BASS guitar recommendations needed!

I have a cheap $150 Dean acoustic/electric bass that was working fine when I bought it, but lately it has been buzzing ALOT and before I waste time buying new strings in the hopes that the buzzing was somehow caused by them instead of the "warped neck" problem that I just read about on more than one site (2 sites to be exact!!)

I was hoping someone with knowledge in this area could help me out by recommending a bass that would be good for my style of music (hard rock/classic rock) and my budget (below $300.) Another thing to consider is that I won't be using an amplifier, I will plug it into the computer and use simulation amps and effects. I know, it's not glamorous... but it's a step up for me!

In the meantime, I continue my quest for a better sound ...

later gators

[Superhuman]

Hey Eric, I got a Washburn Bantam BB5 (5 string electric bass) new on EBay for just under $300. Not a bad piece of gear at all, worth a look at. An option though is to get a really good bass DI like the Tech21 Sansamp Bass DI. I don't have an amp either so this really helps.



You could also consider a Line6 Bass POD too.

[Erik Jurado]

I checked out ebay. That Washburn was nice! And great deal!

BUT, before I commit to it... I saw this bass and wanted to know what you thought as far as pros and cons. 1 pro that makes me bring it up would be the price. The 1 con I can think of is that I had never heard of KONA.

SUPERB NEW KONA NATURAL 5 STRING ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR - eBay (item 350361832331 end time Jul-31-10 19:31:12 PDT)

And about the DI... I have a Line 6 GX that came with Pod Farm, which simulates amps and effects. I will probably try to get by on that for a while.

Thanks so much!

Erik

[Superhuman]

Never heard of Kona either but that's a sweet looking bass for the money - i suppose if the tone sucks you could always swap out the pickups down the line. Sorted with the Line 6 Pod Farm btw

[Erik Jurado]

I'm doing it!



Erik

[jameskingama123]

Where did you buy your bass guitar? $150?

[James Oakwood]

I got my "westfield" bass for GBP50 from a repo shop - it features on all my crap - it's all about eq and having a decent enough action to be able to play notes fairly quickly. I reckon a two string bass would suit most folk (inc me), with or without a warped neck - no volume control, tone control or multi-pick-ups needed - just the basics.

[Dave Fountain]

I started out on Bass and its true, I only ever used the fattest two strings. What exactly are the other two for because they are higher than bass notes?

[James Oakwood]

Also, why people would want a 5-string bass? - Maybe the thinner strings are for those guys who couldn't cut the mustard on rhythm geetar (or lead) and the thin strings give em something to ease their pain before trying to twang the girders I naturally associate with bass.

[Erik Jurado]

I forgot about this minor dilemma! I ended up getting a used "regular" 4 string Ibanez that was at a guitar shop in my neighborhood for about $125. I knew it was the right one cause once I played it I stopped looking and I didn't want to put it down. I will probably NEVER buy a new instrument again after comparing some of the prices between new and used equipment that sound almost exactly the same for such a huge difference in price. Come to think of it, I haven't used my acoustic/electric since. You guys crack me up!!!


Erik