• From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Topic: Choosing Between Three Basses

I've been playing, listening, and trying out several bass guitars, and have narrowed my field to three different ones. They all feel and sound great, and are in the same general price range, so I'm looking to you - my fellow Chordians - for any experience or advice you might have with any of these three, or ... what you would choose and why:

1) ESP B-4E   https://www.espguitars.com/products/986 … 8-b-series
https://massdrop-s3.imgix.net/product-images/esp-electric-bass-b-stock-special/MD-13272_20151123021220_ad25e92b526ab548.jpg?auto=format&fm=jpg&fit=crop&w=955&h=289&dpr=1

2) Ibanez SR500    http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detai … color=CL01
http://cdn8.bigcommerce.com/s-h09y4glfh5/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/301/1205/Ibanez_SR500_Bass__63355.1494206851.png?c=2&imbypass=on

3) Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV   http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/T … ro-IV.aspx
http://images.epiphone.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Bass/Thunderbird-Pro-IV/Gallery/POP_TbirdPROIV-NO.jpg

  • From: Scott County, Virginia, U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2008-03-19
  • Posts: 794

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

Looks like its going to be a tough decision for you. I've never played a bass and can only go by the looks and that being said, I like the lines of the ESP, I can only imagine the smooth and silky sound it would make.

Live in the "now" - a contentment of the moment - the past is gone - the future doesn't exist - all we ever really have is now and it's always "now".
  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

If you play high up the neck I think you'd need to eliminate the Epi. Less room on that cutaway than the other two options.

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
  • Posts: 5,702

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

WOW! That's a real circle in a spiral in a groove (ref: j tull.)

I've had a Wilson bass for hundreds of years, it seems, and I still enjoy playing it and get a good range of sounds from it. I recently bought a Beringer BDI21 which makes me smile as it's probably a fraction of the cost of those babies, so the wife keeps telling me.

Of course the choice has to be yours. Good luck!

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

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Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

I am only going from the visual as I know nothing about basses

I would choose # 2   I like wood grain look.

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  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,453

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

If it were me, I'd narrow it down to the ESP or the Ibanez; whilst the Epiphone may look "rock n roll", I've never gelled with the reverse Firebird look ... and if I were to choose between ESP and Ibanez, i'd go for Ibanez, as it's a name I've used and have a good feeling about ... they always keep a pretty good resale value in Australia too ... I do like the look of the ESP, but my preference would be the Ibanez; #2. FWIW.

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7 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-02-15 11:16:51)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

Thanks for your thoughts, guys ... and your input is worth a LOT to me ... much obliged !

BGD ... you raise a great point about the fret board length; I hadn't even considered that (whew!). Both the ESP and Ibanez have 2 full octaves, while the Epiphone is well short of that ... eliminated.

The ESP has more tonal variance than the Ibanez (better EQ) and also more sustain (neck thru VS bolt on), so that's where I've been leaning. But the Ibanez has those amazing Bartolini pickups, which sound great ... tough decision.

I've been testing them through a Traynor 200-watt tube head / cab combo, which will be a part of the deal when the time comes. My little Fender Rumble 150 is a solid state combo, and totally lacks sparkle and depth. It will be sold, along with my Cort bass ... good starter outfit. I'm a huge Traynor fan, and love the "industrial" look and build of their gear:

Amp Head:  http://traynoramps.com/bass/yba/product/yba200-2/

Amp Cabinet:   http://traynoramps.com/bass/cabinets/product/tc1510/

8 Reply by Zurf (edited by Zurf 2018-02-15 12:56:12)

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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  • From: Virginia, USA
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Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

THUNDERBIRD, BABY!  Be the coolest cat to slap a plank and get you a Thunderbird.

Up the neck and tonal range?  Come on!  It's a bass. It's supposed to be low notes. You don't need anything above 14. If you do, use a guitar.

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  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

Zurf wrote:

THUNDERBIRD, BABY!  Be the coolest cat to slap a plank and get you a Thunderbird.

Up the neck and tonal range?  Come on!  It's a bass. It's supposed to be low notes. You don't need anything above 14. If you do, use a guitar.

Hahaha ... you gave me a good grin, Zurf! The T'Bird did sound awesome, but I couldn't get a decent mellow jazz tone from it. As you said, it's built for rock ... whereas I'm more built for snacking in a La-Z-Boy chair. big_smile

10 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-03-26 08:51:20)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

I rented the Ibanez SR500 (2nd choice - above) from the local music store for the weekend, and have now crossed it off my list. No matter how I configured the EQ or played it, it had no guts. My Cort GB34 sounds and plays just as good, and it was half the price. Next rental will be the Thunderbird ... but only 'cuz Zurf says so. big_smile I didn't like the quick tryout in the store, but really need to get it home and put it through the paces to know for sure.

  • Registered: 2012-11-23
  • Posts: 215

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

Zurf wrote:

THUNDERBIRD, BABY!  Be the coolest cat to slap a plank and get you a Thunderbird.

Up the neck and tonal range?  Come on!  It's a bass. It's supposed to be low notes. You don't need anything above 14. If you do, use a guitar.


You go all up 14  I was thinking 12     

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  • From: Philadelphia
  • Registered: 2023-11-01
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Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

The T'Bird did sound awesome     

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  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

Find one that is lite your body will thank you later smile     

"Growing old is not for sissies"

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  • Registered: 2023-12-26
  • Posts: 5

Re: Choosing Between Three Basses

Wow, the allure of a classic like a Wilson bass paired with modern gems like the Beringer BDI21 – it's a timeless blend of nostalgia and affordability. Enjoy the journey of making music, and here's to the joy your instruments bring, regardless of the era or cost!