Show Us Your Basses (Part 2)

Paul_9207 · September 20, 2024, 8:35pm

For not much more you can get the Robert Smith signature model.

faydout · September 20, 2024, 8:39pm

One thing I’m wondering about it, how does intonation work with that bridge? Otherwise, I think I’ll end up selling my Reverend to make room for that next spring. I’ve decided to keep it to 3 basses so I don’t end up needing to empty out my shed to store everything.

Whying_Dutchman · September 20, 2024, 9:25pm

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

sunDOG · September 20, 2024, 9:40pm

That really doesn’t do it for me, @Paul_9207!

BigWaveDave · September 20, 2024, 10:38pm

If anyone is looking for a deal on the SBMM Ray4, Guitar Center has them marked down to $299.99US
[Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Electric Bass Vintage Cream White Pickguard | Guitar Center]

howard · September 20, 2024, 10:47pm

good plan

LOL you are so never getting the BB, are you?

Paul_9207 · September 20, 2024, 11:35pm

I like it. But my taste has been influenced by Robert Smith since I was 8 years old so I’m heavily biased.

faydout · September 20, 2024, 11:48pm

I am, I’ve got a plan now though. More importantly, every tool has it’s purpose and I’ve got that ones purpose. It’ll replace the 300 next summer.

howard · September 20, 2024, 11:54pm

(except I was 16)

GingerBug · September 22, 2024, 7:18pm

Hello everyone! I’m finally getting around to showing you all my bass!

I thought I’d start with my first bass: a Fender Squier P-Bass. I actually got this from Amazon, if you can believe it. I lucked out in that it played well, sounded good, and wasn’t damaged or anything. I also got it as part of a package that included a Rumble 25 amp, strap, patch cord, clip on tuner, an extra set of strings, some picks, and a gig bag.

That bass was great, and I played on it for 2 or 3 years. But then I wanted to upgrade. I was really tired of having to retune it all the time to play songs in drop D or Eb tuning, and I also wanted the extra range, so I wanted a 5-string. I also wanted a bass that was active and had more tonal options.

I then got my current bass, which is an Ibanez SR505BM Soundgear 5-string. I LOVE this bass! At first I was a little unsure with how thin the body was compared to the Squier, but it sounds great, and I love that it’s lighter.

There’s a bit of a story with this bass. This was actually the second one I got. I got the first one from Guitar Center. It was hanging on the wall. Soon after I got it, I decided to learn how to do my own setup, as the action was a little high. I’m so glad I did! When I went to adjust the truss rod, I found that the head of the bolt was completely stripped, so the Allen wrench couldn’t turn it.

I took it back to Guitar Center, and I’ll give them props in that they ordered a new one from Ibanez and had it shipped to them. Of course, they never should have sold me the other bass in the first place. What if I’d waited a year or more to try to adjust the truss rod? Would they still have returned it? Who knows. But the new bass came, and was still in the original packaging. When I opened it at home, I found it came with some extras, like Allen wrenches and some other things I don’t remember now. None of which I got when I bought the one hanging on the wall.

I learned from this experience.

1.) If you buy an instrument at Guitar Center, don’t buy the floor model, unless it’s deeply discounted. Instead, have them order you a new one from the manufacturer. Then you know it’s not damaged, and you get all the extras that are supposed to come with it.

If you do buy the floor model, in addition to playing it, make sure you ask them for the Allen wrenches for it, and check the truss rod, saddle and pickup adjustments to make sure they’re not stripped. I’d even open up the back and look at the guts, just to be sure it’s in good shape.

When I got this bass, I also upgraded my amp and got a Rumble 100. I got that on sale and was able to sell the Rumble 25 to a friend.

I kept the Squier for a couple years, thinking I might occasionally want a 4-string. But I never played it. Mainly because with a 5-string I never had any need to play a 4-string, and also the Ibanez sounded so much better. I ended up selling it, and got I think $100 bucks or so for it.

GGWAW · September 22, 2024, 8:43pm

thanks for sharing !
Nice bass / amp
My 5 strong is in transit
Enjoy !

GingerBug · September 22, 2024, 9:42pm

Thank you! I hope you love it as much as I do. I’m looking forward to seeing it on here when you get it.

tonyd89 · September 24, 2024, 2:01pm

Played guitar for 20 years without ever learning a lick of theory. Switched to bass and now learning the beginner to badass course. Loving it so far!

Here’s my favorite bass:
2021 Squire Classic Vibe 60s P bass

gregunit · September 26, 2024, 3:29pm

Parts Bass: Ibanez GSRM25
Bartinelli Classic Jazz Bass Bright Pickups
Ibanez B505 Bridge
Graph Tech Tusq Nut
Graph Tech Ratio Machines
DR Hi-Beam Short Scale Strings
CTS Pots – Orange Drops

Light, Fast, Really good tone down to D. (open B was too flabby).
I rarely played open notes anyway. I preferred the consistent tones I get from closed notes. So I would generally use the B string fifth fret to play E; keeping me in the pocket so I can play fast and accurate. It also allows me to play in the key of Eb… and drop D without retuning.

Originally I did this as a project. Bought the bass and upgraded it mostly from parts had kicking around the garage. Something to do, Little cost. I liked it so much it became my #1 bass. However, others, while they loved the tone, didn’t like the appearance. Said it looked like a toy. I made them endure it for a time, but noticed changing intonation issues. The neck was twisting!!! So now it sit on the wall as a conversation piece.