I'm looking to buy a new Bass Guitar can anyone Help?

Question

Ok so i play alot of Rock-A-Billy but do not want an upright bass (too Big) so is there anything out there that isnt gonna cost me an arm and a leg that'll give me the sound ?

Oh and it has to look the part too !!!

Answer 1

The Ibanez AEB10E sounds really acoustic if you put flat wound strings on it. For looks, check out the Epiphone "Jack Cassady" - it has a body like a 335 - too cool!

Answer 2

Mexican made Fender P-Bass with flat wound strings. If you ask any studio bass player you will find that they all have one in their arsenal and they are used more than any other bass. It fits Rockabilly, country, reggae, motown, etc.



Cheap, reliable, cool vibe, etc. Plus unlike many other basses in that price range you won't quickly "outgrow" the instrument.



Electric Uprights are nice, but they don't really approximate the cound of an upright the way that you would think. They sound much closer to a fretless bass guitar....so unless you want the real thing (a big acoustic upright) you might as well stick with the bass guitar.

Answer 3

Looks--Sound--Cheap. Choose two or three.



If you want the sound, the Ashbory bass is the closest thing you'll get. But it doesn't look rockabilly, it looks fusion space jazz--small as a mandolin with tuners that go the wrong direction and a dog-bone shape. But it's cheap!



If you can go for more bucks than that, maybe one of the electric double-basses that are smaller: say a Clevinger (link below) or a Messinger (ditto) or build your own (third link).



Then there's the entirely novel idea of the Gold Tone Bass Banjo (fourth link), which for a rockabilly band might have the fun of the "whut the hail is that" factor, proper looks, and organic sound. AND it comes with a pickup.



Happy shopping!

Answer 4

Ya just AIN'T gonna get the right "look" for rock-a-billy if it ain't an upright.



But, if you want a decent sound, look into a nice fretless bass. Will have a similar sound to an upright - what with the fast decay and everything.

Answer 5

As far as quality you can't beat a Musicman.



But that will cost you an arm or a leg.



Fender usually gets more of a bluesy sound, but it could still be usable.



My best suggestion is to take a trip to your local guitar center, go to the bass wall, and play anything that catches your eye.

Answer 6

Bass players usually defer to the original: Fender Precision bass. If you can't afford an American made one, the Mexican ones are very good, the older Japanese too or even some of the newer ones - it's just the electronics and wood aren't the best of quality.

Answer 7

Ibanez makes great basses and are affordable but Rickenbackers definitely look the part.