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Any brands to AVOID as a first bass?

#62
Given modern manufacturing techniques, most of the low-cost instruments made today are of decent and playable quality. The same could not be said 20 years ago. Back then, if you bought a cheapie, it would be a nightmare to play, sound like junk, and not balance.

With very few exceptions, now you can grab nearly any bass off the wall (of a music store of course) and make it work just fine. It won't blow you away with awesome sound and easy playability, but will be quite useable. I have an SX which plays and sounds far better than one would expect for the price. After some setup work, it's completely functional, which is more than I can say for many of the low-cost instruments of yesteryear. Just keep the price in consideration and don't compare it to a more expensive bass.
 
#64
vinxbass said:
I recommend a Squier FVM or the Squier Classic Vibe series basses. IMO, the best bass for under $300.:smug:
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Yeah, while most cheap basses will get the job done and are completely functional, the Squier VM and Classic Vibe are real standouts in the low-cost category. They can be compared favorably to many higher-cost instruments. They are a little more expensive than their lower-end counterparts like the Squier affinity series or an SX, but well-worth the extra cost.
 
#65
Michael-
Don't overlook your local music store....if you have a good one. I'll define 'good one' as a store with someone knowledgable and customer focused. Allow them to listen, ask questions and make an intelligent recommendation to you. You'll also get to test & play it before you make the purchase. You might pay a little more, but that's the cost of service.
After you've been playing a while, you can go mail order and buy sight unseen. But it might not be the best option for a first bass.
 
#66
My advice? You probably can't go too wrong with anything. There are exceptions, of course, but probably any bass mentioned in this thread will do what you want it to do: make noise and allow you figure out how to play and what you might want in a future bass. Some may be a little better than others, but to me, that's splitting hairs. Don't fret over the details because, quite frankly, you don't know what you want in a bass at this point.

Just go find something in your price range and start playing. It doesn't matter too much what it is because there's a good chance you'll find there are things you don't like about it no matter how much research you do. It's nearly unavoidable because taste in basses is personal and you haven't developed a taste yet. But that's fine because your first bass should be (relatively) cheap.

By the time you get your second bass, you'll have played your first one a bunch and (hopefully) have played others in music stores, owned by people you've met, etc. Then you should have a good idea of what you like and can get something better.
 
#67
FF Petro said:
Michael, I know there aren't any shops in Milton but there are several in Roswell. In fact, Atlanta Discount Music and Ken Stanton Music are on opposing corners of Alpharetta Hwy and Holcombe Bridge Rd.

I'd start at Ken Stanton. Usually they carry 90% beginner basses and not a bad selection at the Roswell one. Atlanta Discount used to carry more good stuff, but now it's mostly Dean basses. I would try to stay away from those.

Try them out and see what you like even if you plan to buy online. I have spent a lot of time at both and haven't bought that much equipment from them, it's not like GC where they whine at you to buy something.

Good luck to you.
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I know I may be late,

but +138243 on Ken Stanton. I went to the one is Snellville to get three 12AX7 tubes for my Ampeg Preamp, and they didn't have enough in stock. The assistant manager asked me to stay there while he took his break to go home, and brought me 3 Fender 12AX7's. They're Sovteks, I do believe. He put them in for me, not that I didn't know how ;), and refused to take a cent for the tubes OR labor.

I'm a customer for life now, I'm thinking of getting a Schecter Custom 4 from them, if I buy one.

For being a chain type store, they're one of the bests, if not the best, in my opinion. Their selection may not be the best, but I am absolutely sure they could get something for me if I need it. They didn't have to do that, and it wasn't a lot, but the fact he wouldn't even take a cent for brand new tubes shows some character.
 
#69
AmazingGracePlayer said:
NO CHEAP SQUIRES! No cheap Fenders! No cheap Deans, and no cheap Epiphones. I've spent days and days (literally) at guitar stores, and tried those above mentioned basses over and over, but they never sound or feel good.
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Your "skilled amateur" status notwithstanding, perhaps it's you that can't get those basses to sound or feel good.

I've heard many players pick up a "cheap" model you listed above and play the hell out of it. I know that there are dozens of players on this board that could strap on a cheap Fender and turn heads with their playing. That's the player end of it all.

I'm not questioning your credentials, only your advice.
 
#71
My advice is to go USED. I started on a Yamaha RBX (I think it was a 200 series) that I bought for $120. I've since bought a Dean Bassola that I keep in my office that I bought for $30 that should suffice as a practice amp. Keep in mind that you'll have other expenses, like an instrument cable, polishing cloth, gig bag and possibly new strings, unless you happen to find one of those occasional package deals. I've had very good luck with ebay by sticking with sellers that have high volume and high ratings.

The rest of your money is better spent on bass lessons, until you know you are getting a good return on your investments. Once you get to this point is the time to sink some serious cash into a bass and amp.
 
#74
ack said:
Congrats. Which model did you end up getting?
I've ordered several basses and guitars from Rondo. They're good folks up there. Kurt will help you out if something's not right.

Best of luck.
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Went with the "package" deal for now, since I need it all and the price was good. Once I figure out what I like/don't like, I might get something different.

I really, really want to get into fretless at some point so will almost certainly be going that route in the future too.
 
#75
I would also recommend to stay away from Washburn and Samick if you ever see them. Corts have a decent sound, but I'm not to keen on the overall feel of the instrument. I'm assuming that OP is looking for a bass under $500. My recommendations would be Peavey, Ibanez (excluding GSR), ESP, and Squier.
 
#76
Michael Campbel said:
Went with the "package" deal for now, since I need it all and the price was good. Once I figure out what I like/don't like, I might get something different.

I really, really want to get into fretless at some point so will almost certainly be going that route in the future too.
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That's exactly what I did a few years back. Bought an affordable package and got hooked. My 3rd bass was actually an SX Fretless, which I still have.

I don't regret it for a second. Hope you like it.
 
#78
ack said:
Your "skilled amateur" status notwithstanding, perhaps it's you that can't get those basses to sound or feel good.

I've heard many players pick up a "cheap" model you listed above and play the hell out of it. I know that there are dozens of players on this board that could strap on a cheap Fender and turn heads with their playing. That's the player end of it all.

I'm not questioning your credentials, only your advice.
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+1 There is nothing wrong with any of the basses listed.
 

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