Suggestions please

[richardp69]

There's a couple tunes my partner and I do that could likely use a bass line. I'm not a bass player but could likely figure enough out to try and do that.
So, from you bass players out there, any recommendations for an acoustic/electric bass. I'd like to keep it lower priced if possible just in case it doesn't work out for me. Import Guild i think would be fine as long as it is decent quality and sounds good plugged in.m I likely would prefer Mahogany (or Maple if they make a Maple Guild Bass).

Thanks all,

Rich

 

[steveintampa]

The Starfire 1 might fit the bill. The shorter scale is an easier transition for a guitar player.

 

[mellowgerman]

If you're interested in semihollow electrics, the Starfire I is a good budget option. Though it sounds like you're looking for an acoustic-electric specifically? I wouldn't get too hung up on wood types because budget price limits your choices quite a bit off the bat. I bought one of these B240e basses when they first came out. Pretty good build quality and a set of Daddario black nylon tapewound strings really brought it to life and made it an enjoyable instrument. Sounded good unplugged and plugged in with those strings. If you don't mind buying second-hand, you can usually find them for around $350 or so. Short scale makes it comfortable to play, though keep in mind that it's a jumbo body, so maybe not a great choice for someone with shorter arms or back pain issues.

Guild B-240E Concert Acoustic-electric Bass Guitar - Natural

Acoustic-electric Bass with Solid Spruce Top, Mahogany Body, Mahogany Neck, Pau Ferro Fingerboard, and Fishman Electronics - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

 

[HeyMikey]

Richard,

For only a few songs it might be worth looking into an inexpensive pedal that will lower your pitch by 1-2 octaves. It will be faster, cheaper, and have no real learning curve.

Plus, you won’t have to live with the stigma of being known as…. a bass player.

 

[richardp69]

Richard,

For only a few songs it might be worth looking into an inexpensive pedal that will lower your pitch by 1-2 octaves. It will be faster, cheaper, and have no real learning curve.

Plus, you won’t have to live with the stigma of being known as…. a bass player.

I've got several stigmas a hell of a lot worse than that.

 

[fronobulax]

If you stick to the current Guild acoustic/electrics you have the B140, B240 and Jumbo Junior. You have hands on commentary about the B240. There are many things that I do not remember and among them is that I do not remember anyone ever talking about hands on experience with a B140. Comments like that usually result in one of the search gurus pointing out that my memory is really and truly shot which should get you some data. There has been discussion of the Jumbo Junior. I have tended to forget about it because at the very short scale length it isn't really anything I would think of as a "bass" in terms or ergonomics and muscle memory. But it seems targeted for the guitar player who wants the lower notes but does not want the true bass scale and resulting adjustments. That seems like it is what you want.

I don't think you are interested in a true electric bass because that commits you to an amp but if you are, the comments about the latest iteration of the Starfire I are positive, at least when the old timers aren't complaining because they liked the first Newark Street iteration better or saying "Go vintage or go home".

Blasphemy but there are probably non-Guild possibilities if you are really looking for the best tool at a low price.

 

[mellowgerman]

ACHTUNG! Alarm! Alarm! No options other than guild!!!

Just kidding, the Breedlove acoustic bass is actually a fine instrument in terms of overall design, ergonomics, and tone. If it's maximum acoustic bass volume at budget price you seek, the Dean Playmate acoustic bass may actually beat the B240 by a hair, though be it a whispy split-ended follicle. There are also nice options from Ibanez to peek at. That said, bang for the buck in terms of currently available all-around nice acoustic electric bass, I don't think it gets much better than the B240, provided the necessary reach of the jumbo body doesn't chase you away. Worth noting, it's more or less an average guitar jumbo body -- not exploding into the outer realms of the extra jumbo massive Guild B30/B50 of days gone by

 

[Rob Reilly]

I've been playing a Fender Jazz bass for 35 years.
Before that I had an SD Curlee but not for long, I traded it in on the Fender.
Before that I played a Kingston copy of the Fender Precision bass, which has a wider neck than the Jazz bass.
I have occasionally played a stand-up bass, aka double bass or bow fiddle, but I don't own one. It's nice for playing quiet love songs with a piano and a female singer.
I'm not really very impressed with the acoustic and hollow body electric basses.

 

[mavuser]

honestly for what you are doing a Fender Mustang bass will be easiest, and sound the best. The regular '60's Vintera' Mustang bass from a few years ago (Mexico build) would be a great choice. like this:

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Short Scale, Seafoam Green / Pau Ferro

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Short Scale, Seafoam Green / Pau Ferro

basscentral.com

Otherwise a Starfire 2 bass. Wouldn't bother with a flat top acoustic bass (you need to plug in regardless). but that is just me.

 

[richardp69]

honestly for what you are doing a Fender Mustang bass will be easiest, and sound the best. The regular '60's Vintera' Mustang bass from a few years ago (Mexico build) would be a great choice. like this:

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Short Scale, Seafoam Green / Pau Ferro

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Short Scale, Seafoam Green / Pau Ferro

basscentral.com

Otherwise a Starfire 2 bass. Wouldn't bother with a flat top acoustic bass (you need to plug in regardless). but that is just me.

Understood. I'd likely only ever play this plugged in anyway.

 

[mellowgerman]

Yes if you're mostly plugging in anyway, I would echo that the way to go is electric bass. Mustangs are nice, though I have to say the current budget Guild Starfire I or a good deal on used Starfire of a higher level really is the bee's knees - especially if you already like Guilds enough to be a member on a Guild forum

 

[mavuser]

love those Starfires, to clarify my suggestion- a mustang bass is much easier for a guitar player to pick up for one or 2 songs, and play, almost just like a guitar. the Startfire bass is more of a bass players instrument (sold all my sf basses for this reason) particulalry if you are standing up with a strap. The Starfire bass is very doable just takes much more getting used to. I play a SF-4 guitar no problems whatsoever standing, sitting, laying in bed...the bass is different.

That one vintera mustang, which is the original slimmer design with one pickup- was a great build from Fender, particulalry for a gigger. check one out if you can.

 

[fronobulax]

@richardp69

Work with us here

Are you willing to use an amp all of the time or do you sometimes need to be heard without one?

If you are going to play in a little cabin in the woods when the generator doesn't always work then you need an acoustic. You can make a separate decision about whether it needs a factory installed or after-market pickup.

If you are willing to schlep an amp around and explore the battery powered amp options for the cabin in the woods then we can talk electrics. Eventually there will be a "what amp?" thread, I'm sure.

You might also decide how serious you are. If you think you might actually start down the road to becoming a bass player then your best choice might be different from that of a guitarist who just wants to pick up a bass for a song or two. Indeed, if you are willing to mess with an amp anyway the suggestion to just get and use an octave pedal (or effect) might be the easiest all around.

I have seen the Fender Mustang recommended several times for guitarists who want to double on bass. The short scale and general ergonomics seem to be the reasons behind the recommendations. But if you are a Tina Weymouth fan...




FWIW I have not used the after-market pickup installed in my B50 for years. If I am going to mess with an amp then one of the electrics is just easier to play. But I do use the B50 a fair amount, but just as an acoustic only.

 

[chazmo]

I've got several stigmas a hell of a lot worse than that.

Not to be confused with stigmata.

 

[James Hart]

There's a couple tunes my partner and I do that could likely use a bass line.

What style of music?

Do you have an ideal or similar style song whose bassline fits what you are thinking tone wise?



Mahogany wise, Gibson/Epiphone SG shaped basses will be that.

As a bassists first, I'll mirror that "Get a Fender" posts, if you aren't afraid of standard scale length... just get a P Bass, for shorter scale the Mustang is cool. Both P and Mustang have Squier versions that will be solid players out of the box and cheaper.

Harley Benton is a great name in decent starter gear on the super cheap

Basses - Harley Benton

Body: Alder | Bolt-on neck made from Canadian maple | Modern D-profile | Fretboard: Black walnut | Tai-Chi inlays | 24 Frets | Scale: 864 mm (34" / long scale) | Nut width: 42 mm (1.65") | Double Action truss rod | Pickup: 2 x Humbuckers with active preamp | Fretboard radius: 350 mm (13.78") |...

harleybenton.com

and Sire is a cheaper yet equal alternative to Fender / Gibson / Ernie Ball / Etc

Marcus Miller

Sire is the home of Marcus Miller and Larry Carlton signature guitars. Crafted for musicians, priced for everyone.

sire-usa.com

[edit]put Bronco, it is Mustang, posted pre coffee[/edit]

 

[lungimsam]

Mustangs sound fantastic and play fantastic below the 10th fret.
But my two were irritatingly neck heavy and my fretting arm elbow always had funny bone pain after playing them. So be sure to try before you buy.
I really wanted to love mine and the short scale bass search would have ended but couldn’t get past the funny bone pain and neck dive.

 

[mellowgerman]

Mustangs sound fantastic and play fantastic below the 10th fret.
But my two were irritatingly neck heavy and my fretting arm elbow always had funny bone pain after playing them. So be sure to try before you buy.
I really wanted to love mine and the short scale bass search would have ended but couldn’t get past the funny bone pain and neck dive.

I always struggled to get comfortable with mustang style bodies as well - at least in a seated position. I just assume it's because of my lanky stature. Playing one standing up with a strap was okay, but sitting down I always ended up having to kinda slouch over the bass with my wrist at an awkward angle too... but I do know plenty of players who love em. Just like our basses, we're all built differently!

 

[mavuser]

I seem to notice a phenomenon where true bass players find guitar player-friendly smaller bodied basses... have neck dive. So for many bass players, that are used to a P/J bass, Starfire etc, for many years and decades, can be flustered by the feather light Mustang bass or full hollow GSR M-85. Totally understandable. I felt that way with the Guild Songbird guitar, when I was used to a heavier, more balanced (typical) electric guitar.

 

[mellowgerman]

I should clarify that I never had an issue with my Mustangs (2 made-in-japan specimens) or current Squier Bronco being neck-divey. I've definitely had neck-divey basses though: Gibson Thunderbird, multiple Epiphone Thunderbirds, Epiphone EB-3, and any Hofner-esque violin body basses immediately come to mind!
My personal ergonomic struggle of seated-slouch and awkward wrist position with Mustang/Bronco basses is the narrowness of the body, which is the same seated-playing issue I have with Hofner violin/club basses or anything that slim.
My Mustang/Bronco basses were always comfy when playing standing up with a strap, without any noticeable sense of having to support any excess weight on the neck end.

 

[RGSmith265]

I mostly play guitar, but I do have a couple of basses… a Squire P-Bass and an Epiphone Newport short scale. Both are under $500.
I prefer the sound and the comfort of the Newport… it is more “guitar-like.” I have played an Epiphone SG EB-0 short scale that is also nice and only about $290. No matter which one you decide on, you’ll need a bass amp. Fender makes a nice 100W amp for about $330.