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About.com "top 5 beginner bass guitars"

T

Twan013

Jul 3, 2007
30
0
#1
i'm just wondering if there's any validity to what they say...
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if i get one of these, it will be brand new... but if i can find a better used guitar for the same price range, i'd like to know... my aunt's pawn shop usually has guitars in the 150-300 range, but i'm not sure about their basses... the only concern i have with something used is if something messes up soon after i buy it, i'm stuck with having to pay to get it fixed, and i'm sure any new guitar would have a warranty of some sort, right?
 
#6
This looks like a slightly older list; Yamaha no longer makes the RBX260 (though I can personally vouch for it as an entry-level instrument; my first bass was a 260). I would replace the RBX260 with either the BB414 or the RBX170. The 170 is truly a budget instrument, but given Yamaha's QA it tends to be a very playable instrument regardless. My preference would be the BB414, but that would make it the most expensive bass on this list at $399 from MF.

My experience with Gibson/Epiphone basses has been bad. Their guitars are pretty good, but IMO they simply do not know how to make a bass. Instead they make a guitar that plays bass notes. This is personal opinion, no offense to the Gibson lovers on this board, they simply are not for me. I would replace the AccuBass with some example of the Peavey Foundation, Fury or Millenium series. Solid as rocks, and very playable instruments, for a good price. They're largely overlooked.
 
#7
1. Used MIM Fender P
2. Used MIM Fender P
3. Used MIM Fender P
4. Used MIM Fender P
5. Used MIM Fender P

Maybe a Used MIM Jazz as a second option.

Seriously, for $200 or so, there is nothing better IMO out there.

SX? Ibanez? A cheap LTD? Maybe for your bedroom, but I wouldn't want to practice with a band or do a gig with one of them (I own a SX and an Ibanez - they NEVER get played at full volume).
 
#12
thanks a bunch guys... so i've pretty much narrowed my selection down to two, because it seems like EVERYONE thinks one or the other is the best for that price range... ibanez GSR200, and the fender standard precision bass... the fender isn't on the list, obviously... and its a little more money at 430 @ zZounds.com.... how much more would it cost to have one repainted? what i don't like about the fender, visibly is the white pickguard... and i'd prefer my bass to be a dull, unpolished graphite color.. maybe with a touch of crimson and white pinstriping on the body.. IMO, that would be a GORGEOUS guitar!!! i'm assuming that would run me about another 200 or so...
 
#14
Twan013 said:
what i don't like about the fender, visibly is the white pickguard... and i'd prefer my bass to be a dull, unpolished graphite color.. maybe with a touch of crimson and white pinstriping on the body..
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I'd go with the P-bass as it's one of those 'standards' to which other people compare their bass's tone to. The jazz bass is another popular tone reference. Btw, any guitar shop will have both of these in stock. Btw, finding a smaller shop (ie: Not Guitar Center) imho is a good approach, as you could probably ask the salesperson to help you out. When I bought my first bass, I asked the guy to "Play some scales slowly on a Precision and then on a Jazz." I had no idea how to play, so based upon the sound of the two, I picked the P-bass.

btw, if you don't like the pickguard, find a company online and pick up a custom/aftermarket pickguard. Invalid Link Removed
 
#15
oh...my...lanta!!! just looked at the 4 BXP, transparent blue... of course, i don't know anything about the specs of the thing, or how it sounds, or "ease of learning", but its a beautiful looking guitar! and its in my price range! i'll add it to my list of "test subjects" for when i get ready to buy one...
 
#16
Baird6869 said:
1. Used MIM Fender P
2. Used MIM Fender P
3. Used MIM Fender P
4. Used MIM Fender P
5. Used MIM Fender P

Maybe a Used MIM Jazz as a second option.

Seriously, for $200 or so, there is nothing better IMO out there.

SX? Ibanez? A cheap LTD? Maybe for your bedroom, but I wouldn't want to practice with a band or do a gig with one of them (I own a SX and an Ibanez - they NEVER get played at full volume).
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Honestly, if I was a beginner, with No bass, and an urge to learn, there's not a chance in hell I'd wait around until a used MIM P-bass comes my way.
I'd buy whatever is nice at that moment.
 
#17
ProfGumby said:
I was surprised Peavey didn't make the list as well.....but not really. Peavey doesn't really seem to get the attention they really deserve. Their quality has always been much better than the purchase price shows......
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yeah +1 here too. The Peavey BXP is really good. Every time i pick one up I am amazed and have to stop myself from getting one.
 
#19
ProfGumby said:
I was surprised Peavey didn't make the list as well.....but not really. Peavey doesn't really seem to get the attention they really deserve. Their quality has always been much better than the purchase price shows......
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yeah +1 here too. The Peavey BXP is really good. Every time i pick one up I am amazed and have to stop myself from buying one.
 

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