I understand that this will probably draw quite a bit of hate (even more as I’ve only switched to bass from guitar in the past year to fill bassist in my band). I actually enjoy playing bass and creating bass lines just as much if not more than guitar, I’ve been looking for a new bass recently in the range of like 400-600 and all there seem to be is really ugly jazz bass knockoffs. I’m a guy who loves a tastefully done weird alternate body bass (I’m in a grunge band) but everything is either really boring or too metal for my taste. I really think some of the Gibson/epiphone basses are really cool and I love the look of the Thunderbird but I played a reverse thunderbird today (they look disgusting) and it sounded terrible considering it’s a 2k bass. I may just be playing through an amp that is no good or EQd poorly (more than likely) but I was wondering if anyone else agrees with me or if I’m just a dumb guitar player. Or alternatively if anyone has any suggestions on basses to look at?
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Why do all basses seem to look so uninspired and the same (in a bad way)
- Thread starter Liamberry9
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Here ya go Hoss:
Mothgirl not included.
Mothgirl not included.
Does it have to be new? The market these days is highly dominated by fender-style instruments, especially the new offerings. I'd suggest looking for a used bass instead and keep looking until you find something that tickles your fancy.
I'll also state that although there are lots available at your price-point, you're going to see more fender-type ilk at that price. If you expand up to 1000, you'll find many more options.
I'll also state that although there are lots available at your price-point, you're going to see more fender-type ilk at that price. If you expand up to 1000, you'll find many more options.
Does it have to be new? The market these days is highly dominated by fender-style instruments, especially the new offerings. I'd suggest looking for a used bass instead and keep looking until you find something that tickles your fancy.
I'll also state that although there are lots available at your price-point, you're going to see more fender-type ilk at that price. If you expand up to 1000, you'll find many more options.
yeah that’s mainly where I look like fb market place and that, i love the old Gibson RDs but at not gonna be able to afford one of them for years, just wish we had pawn shops here in the UK I’d love to go hunting for basses
Nah I quite like fender and jazz basses but they just don’t feel all that special to me anymore seeing as they’re the only thing you see anymore, I like quite unique looking guitars and basses
Welcome to TalkBass.
Joining an online community and immediately posting something that begins with 'I understand that this will probably draw quite a bit of hate' is a terrible look. On the positive side, it does show some degree of awareness. On the negative side, you posted it anyway.
I'd encourage you to not only read the room, but read a few dozen threads (maybe even the Classifieds) and acquaint yourself with what's available before you just blast away with 'this is ugly' and so forth. Speaking of, I'd encourage you to read the Rules, including the forum-specific rules. You'll find a specific thing called the Ugly Bass Rule.
As for the rest of us, let's do our best to give the new member some useful suggestions and not treat this as a troll thread, which I acknowledge it could be. Thanks!
Joining an online community and immediately posting something that begins with 'I understand that this will probably draw quite a bit of hate' is a terrible look. On the positive side, it does show some degree of awareness. On the negative side, you posted it anyway.
I'd encourage you to not only read the room, but read a few dozen threads (maybe even the Classifieds) and acquaint yourself with what's available before you just blast away with 'this is ugly' and so forth. Speaking of, I'd encourage you to read the Rules, including the forum-specific rules. You'll find a specific thing called the Ugly Bass Rule.
As for the rest of us, let's do our best to give the new member some useful suggestions and not treat this as a troll thread, which I acknowledge it could be. Thanks!
I had an RD Artist for a few years and it sounded good, but was an ergonomic nightmare. The nut felt like it was a mile away, it was incredibly heavy and the neck dive required holding it up while playing. It sounded great so I tolerated it, plus I was in my 20s, but it was not a great player.
I enjoy the 'uniqueness' of my custom fretless uke bass. Pricey but worth every penny to me.
Thats sad, I thought they look awesomeI had an RD Artist for a few years and it sounded good, but was an ergonomic nightmare. The nut felt like it was a mile away, it was incredibly heavy and the neck dive required holding it up while playing. It sounded great so I tolerated it, plus I was in my 20s, but it was not a great player.
I’m really stumped here, I know it’s a pretty classic thing for a guitar player to say but Im still yet to see something that I love and I’ve been looking for weeksYeah I don’t think I could afford one of those in a million years my arguments based more at the ~600 price point (I get they build them for the masses at that price but I think they all look the same and don’t look particularly great at that). Yours is killer tho
They really do look awesome, which is why I bought it in the first place! That said, I wouldn't say it would be a terrible purchase, just not a fit for me.Thats sad, I thought they look awesome
What kind of guitars do you like? What kind of music do you play? Are you moving to bass permanently or is this just adding something to your repertoire? I ask, as the answers may help others make relevant suggestions.
A LOT of people on this board, build, assemble or modify their instruments to get their desired vibe, and these days that can be done on a pretty tight budget.
This could be an option for you... In this very forum people put up their new basses with the acronym "NBD" in the thread title. Might be worth running through a few dozen threads to have a look at some examples of what's out there. I'm sure you'll find something to scratch the itch. And perhaps also develop a new obsession in the process.
Side note, while we're at it, perhaps ask @blastoff99 if he'd be kind enough to edit your thread title to something potentially less triggering to the TB illuminati. Like perhaps "Help me find my ideal bass".
Like perhaps "Help me find my ideal bass". 
Since you like Thunderbird-esque basses...
Jackson has the Kelly Bird basses that are a riff on Thunderbirds and are within your $400- $600 price range, but I have no experience with Jacksons so I cannot tell you if they're any good.
Kelly Bird | Jackson
I would have recommended a Schecter Ultra Bass or basses in ESP/LTD's Phoenix, Stream, and perhaps GB lines, but they're far beyond the $400- $600 price range. I think Schecter and ESP/LTD made solid basses.
Ultra Bass
Products - Phoenix Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
Products - Stream Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
Products - GB Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
When it comes to body shapes, I tend to prefer something akin to the sleeker Ibanez Soundgear shape rather than the Fender shape (which doesn't do it for me). Go figure, my most "comfortable" bass is my F-series LTD. Regardless, Ibanez's Soundgear line has some solid basses in the $400- $600 range:
SR | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars
Jackson has the Kelly Bird basses that are a riff on Thunderbirds and are within your $400- $600 price range, but I have no experience with Jacksons so I cannot tell you if they're any good.
Kelly Bird | Jackson
I would have recommended a Schecter Ultra Bass or basses in ESP/LTD's Phoenix, Stream, and perhaps GB lines, but they're far beyond the $400- $600 price range. I think Schecter and ESP/LTD made solid basses.
Ultra Bass
Products - Phoenix Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
Products - Stream Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
Products - GB Series Basses - The ESP Guitar Company
When it comes to body shapes, I tend to prefer something akin to the sleeker Ibanez Soundgear shape rather than the Fender shape (which doesn't do it for me). Go figure, my most "comfortable" bass is my F-series LTD. Regardless, Ibanez's Soundgear line has some solid basses in the $400- $600 range:
SR | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars
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If you like weird non-fenderish, non metal stuff, check out the Eastwood brand for one option.
Also, If a 2k tbird sounded terrible to you, I’d not blame the bass or the amp. An experienced bassist can make just about any bass sound good. The opposite is also true.
Since you're closer to them, maybe check out Thomann's offerings - at least to see some examples of basses. They have a Harley Benton T-birdish unit for very cheap: https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_bt_70vs.htm
Im quite big into my grunge with my band, I love Krist Novoselic, flea (not grunge but I think everyone rates him), I’m a nirvana super fan so I love Jagstang, jaguars and mustangs (however I’ve heard only negative things about their respective basses). I also like funky V style bodies and explorer shapes but I feel they may be a bit too extreme looking for what I do.They really do look awesome, which is why I bought it in the first place! That said, I wouldn't say it would be a terrible purchase, just not a fit for me.
What kind of guitars do you like? What kind of music do you play? Are you moving to bass permanently or is this just adding something to your repertoire? I ask, as the answers may help others make relevant suggestions.
A LOT of people on this board, build, assemble or modify their instruments to get their desired vibe, and these days that can be done on a pretty tight budget.
I'm sure you'll find something to scratch the itch. And perhaps also develop a new obsession in the process.
I’ll definitely look at that NBD thing though
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