Bass; neck-thru or bolt-on

klaus flouride

I'm going to buy my first bass over EUR 500.00- so I have a bit of choice. I'm a pretty heavy player (as in, I put a lot of stress on my guitar- slap and the like). Apparently neck-thru basses are much stronger, but are 'high-maintenance'- does this just mean you have to set the truss-rod regularly or what?

It wasn't me!

It's a personal preference, both have their advantages and disadvantages, neither is inherently better. Wouldn't think neck-thru is going to be stronger though, and you're realistically not going to be slapping your bass hard enough to need a "stronger" build. Worried? Buy a Warwick. Seriously, the things are monsters. I'd give mine a better chance than me of surviving a fall. And it'd still be in tune.

Parsley

On that budget he'd be looking at Rockbass though... Are they as well built?

Royale with Cheese

I just picked up a corvette proline on ebay for €580 plus tax (although hopefully not).

You can get the standard corvette's cheaper again. A warwick for just over €500 is doable. Rockbasses are grand anyway, but I don't think there are any Warwick models or Rockbass models around that pricerange that would have Neck-thru options.

It wasn't me!

You could pick up a Warwick for about 500. I did, and as I say, my Streamer would take a heavier beating than I would. It's an absolute tank.

Doctor J

TBH if you were a hard player I'd got for a bolt on. Though I've never seen anyone have a playing technique unsubtle enough to require extra reinforcement, if you reckon you're a neck breaker then get an instrument that isn't a total write off if you warp or otherwise damage the neck. For the money you're talking, get an Ibanez, they're leagues ahead of Rockbass, very very good for the money indeed, especially second hand. Ask Fey about the one he got off the u-box for €450 or so.

feylya

This one was €510 after shipping and tax and (imho) is comparable with Doc J's Bacchus' and Lakland. Lovely bass.

Doctor J

I wouldn't say it's in the Bacchus league, dear boy, but it is damn nice

The probelm I would have with recommending Warwicks is that you need to spend big wedge to get any features. The standard models are dreadfully basic, in terms of electronics. I certainly think there are basses which offer considerably more tonal flexibility for a lot less money.

judas101

feylya wrote:

and (imho) is comparable with Doc J's Bacchus' and Lakland. Lovely bass.

he's gonna kill you for saying that

feylya

Hence the imho Na, Bacchus's are very very nice sounding and real nice to play but I just find the SR comfier or something. That said, his white Bacchus is untouchable

Doctor J

The SR body is a superb design, it sits really nice on one's person, my 6er too.

feylya

Doc, the string spacing is smaller on the SR isn't it? May affect the OP's decisions if he's a slap player

Doctor J

Yup, on my 6er it's 16.5mm, it's pretty similar on your 5. Personally, I find that a little tight, but I'm a big ****er and I learned to play on Fender spacing (19mm). Some folks like it though and like the skinnier neck as a result... you, for example.

Edit, -> then again, yer man from Korn has a signature SR and does a lot of slapping, so it's really a personal preference.

feylya

I'm a guitar player. I don't have mutant bass player hands

OP, head into the guitar shops in town and check out basses. The SR is really nice but if you want wider spacing, check out the Ibanez BTB. Absolutely love those basses.

klaus flouride

I saw this wasburn 5 string (Force 5, i think) for EUR 750.00 (incl.shippin n' ****). Bit of a splash out but it looks like a good deal- I haven't owned a bass with active elecs on it before, are they much better?

on a different theme; anyone seen that lad gary denyer on you tube- i checked out his site (www.gazzbass.com), don't get me wrong now- he is obviously extremely good, but does he play in a band or does he just sit there in front of his webcam boll1cking about?

klaus flouride

Oh yeah, I saw the washburn on playrecord.net

Patricide

I would actually thoughrally recomend a washburn. The bass player from rest gets a MONSTOR tone outta his.

klaus flouride

Yeah, think i'll go for the washburn- it has everything i'm looking for. I'd buy a 2nd hand one only I can't find one being sold that has the different things I want.