl Hungus

Dear god, is it even a question? Rickenbacker all the way my friend!

Rustar

The Rickenbacker would be my choice as well. In fact I'm saving up for one! :v:



I kinda like the Midnight Blue....looks a bit darker in person.

John

Is all three an option?

Eoin Madsen

I'd definitely take the Jazz, personally.

Seany

John 2 - I'd love to have all three...maybe that might be possible in 10yrs time!

Well. these 3 are my favorites out there at the moment (in saying that I havent played everything!)

I'm leaning towards the Ricki alright but I have heard both good and bad things about some of these

I went into town today to see if I could play a couple to get a feel for which one suited me best and Waltons were the only music shop open - who dont stock any of the above basses :eek:

I dont want to rush into amnything considering the amount I want to spend (it is certainly a lot of money to invest into an instrument ..to me anyway)

As the saying goes "you live and learn" so I was hoping to make a decision based on what some others have thought about these guitars.

With that in mind.. any feedback with reasons for preference would be greatly appreciated.

Mongo

You can't go wrong with any of them.The Rick is great but it is very much a one trick pony.It isn't very versatile.What kinda stuff you play?

Doctor J

A G&L L2000 man, you know it makes sense :v:

ferdi

G&L JB-2
santa forgot to bring me mine:(

Doctor J

Sean, you can try the two I have out again whenever you want. Personally, out of those three, the Jazz, there is nothing they can't do, but if you're spending bigger than initially thought, definitely investigate the G&L, which is basically a mix of the best bits of the Jazz and the best bits of the Stingray.

Ric pros - Ric tone, Ric looks, Ric wow factor, Never loses value
Ric cons - Not as comfortable as a Leo Fender design, Strings closer together, High thievability factor

Stingray pros - Proven design, Great tone, Built like a brick ****house
Stingray cons - Only one pickup, so the tone fantastic as it is, can only be sculpted by EQ, 3 band EQ models cost more

Jazz pros - Basic but immensly flexable design, durable, classic, totally customisable due to plenty of after-market dop in parts
Jazz cons - ehh... no EQ, though that can be easily and cheaply added, other than that... ehhh... ehhh... dunno?

Anyone else?

Seany

Type of music..eh, depends.. kinda indie rock n roll..punchy bass lines, etc ..(samples can be found in sig).

G&L...Never played or heard one. Do musicmaker or any of the shops here have them?

Not as pretty as the Ric....Doc J - If I get a G&L perhaps we could trade

Doctor J

Seany wrote:

If I get a G&L perhaps we could trade

Actually... ehhh... let me think about it

Seany

Doctor J wrote:

Sean, you can try the two I have out again whenever you want. Personally, out of those three, the Jazz, there is nothing they can't do, but if you're spending bigger than initially thought, definitely investigate the G&L, which is basically a mix of the best bits of the Jazz and the best bits of the Stingray.

Ric pros - Ric tone, Ric looks, Ric wow factor, Never loses value
Ric cons - Not as comfortable as a Leo Fender design, Strings closer together, High thievability factor

Stingray pros - Proven design, Great tone, Built like a brick ****house
Stingray cons - Only one pickup, so the tone fantastic as it is, can only be sculpted by EQ, 3 band EQ models cost more

Jazz pros - Basic but immensly flexable design, durable, classic, totally customisable due to plenty of after-market dop in parts
Jazz cons - ehh... no EQ, though that can be easily and cheaply added, other than that... ehhh... ehhh... dunno?

Anyone else?

You're a good man Justin,

Doesnt help that I know feck all about bass..I have saved a few bob and santa was also nice this year so I now have a bit more to spend than I originally thought.

If there are a few examples of the above to be found inb Dublin this week..might spend a day looking and incorporate a few beers (not back in work til Jan 4th !)

Doctor J

I'll build you a kick ass mother****er of a Jazz bass for you for a grand

Karl Hungus

I honestly reckon you should try out what they have in town. I know that Musician stock all the basses in question, so your best bet is to see if they have them and try 'em out, as nobody can really tell you what you want, you have to see not only what sounds right for you, but feels right aswell.

Rustar

Baaaah, Rickenbacker! If you're holding a Ric on stage, dozens of chicks like these will throng around you!
Holding a Jazz or Stingray will only make them route around you and head for the guitarist. :eek:

Eoin Madsen

Karl Hungus wrote:

I honestly reckon you should try out what they have in town. I know that Musician stock all the basses in question, so your best bet is to see if they have them and try 'em out, as nobody can really tell you what you want, you have to see not only what sounds right for you, but feels right aswell.

Don't listen to this madman.

Seany

Its just as well Im not in a band for the chicks then

On another note, I was out and about trying a few of the above instruments today and another beauty caught my eye (or was recommended to me).



I played this and thought it was one of the most verstile sounding basses I have ever heard. Doesnt do a whole lot for me in the looks department though but that might be forgiven based on its tone and playability!

Doctor J

I really like the understated looks of the G&L, it looks simple but it's one of the most advanced basses out there. Leo Fender was a ****ing genius.

Doc_Savage

i'd hardly call those pickups understated!!

nice instrument!!

Rustar

Doctor J wrote:

Ric pros - Ric tone, Ric looks, Ric wow factor, Never loses value
Ric cons - Not as comfortable as a Leo Fender design, Strings closer together, High thievability factor

Stingray pros - Proven design, Great tone, Built like a brick ****house
Stingray cons - Only one pickup, so the tone fantastic as it is, can only be sculpted by EQ, 3 band EQ models cost more

Jazz pros - Basic but immensly flexable design, durable, classic, totally customisable due to plenty of after-market dop in parts
Jazz cons - ehh... no EQ, though that can be easily and cheaply added, other than that... ehhh... ehhh... dunno?

Ric pros - Ric tone, Ric looks, Squire, Lemmy, Geddy, and McCharmley play 'em.
Ric cons - Great pick-style bass, ok finger-style, bad funk bass.

Stingray pros - Designed by Leo Fender.
Stingray cons - Designed by Leo Fender.

Jazz pros - Larry Graham plays one .So does Geddy. Great fingerstyle/funk bass. Distinctive sound, not as thumpy as the P-bass but more mid and high presence.
Jazz cons - No EQ, and somehow Leo out-uglied the P-bass even with this design. It's fuglydelic.

judas101

i cant believe this is up for discussion. Ric all the way says I.

John

I still say all three, you can never have enough basses. Unless they're ****, then you can have too many.

Ravelleman

I used to be a strong supporter of Rics and, while they are still incredibly sweet, I think I'd go for a G&L L2000 if I was buying a bass. Then I'd string it BEAD.

Seany

I had a think about this over the weekend...and though I love the look and sound from a Ric, I have decided to go for the G&L L2000.


In the spirit of dealing with local business's in Dublin..I tried to get the best deal possible without having to take my business online and outside Ireland.

Results of this effort:

List price in Dublin €1899 with hardcase - Deal Offered €1700 with hardcase

Exact same model of guitar & same hardcase purchased new from Germany for €1,020 which includes tax plus €25 shipping to my door.

Thats a difference of €655 which is almost 65% of the cost of the guitar. You can be sure that there is a tidy profit being made from the online sale too.

This in my view is a disgrace.

Anyway, this baby should be at my door step within a week (hopefully).

Thanks to those who posted here.

Seany

John

Don't forget the compulsory pictures of the bass upon arrival at your door

Ravelleman

Where did you buy it from? That seems like a hell of a price. I'm thinking of buying one for myself in the not to distant future.

Seany

Yeah nice price alright considering what is being asked here.

I got it here

Lets hope its as described when it gets to me. Seems reputable ebay power seller

I will let you guys know

Rustar

John2 wrote:

Don't forget the compulsory pictures of the bass upon arrival at your door

Yes, pictures must be taken or you'll lose karma points.

Doctor J

Rustar wrote:

Yes, pictures must be taken or you'll lose karma points.

He'll get a drumstick in the arse if everything isn't in order

ferdi

not a big fan of the double humbucker but you made a good choice there seany

Seany

Just a quick update...





My G&L L2000 arrived safe and sound this morning! All well packed in its own hard case.

I didnt get a chance to plug it in yet...I'll be busy with this baby this evening. I'll post a few more pics later on (once I locate my digital camera!)

Thanks again the help and the all of the replies.

Sean

Doctor J

Sweet

Karl Hungus

That looks nice. Very nice.

Rustar

Can't wait for the 'real deal' pics!

Seany

Right so......

Photos.












It plays even better than it looks......

Doctor J

And probably sounds even better still, eh?