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600 bucks saved up

#22
kranahan said:
Buy a cheap bass. If you are just starting, then there is no need for an expensive one. Learn on a cheapo, then down the line buy a nicer guitar. Just my 2 cents.
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Good advice..

Go on ebay.. Peavey Fury or Peavey Foundation (both USA Made)

You can then buy new strings and have it setup (all basses need this)

All of this can be had under $250 (shipped to your door)

Save your money for an IRA or future bass.. or lessons.. or a metronome.. or DVD lessons..
 
#26
donofsharks said:
Thanks man. So many suggestions, so many options, no idea what to do.
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Whatever you do, DON'T walk into Guitar Center or Sam Ash and ask them what to do with your money. I know it feels like you have to do something quick, but its about 'value' in the long run.

A Jag, Jazz or Precision are all good basses, but for your starter I would go with an Ibanez or SX. There are enough of them around that you should be able to find one cheap enough. Take it in to a technician and get it set up and it will play nicely for you.

Spend the rest of the money on a 100 W amp, I like the BA115 by Ampeg because it is compact, and get some lessons. You need to develop your ear, hand strength, and in general if you get started doing things the 'right' way, you progress is faster.

Good luck - richard
 
#27
Haha. Thats actually the exact Amp i was looking at a few seconds before your post thanks Richard. I'm going SX I think. Link Removed

About the Technician - what exactly would I ask this person to do to the bass and how much would it cost?
 
#28
StyleOverShow said:
Whatever you do, DON'T walk into Guitar Center or Sam Ash and ask them what to do with your money. I know it feels like you have to do something quick, but its about 'value' in the long run.

A Jag, Jazz or Precision are all good basses, but for your starter I would go with an Ibanez or SX. There are enough of them around that you should be able to find one cheap enough. Take it in to a technician and get it set up and it will play nicely for you.

Spend the rest of the money on a 100 W amp, I like the BA115 by Ampeg because it is compact, and get some lessons. You need to develop your ear, hand strength, and in general if you get started doing things the 'right' way, you progress is faster.

Good luck - richard
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This
 
#29
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#34
J. Crawford said:
Get a Squier Jazz and a good combo amp, or a great rig by Acoustic.

I hope youre a John Paul Jones fan! :D
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+1. Squier vintage modified and classic vibe jazzes (the classic vibe P is also great) are truly nice enough instruments, but a jazz bass will allow you a bit more freedom when it comes to differend tones.Get one used and you can also buy an (used) amp that allows you to get out there and play with other musicians. You can't really go wrong with these basses and even if you end up liking some other kind of bass more when your taste starts to develop, you can unload the bass and lose no money at all.

But even if you decide to go other way, buying used is the way to go. So go to all the music stores you can, play everything you can get your hands on and after you find something you like, start hunting for a used one. Even with expensive basses, I'd never buy new unless the new one is absolutely spectacular specimen and quite frankly, it would be hard to tell such a bass from others with your experience. Your best bet is to buy a proven instrument that has some years on it from a person who takes care of his instruments. That is the best way to ensure you get a solid player. Talkbass classifieds is a great place with plenty of insane bargains, so take advantage of that!
 
#35
IMO the jazz is more versitile than the other two.
i dont know much about the jag though, i never really cared for them.

out of those 3, id choose a jazz.
i would do the Squier CV Jazz.
i played it side by side to some Fenders and personally i preferred the tone and overall feel from it.
that way you have some money for upgrades, amps, accessories, etc.
 
#37
blendermassacre said:
you're pretty much going to have to go to a music store with a lot of basses, and play every single one in your price range. Take 3-4 hours and find what you want. If nothing feels good, try again. Don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket
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+100

Dont buy a bass (especially your FIRST one) without going into a store and playing as many as they will let you touch.

Then, when you've gotten a few strong ideas in your head, come back here to TB and search the classifieds and see if you can find a used model of whatever catches your fancy. You'll save yourself some $$ which will stretch your budget a little further.
And yeah, dont forget the "extras" you'll need:
strap
cable
tuner
some type of case or gigbag
 
#39
I'd say go for it. Diffinitely get the nicest to you bass in the $450 to $500 range you can find. Add deluxe gigbag or a hardshell case for another $45-$110. If you havent allready, check out ones in this price range by Ibanez, Schecter, ESP Ltd, Peavey, & BC Rich plus any others thay you like. If its still fender as most liked for playability, sound, and fit, then get the fender you like most in that price range. Check used gear section of stores too. Could get real lucky and find a real nice something for $500 that would have cost a lot more new.

No reason to buy cheap for first bass. Its counter productive imo. That youve saved up $600 shows you deserve that level of first bass. The better sound, playability, options, fit, and attitude that comes with getting intermediate to pro level for first bass cant be beat. And it makes for more continued interest and practice etc with the instrument. Along with faster developement of playing skills imo.
 

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