$200 and no idea where to start

[Slayerwasco]

Whatsup everyone, as I'm sure you noticed I'm brand new to the forums here but definately not new to the bass...Ive been playing for about 7 years now (both electric and double) (just quit it though (long story short, I'm not a fan of my teacher so I had to spite her somehow) so now that I'm "done" i had to return all my equipment to the school...I have never owned anything bass related myself except for a bow and now I'm looking to buy an electric bass and amp or head/speaker combo for myself. money is flexible but I wont spend more than $400. I just need some ideas...my requirements: must be a 4 stringer, really leaning towards cherry red or something of that color and for the amp/combo: surprise me hahahahahaha (im even more passionate on audio and electronics so I know my way around sound so im not being ignorant just flexible), but also the money.

Im not big on brands just as long as it plays cause usually...its not the bass, its the bassist

 

[Slayerwasco]

ask me anything if you want...especially if i missed something

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

$400 for both, or $400 for each?

 

[Spinal Tapper]

buy used and play before you pay are my only two pieces of advice

 

[PJMiDi]

Ibanez and Squier have some nice cheaper instruments, as for amps i'd look around CL or the classifieds for a used peavey or something of the sort.

 

[bigou]

Recently I bought a Vantage bass and a PEavey amp, both in good condition, for 110$. Just keep an eye on craigslist and kijiji. Good luck for the hunt.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

$400 won't go very far for new gear...

 

[thehangingmist]

buy used! bass? squier, sx
amp, get a nice combo

 

[joshmickelson]

get an sx and keep your eyes open for an amp deal on craigslist. That's what I would do at least.

 

[Staccato]

Pre-owned, that's the answer!

Maybe I was lucky-since I found them without really searching around, last year:

$200 incl. tax - 2000 MIM P Bass in beautiful shape-closet queen (midnight blue);
$130 incl. tax - Roland Bass Cube 30 (CB-30);
$330 total. (Source: local music stores)

 

[THand]

Buy a used bass for $350ish and a very small practice amp/headphone amp with what's left.

Save for a bigger rig while you practice...

if you plan to gig already, i think you'd have to spend even less on a bass (think Peavey Foundation) and get a DI.

 

[splitcoilsenior]

Rondomusic.com for the bass.
Acoustic B20 (do a search) for ur amp.

 

[Drewbacca]

For that amount of money, I'd either get an SX bass (from http://www.rondomusic.com/ - search the forums for "essex" for more info on them) and spend the remaining cash on a nice used amp, or maybe a new Acoustic B100 ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed])

No affiliation with either company.

Welcome to the low end, BTW.

EDIT: Splitcoilsensor, looks like we think alike

 

[Slayerwasco]

haha wow fast replies....yeah i meant getting used cause ^^^^im not looking for something super nice just something that plays haha and $400 for both
my school leant me a "sound gear" by ibanez and i really liked it...sure it wasnt very expensive but it was fine for me so ibanez is definately in. I dont know very many makers at all....i just know how to play em haha
thanks again for speedy replies...wow

 

[Govier966]

get a used bass, mim fender maybe. an old peavy combo would be pretty cheap and those things are rock solid.

 

[PSPookie]

Definitely check out used gear. CL is a good place to look, the classifieds here on TB are even better.

Bass: Squier, SX, Ibanez
Amp: Peavey, Fender, Hartke

 

[whatitstrue]

Used is the most bang for the buck.

Let us know what you find.
Good Luck.

haha wow fast replies....yeah i meant getting used cause ^^^^im not looking for something super nice just something that plays haha and $400 for both
my school leant me a "sound gear" by ibanez and i really liked it...sure it wasnt very expensive but it was fine for me so ibanez is definately in. I dont know very many makers at all....i just know how to play em haha
thanks again for speedy replies...wow

theres a lot of good, cheap used Ibanez out there. what kinda of amp you looking for? Practicce or something for gigs or in between?

 

[yellofury]

USed Ibanez SR300
Used Orange combo
or Acoustic B100

 

[nickfurst]

Check out the Ibanez Soundgear line. It's like Fender's Squire line. I had a Soundgear bass and it sounded amazing, and it wasn't expensive either. You could pick one up for about $250, and then use the remaining to by a used combo amp.

 

[Slayerwasco]

well more gig related cause of course as soon as i quit the school stuff and have to reutrn everything everyone wants me to play for them (musicals, garage bands, etc) haha but yeah....definately going the used route