need assistance choosing new bass!

[McGruppTerr]

I already have a Mexican Jazz bass which does me just fine for some stuff, but I really want a new bass. I guess I am just not that familiar with modern companies other than Fender in terms of basses. I have about a grand to spend...

Active pickups would be cool. I would also really like to check out some 5 strings.

My influences are Jaco, Flea, Mike Gordon. I am into jazz too. Any recommendations?

 

[jay42]

The basic Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay is a mainstay for a lot of players across genres and there's a five string version. I believe G&L gives you many more options than EB, but I can't stand the headstock...ymmv. Fretless basses are very cool, but harder to play in the dark and after 4 hours, especially without lines.

 

[harpinon]

The EB has humbuckers which will result in a different tone. You'd better try one out first. Aside from that, they are fabulous.
I gotts agree with the G & L headstock. Plus the looks are just...well...boring.

That Jazz bass is a great one. I hope you are ADDING a bass and not selling that one.

Ibanez has some higher end basses these days. I even picked up an LTD cheep off of Ebay and I'm really impressed with it.
Want something totally unique looking? Take a look at Trabens. I have had 3 and loved them all dearly.

 

[tonydetiger]

I'd have to add the EBMM Sterling to the list. I just picked one up, and even with only a bridge humbucker, you can coax a ton of useable tones out of it.

I've had the Stingray described to me as a rock bass, and the Sterling was perfect for jazz. Not to say though that both basses can cover a lot of ground.

 

[C741]

An Alembic Epic 4 has been my main player for years but just picked up
a Ibanez SR500 not long ago, it's a pretty versatile and well built bass.
I think the 5 string version is the SR505?

 

[sixesandsevens]

The basic Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay is a mainstay for a lot of players across genres and there's a five string version. I believe G&L gives you many more options than EB, but I can't stand the headstock...ymmv. Fretless basses are very cool, but harder to play in the dark and after 4 hours, especially without lines.

Pardon this slight diversion from the topic at hand, but as someone who's never played fretless for more than a few minutes, how does the length of time change the difficulty? Is it just getting tired/sloppy after a long set that's the issue?

Regarding the original question, I'll just echo what others have said: Ibanez, G&L, and EBMM. Lakland is another that gets pretty rave reviews (esp. over at talkbass.com).

Almost all of those have imported lines to hit the under $1000 price that are considered very good quality. EBMM just released their "SUB" line of basses which are aimed to compete with the Squier Classic Vibe series and are starting to get very good initial reviews at under $300.

Carvin is another that's worth considering since a lot of folks seem to love them, but many are equally put off by them for various (usually I-didn't-bond-with-it type) reasons.

Best of luck!

 

[jay42]

...how does the length of time change the difficulty? Is it just getting tired/sloppy after a long set that's the issue?

It's when you're tired and less motivated. Drinking never helps. If I was in a cover band that plays 3 or 4 sets, I'd switch to a fretted bass after the 2nd set. ymmv

 

[sixesandsevens]

It's when you're tired and less motivated. Drinking never helps. If I was in a cover band that plays 3 or 4 sets, I'd switch to a fretted bass after the 2nd set. ymmv

McGruppTerr - What did you pick?

 

[Member 1762]

This is the best 5-string Jazz inspired Bass you will find under $3000:

http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/sb5000

The B50 model is a great bass as well. Some in stock here:

http://www.carvinguitars.com/guitars-in-stock/group.php?cid=BS&dir=R&sort=date