Under $200 Bass for a guitar player recording?

Rudy · #1 01-08-2004, 11:11 PM

I 'm a guitar player primarily, (at least I think so), Anyway, I just got a Zoom 802 cd and am having a total blast but the Bass sims are a little weak. I'ld like to know if anyone had any input on an inexpensive bass for recording direct with. It seems like I can get away with around $200 before the Mrs starts breaking my chops for my constant GAS. Music style is all over from Motorhead to Stones.
Any help would be appreciated.

frankfalbo · #2 01-09-2004, 12:42 AM

I don't know if there are any OLP basses out there, but there are a lot of brands selling a EB/MM knock-off. I'd start there because the humbucker is pretty good in those, and it's a good all around sound. In that price range all the jazz bass and p-bass copies will have crappy pickups. Another good alternative would be a used Korean Soundgear that came with active electronics. But stay away from anything with passive jazz bass or p-bass pickups in that range because it will track really poorly without miking some great fat bass amp. You need the bass to sound good direct.

hexa-db · #3 01-09-2004, 08:58 AM

I bought the cheapest bass I could find in a local music shop, which was a Peavey Milestone. It's pretty nice for the cash, and I've got some half decent sounds out of it by recording it through a pod (on the tube preamp setting) and then adding some compression/EQ/magic dust in Logic Audio.

If I'd been less impatient I might have looked for a used Ibanez though. At the time I just wanted to get something quick before I lost the inclination heh.

Rudy · #4 01-09-2004, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the info. I plan on using the bass either direct into the zoom 802 or into Guitarport then zoom 802. I was afraid to get a Bass with an active pickup setup as I have no experience with active pickups at all and I heard that at this price range they're noisy. (Although I'ld like to drop a set of EMG's into a Les Paul ... if I had one).
I'm assuming by Soundgear you mean an Ibanez.
Anyway the humbucker OLP sounds like a good idea.
GAS is a terrible affliction.
Thanks again.

Drew · #5 01-09-2004, 10:44 PM

Gotta second the "stay away from cheap single coils" advice. I currently own a Squier P-bass 5-string that I use while recording- I had a little bit of extra cash lying around and rather than borrowing a friend's bass whenever I needed to track something, I figured it was time to buy my own and learn how to play the thing properly.

Playability, naturally, is gonna be hell on something like this. That was a given, and the fact I always feel much more comfortable on a "real" 5-string than my own should hardly come as a suprise (screw "the neck feels like a baseball bat- the guys at louisville slugger must have taken one look at this thing and thought, "man, if we slimmed that thing down a bit, i bet you could send a baseball REAL far...'). However, I'm completely unsatisfied with the tones I'm getting- it does some very vintage-y, 60's/70's rock stuff tolerably- think Jimi- but tonally I'm more into, say, Tool's "46 and Two" than "1983." But even my j-station can't make this sound good, and the B string is noticeably less distinct than the E-G.

Do I regret buying it? Nope. It's allowed me to record, and physically covers the ranges I need it to. but it's just a tool- neither the feel nor the sound inspire me when I plug in.

There was a nice Jackson 5-string in the shop that I very nearly bought, but it'd have been another $300 or so, and at the time I coudn't justify a $550 bass for a beginner. I'm kinda wishing I'd cut corners elsewhere in my life and grabbed that, now.

Oh well, you live, you learn, and when I can afford a decent bass i'll be that much happier.

-D

darren wilson · #6 01-10-2004, 12:30 AM

I'd definitely go with an OLP Music Man (or if you can spring a bit more cash, maybe try one of the OLP Spectors).

I much prefer the sound of humbuckers in a bass, and i think the OLPs are decently made.

hippietim · #7 01-10-2004, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren wilson

I'd definitely go with an OLP Music Man (or if you can spring a bit more cash, maybe try one of the OLP Spectors).

I much prefer the sound of humbuckers in a bass, and i think the OLPs are decently made.

I've got a 5-string OLP bass like this one (except mine has a black guard):

http://www.olpguitars.com/usa/mm3_5_string_bass.htm

I got the natural finish because it sounded a lot better to me. After I got it I checked their web site and found out that the ones with the solid color paint job are basswood vs. elm for the natural. Now I'd never heard of using elm before but I do know that basswood ain't exactly the holy grail for bass tone. I got it for $200 at GC when they first came out. I swapped the pickup out for a Seymour Duncan Basslines SMB-5A. This was a dramatic improvement for around $85. I didn't buy the active circuit for it but probably will eventually.

I haven't run across an OLP Spector copy yet - how are they? I've had one of the Czech made 4-string Spectors for about 5 years and absolutely love it. I'd be curious to see how the OLPs compare.

Rudy · #8 01-10-2004, 09:57 AM

I never heard of elm either but I must admit, I'm a sucker for a nice natural woodgrain. I think the idea of upgrading the bucker down the line is pure genius as relatively small expenditures like that tend to "fly below the radar" so to speak.
I've got to get a bass though because in addition to the poor sim tone on the 802cd, it just feels wrong playing these lines on the guitar. It's weird that I don't fingerpick on the guitar, but I naturally fingerpick on the bass, which has such a great vibe.
I really appreciate the input/advice from everybody.
Thanks.

Kev Brigden · #9 01-10-2004, 05:19 PM

my cheapo peavey is pretty good for a bass

GuyCool · #10 01-11-2004, 11:08 AM

I can recommend yamaha.. I have a BB605 which was around the £250 mark. i don't know what that would cost in the USA at present. Active electronics in a versatile arrangement. There would be cheaper models in the BB range which would come into your price range.
This instrument is very well made and sounds good to me.

I have never been disappointed with Yamaha for Value for money.

Guy

gkelm · #11 01-11-2004, 11:26 AM

I bought an OLP MM 5 string...great bass for the money. I also have an older MIJ Fender Squier P-Bass, bouhgt on ebay for only $150 shipped, which is also really cool...could probably use a better pup. If you want a more vintage vibe, search for an older MIJ Fender copy, should be able to score one for under $200.
Greg