So what bass do I get???

[bigtiny]

Hi all,

I'm a trumpet player who wants to double on bass. I have between $500 and $700 to spend on a good bass. I need the bass for practice to begin with, but hope to get out playing soon.

For a first bass, sound wise, I guess the smart thing would to go with something versatile. I can imagine playing anything from blues to jazz to whatever as I progress. Don't really need anything to do death metal or country....

I'm interested in a 4 string bass.

So for the money I've got, and for my needs what bass(es) would you suggest???

bigtiny

[jlepre]

4 or 5 string?

[RxFunk]

I suggest going to a local music store and trying as many different kinds of basses in your price range you can. I'm assuming you're looking for a four string, but I think all of these are available as fivers as well,look for Fender Jazz bass, Fender Precision bass, Ibanez SR series basses, Ibanez ATK series, G&L tribute series, Schecter Stiletto series, etc. Just try as many as you can, and buy what you like the feel/ sound of. The basses I listed are pretty common to find and can all cover a lot of ground. Good luck, welcome to the low end.

[Waldo19]

Don't forget to check out the used marketplace.

I agree with RxFunk. Go to different music stores and try out as many different basses as you can. Figure out what you like, and then I'd start checking out the used market (i.e. Craigslist and Guitar Center Used).

The used market on basses particularly in and around a big city like Boston (looking at your handle) should be pretty good. You should have no problem finding a good bass at a decent price.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by Waldo19

Don't forget to check out the used marketplace.

I agree with RxFunk. Go to different music stores and try out as many different basses as you can. Figure out what you like, and then I'd start checking out the used market (i.e. Craigslist and Guitar Center Used).

The used market on basses particularly in and around a big city like Boston (looking at your handle) should be pretty good. You should have no problem finding a good bass at a decent price.

This

[Barca_bass]

Okay, I agree with the "go out and try everything sentiment," but if you are looking for a few options I would look at the Lakland Skyline series. I feel that my Lakland is a very solid bass for its price. Also, despite not having tried one, I would look at Brubaker Brutes. IMO, they look great, sound really good, and I have heard mostly great things about them. I wish I could find one. Many more people will reply on here with some great brands, so keep your options open.

Again: go out and try everything, buy used, take your time, and good luck.

[jeremy_p]

I'm partial to Warwicks, you can get used German Warwicks in that price range, like Corvettes. Also, the Pro Series (Korean) would be worth looking at as would be the newer Rock Bass (China). However, American made Peaveys are hard to beat, I have a 1994 Fury that was $100 and came with a practice amp from some pawn shop, and that's a deal that's common for old Peaveys. It sounds great. Squire is another brand to look at. Go play as many basses as you can and see what kind of sound you like and what feel you like. Then, hit local classifieds and find something that works for little to nothing.

[Twick]

Sterling by Music Man makes some very nice basses as well. Check out a Ray 34 in your hunt. Shouldn't be hard to find one used in your budget.
Link
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/...ic-bass-guitar
Happy shopping!

[carl h.]

Do you need to spend all that money or could you be satisfied with a bass that meets your needs and costs much less - but without the fancy name on it?

Does this budget include amplification?

[ggvicviper]

Hey bigtiny,

Just about every day someone posts a thread asking which bass they should get, and the replies that they get are so varied and many, that it's almost like you didn't even ask the question at all - you're back to square one.

I disagree with many to go looking for a used bass (which you will hear around TB a lot) - yes, sometimes you can find a good deal, but I think that you're much better off dealing with a retailer & a warranty if you have problems with the instrument. Not all used bass stories are happy endings - many aren't. I say stick with a new bass for your first.

I will, however, agree with many here that say "try as many as you can". Beyond that, I will add listen to as many as you can in online videos and clips (check out Ed Friedland on Youtube), read reviews in publications and also read and see as much as you can on TB. Every day there are New Bass Days here from people who bought brand new instruments. Look around, see, hear, and (if you can) feel what interests you.

P.S. My favorite new instruments in that range would be a Fender Standard Jazz Bass or a Yamaha BB424X.

[Evan Ciambrone]

I like the MTD kingston series an awful lot at that price range...the Artist, a used Heir and both the Saratoga and CRB or whatever can be had. They play great

[two fingers]

You could do a lot worse than this. Nice bass for the money.
http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/msg/3649790322.html

If you like 4 strings, and you could get this guy to take $700, this would be a fantastic first bass!
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/msg/3595067302.html

Edit to add: I was at Fenway the day they retired Mike Lowell. Split a double with the Yanks. Great day. We're going back sometime this season. Hopefully there will be a team there when we get there.

[Standalone]

BigTiny---

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_e...=2013&cat_id=2

Most newbies buy a used or cheaper east asian bass. Ibanez is known universally as a good manufacturer that makes basses that are playable and versatile at pretty much every price level that they offer.

The higher the number, the higher up the line. Recommend getting a 300 series "Soundgear" as a starter.

Their most classic design is the "Soundgear" bass. They have thinner necks that are more "playable" for newer players. The really expensive ones have amazing pickups, but the cheaper models get great tones for what they are, too.
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_e...=2013&cat_id=2


http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_e...&series_id=112




And SOOOO...... why am I suggesting a $400 bass that's UNDER your price range?

Because even a cheap-o bass --the sr is not cheapo -- with a decent amp sounds better than an $800 bass played through a buzzy farty amp. So my advice? Shave some $$$ from the bass budget and put as much of it as you can into good amplification.

[VanillaThundah]

If you do go SR...PLEEEEAAASE get an SR500 or higher, the barts and mid switch make a huge difference. The SR400s and below still feel good, but the tone just isn't there on them. I've played many side-by-side and owned an SR500 as well.

[Standalone]

Here you go. SWR "Black Beauty"

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/msg/3641379179.html

$595, plus $300 for a used bass... you could gig anywhere and sound great. It's the amp. Bass just takes more power to sound decent.

[edit] and vainillah thundah is kind of right, though I wouldn't say the 3/400's are all that bad. And you could find a 500 series for $3-400

[awilkie84]

As much of a Spector-lover as I am, and as much as I try to tell people to try other brands, I'd suggest going with a Fender Jazz. It's tonally diverse, and still passive. If you're willing to step it up to active electronics, definitely take a look at the Ibanez SR500 or a Spector Legend.

[Malak the Mad]

I started off with a used Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass. It's nice and light, compared to it's chunkier Jazz counterparts, and it's precision/jazz pickup configuration allows for a nice variety of tones. Certainly I'm biased towards it. Just take it as someone passing on their "first bass experience".

That being said, the warranty concerns others brought up are quite valid. Unfortunately, a new Aerodyne goes for about $800 new, so that brings it out of your price range, especially if your budget also includes amplification. But if you want to take the plunge on a used one like I did, I've seen them on Guitar Center's used database for $450 to $550. Plus, if memory serves correctly, they do take returns within a certain number of days.

[darkstorm]

The only decent answer is go try a bunch and narrow it down among those you like out of those.

[khutch]

Everyone has their favorites and in my opinion the basses available in your price range are all quite nice so I don't think you can go wrong other than as with any manufactured product the occasional lemon sneaks through. Ibanez makes many basses in that range and I disagree with the notion that the SR series is good only at the SR500 level and above. Any of the SRs in your price range are good. MTD/Kingston, ESP/LTD, and Schecter are other brands I have been able to play in stores and they are all quite good. Fender is my personal favorite though. If you want a versatile four string I would suggest an active P/J and the Fender Deluxe P Bass Special fits your budget. Better yet would be a Reggie Hamilton Standard Jazz though it is $200 over budget. Guitar Center is currently (and at least once every other month it would seem) offering a $100 off coupon on purchases over $599 and that would reduce the price of the P Bass Special or bring the Reggie Hamilton closer to your budget. I think that GC occasionally offers even better deals that could bring the Reggie even closer....

Anyway you have a budget that will get you a great bass. Go out and try as many as you can, maybe one will speak to you in a way that lets you know you have found your bass. Truth be told some of us find that to be true and some of us just end up with half a dozen basses that want us to buy them!

Ken

[Webtroll]

Do you have an amp? Don't blow your budget on the bass and buy a crappy amp. There are excellent starter basses well below your budget allowing for a decent amplifier to be purchased as well.