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1/2-size children's bass under $100?

B

bassgift

Nov 26, 2007
1
0
#1
My two-year-old son wants a bass guitar for Christmas. Not an electric guitar, mind you, but an electric bass.

He knows his musical instruments. I won't be able to get away with getting a toy electric guitar and putting on bass strings.

Me: "But son, what are you going to do with a bass guitar?"
Him: "Pway it."

As you can guess, this isn't exactly the trendiest toy this year at Toys-R-Us, so I'm looking at tracking down a 1/2-size childrens' bass guitar.

It seems that most web sites which offer 1/2-size electric basses are from the UK. (I'm in the US.) The US-based sites are generally pretty expensive ($150+) and eBay isn't much better. The lowest price so far I can find is $120+shipping, but really I'm thinking there's *GOT* to be a cheaper 1/2-size bass out there. Heck, you can get a somewhat decent full-size bass for $99 -- surely there's a borderline toy 1/2-size bass out there for much less.

The bass doesn't have to sound good -- it just should look nice. My son can strum a toy or real guitar (or my bass) just fine, but being only two years old he's not exactly fretting notes precisely. :)

Can anybody point me toward an inexpensive 1/2-size bass for a two-year-old? Thanks in advance!
 
#3
Have you checked all the walmarts, k-marts, targets, best buys, they all offer cheap guitars now...

But it would probably be easier to find a full size bass for under 100 because they are in a higher demand and can make more. Half-sized basses not so much.
 
#4
On the lookout here too. I'll let you know if I find one. My 2 and 4 year old both play with their little guitar but want a bass "like Daddy's". Isn't it the greatest thing in the world to hear that stuff?

When I practice my two year old runs in with his drums and sticks and says he has to practice with me - it's amazing! I could go on and on, of course, but I can hear the non-parents out there dry heaving. :-)
 
#7
Ibanez Mikro. 26.5" scale, sounds good, plays good, comes in black and Amethyst sparkle (purple). $169.95 at most online retail shops, plus its a lot lighter than the short-scale Jazz on Rondo's site. I have one of the shorty Jazzes, and it's definitely a heavy bass, almost as much as my regular Jazzes. Not trying to take anything away from Kurt, because he is really a great guy to deal with, but his short-scales are more for an intermediate player.

Also look for a Samick Corsair MCR1 mini short-scale. Those are even shorter, I think, and they sound pretty good too. Not sure if those are still available, but if you see one, snag it.
 
#8
Under $100 is going to be tough. A brand new Bronco from Musicians's Friend runs $150.
Used Broncos can sometimes be found on ebay for around $100, but it seems that people generally want too much for them. They will often list on ebay for more than it costs for a new one.

Jay Turser makes a 3/4 size P-bass copy for around $150. I think instrumentpro carries them.

Rondo carried several 30 inch scale basses. They have none in stock at the moment. Rondo's Precision and Jazz short scales ran approximately $110, with their Jaguar short scale about $140. These are probably the best bang for the buck new, but who knows when Kurt will have them in stock.

I don't know of any other short scales in that price range.

If you want something by Christmas, a new Bronco or Turser is probably your best bet.
 
#10
Here's Sofia at at age 2 playing the "candy cane" bass.
It's a 24" scale Samick Corsair Mini that set me back about $160.
It's actually a very nice little bass.


minibass2.jpg


Happy Holidays,

Chad
 
#12
#13
Bassic83 said:
... plus its a lot lighter than the short-scale Jazz on Rondo's site. I have one of the shorty Jazzes, and it's definitely a heavy bass, almost as much as my regular Jazzes.
Click to expand...
I have an SX Jazz shorty, too – mine is very light, though. I think it just depends on which one you get.

Todd Stanley said:
Get him a Bass Ukelele, it'll be light and small enough for him to actually "pway" with. And they are usually under 100 dollars for a decent one.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lanikai-LU21B-Baritone-Ukulele?sku=512523

Maybe it's not electric for that price. But string that sucker EADG and you have a mini acoustic bass. That one is a baritone uke too.
Click to expand...
That's actually a very interesting idea – but, I'd think that any nylon string would be too floppy to tune that low (especially at that scale length), and metal strings would likely rip the bridge off the body. I'm not sure of this, but it seems likely.

Maybe one could use weed whacker lines, with the metal filament core?
 
#16
Bassic83 said:
Ibanez Mikro. 26.5" scale, sounds good, plays good, comes in black and Amethyst sparkle (purple). $169.95 at most online retail shops, plus its a lot lighter than the short-scale Jazz on Rondo's site. I have one of the shorty Jazzes, and it's definitely a heavy bass, almost as much as my regular Jazzes. Not trying to take anything away from Kurt, because he is really a great guy to deal with, but his short-scales are more for an intermediate player.

Also look for a Samick Corsair MCR1 mini short-scale. Those are even shorter, I think, and they sound pretty good too. Not sure if those are still available, but if you see one, snag it.
Click to expand...

I bought the Ibanez Mikro guitar (not the bass) for my 10-year-old son's birthday this year, and I've been impressed by the quality. I goof around with it as much as he does! But it might be a bit heavy for a two year old. I agree that that Corsair mini looks pretty good if you can find one. Try eBay?
 

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