Bass Guitar Recommendations

[Andyman001]

Also get a tuner.

[wvbass]

If you have as little experience as you describe, your questions are nearly pointless. You could spend $10,000 on a bass and hate it. You could spend $150 and love it.

Pick a bass that is within your comfort level price-wise. Make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer, which you have done. Then buy it and play it. Time will tell if you made a good choice.

[mmx6]

Originally Posted by wvbass

If you have as little experience as you describe, your questions are nearly pointless. You could spend $10,000 on a bass and hate it. You could spend $150 and love it.

Pick a bass that is within your comfort level price-wise. Make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer, which you have done. Then buy it and play it. Time will tell if you made a good choice.

As for a tuner, I have one already on my drum metronome with mix as well as on my iPad.


I still don't know what to look for for feel. How do I know if a bass guitar feel good or not?

Thanks

[godofthunder59]

As others have said both basses are excellent choices. I like the Road Worn they are light and resonant. As for setup, factory set up is just that factory set up. I would take it to a reliable tech (not GC) and have it gone over, should cost between 40-80 bucks. If you buy from a brick and mortar store most places will do a set up included in the purchase price. Enjoy your new bass!

[mmx6]

Originally Posted by godofthunder59

As others have said both basses are excellent choices. I like the Road Worn they are light and resonant. As for setup, factory set up is just that factory set up. I would take it to a reliable tech (not GC) and have it gone over, should cost between 40-80 bucks. If you buy from a brick and mortar store most places will do a set up included in the purchase price. Enjoy your new bass!

Nice to know

I will buy my bass tonight online from GC and probably I will receive in the mail next Friday or so. Will post pics of what I got.

[hrodbert696]

Ok, thanks for clarifying the situation. You may have already made your purchase as I post this, but I would say if you have $600 to spend, go ahead for the Fender 60s Jazz for $400 and then get a combo amp for under $200 - the Ampeg BA110 or the Fender Rumble 30 would do nicely. You CAN learn to play through a headphone amp, if you have that, but really an amplifier is half the instrument and you should get used to using the amp to shape your tone. You can always just plug a pair of headphones into the amp for when you want to practice quietly, plus if someone invites you to jam you don't have to say, "But I don't have an amp..." And yeah, getting a proper tech to tweak the setup for $50 isn't a bad idea, but you don't HAVE to do that to be able to play it; it will just make it all feel nicer.

"Feel" is really up to you. If you like how the bass feels in your hands, it's all good. Some people like round chunky necks some like slim necks, and so on and so forth. That's what I meant about how you won't really know what you like till you've been playing a while. Jazz basses have narrow, slim necks. If your hand doesn't feel comfy with that after you've been playing a few months, you might think about selling it to get something with a thicker neck, like a P bass or something.

Congrats in advance on the bass and have fun with it!

[Sid Fang]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

... There's no reason not to learn on a Sadowsky or a Fodera if you can afford the $5000.

Actually, there are a couple of reasons.

The first that comes to mind really only applies to buying a new bass. If one is just starting out, one can't really know whether bass guitar is going to "click" or not. One can always resell one's starter bass, but if you look at the loss you'd take re-selling the used instrument, you'd be out a whole lot more cash losing 30% on a Sadowsky than 30% on a Schecter.

The second is that pretty much everyone does something dumb with their first instrument. Forgetting to close the case before picking it up. Leaving it leaning against the wrong wall. Banging the headstock against walls/ceilings/furniture. Forgetting to remove/cover one's belt buckle. Forgetting to strain-relief the instrument cable. It's much better to learn those occasionally painful lessons on a less-expensive instrument.

[Malak the Mad]

Originally Posted by mmx6

Also, rather than buying an amp speaker system, I plan to just get an amVOX to use with either my Q701s or SRH840s or my K550s. Is the amVOX a good sounding headphone amp?



Also when people recommend me a pro setup for my new bass when it comes in.
Does pro setup cost money?
Is pro setup necessary to start playing?

I thought bass, guitars comes fresh out if the box tuned and ready to play, is this true?


Sorry for a load of questions, my knowledge is quite limited about basses and guitars.

I have no experience with Vox's headphone amp, but I use (and have had very good results with) a Pocket Rockit S1b for many reasons. Such as…

1. My girlfriend works from home and has considerable A.D.D. Anything more than a few watts would result in my horribly gruesome murder, probably involving blunt-force-trauma with said bass.

2. Limited space. I may have my own room for books, computer, projects, etc, but square footage is at a premium.

3. Portability. This is the big one for me. I'm on the road a lot and work far from home. I can't lug an amp around all over the place. So if I want to practice and play along with my mp3 player without disturbing my co-workers or their clients, a headphone amp is ideal.

I've seen many TB-ers diss their local Guitar Center techs and reps. This may be the case in some areas, but from my experience, it's not the case everywhere. My local GC seems to have drawn a great hand in their personnel, sales reps and their guitar tech. It's a shame other locations haven't had the same luck.

Perhaps, once you get it, a set-up would be a good measuring stick for your local GC tech's skills? Maybe you can just ask him "I just got this. At a glance, do you think this needs a full set-up?" Hopefully, if he's a decent guy, he'll give you an honest opinion, freely explain to you things a starting player should know and not try to fleece you for a few bucks, nor disrespect you for your choice of instrument (a great way to snuff out someone's interest in playing). Who knows? Maybe he'll just make a couple of minor tweaks and let you skate on the full price. Mine has, but he may be an exception.

One last thing, never regret asking any question. We're here to help.

Welcome to the Deep End! Good Luck & Happy Playin'!!

[mmx6]

Thanks everyone.

Indeed I have just purchased a Fender Mexico Classics series 60s Jazz Bass brand new with Fender Deluxe gigbag and a right angle patch cable for $460 after all taxes and shipping. Will arrive on the coming Friday as I did the 2 days shipping. I ordered the 3 tone sunburst with tortoise pick guard.

The body is alder, neck is maple and rosewood finger board.


For the cable strain relief, how do I install a cable strain reliever? Or does the bass come with one build on the body?


As for the speaker amp, I am looking at a used Fender Rumble 15 bass amp on my local Craigslist for $40.

Is the amp a good deal at $40?



Also I am not going to get a amVOX headphone amp. I am going to plug in my bass into my drum recording interface, TASCAM US-1800, and plug in my Fiio amp and output to either my Q701 or my SRH840 or K550.


Thanks.

[Tvrtko]

Squire VM bass or CV bass would be quite good choice. You can get yourself cheap Acoustic bass with headphones plug and use it both ways and not spend a lot of money. However, you can sell it later on without losing a lot of value.

[Lesfunk]

Originally Posted by mmx6

For the cable strain relief, how do I install a cable strain reliever? Or does the bass come with one build on the body?

Just run the cable between your strap and bass body near the strap button for strain relief

[Sid Fang]

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

Just run the cable between your strap and bass body near the strap button for strain relief

One of those little things that becomes a reflex, but sometimes only after one has broken loose a jack by stepping on a cable.

[mmx6]

Are the audio output jack on basses replaceable ?

[fivestringgecko]

Absolutely. Just takes a little soldering.

5sg.

[mmx6]

Great to know, thanks.

For the cable, I do not think my Mexican Fender 60s Jazz Bass comes with one since it is not listed on Fender.com

I am looking at a RockCable by Warvick cloth wrapped cable with right angled side and straight side at 3m.

Is this cable any good and output clean audio?

[Dredmahawkus]

If you get that much of a discount wait till you save up a tad more and get an American fender.....you are going to wish you did about 2 months from now! I wish I could get a Deluxe jass for under 1000

[Floyd Eye]

A Planet Waves cable is good enough. They Have them at GC. Run the cable from behind you, in between the strap and the body of the bass BEFORE plugging it into the bass. Pull a little of the cable up so it isn't tight. It would be a good idea to take it to a good tech for a set up. DO NOT DO THIS AT GC.

[mmx6]

I am will a complete n00b

A Fender American Jazz would be way overkill for a complete beginner.

Heck even the MIM Fender Classics Jazz I order is overkill, but I calculated that I save more money with something cost more with my discount coupon.
That is the reason I did not want a Squier.

But for a beginner, I cannot justify to spend 2x the price of a MIM Fender Classics Jazz for a slightly upgraded Fender American.

I also did some online research ad from what I seen, from 2008 or 2009 until present, the Mexican factory is catching up to a standard that is giving the American factory a run for it's money.

Even the former Made in Japan/Crafted in Japan Artist Series are not made in Mexico...

All in all, I think the best bang for the money is a reasonable priced midrange bass such as MIM Fenders.

The American Fenders are a slight step above MIM, and the Custom Shop Fenders are a bit above the Americans.

For the 2x price of MIM you get the MIA, for 3.5x price of the MIM you get the Custom Shop.

For all that cash for minor upgrade is not worth it in my book.

[Kuroth]

Originally Posted by GM60466

spend as much as you can on a bass and have it setup by a pro. That's the best way to start.

I now actually agree with this.. I had someone tell me when I was trying to figure out what to buy.... "Buy once, Cry Once"

I decided on a 4 string Bongo...

I figure if I give up, those seem to have pretty good resell value(Unlike most of the less expensive ones)..

But I dont plan to give up...

[Pills Are Yummy]

Lol, I love how people have already given him multiple recommendations on what to buy without even asking him what music he plays.

What kind of music do you play? Are Asthetics a factor for you? Do you want a unique tone or are you trying to emulate a certain bassist? Do you plan on gigging? If you are, will it be originals or covers?

First, listen to several of your favorite bassists, and see what gear they use. Skip this step if you want a unique tone

IMHO, the best, BEST recommendation I can give is to go to some music stores and just try EVRYTHING out. Just go to town. But still, if you could answer my questions, perhaps we could shed a little bit of light and help you out

Congratulations on becoming a bassist btw!