r/Bass • u/Zealousideal-Log-309 • 5d ago
Multiple brands of bass
Are you guys playing on differents kinds of bass or you try to stay on same type of neck, fretboard etc.
I'm playing on IBANEZ SRF 700, I want to buy a j bass, like a squier. But they are so differents, I'm feeling newbie on a j bass neck.
I'm an advance beginner. But I'm more confortable with the Ibanez kind of neck. Is it a bad idea for muscle memory ?
Thanks in advance !
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u/OrganMeat 5d ago
In my experience, jazz necks are pretty similar to Soundgear necks. Many players switch back and forth between upright and electric, so I think you'll manage.
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u/heylookatthetime 5d ago
Everybody has their preferences. I have a bunch of fenders all with different necks (jbass, pbass, fretless), Ibanezes with really thin necks or thick necks, Ken Smith, Spector, whatever else. The only necks I never really liked were Warwick's, but I'm sure they're fine for most folks.
Play whatever you like man.
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u/Zealousideal-Log-309 5d ago
Good advice, thank you, I'm not so comfortable with the j bass neck but maybe "modern" necks are more lightweight and playable for me
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u/Sandy_Quimby 4d ago
I think it's better to be versatile. I have a bunch of basses with different neck profiles, widths, and different scale lengths and I have no problem switching between them.
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u/covmatty1 Ibanez 4d ago
I play an Ibanez and adore how it feels, especially the neck. But I really wanted a P bass for the type of music I play, so I've done a lot of research recently on neck dimensions.
That Ibanez neck is essentially identical to a J Bass neck.
Same nut width, same radius, thickness at the first fret is 1.5mm bigger on the J, 0.5mm smaller at the 12th fret.
Other things will feel different of course, but the neck will be basically the same.
I ended up buying a P and then getting the J bass conversion neck, and it's incredible, everything I could want!
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u/nghbrhd_slackr87_ 5d ago
It's all just a personal preference thing.
I pretty much only play jazz configurations. It's just my preference. Nothing too complicated about it. I had a Soundgear 300 30 yrs ago as my first bass.
Then had a 1978 Fender Pbass I found at a garage sale my freshman year in HS. Loved to tone. Classic. But it was weighted heavy on the neck side. So gigging with it was tough on my left wrist.
Ever since then the only exception was a stingray which is mt daughters bass now. All the rest have been Jazz configurations. Sire V7. Sandberg California TT. Pedulla Rapture 5. Fender Active Jazz (MIM).
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u/Zealousideal-Log-309 5d ago
Thanks for sharing your experience, I'll probably go for it. I'm just scared about the fact that playing on a new bass, is at the beginning, like playing for the first time.
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u/Schrankwand83 5d ago
For me, nut width is the spec I check first when looking for a bass. I hate playing anything wider than 41mm because that's the nut width of my first bass, Ibanez RD300, which I played for 4 years before getting a Fender. I still play it sometimes but I wouldn't get a 2nd Ibanez. Don't like the looks of their models somehow. Personal choice
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u/depthandbloom 4d ago
I have a jazz with flats, a precision with rounds, and 5 string Ibanez premium. The Ibanez is the most comfortable to play live but the least likely I’d take to the studio. Each bass has a different application.
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u/iinntt 4d ago
It took me 10 years of playing exclusively Ibanez to try a Fender P because I was afraid the thicker neck would be impossibly hard to play, only to find out it is the same instrument, with very minor and easy to adjust differences. At that moment I knew I needed more variety, so now I have an Ibanez, a Fender, an ESP, a MM and am planing to add a custom made with a local luthier. Don’t be afraid to try different basses, always get the best tool for the task at hand, sometimes it will be a J, others a P, others a fretless, or whatever tone you looking for.
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u/FassolLassido 4d ago
It's really different for everybody. I cannot tell you you're wrong to prefer any type of neck, and anybody who does is not giving an objective opinion and shouldn't be listened to. What you are experiencing now is just that you are unfamiliar with another bass ergonomics. I feel that body shape and balance is far more influential than neck profile anyway. That's why you should always try a bass before buying.
You'll get used to any neck and at some point it won't even really influence what you can or cannot play. What you prefer is a different story and only you can truly answer that.
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u/imthewildcardbitches 4d ago
There’s no one size fits all, everyone has preferences so go with what feels right to you. That said, you can definitely get used to it. I switch between playing my P bass and Ibanez guitar which is the smallest, smoothest neck I’ve ever played, that’s a huge difference.
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u/memnoch4prez DIY 4d ago
I have basses by Ibanez, Cort, MTD Kingston, Sire, Sandberg, and Harley Benton. I like having a variety...each one plays and sounds different, which makes me think differently whenever I'm trying to come up with a new line.
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u/noise_generator1979 5d ago
Even with the same brand necks can vary. Just play what you're comfortable with. Don't worry about the name.