I have put new strings on all the basses that I bought 2nd hand.
However, the ESP LTD B-4E, which I bought 2nd hand, but it was NIB, and unplayed (still had the green Sam Ash band wrapped around the neck), I left the stock strings on, I forget which they were, GHS I believe, and I like them a lot.
Same with both Sterling Stingray’s (Ray 4 and Ray4HH), I left the stock strings. I also, usually use Ernie Ball Slinky’s most of the time anyway, so there is not much reason to swap them out when they come with the same strings I would put on.
I have used DR strings on 2 basses.
I put a set of Black Beauty Coated strings on my Ibanez SR300, and I liked those pretty good. I returned the bass to GC just before the 6 months was up because I had gravitated away from playing it very much. My playing was more on the Sterling Ray 4 and ESP LTD B-4E mostly, and some on the Ibanez SR400, so instead of keeping it and not playing it, I returned it. I did remove the strings and put the old ones it came with back on (I bought it used, so the stings were old when I got it). The BLACK looked BAS ASS on the Roadster Orange SR300 for sure.
Also
I got a set of DR Red Devils and put them on my ESP LTD Araya FRZ, the Signature Series Tom Araya / SLAYER bass. The RED on the BLACK bass looks BAD AF!!! it is so freaking cool, I love that.
the strings, Ehhh! not a huge fan. But this is more of a collector bass, so I am leaving them on. I do play it, cuz it is cool AF, and love the bass, but if I were going to make it one of my main players, I would go back to Ernie Ball Slinky’s most likely.
My bass is a second hand Squier Jazz Bass it is about 5 years old from looking up the serial number. The strings were worn and the relief was scary, the action was insanely high. I have used pure blues on all of my guitars in the past 25 years or so so I decided to try them on the bass I like the more mellow tone of the nickel wound strings. You have a good selection of basses @T_dub
The different contouring and the compound radius neck are supposed to make a big difference for this. I can’t say for sure since I haven’t had a chance to play one yet.
I have had a chance to play an American Professional Jazz and the Mexican Player Jazz side by side and it’s very different. By comparison, the American Professional neck played like butter and the pickups sounded so much warmer and fuller. I was pretty shocked by the difference.
I went in expecting it would be “no big deal” or that the differences would be so subtle, I wouldn’t be able to tell a difference or, at least, the difference would be so negligible it could never justify the $1500.00 US price tag ($1200 US if used).
I couldn’t have been more wrong. The feel, the sound, it really is a finely crafted instrument.
When they talk about the feeling like an instrument chooses you instead of the other way around, playing the American Professional Jazz felt that way for me.
It chose me.
If you like Fender basses, don’t touch the American Professional unless your okay with the price tag. It’ll seep in to you and give you terrible GAS.
For me, the GAS got bad enough that I decided to return my MIM Jazz bass, and stick with my acoustic till I can save up enough money to get the one I want. I’m shooting for May 2021.
Returning your MIM bass was a massive commitment and obviously makes me sit up and take notice @eric.kiser
Fortunately at the moment we can’t hit the music stores lol
I’m loving my MIM at the moment and at the moment financially I can’t really commit to buying another bass BUT I have just given up smoking so in theory I could put X amount of cash away each week just in case
I could buy so much gear with the money I save from not buying smokes.
Wait… I do. LOL
Heck, I used to spend about a bass a day on other habits, guess thats why a bass a month feels like nothing to me.
Yeah, I never played one before, but that MM is sexy. I love the natural ash. I was considering getting a Sterling by MM Stingray in that color cuz they are beautiful. I would love a MM, but if you get the Ray34 (in that natural) and drop different electronics in it, you almost have a MM
I didnt know what to do with it. But, I want going to let that money go to waste, so I had to add a thumb rest, cut it half way down and now its much better to play. Ill put a pic up after I get a maple wood one and cut it down. I dont know why they wouldnt sell them half height, maybe no demand.
Those Sterlings are nice guitars. Im just inflexible on where I play my hand. You can pick up a nice used one for 150 once and a while. Woth it.
No EBMM yet, one SBMM
I am used to where to play with my right hand on them, I feel right at home there actually, so this is why they work so good for me. I understand why they would not for others, but sounds like you got a great solution for it
Alright fellow bass players. I am looking to buy a second bass searching through reverb now but I wanted to see your opinions. I am working within a budget of around 300.00 let’s see what you all prefer and why? Thanks in advance I have found some really nice Warwick rockbasses that look amazing in the 400.00 range
I would highly recommend a Sterling Stingray Ray4, and this is no surprise to some. You can get new for $299, and if you want to upgrade, for an additional $100 you can drop in an Agiular Pickup and make it really bad ass.
I am going tomorrow to look at this Warwick RockBass Double Buck Corvette. I am bringing a buddy that has a MIG version, but his is P/J not double buck. he is gonna compare to the real thing for me, to help me decide if I want it or not. I could drop those same Agiular pick ups into it, and maybe have a real winner there.
