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Absolute Beginner... Look for my first bass - please advise.

#22
There's something to be said about buying and instrument that's appealing. However, the "traditional" bodies are easier to deal with for lots of reasons. Precision, Jazz, and all the ones that have the similar shape, cuts, and balance.
 
#23
Doylum said:
Hi Folks,

I'm looking to buy a bass and would like some advice on what I should buy.

I used to play electronic drums, but since moving to an apartment I can't as it's just too thumpy on the floor with the bass pedal. I've always liked bass, so here we go. :)

I have never played guitar in my life, I'm an utter newb.

I went to the guitar store today to look around. I saw an Epiphone Thunderbird and thought it looked so cool and really fell in love with it. The helpful store assistant, agreed that it is a nice bass, but he mentioned that it has bad neck dive and could make playing more difficult. He also said it suits a bigger guy, as it's quite a monster. I'm over 6 foot and normal build, so I guess that's OK. He recommended a Squier Jazz or Precision for better balance.

I also like the look of the Yamaha TRBX304 and the BB424X.

Anyway, you get the idea. What would be good to start on?

Many thanks,
Doylum
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Play as many as you can before buying, and buy used if at all possible; considering you literally have zero experience you may go through a few basses before finding 'the one'.

Pretty much every manufacturer makes a solid budget bass, so find one that looks good to you and play it to see if your ears and hands agree...all of the basses you mentioned could be great for you, but trying them firsthand is the only way to find out.
 
#25
MDBass said:
Play as many as you can before buying, and buy used if at all possible; considering you literally have zero experience you may go through a few basses before finding 'the one'.

Pretty much every manufacturer makes a solid budget bass, so find one that looks good to you and play it to see if your ears and hands agree...all of the basses you mentioned could be great for you, but trying them firsthand is the only way to find out.
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I wholly agree! I've been thru a lot of basses to find "the ones" I prefer. It's really hard to tell someone what to buy, but it's not so hard to tell them what to look for...

Moving on:

1) necks have slightly different shapes and thicknesses. Some will feel better in your hands than others. It's really important you like the feel of your bass and not fight to get around on it. Try to just play random notes on as many basses as you can at stores to see what feels right.

2) string spacing varies. Lots of basses are 19mm at the bridge (that big plate at the opposite end of the bass from the tuners). Some are 18mm. Some 17.5, some 16.5mm. You can adjust variance a bit, but not too much. It makes a difference. I personally found I play best on 17.5mm basses even though I have big hands. You may like 19, or 16.5 Warwicks. How will you know? Again, play around on a lot of basses to see what feels good.

3) 4,5,6 strings? Most start on 4, nothing wrong with 5, I'd skip 6 as a beginner. Even learning a 5'r as a 4 string will allow you to park your thumb on the 5th string. So why consider a 5 when you'll ignore that fat B string? Because one day you won't and your playing options really open up.

4) scale length. Basses come in lots of lengths, but mostly in 34" and 35". What's the main difference to you? Spread of frets. 34" are tighter, 35" wider. When you get to playing one fret per finger it can make a difference in feel.

5) set up. Even a well set up marginal bass will play better than a good bass with a bad set up. Don't count on the store to send you home with a well set up bass. Try to figure out who the best luthier is in your area and pay them for a set up. Don't fight the instrument.

6) quality. It's important. A no-name bass on the cheap has a lot of 'cut corners' in the manufacture. Better a low end Fender than an unknown brand anything. And you almost always do better used than new.

7) appearance. Yeah, we all want a 'cool looking' bass, but really, function is far more important than looks. That well made, boring used bass in the corner with the scratches on it may play light years ahead of the brand spankin new whatever. Buy the better playing bass. Period.
 
#26
For 30 dollars less than a Squire classic vibe jazz you can get a Fender Modern Player Jazz on sale now. I own it and it is well worth the money. Yes made in China but to a certain level of quality Fender requiers. You can read the specs, the humbuckers can be split to get a regular Jazz tone. It's more than a newbie needs, but why not for the price. If anything it is easier to play than beginner basses. I don't think you would lose much if any money if you sold it later. Good luck. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-modern-player-jazz-bass. I think they are ending that model so it won't be around long.
 
#29
Gilmourisgod said:
The OP didn't specify budget, so here I go with my "broken record" recommendations, can't help it, I think these basses are the bomb for the money: Ibanez Soundgear SR500 4 string or SR505 5 string.
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Second choice would be Squire Vintage Modified Jazz or Precision
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Third (maybe First, if you have the money) is a Fender Aerodyne Jazz or Precision
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For lower-priced instruments, I don't think you can beat the Squire line, it's stupid good for the money.
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Although I didn't love them the Sterling SUB wasn't bad at all for $300 range. If I had very little money to start that would be my choice. Out of the three I tried one seemed to have QC issues. There was a red one at Guitar Center that played very well and sounded killer through a MarkBass rig.
 
#30
Doylum, welcome to TB! First, if you haven't picked up on this yet, take your time; no need to hurry. Easy to say you can live with a mistake until that mistake causes you to quit playing. Second, visit as many stores as possible. Pick up, noodle around, handle and feel as many basses as possible. Each can be different and can feel different to you despite anything written here. For example, lots of love around here for Ibanez, but I've found most of their necks too thin. But that's me.

All you need is to find your price point and something that appeals to you; both in feel and look. What constitutes a 'good' bass is way too subjective...in my opinion. Unless you get something REALLY bottom of the barrel you'll be just fine. For the most part they all pretty much do the same thing! And as some have said, don't count out the used market - you can find nicer instruments for the price of a lesser new model.

Good luck!
 
#32
Something I would suggest, based on my own experience, is try and find an old beat up bass and use it to learn how to do basic set ups and electrical work. I never knew how to solder so I bought a old bass to practice on
 
#33
Id have to give you a maybe on the tbird.
I have LB-100 and a couple Rics, but it also own an epi tbird classic pro. Guess its my "beater" but after a good setup, a hipshot bridge, and filing the fret ends it turned out to be a great bass for the money.
Just starting out though, I recommend a p or a j usually (depending on the music you like), can't really go wrong with either.

Imo stay away from the bottom end tbirds though. The slab body and neck dive with the bolt ons might ruin your opinion of tbirds in general, and theyre actually pretty nice basses.
Look for a used tbird pro or classic pro with the thru neck. Much better balance, still not a p, but balance is alright, and with a wide leather strap its just fine.
 
#35
I would suggest looking at the Peavey BXP basses. I have the Millennium BXP, Zodiac BXP, and the Grind BXP. All are great basses, I love these better than any of the MIM Fenders I have had. I regularly gig with these as well.
 
#38
Best bet, lock in your budget, and pick the one that speaks to you (doesn't matter how good or bad the bass is unless you play it).

But when in doubt, a Precision or Jazz (or clone) is a good, safe bet - you can easily sell it when you want something else, and they are good for most kinds of music.
 
#39
Try looking at G&L Tribute series basses. They are some of the best foreign built basses available (they use all American electronics and components) and you can cop a new one for around $600 US. That being said, if you check the Classifieds here or Craigslist and find one used you can probably get it for about $400 and they are pretty much all the bass you will need for a long time. They are known for having astonishing bang for the buck.

One of my buddies who is a long term gigging and touring guitar player swears by his G&L Tribute Telecaster style ASAT guitar, claims it sounds and plays better than his vintage American Fender Tele and his American Strat.
 
#40
Hello folks,

@hrodbert696 I'm still reading and checking. ,)

Thanks so much to you all for the advice and tips. What a super cool and helpful bunch your are. :)

I'm going back to the UK for Xmas tomorrow and will scout a few Guitar Shops on the 27th to have another play with the basses and make my choice. Xmas sales should be on and I might bag a bargain.

I do like the look of the Thunderbird, but the weight and neck dive seems a little off putting and I don't fancy drilling new neck strap points into the body to achieve a better balance on my first guitar.

From what I'm hearing and the style of music I like, I'm leaning towards a P bass or the Yamaha BB424X. It feels like I can't go wrong with a P bass though.

Next thought... I have poor finger control/strength and have had RSI before from using a computer mouse too much, long story... So, I'm thinking of learning to play with a pick. Does that make a difference to what I should choose?

Once again - thanks for the help. Wow, a community that really gives good tips and genuine comments - brilliant! :)

Merry Xmas,
Doylum
 
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