Thin neck bass suggestions

[OldDog]

Things are progressing nicely in the little studio, and I am now realizing I should have never sold my old bass. I know, one should NEVER sell an old guitar or bass. Anyhow I am looking for a new bass as I am not happy with the bass sounds ( or my playing ) from the keyboard. I am looking for this to use on mostly pop, blues / rock, and progressive / psychedelic rock styles.

I have had three basses in my life that I really liked. All three share one important factor, a very thin, narrow neck. Since I have relativly short fingers the thin neck is a must have, I cannot play say a Jazz bass or even any of the 5 strings. The three that I have liked are a '60s vintage Sears 3/4 scale that had remarkable tone for what it was, an Aria Pro RSB with active electronics which had a lot of versitility but never really stood out, and a Vox Sidewinder hollow body. That's the one I should have never sold but the electronics were getting nasty and the neck started to resemble a pretzel.

So anyone play anything that is thin, but really has a unique sound? I have been thinking about a Hofner Icon ( Beatle bass ), just cause I never owned one, anyone have one and have thoughts on it?

Thanks, Harry

[OldDog]

Well for what it's worth I ended up picking up a Hofner Icon series "Beatle" bass. The neck is pretty thin, but not as narrow as the Vox. I am still adjusting and not getting the fretting the E-string cleanly, but that is due more to my not having played bass in a few years. I have to admit for a Chinese manufactored bass it is well built. Oh and talk about light, this thing is by far the lightest axe in the stable. Fit and finish is better then good, but the choice of fastners for things like the pickguard is pretty crappy. Neck is straight and so far the frets seem well shaped. Took about 20 minutes to set the intonation, but I want to lower the action a bit more.

Sound takes a while to master as there are no tone controls to speak of, just on and off switches and volume pots for each pickup. Also there is a "Rhythm / Solo" switch which seems like a basic filter. The pickups are based on the classic Hofner "Staple" design, VERY round sounding. Tone wise it is not as limited as you might think and when you run it through the GR3, that really wakes it up.

The bass was "new / used", guy bought it and never used it, it still had the plastic on the pickups and pickguard. I got it and it's hardshell case on ebay for right around $300 with shipping. Oh ya, it's a black metallic with pearl white pickguard and control plate and white trim, very slick.

That's all for now.

[garageband]

I played a Vox small bass that was really solid and sounded good.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by garageband

I played a Vox small bass that was really solid and sounded good.

I really like the old Vox basses, but even the beat to crap ones are selling for a mint. I have to admit I like having a new instrument, at least if it gets beaten I will have no one to blame but myself.

[paul999]

My suggestion is to buy a bass you like the "height" of with regards to the neck. Next I would shave the back of the neck down until you get to the width you like and then finish it with some high quality danish oil. I have done this several times with fantastic results. BTW the new beatle basses sound nothing like the old one's. I think they sound cool and unique and very signature. You really need to make sure you will like the sound for it's intended use. The 70's one I have is very robust and has a surprising deep tone. So deep in fact I have had metal bands choose it. The new ones are thin sounding and cut through a mix which is sometimes desired.

[kevmove02]

I am a bit mystified by the replies. You could go to just about any instrument store and get a Ibanez GSR for around a $100. It would serve its purpose of providing you with a thin necked bass with decent tone. Unless you really want to buy a $300 bass that you won't spend much time playing or spend your time shaving the neck until it feels comfortable. No disrespect, but no one who plays bass as their primary instrument would have made any on the previous suggestions. Or maybe I misunderstood the question.

[paul999]

Originally Posted by kevmove02

I am a bit mystified by the replies. You could go to just about any instrument store and get a Ibanez GSR for around a $100. It would serve its purpose of providing you with a thin necked bass with decent tone. Unless you really want to buy a $300 bass that you won't spend much time playing or spend your time shaving the neck until it feels comfortable. No disrespect, but no one who plays bass as their primary instrument would have made any on the previous suggestions. Or maybe I misunderstood the question.

Are you kidding me? This is the be all end all advise. An Ibanez GSR. It may do just fine for what this person needs but maybe tone down the I'm the only one who knows what he is talking about part and let your advise speak for it self.

[garageband]

Originally Posted by kevmove02

No disrespect, but no one who plays bass as their primary instrument would have made any on the previous suggestions. Or maybe I misunderstood the question.

Yeah, dude... it's my primary instrument.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by kevmove02

I am a bit mystified by the replies. You could go to just about any instrument store and get a Ibanez GSR for around a $100. It would serve its purpose of providing you with a thin necked bass with decent tone. Unless you really want to buy a $300 bass that you won't spend much time playing or spend your time shaving the neck until it feels comfortable. No disrespect, but no one who plays bass as their primary instrument would have made any on the previous suggestions. Or maybe I misunderstood the question.

Kev,

I respect all the suggestions that were made. I had an Ibanez 25 or so years ago and was never really happy with it. Although I do have a killer picture of my oldest daughter as a toddler sitting "playing" it. Have to see if I can find that picture.

The Hofner will see regular playing time now that I am recording again so I think it was worth the 300 I paid for it. After lowering the action a little I am now fretting cleanly across the whole neck so no trimming will be necessary.

Thanks for your input.
Harry

[kevmove02]

whatever floats your boat