I have decided to try something new...........

[BigNic]

Or so to say, I have thought about learning to play for about 25 years just the lack of time and money kinda stood in the way (not that I have much more now but maybe more discipline). I have no musical instrument background so I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing, so at least I have no bad habits to correct. I'm open to all comments and advice available, I might not post up much but I will be lurking and reading. So I will go and look for a good deal on a bass now, any recommendations? Thanks in advance and see you guys around.

[Phendyr_Loon]

It's cool you want to learn bass. A few basses I'd recommend to you as a begginer are Ibanez, Fender, Squier, and Epiphone.
I wouldn't recommend spending a lot of money, check out the 200 to 500 price range.
Have fun!

[Rickenhofner45]

What kind of music would you want to play?

[BigNic]

Originally Posted by Phendyr_Loon

It's cool you want to learn bass. A few basses I'd recommend to you as a begginer are Ibanez, Fender, Squier, and Epiphone.
I wouldn't recommend spending a lot of money, check out the 200 to 500 price range.
Have fun!

I have been looking at both Ibanez SR500 and a Sterling Ray 34 around that price, used I can come in under the top in of that range. What do you think?

Originally Posted by Rickenhofner45

What kind of music would you want to play?

Classic rock, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd along that line.

[fingerbun]

I'm an Ibanez fan but for classic rock the Ray might be a better choice.

[Rickenhofner45]

Originally Posted by BigNic

Classic rock, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd along that line.

Try going for a Squier Classic Vibe P-Bass. Fantastic sound.
I don't have one, but have played a few of them at a local Guitar Center. $349 new. Preferred it over the Standard series.
YouTube - ‪Squier classic vibe P Bass‬‏ (not my video, but a decent demo)

If you don't like the chunkier neck, go for a Classic Vibe J-Bass.

[fingerbun]

Big Nic, explaining our recommendations here rather than just throwing brands at you. Probably you already know some of all of this, but just to be sure.

First thing, obviously there is a lot of personal preference. So the bass that you like is the right bass for you, even if I wouldn't pick it.

Now, you need to think about how the bass feels to play and how it sounds.

On feel, basses have different body shapes and different neck shapes. Some guys like thick necks, some thin. Some guys like the fretboard (the front of the neck) to be curved, others flat.

All you can really do here is try different basses, but until you learn to play that's hard. So if you have big hands look for a bass with a bigger neck, and if you have littler hands look for a littler neck.

On sound, being very simplistic, some basses will sound modern, which is a full rich tone and others will sound vintage which is warmer but less clean. Sop to my ears Ibanez sound a bit clean and usually put out a lot of treble frequencies. where as Rays are warmer. That's why I suggested a Ray.

Rickenhofer45 is basically suggesting classic Fenders. Squier is ender's entry level model. The jazz is a two pick up bass and very versatile, and the precision is a single pickup bass which is less versatile but has a very popular sound. These are both good choices. Roger Waters of Pink Floyd plays a precision, and JP Jones of Zep played several instruments, but one of them was a jazz.

The rays are the next step in the evolution of Fender instruments, designed by Leo Fender after he sold the Fender company.

Bottom line, you will not go wrong with any of those choices.

But the sound is a lot more than just the bass. The amp and the way you play also matter a lot.

Hope this is useful. Good luck.

[RicoNegro]

Big Nic, if cash is an issue, and if you have any friends that play Bass or guitar (and not just tool around, but really play on a regualr basis) you can always ask them to go Pawn Shopping with you.

I've picked up a lot of good gear from pawn shops for a whole lot less than I would have paid for used gear at other music stores.

Since you'll be new to playing, take that friend with you and if he/she hears or sees anything at all wrong with the instrument they can let you know.

Also, stick to non chain pawn shops, chain pawn shops live to rip you off and don't like to haggle, that's how they make money. The mom-and-pop pawn shops are the ones you want to hit up, they also live to rip you off but are less likely to really know what their stock is worth and are more willing to drop prices just to get rid of inventory.