• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

A Bass for Christmas

#21
I'm getting bass strings for Christmas. Not even a full set, only the higher two because I want to replace that plain 0.017 with a wound one and get something thicker than the 0.025 I have for C.
I'll leave the others in vodka for a while….
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#25
So is 500 your max budget? Even at 300, youll have options.
Yamaha, ibanez, peavey make good basses ,and there entry level stuff is solid.
Squier affinity is hit or miss.
Squier vintage modified and classic vibe lines are usually solid.
You might even find a used fender in your range.

Feel the neck, wear it on a strap too. Try a lot. The one that feels the best is probably the one.

Set aside a little money for a set up too.

Good luck
 
  • Like
Reactions: TrevorR and DevonteRhys2003
#28
DevonteRhys2003 said:
500 is kinda tops. Am putting money in too. I did look at Fenders but they seem very expensive. A friend was saying that they used to be about 380 new about 4/5 years ago. Now they are 550/600. Aren't squiers cheaper fenders?
Click to expand...
Had a misfire there on my post reply! I suggest buying used, youll lose little money if you wanna trade or resell. Squier is licensed by fender, most made in asia now .theyre good, several lines though- affinities are the cheapest (in cost and quality)
 
#30
DevonteRhys2003 said:
Do I need to change the strings!?

I'm guessing short scale will make it easier to play if I'm used to guitar? Cheers, Devo
Click to expand...

Pretty much. Not that regular scales are so hard, but a short scale is definitely more guitar-like. I play both short scale (30") and regular scale (34") basses. Both are good.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: hintz, funkinbottom and DevonteRhys2003
#31
BIGEJ2 said:
@DevonteRhys2003 That Gretsch is a short scale so keep that in mind. It will have a much different reach than a standard 34" scale bass. Nothing at all wrong with that but something to consider.
Click to expand...
A certain chap from Liverpool seemed to do pretty okay with a short scale bass, and IIRC, it cost him only, like, 30 quid or something (whatever a quid is :laugh:).
 
  • Like
Reactions: hintz and dmt
#32
DevonteRhys2003 said:
Thanks alanloomis1980 you like fenders then?

Am gonna have to try some, find out what I think works. It's hard understanding it, especially when people find things so different or hate on different basses/companis
Click to expand...
I do. I like passive sound, (as opposed to active) i find its more "vintage." Fenders (and squiers) are usually pretty simple, easy to modify and change parts yourself.

I think Scale length is not as important as neck width. P basses are super popular but have a thicker neck, which can be uncomfortable for some (me). But bill wyman plays a short scale.... ;)

Squier vintage modified jaguar short scale is a crazy good deal and they sound awesome (200 USD new)

Ibanez is another high on my list for beginner. I started on one. They are notorious for being "comfortable"

Bottom line: dont get too hung up on it. If its a solid guitar and its set up right you can learn on it. If you find you dont like the sound or size later, trade it in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jd56hawk and dmt
#33
That Gretsch you linked to is well regarded.

Fender is the long time king of bass brands. For a quite different style (look, sound and feel), Ibanez is very popular. Meanwhile, Gibson isn’t anywhere near as big a player in the bass world as it is with guitars. I’m not saying to not get an Epiphone, but just laying out the lay of the land.

Whereas in the guitar world the traditional debate has been Fender Strat vs. Gibson Les Paul, in the bass world, the traditional debate has been Fender Jazz Bass vs. Fender Precision Bass. By the way, "Jazz" in this case is just a model name, it has nothing particularly to do with jazz music.

You might check out a Fender (or Squire) Precision or two, a Fender (or Squire) Jazz or two, and an Ibanez or two that are in your price range to see what appeals to you. Also that Gretsch and maybe a Fender Mustang PJ (Fender’s main short scale). If you can try some of those, you’ll have a good basis for choosing what might suit you.

But really, pretty much anything that can sound the notes well and be set up to play easily is good to start on. Go with something you can afford that looks cool to you and get a set up (a "set up" is basically having a shop’s tech adjust the positions of the strings, neck, bridge and pickup height, etc. so that the bass sounds right and plays easily).

Good luck with the band!
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanloomis1980
#35
DevonteRhys2003 said:
Thanks alanloomis1980 you like fenders then?

Am gonna have to try some, find out what I think works. It's hard understanding it, especially when people find things so different or hate on different basses/companis
Click to expand...

Welcome to TalkBass. My first suggestion is, ignore the people who hate on basses/companies. Why? You're in a glorious time to be a bass player. These days, even the lower-end instruments from reputable companies are solid players that can give you years of good service.

When budgeting for your new bass, I suggest you keep some money set aside to have a professional do a set-up on it. This will essentially optimize the bass, making it easier to play and get the most out of it.

I agree with you, when the head of the bass falls to the ground when you're not holding it (what we call "neck dive"), it sucks. So make sure you're using a strap when checking the stuff out.

When you get your bass, please come back here and post a NBD (New Bass Day) thread, showing us what you got.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drummer5359, alanloomis1980 and jd56hawk
#36
If this place is the closest shop to you, you might want to head down there and try out as many basses as possible. Bring a friend who knows something about playing, talk to the staff, and give each bass about 5 to 10 minutes of playing time.
You should be able to find something that sounds good and feels right.

G&L Tribute SB-2 Bass Sonic Blue Maple Fingerboard

Ibanez TMB600-NT Talman Natural Electric Bass

G&L Tribute LB-100 Bass Natural Gloss Maple Fingerboard

G&L Tribute JB Bass Lake Placid Blue Brazilian Cherry Fingerboard

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ibanez-sr-series-bass-quilted-maple-purple-space-burst

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/squier-classic-vibe-p-bass-70s-black

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/sterling-by-music-man-sub-ray-4-fiesta-red

https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/squier-vintage-modified-jazz-bass-77-in-black


https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ibanez-sr300e-jsm-sr-series-bass-guitar-in-jet-stream-green-matte
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanloomis1980
#39
If you have a music store, pawn shop, bargain store, garage sale, friend's closet queen, or any place you can get your hands on a bass in your budget, do it...plug them in, feel them, touch them. play them....pick the one that responds to you the best -- that 'speaks' to you the most -- and also choose the one that is going to make you pick it up and play it every time you see it...Does this sound like an esoteric response? You'll be surprised that its not....best wishes and good luck
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanloomis1980
#40
DevonteRhys2003 said:
500 is kinda tops. Am putting money in too. I did look at Fenders but they seem very expensive. A friend was saying that they used to be about 380 new about 4/5 years ago. Now they are 550/600. Aren't squiers cheaper fenders?
Click to expand...
Have you checked Basschat ? That's the bass forum in the UK. Folk's will know where Wigan is,a couple definitely live there.

Basschat

Folks here offer good advice but most are in the US and things like the used market in the UK are totally different. A Gretsch jet juinor averages about £175 on the 2nd hand market, £270 new.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dbbltime

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back