I started B2B this summer on the Kramer lefty bass my hubby bought me a while ago. While it has served me well to learn on, it buzzes horribly unless you ground the strings, and I’m tired of that. So I’ve asked the family to get me a new bass for Christmas.
My hubby and my son (who both play guitar, son is much more of a gear-head) immediately asked - what body style? Pickups? Short scale or longer? Neck shape? etc and I looked at them like a deer in the headlights.
Not a lot of guitar stores I could go to around me (save for Guitar Center) and doubtful there would be lefty basses to try (support I could hold righty basses upside down, but…)
I am not a small person, I do not have tiny hands, but I’m thinking a thinner neck. Scale? Does that matter? I’ve also seen descriptions of fret size which I think I understand what that is, but is there something to consider for someone who is just learning?
Any and all advice, thoughts, recommendations are appreciated!
The classic advice is to go and try out different instruments, but as you suggest, this might not always be possible.
I have two short scales basses and four “normal” scales ones. One of the “normals” has fan frets. Of the others, one shorty and one normal are headless. What I find interesting is that I’m a happy jumping from bass to bass. Yes, there are differences between the widths of the necks, and their depths. There are also differences in how the basses hang on the strap, but you get used to things pretty quickly.
I like modern shaped basses, hence the headless ones and the fan-fret. I don’t particularly like the Fender vibe, so there are no Fenders or Squires in my collection. This has nothing to do with how the basses might feel or play, it’s purely aesthetics. But that’s me…so in my waffle, I’m probably not being that helpful!!
One thing I would suggest considering is second hand. I know you are talking about a new bass for Christmas, but would new to you be acceptable? The reason I suggest this is, if you go down a second hand route, you might be able to find something that you like the look of, but then could sell on, if you subsequently decide it’s not for you. Though, I do recognise the market in left hand basses will be smaller than for right hand instruments. This is what I have done, I’ve actually bought and sold more basses than I currently have; the ones that currently in the house are the ones that have made the cut, as in I like them… the ones I didn’t like have gone. I’ve never sold a bass for less than I paid for it, and I’ve made money on a couple
Have you tried doing a setup or having one done? That’s going make a huge difference in playability.
edit:
unless you ground the strings
I was assuming that you mean “push really hard on the strings” if you mean that you need to touch one of the strings to keep it from buzzing that is an electrical problem which can be repaired and maybe under warranty if you bought it new.
Yes a new bass would be awesome. Nowadays, you can buy instruments sight unseen online with pretty good result. As you know being a lefty, it does shrink down your selections a bit but not by much because there are so many choices out there.
Look for Sire, Classic Vibe Squier they are very good start for the money. Some Ibanez models are really good as well. What kind of music do you play and listen to?
Now, back to the original issue. Your Kramer what happens to it? Can you post the picture? If it’s the hum there are many ways to fix it.
My wheelhouse for music is gonna be rock, new wave/1st wave, prog rock, etc.
Re: my current guitar (pic for the person who asked) - yes it’s an electrical issue (according to hubby and son who are both electrical engineers, ha!), not sure it’s worth that $$ to fix based on what the bass cost (like 10 years ago). But perhaps I have the two electrical engineers in the house take a look at it
Re: new to me (second-hand) - not out of the realm of possibility, but very limited choices or the choices are more $$ than I want to spend right now.
I’m leaning towards a Schecter Stiletto Extreme - my son has a Schecter bass and loves his, feels the brand is somewhat underrated/less known, but said it would be a solid choice for me.
This is an easy fix if you have someone in your house that knows how to solder. There is a ground wire that runs from your bridge to some ground point where your tone controls are. Either one of the solder joints has come apart or there is a break in the cable. There could also be a problem with the connection to ring connector on the jack.
If either of your EEs have a multimeter they should be able to work out where the problem is before the soldering iron comes out.
At least as far as the neck feel goes most (though not all) are symmetrical. So for that at least you could go to a shop and get a feel for the fretboard with the bass held upside down.
P bass. Easy. Enough.
If the engineers can help you shield up the cavity and connect the ground under the bridge.
There’s an even easier to get rid off the hums forever just upgrade your pickup to an active EMG. It’s easy and you don’t need to be an engineer to get it right the first time.
