Bass for a 10yo - Jackson JS1X Minion?

[EmilyM]

My 10yo son (barely 70lbs soaking wet) wants to try his hand at playing bass. I'm all for it, but my Fender Prophecy III (while being well-balanced and very comfortable for my 125lb frame) is too long for him to comfortably reach and play. He's mostly into classic rock and hard rock, but I'd like whatever he gets to be fairly versatile (he may want to play at church someday).

I've looked at quite a few options in the $200-$300 price bracket and have narrowed it down to the basic Squier bronco or mini P-bass, the Ibanez miKro and the Jackson Minion (which my son thinks looks awesome - and that's totally valid so that's where we are leaning). Is there any reason NOT to get the Jackson? Suggestions for pickup upgrades for later on?

 

[Moving Pictures]

I can’t see any reason not to get the Jackson. It looks like a decent bass. If your son thinks it’s cool he will likely play it more. I know when I started my son on bass having a cool bass meant a lot at first. 20 years later he still plays.

 

[evs]

I’ve got a Minion.
It’s nice quality indeed for the money.
Looks great, plays great.
I’ve gigged with it in my 80’s band.
It’s super fun.

here’s a pic of mine
(I’ve put stickers on it )

 

[evs]

I also don’t think the pickups need to be replaced (nor any of the hardware).
The quality is good for the money and in the band mix it sounds like a typical PJ.
I would get it and let your son rock out

 

[Chuck King]

I recently for giggles decided I would see what it would take to turn that bass’ big brother into a good playing and sounding instrument. It took less than I thought it would. I described the project in this thread. Basically, besides a proper set-up, I gave it a new nut, a very inexpensive set of pickups, and filed down the sharp fret ends. With that fairly minimal work it was ready for prime time. For a kid you may not need to worry about the pickups. The nut may not have been absolutely necessary either if I hadn’t over-filed the slots when doing the set-up, but the stock nut was really soft plastic.

 

[ERIC31]

Ibanez has some good offerings in smaller sizes and at decent prices. Check this one. $199.99 GSRM20.

 

[mikewalker]

IMO: No reason not to buy the Minion, and no need for pickup upgrades... save the $$ towards upgraded amp or cab or pedals or lessons or rehearsal space or ...

 

[Larryfales]

The minion is a great bass, you might have some fun with it too.

 

[red_rhino]

I usually recommend Ibanez basses for beginners, both for playability and sound. However, it's equally important (probably more important) that your son is motivated and inspired to play. If he likes the Minion, get that. At 10 years old, you want "play my bass" to be his go-to move whenever he's looking for something to do.

 

[Bassamatic]

The miKro is the best of the lot and easiest to play with its great neck. Be aware that you will have some issue in the future finding strings for sub-short-scale basses. Cutting down longer scale strings leaves them a little floppy and mushy.


There are several terrific 10-year-old bassists on YouTube that play standard basses. Take a look at Ellen Alevardyan or Gev Delano.

 

[beatdatthang]

Ellen Alevardyan is already better than 90% of the gigging bassists I know. Look at her go! She’s a monster player and she actually moves around and gets into it when she plays! Stage presence is a real thing. Too bad 90% of bass players have none of it.

That Zeppelin cover was fantastic by the way. The bass was perfect and hats off to the drummer, too. Bonzo isn’t easy to nail but he did it perfectly.

 

[beatdatthang]

Ibanez has some good offerings in smaller sizes and at decent prices. Check this one. $199.99 GSRM20.

View attachment 5090500

Not a short scale bass. Not even medium scale.

 

[beatdatthang]

Put a Jackson Minion in that boy’s hands, have him watch this, and say “David Ellefson” and you won’t be able to tear that bass outta his hands.

 

[Root 5]

Ellen Alevardyan is already better than 90% of the gigging bassists I know. Look at her go! She’s a monster player and she actually moves around and gets into it when she plays! Stage presence is a real thing. Too bad 90% of bass players have none of it.

That Zeppelin cover was fantastic by the way. The bass was perfect and hats off to the drummer, too. Bonzo isn’t easy to nail but he did it perfectly.

She is a little bass monster! Her cover of Hysteria by Muse is very good!

 

[EmilyM]

I usually recommend Ibanez basses for beginners, both for playability and sound. However, it's equally important (probably more important) that your son is motivated and inspired to play. If he likes the Minion, get that. At 10 years old, you want "play my bass" to be his go-to move whenever he's looking for something to do.

Yea, we are really between the MiKro and the Minion, but he is so drawn to those shark fin inlays, and I can't say I blame him, they are cool looking!

 

[Dust2Dust]

If your son thinks it’s cool he will likely play it more.

I usually recommend Ibanez basses for beginners, both for playability and sound. However, it's equally important (probably more important) that your son is motivated and inspired to play. If he likes the Minion, get that. At 10 years old, you want "play my bass" to be his go-to move whenever he's looking for something to do.

This

 

[2cooltoolz]

I've never played either, but the Minion DOES look pretty cool. I believe Jackson is owned/manufactured by Fender these days. Either the Mikro or Minion should be a safe bet. I'd go with the one he's drawn to.

 

[Eminor3rd]

If he thinks it looks cool, and that inspires him to play, that’s the one to get. Don’t worry about upgrades; he’ll grow into a full size instrument before it will ever matter.

 

[6Bass101]

At that age, looks matter a lot. Get him the Minion. There will be a better chance he sticks with it if he thinks it looks cool.