NZGuitars.com

Hi All.

I'm after info on a bass for recording hard rock style tracks. Our bassist always used a MM Stingray 5 string, which was good sounding. I've since departed from that band but I'm still going to record more music. I'm wanting some ideas on what bass I should look at. I'm hoping to get away with spending less than $1600. So 2nd hand is high on the list.

I ideally want a 5 string, but if getting a 4 string and stringing as the lower 4 of a 5 string is an option that will result in a better bass then I'm open to that. I tend to like slightly distorted tones, so something that still keeps clarity in that situation is important.

Example Cleaner tone:
https://youtu.be/b4Rt-ru0SXc?t=1m7s

Example distorted tone:
https://youtu.be/Cjvtx3HMUks?t=11s

I know a lot of the effects come from DarkGlass effects and AxeFx in these cases. I'll be using it with an axefx so already have that aspect of it.

I understand the Karnivool bassist uses Warwick bases. But I assume there is a big difference between the several thousand dollar ones and the standards that I can afford?

I have been offered a 90s Yamaha TRB 5. Are they any good? The demos on youtube seem good....

Hi

If you still live in Christchurch you are welcome to come around and try some basses here

sopachrga wrote:I understand the Karnivool bassist uses Warwick bases. But I assume there is a big difference between the several thousand dollar ones and the standards that I can afford?

All things being even then yes

Warwick appear to have edge of the cliff pricing in the second hand market
There were two German Corvette 5's on TM last week both less than 1K...

sopachrga wrote:I have been offered a 90s Yamaha TRB 5. Are they any good? The demos on youtube seem good....

Is it 35" scale
Is it MIJ
What are the electronics

Once the effects and mix are dialled in, the difference in sound between the rock bass version and the standard will negligible. The premium you pay there is for the build quality and playability. John stockman is a great example because he's a great player and his pedal board is a spaceship.

I have an MTD Kingston Heir 5 string that fits what you're after Mark. It needs fresh strings, which I have for it, but I've been putting off because I don't play the thing. Happy for you to come round and have a hoon on it

so id say you are after a bright,modern tone?in the current climate you'll get an awesome bass at that budget.A bit cheaper perhaps but still a nice bass is the ibanez ATK range-lots of tones on offer.You should be able to pick up a warwick for that budget easy.

My own sale interests aside, a warwick corvette would be the way to go

I have been offered a trade for a Warwick Corvette 5 bubinga. I’ll ask for more info on it.

foal30 wrote:

sopachrga wrote:I have been offered a 90s Yamaha TRB 5. Are they any good? The demos on youtube seem good....

Is it 35" scale
Is it MIJ
What are the electronics

Yeah 35” and MIJ.
Standard Yamaha actives. It’s pretty well used...

not sure how much the quality of the bass is really that much of a deal breaker. For me the key is how you are recording. I have found it is always better to run them through some sort of amp over going DI..when I record I run my bass into my Katana clean and then if I want punch or "gain" then I use effects in podfarm..seem to work well.

I scored a Cort bass for $50 and its an awesome sounding and playing bass

im a utilitarian bassist at best, outside of playability issues ive never had the need for a super swish bass.I've always got a bass tone ive liked regardless of custom made or Aria

sopachrga wrote:I have been offered a trade for a Warwick Corvette 5 bubinga. I’ll ask for more info on it.

make sure he fixed the broken tuner!

I’ve managed to get sounds from right across the board out of my humble single neck pickup aria sg copy.
Mostly by pissing around with it after it’s been recorded or running it through a guitar amp.

Always liked the warwicks though. Miffed I missed out on one years ago and had an inkling since.
Also a big fan of the mustang bass, but they’re garbage for drop tuning being short scale.

Jazz bass springs to mind (but of course it does).

I think that’s about as much help as I can be.