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new member from down under needs advice
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The only LH model currently available is natural with maple board, and I don't think they ever made a right-handed HH Ray34 let alone a lefty, but if is what is appears to be (LH Ray34 modified to HH - the neck pickup is not in the stock position to it is unlikely to be factory - with what appear to be top-drawer parts) then IMO you can't go wrong. I have a Ray34 in sunburst with maple board that is so close to a 'real' 'Ray it's uncanny. Materials, build quality and finish on mine are excellent, and I've no reason to think that one would be any different. It might be an opportunity too good to miss...
Hopefully the selection up in Brisbane is better then the one in Adelaide, I have a ESP B-405 (I couple of models up on the 204) and have really enjoyed it for a long time, I've also played a few ibanez's of late (Thinking of getting a 305) and they also sound and feel great. Schecter is another one who make decent basses in that price range, I haven't seen many fenders in that price range here either. If your looking for something a bit different some of the Ephiphones also fit nicely into that price range as do a couple of the Yamaha's but personally I prefer the Ibanez's
Personally my advice is forget all the stats and features you've listed above, get to as many stores as you possibly can and play as many different basses as you can (preferably through a similar amp) then pick the one that feels and sounds best to you. This might be a bit harder as a left hander as there probably isn't as much stock but playing some right handed basses up side down will atleast give you a feel for there tone. But really it comes down to the sound and style you prefer, for example there is a lot of people here that really like the sound of P basses and would almost never play anything else but there is a equal number of people that think P basses sound old fashion and terrible and will probably never own one, only you know the sound you like and you'll probably only figure out exactly what that is by playing alot and if its a active bass thats great, if its passive thats also great in the end it doesn't matter as long as it makes the sound you want.
Personally my advice is forget all the stats and features you've listed above, get to as many stores as you possibly can and play as many different basses as you can (preferably through a similar amp) then pick the one that feels and sounds best to you. This might be a bit harder as a left hander as there probably isn't as much stock but playing some right handed basses up side down will atleast give you a feel for there tone. But really it comes down to the sound and style you prefer, for example there is a lot of people here that really like the sound of P basses and would almost never play anything else but there is a equal number of people that think P basses sound old fashion and terrible and will probably never own one, only you know the sound you like and you'll probably only figure out exactly what that is by playing alot and if its a active bass thats great, if its passive thats also great in the end it doesn't matter as long as it makes the sound you want.
I probably wouldn't get it because of the active pickups. I'd have to have it in my hands to know if it played so well in my hands that I would reconsier.
Here's the thing though. I'm not you. If that bass speaks to you then get it and rock out on it. It's kinda like finding a spouse. There's one for you out there and only you will know it when you find it.
I guess i'm in trouble (or very lucky then) I know there's at least 5 for me (I Just need to find a way to afford them all)
As long as the modifications have been professionally done, that looks to be an excellent choice. I, myself, am not a fan of the 'Ray34. Specifically the very flat 12" neck radius. Also Barts tend to be very dark sounding with no way to brighten them up. This bass will not have the classic Stingray sound.
There is a reason this expensively hot rodded bass is on the used market. It's up to you to find out if it is something systemic in the bass. When all is said and done, if it sounds good to you and you like it, buy it.
There is a reason this expensively hot rodded bass is on the used market. It's up to you to find out if it is something systemic in the bass. When all is said and done, if it sounds good to you and you like it, buy it.
Ductapeman
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I think about that (Hendrix on bass) and a good strap for the balance.
Thanks every one, i'm getting there ...slowly
LOL, so bass guitar shopping sounds pretty much the same experience, no matter where you are in the world!
Here in the UK, we get to hear about all of these great shops in all other parts of the world, the US guitar shops have huge stocks of vintage gear, the Japanese shops are bursting at the seams, and the Aussie shops have stacks of MIJ gear.
At least one thing appears to be a constant, no matter where you are... the bored sales assistant, who's more interested in Facebook or whatever, than actually interacting with real humans in the same geographical vicinity. Not all shops are like this, thankfully.
Good luck on your search!
Maybe you should check out some Japanese stores online?
I got a call today from my guitar teacher who knows that i'm in the market for a bass.
He had a visitor over (former band mate) who also deals Squier, Tokai and Warwick instruments.
Went over like a rocket and tried a right handed jaguar bass (Hendrix style) and a warwick corvette
just to check the balance.
He demonstrated both and i was blown away by the sound of the warwick.
When we talked money he gave me a price and i knew instantly
"I A'M GETTING A BASS", in 4-8 weeks. Funny thing is, it's the one i mentioned in my OP.
Shows you again, it's not what you know but who you know.
I reckon i owe my teacher a Single malt.
Here is a catalogue pic, i'm doing a nbd when it's here.
Cheers
He had a visitor over (former band mate) who also deals Squier, Tokai and Warwick instruments.
Went over like a rocket and tried a right handed jaguar bass (Hendrix style) and a warwick corvette
just to check the balance.
He demonstrated both and i was blown away by the sound of the warwick.
When we talked money he gave me a price and i knew instantly
"I A'M GETTING A BASS", in 4-8 weeks. Funny thing is, it's the one i mentioned in my OP.
Shows you again, it's not what you know but who you know.
I reckon i owe my teacher a Single malt.
Here is a catalogue pic, i'm doing a nbd when it's here.
Cheers
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Back in August i joined talkbass, used the advice, scoured the internet and visited music shops (i live near brisbane). Now im not after a left handed bass, but nothing used was coming up. So i decided to go new, and ordered a nice squier vm. Im still waiting! The stocks of basses in aust is hopeless! The squier i ordered, in sept, still has no eta! I paid for it, and i have no idea when its gonna arrive. Ive even suggested 5 other basses to the store, and none are in stock with fender!! Ive started to look at other brands, but what i like is always too $$. I just want to start learning! Its pretty paid to pay for something and not know what the wait will be. Good luck on your hunt, i dont envy you!
Congrats on the Warwick. I had one and it's a good one. We can recommend some good basses but ultimately it comes down to your preferences and what feels right to you. They each offer something unique so some of us have multiple basses lol! Just have to add that the kind of music you play determine the ideal bass for you. There are of course the standard P bass, Jazz basses models and variants thereof that tend to be more versatile. A bass with both a P Bass and a jazz bass pickup tend to be the most versatile imo. I do have a few of those. As you can see in my user pic, I also play a Musicman Ray bass and looking back at this thread, I see that you were looking at a Sterling Ray. These tend to be more aggressive basses, great sound but at the same time, not really capable of the nuances of the P or J. Personally, I love them for the kind of music I play but I also resort to my other basses for getting a more subtle sound. The Warwick Corvette is very versatile and you really picked a good one especially if you're a lefty and can find one. (I'm a lefty myself but have always played right handed for 30 years). Good choice.
Thanks heaps
Can't wait to join the club, i'm already doing some exercises and watch you tube videos (mostly Scott Devine).
Style ? I would like to combine bass and rhythm guitar into one (never been a fan of bands with 2 guitar players).
Since i have no idea what i'm talking about, this could change weekly... na make that daily.
Getting back to the Ray 34. I was tempted by it, but
my guitar guru, just like Linnin, said there is a reason this bass is on the market, so i (we) dismissed it.
So, my next question would be if it makes sense to do online courses like Scott's, or strictly stay with
a personal teacher ?
Oh man, i'm so glad i found this site. never knew there is something like a bass forum.
Thanks people of Bassland
Can't wait to join the club, i'm already doing some exercises and watch you tube videos (mostly Scott Devine).
Style ? I would like to combine bass and rhythm guitar into one (never been a fan of bands with 2 guitar players).
Since i have no idea what i'm talking about, this could change weekly... na make that daily.
Getting back to the Ray 34. I was tempted by it, but
my guitar guru, just like Linnin, said there is a reason this bass is on the market, so i (we) dismissed it.
So, my next question would be if it makes sense to do online courses like Scott's, or strictly stay with
a personal teacher ?
Oh man, i'm so glad i found this site. never knew there is something like a bass forum.
Thanks people of Bassland
If you have time to do the work thats given to you buy your personal teacher and do stuff from Scott's bass lessons then it probably wont harm you and will probably work well. If you can afford a personal teacher especially when starting out as long as they are a good teacher they will probably work better for you as they will be able to tailor content to your ability levels and what you want to learn, they will also help you pick up and address areas in your technique. I've watched some of Scott's lessons but never signed up to his courses, I think where they will do better is once you've been playing for a few years because of the amount of content and different instructors it would probably help you broaden your musical knowledge into different areas and you would probably be able to learn a bunch of secondary things that may not be your teachers personal speciality. That really depends how far you want to push your playing and theory if you just want to be solid in rock bands you'll probably reach a point where there isn't heaps more you really need to know.
Playing in a band with 1 guitar player certainly gives you a lot more flexibility in where and what you play as you need to fill out the sound a lot more, it also gives you more freedom to play with effects like overdrive, if you want to head in that direction probably the next bit of gear you want at some point is an overdrive pedal, as again this will help fill out the sound and take some of the role of the rhythm guitarist.
@simotek, thanks for your thoughtful reply.
Right now i'm in a state of i don't know what i don't know. If my theoretical and practical
knowledge of the guitar is useful remains to be seen (knowing the fretboard can't be so bad).
My guitar teacher (i see him once a fortnight) agreed to get me started on the bass
(once every other week), but he also told me, that if i properly get into bass playing he has to refer
me to a different teacher.
I didn't like when he told me not to jump the gun and do some stuff before i get my bass, because i
could easily pick up bad things technic wise. So, i have to stay patient and wait,
because he knows best.
When comparing 2 people, one starting on a guitar, the other one on a bass.
Do they learn exactly the same music theory ?
Thanks again for putting up with me
Right now i'm in a state of i don't know what i don't know. If my theoretical and practical
knowledge of the guitar is useful remains to be seen (knowing the fretboard can't be so bad).
My guitar teacher (i see him once a fortnight) agreed to get me started on the bass
(once every other week), but he also told me, that if i properly get into bass playing he has to refer
me to a different teacher.
I didn't like when he told me not to jump the gun and do some stuff before i get my bass, because i
could easily pick up bad things technic wise. So, i have to stay patient and wait,
because he knows best.
When comparing 2 people, one starting on a guitar, the other one on a bass.
Do they learn exactly the same music theory ?
Thanks again for putting up with me
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Theory is theory, but as a bass player there will be different elements of interest than say a guitarist... The harmonic function of bass in forming chord inversions, the use of chromatics to create smoother movement, arpeggios vs chord shapes, and of course rhythm and timing, come to mind.
Good luck...
Edit...and if you don't already have one, get yourself a metronome!