Looking for a second bass

[Oliversan]

Hi, I’m relatively new here but have been reading the forums for years and finally decided to post here.
I have a Rickenbacker 4003 mapleglo with 77 flats for almost five years now and has been my main (and only) bass since; I’ve been playing since 2005 but it’s been off and on until I had gotten it, so I’m pretty intermediate. It was a gift and don’t think I’d ever depart with it
Right now I’m currently looking into picking a second bass but not in the high price range, probably $600 max. I love my rick but..i don’t have as much tonal options besides the rick sound. I currently got an Aerodyne jazz bass at GC for $500 but I’m not really digging the round fingerboard and the small pots seem like a hassle replacing later on (they’re cheap JS A250K pots). I love the PJ sound and the neck is nice and thin, compared to the rick.
I guess what I’m looking for is something opposite of the rick - Comfort and easy of use is kinda what I’m looking for; P basses are nice but idk there’s not much options. Would prefer a 4-string but I’m open to 5-strings. The mustang pj basses are nice too; never tried a jaguar either. Actually, where I live there’s little to not much variety of basses to try out so it’s either swing online and miss (like with the aerodyne) or choose whatever guitar center has in store.
Am I being too picky? Has the rick really number my senses on choosing a second bass?
I should note I play through a fender rumble 100 and I’m only playing as a hobby and sometimes small recording

 

[dmt]

Since it’s not an emergency and since you don’t seem to have formed a strong preference yet as to exactly which bass you want next, and additionally since there is a budget limitation involved, why don’t you wait and see what comes up used on Craigslist, etc. and go for whatever eventually catches your eye in your price range

 

[Lobster11]

P basses are nice but idk there’s not much options.

Not sure what you mean here. If you mean that a P doesn't offer many tonal options, given only one pickup and one tone control, I suppose that's true. On the other hand, a P is actually very versatile in the sense that it works for any style of playing or genre. It might be a one-trick pony, so to speak, but that trick works pretty much everywhere.

 

[CallMeAl]

We can throw recommendations at you til the cows come home, but it’s all so subjective. it does sound like you’re narrowing down your preferences. (PJ, thin neck, but dislike the “roundness” which I think is the 7.5” radius)

Why not take a road trip to your nearest city, and visit all the music stores? IMO the most important part of the bass is the neck. Find a neck you can’t put down and you’re 90% there.

Still, I’ll take a crack at some recommendations to look out for:
Yamaha BB434- similar to the Aerodyne, but flatter radius
Fender Deluxe active Precision- PJ, thinner neck, flat radius, active/passive versatility
G&L L2000- possibly the most versatile bass out there

whatever you do don’t rush it. You have a beautiful bass to play. Just enjoy the hunt. Good luck!

PS where are you located?

 

[mr zee]

Have you thought about Epiphone, either the Thunderbird or EB3.
I have both and the Tbird is quite versatile, totally different shape.
I also have an Epi custom shop re-issue pj pick up ripper which can be a real thumper.
I'm an hobby player also and my main bass is a rick 4003 fireglo but I have another 11 cheaper basses that I play frequently.

 

[elgranluis]

Use the 600 on something that you like how it looks. Once you get it , decide that you don’t like the sound so much. Sell it , repeat. When you find the right bass , it will stay in your stable and then , ONLY THEN, you will be looking for a third bass.

 

[groove pump]

Hi, I’m relatively new here but have been reading the forums for years and finally decided to post here.
I have a Rickenbacker 4003 mapleglo with 77 flats for almost five years now and has been my main (and only) bass since; I’ve been playing since 2005 but it’s been off and on until I had gotten it, so I’m pretty intermediate. It was a gift and don’t think I’d ever depart with it
Right now I’m currently looking into picking a second bass but not in the high price range, probably $600 max. I love my rick but..i don’t have as much tonal options besides the rick sound. I currently got an Aerodyne jazz bass at GC for $500 but I’m not really digging the round fingerboard and the small pots seem like a hassle replacing later on (they’re cheap JS A250K pots). I love the PJ sound and the neck is nice and thin, compared to the rick.
I guess what I’m looking for is something opposite of the rick - Comfort and easy of use is kinda what I’m looking for; P basses are nice but idk there’s not much options. Would prefer a 4-string but I’m open to 5-strings. The mustang pj basses are nice too; never tried a jaguar either. Actually, where I live there’s little to not much variety of basses to try out so it’s either swing online and miss (like with the aerodyne) or choose whatever guitar center has in store.
Am I being too picky? Has the rick really number my senses on choosing a second bass?
I should note I play through a fender rumble 100 and I’m only playing as a hobby and sometimes small recording

If the dimensions of the neck on your Rick are okay for you, I'd say be careful with picking up something that's its "opposite". That might give you something with a much worse fit for you. A slim, shallow neck might seem lightning quick and easy to noodle with when you first pick it up, but don't assume that it's better for you until you've sat and played around on it for 20-30 minutes.

Smaller, thinner necks can be more stressful for some hands, but it can be hard to recognize that after playing on it for only a minute or two. I'm not big on wider, more chunky P-bass necks, but I've also run into trouble with one or two instruments having more of a narrow Jazz neck and not-so-much wood under the fingerboard. Try to be picky when you're sampling. If a fit isn't REALLY good almost right away, that could be a red flag.

Pretty much any other bass that's not a Rick will be different, so grab hold of everything you can and see what you find. I agree with out pals here - don't assume that one trip to GC will do the trick. There isn't always much there to chose from depending on the specific shop. I live within an hour's drive of three of them (GC), but if I jumped in the car and went to each one, I know I'd take a look at a total of only two or three basses among them.

You've got a really decent bass now, so time is on your side. You'll eventually find a gem for $600

 

[MynameisMe]

I Just picked up a fretless Ibanez active bass on CL here last week for $ 100.00. You could get three or four basses for $ 600.00 if you’re not too picky.