I'm heading out this afternoon to buy a bass guitar. I'll use it at home in my studio. I doubt I'll ever play it in a band, I just want something to record with at home. I'll play mostly rock and funk with it.

Any suggestions as to brand/model/etc? What features should I look for? As it stands now, my main concern is looks, so you can see I know nothing about bass guitars.

What would be a realistic budget? Could I get something worthwhile for $500? I'm going to a local music shop, so I'm probably looking at a new bass, not a used one.

I have a Peavy amp (sorry don't know the model, but it's not a big amp) that works great with my guitars. Do I need a new amp for the bass? If so, what should I look for and what should I spend? Again, the amp is just for at home, not for filling up large clubs or arenas.

Thanks for your help.

Okay, maybe it's just because I have a slow day. It's certainly by no means that I know everything. No, there should NOT be a "ask Otan" section. I'm not a knowitall, more like a "done a lot, the wrong way"

ANYHOW.

If you're buying a bass just to record at home, in my opinion, your two key features to be mindful of are: STAYING IN TUNE, and TONE.

If you're recording, it's critical that the thing stay in tune throughout the recording. What's the use of a killer bass with active pickups and 7 strings and pickups that shoot flames, if it goes out of tune.

The second issue is going to be the harder one for you. What tone do you want? Funk in the 80's and 90's was defined by the Musicman Stingray Bass, although Prince's main bass during the early years SOUNDS like a Fender Precision. Either one will run you about $1000 for starters, but BOTH companies make cheaper knockoffs for much less.

I recently bought an OLP Stingray 5-string bass that I record with (OLP = "Officially Licenced Product or something like that). I love the thing. There's only one flaw to it, but because I only record, and don't play gigs with it, the flaw doesn't bother me. It sounds (enough) like a Stingray to make me happy.

I've also owned Squire Jazz bass - ALSO good enough in my opinion.

Do you need a new amp to record? Depends. Will you be recording your CD, or will you just be doing demos? If you're recording, most folks just run the bass direct, so you'd be better served to look into a bass-direct box or amp simulator like the POD, the J-Station or whatever.

Hope I've helped, and if you need more help, go to www.askOTAN.com (just a joke. I have no idea what that site goes to.

Bought a $99 fender squire and it stays in tune and kicks ass

otan said:

Fender Squire Jazz bass, at the Guitar Center for under $200...and hey, guess what, I think they're having a sale this weekend!

Fender Jazz Master if U can, but i used to think in terms of Gibson/Fender; these days that aint so,probably never was,i was sucked in by the hype ..Theres something 4 everyone in all price ranges.Pick it up & play it.If U like the thing & can afford it, buy it.It's your soul.
you need a bass amp, .....
[This message was edited Fri Jun 25 13:16:19 2004 by FLUX]

FLUX said:

Jazzmaster is a guitar, not a bass. It was my very first electric. Sold it for $150, saw it in the store 2 weeks later for $400. The Fender Jazz is such an awesome bass.

OLP - Officially Licensed Product is Music Man's official answer to the 'Squire', 'Epiphone' range. I gots me an awesome 5 string bass that Ive used for the last 3 years as my main bass. Ive played the proper Music Man equivelent (around $2000) and the only difference I can see is the lack of active circuit, some of the materials & where its made. The OLP Ive got was only $300 and its one of the best instruments I own, plus its not really a 'copy' as its made by Ernie Ball as are full price Music Man Basses

http://www.olpguitars.com/

otan said:

Dude! We have the same bass, What colour is yours?? I was told by an olp rep that my silver sparkle bass is one of only 100 made at the beggining of the olp range. Funny, I hated the colour before but it was all they had. Love it now

The best advice I can give is to try out as many as you can until you find the one that feels right to you. I used to work at MARS before they went out of business so I had the opportunity to demo lots of basses. A "good looking" bass is cool but it's not going to do you any good if it doesn't have the right feel when you pick it up. Any instrument you play should feel like an extra appendage on your body IMO. I have an ESP LTD B-305 5-string with active electronics and I absolutely love it! I usually play it thru my VS-1680 and it sounds great! For flexability on your tone and effects, I highly recommend the Line 6 Bass Pod. It's reasonably priced($399) and it's a fantastic piece of equipment that you won't get bored with. Hope this was helpful to you.

Thanks for all the replies. I bought an Ibanez, which I noticed no one recommended (LOL), but it was very cheap and I liked the way it felt and sounded. I got the bass, a nice Fender amp and some accessories for under $600, so I'm on my way.

Cloud - I can't believe you got an OLP! Your stuff sounds really good - I figured you had some top o the line bass. Nice job! Mine is plain-jane black. Got it for $139 because of the flaw - the D string buzzes when I play it open. Like that's worth another $100! I just superglue the string to the nut and it's fine.

RodeoSchro said:
That's the ticket RodeoSchro ; AFFORDABLE U like the FEEL, and it SOUNDS GOOD 2 U
Thanks Beau 4 putting me right about Fender Jazz Bass,(not Master); i like 'em a lot also.