Help with choosing new bass

[BDIB21]

Most people seem to say that EMGs in a bass are much better than in guitars. That's what I gather from the last few years on TalkBass. I don't know the specific reasons but that's what people say. I love EMGs in the basses I play.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by BDIB21

Most people seem to say that EMGs in a bass are much better than in guitars. That's what I gather from the last few years on TalkBass. I don't know the specific reasons but that's what people say. I love EMGs in the basses I play.

EMGs in basses are not just for "metal" nor are they overly "hot" or not dynamic. They're just clear, punchy, and neutral, so they sound similar throughout the frequency range and can be easily EQ'ed to fit wherever they need.

[Zeetwig]

Nice! I haven't played EMGs in a bass, but since actives were invented for bass and not guitar, and since actives are more appreciated in bass than in guitar it would make more sense if they didn't turn any bass into a almost-purely-metal instrument, like EMG's tend to do with guitars (sorry for the generalization)

I've done some "research" and have tried the specific warwick corvette (rockbass) that I intentionally had plans on buying. It seems like the "quad-coils" on the 675 are two stacked humbuckers with parallel wiring, basically making it like a hotter humbucker (at least in theory).

The Corvette I tried sounded nice and felt nice too. The action was too high so the bass felt very... like it was resisting my playing (you know what I mean), but if that's fixed then it should be quite nice However, I was a bit disappointed, since it felt like even with the action adjusted it still wouldn't be as smooth as the Ibanez SR I have... :S

I'll compare it with a BTB once I get the chance, but until then I am a bit... thoughtful. Maybe a warwick isn't my cup of tea after all. Not anymore. Two years ago it was the best basses I knew, but all things change...

Also, the Bart's or EMG's are supposed to have more clarity, even at low tunings. The MECs in the RB corvette are a little more... "boomy" I think

[Matt C]

I've recorded a lot of basses. German Warwicks, USA and Euro Spectors, US Fenders, etc. The German Warwicks sounded great, very deep and full, but they didn't have the bite that I'd like for cutting through in a metal mix.

[Zeetwig]

Originally Posted by Matt C

I've recorded a lot of basses. German Warwicks, USA and Euro Spectors, US Fenders, etc. The German Warwicks sounded great, very deep and full, but they didn't have the bite that I'd like for cutting through in a metal mix.

What would you recommend if I want something that can both bite through the mix and at the same time just be sort of "the guy in the background" in the mix (if possible), and that is around 1000USD?

Or do you think warwicks are ok for metal if you play a little with EQ, maybe change pickups, have a nice amp, etc? A friend that works in a music store said that he wouldn't recommend warwick for metal, but that he's not going to say that it's not a "metal bass" since there's always going to be someone playing good metal on a warwick

[flexkill]

Originally Posted by Matt C

I've recorded a lot of basses. German Warwicks, USA and Euro Spectors, US Fenders, etc. The German Warwicks sounded great, very deep and full, but they didn't have the bite that I'd like for cutting through in a metal mix.

I can agree with this. They are naturally very "Dark". Nothing that can't be fixed through some EQ. It doesn't even require a lot of tweaking really...The USA Fender Bass's are great too(prob my 2 choice)....they will be brighter...but IMHO they don't have the balls of the Warwick.

[noodles]

I'm a really big fan of bolt-on basses for metal, since they have that awesome punch that brings them out of the mix. Some of the best metal bass tones I've heard have been from Fenders with EMGs.

[Zeetwig]

I've looked at some Fender basses, but I have two issues with those. First: the price There are some that are not like 1500USD+, but they fall due to the second issue: jazz pickups. I'm not a big fan of those. :S I know that they probably can be changed for som other pickups, but then the price and hassle of a pickup change come into play. I'd prefer something that has some nice pickups already in it when I buy the bass.

One more question: between SR and BTB Ibanez basses, which would you say is the "better"?

Btw the difference between an SR605 and an SR505 are? I can't find any except from different body wood and bridge. Are there any other differences?

[Matt C]

For $1000 used, look for a Euro Spector. If you want new, save up a bit and buy a Euro Spector or an EBMM Stringray.

[Angrychair]

i love my corvette $$ 5 string, you can pick them up in good used condition for aound $1k USD