Help Me Find A Bass - Wishlist

UnclePsychosis

Short scale (32“ or less)
Sounds like a P bass (other tones a bonus) 
Vintage styling a preference
Absolutely not sunburst
Less than £600

Go.

ICBM

Aria CSB series - 80s, usually about £250-£450 depending on model and condition. I think there's someone here selling one.

Ibanez Mezzo series - modern, active PJ, only about £250 new! I haven't played one personally but they seem to be well regarded.

stickyfiddle

The Squier CV Jaguar is 32" isn't it? Definitely vintage-looking with P/J pickups and non-sunburst options. 

fretmeister

Ibanez Mezzo. 

32 scale. PJ. Adequate EQ.

£200-£250 depending on colour.

Spend the rest on upgrading the preamp if you don't like it.

I have 2. a 4 and a 5 and they are excellent, and not just for the money.

polotska

The 1980s Aria TSB is another 32" scale option—the higher-end ones are neck-through, the lower-end ones are bolt-on. More expensive than the CSB but still under your limit, I think.

JonHosker

No sunburst ... darn it, thought you might say yes to my P bass for sale on here!
32" scale! Oh.....I'll stand down!!

UnclePsychosis

JonHosker said:

No sunburst ... darn it, thought you might say yes to my P bass for sale on here!
32" scale! Oh.....I'll stand down!!

Looks like a great bass. Scrape that horrid finish off and spray it something tasteful like Orange Sparkle and we'll talk :-)

UnclePsychosis

Cheers guys. 

Something about the Aria CSB doesn't chime with my tastes.

The Ibanez Mezzo looks great, but I think I want something more vintage and less modern than an active Ibanez - plus, being honest with myself, the 2+2 headstock is just wrong on a Fender - style bass. So heart over ruling head on that one. 

Bridgehouse

What’s the reason for short scale?

Bridgehouse

Oh, and which aspect of the P bass tone is important?

UnclePsychosis

Bridgehouse said:

What’s the reason for short scale?

I already have a 34" bass, fancy trying something different - it's an active G&L M2000, it does a lot but not really vintage passive tones! 

As for what aspect of P-bass, not entirely sure how to describe it but I'm into players like Mike Mills as a reference. 

Bridgehouse

UnclePsychosis said:

Bridgehouse said:

What’s the reason for short scale?

I already have a 34" bass, fancy trying something different - it's an active G&L M2000, it does a lot but not really vintage passive tones! 

As for what aspect of P-bass, not entirely sure how to describe it but I'm into players like Mike Mills as a reference. 

If you can cope with single coils then I’ve actually found I prefer the 51P style SC precisions sound to the split coils. Can’t say why for certain, but they give a more defined tone and more attack whilst still having that characteristic P bass sound. 

Having said that, what you really want is a MARUSZCZYK Jake:

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/MARUSZCZYK_Jake_4P_Blue_Wave_Metallic_32_2.html

But the price is well out of your budget tho!!

UnclePsychosis

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me... 

Bridgehouse

UnclePsychosis said:

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me... 

You’re going to struggle to get an authentic vintage look in short scale for your budget tbh..

I wanted a semi hollow 51P and spent ages looking - ended up doing my own as a partscaster. It may be a solution for you...

UnclePsychosis

Bridgehouse said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Maruszczyk look cool but like you say well over budget. There's also an element of heart over head again - they just don't "do it" for me... 

You’re going to struggle to get an authentic vintage look in short scale for your budget tbh..

I wanted a semi hollow 51P and spent ages looking - ended up doing my own as a partscaster. It may be a solution for you...

True. I think I really want a CV Mustang to be honest. May just need to take a punt on one via Distance Selling Regs... 

ICBM

Bridgehouse said:

If you can cope with single coils then I’ve actually found I prefer the 51P style SC precisions sound to the split coils. Can’t say why for certain, but they give a more defined tone and more attack whilst still having that characteristic P bass sound.

That's partly why I prefer the Squier Affinity Bronco to the PJ Mustang Bass of the two I've got here. But I don't like hum, so I would never have a true single coil on any bass I was intending to use in public. I know you can get some humbucking '51s now, but I haven't tried one.

(Before you ask, yes my Rick does have humbuckers fitted .)

MattBanshee

UnclePsychosis said:

Short scale (32“ or less)
Sounds like a P bass (other tones a bonus) 
Vintage styling a preference
Absolutely not sunburst
Less than £600

Go.

Normal p-bass and a pair of bollocks to get over the short-scale nonsense?

UnclePsychosis

MattBanshee said:

UnclePsychosis said:

Short scale (32“ or less)
Sounds like a P bass (other tones a bonus) 
Vintage styling a preference
Absolutely not sunburst
Less than £600

Go.

Normal p-bass and a pair of bollocks to get over the short-scale nonsense?

 

Bridgehouse

ICBM said:

Bridgehouse said:

If you can cope with single coils then I’ve actually found I prefer the 51P style SC precisions sound to the split coils. Can’t say why for certain, but they give a more defined tone and more attack whilst still having that characteristic P bass sound.

That's partly why I prefer the Squier Affinity Bronco to the PJ Mustang Bass of the two I've got here. But I don't like hum, so I would never have a true single coil on any bass I was intending to use in public. I know you can get some humbucking '51s now, but I haven't tried one.

(Before you ask, yes my Rick does have humbuckers fitted .)

The humbucking 51’s I’ve tried have been custom wound, but do a very good job of retaining the 51 tone.. but with less hum (obvs!)

Course, I have the famed Rick-o-like custom 51 fit pup in one of my 51’s as well

Funkfingers

UnclePsychosis said:

fancy trying something different. 

Go fretless.

UnclePsychosis

Funkfingers said:

UnclePsychosis said:

fancy trying something different. 

Go fretless.

Thought about it... dismissed it :-D