Bass for a new guy

[JRA]

I’d try them out but time really is of the essence here

although you may not have the hours/days/weeks/months/years to know any better (and therefore you may have to take a chance!): the instrument that fits/feels the best to you will allow you to progress with the least impediment(s). sounds like other members are supporting the ibanez choice for that reason, more or less. without trying them out for yourself you'll never know what you might be missing from another choice, but you'd get a good/versatile instrument with the ibanez. good luck!

 

[Don M]

Squier VM or CV series are good value. I by SR 300,400,500 are also good. I love my VM Mustang. Also, take a look at the Yamaha BBs.

 

[klejst]

Moral of the question answer, whichever you: can afford, can get what tones you want out of it, can play it and it's comfortable in your hands and is appealing to you and your musical goals/playing.

 

[wizerd]

Welcome to the hive. These are all excellent choice for your first bass, go with the one that "feels" right for you. Look thru the postings here and you can find a wealth of tinkering options for any of them. Since you mention recording I might sway toward the VM Jazz, the others will record just as well but might sound too "modern" for some tunes. Happy days ahead for you.

 

[jd56hawk]

So I’ve had a play around on a couple of Squier jobs after work, the vm and cv jazz’s were great feeling, kinda heavy I found, but coming from a world of unchambered Les Pauls and my Ibanez SZ, weights no issue as yet, was actually pretty impressed with the affinity PJ as well, seems like a lot of instrument for the money, didn’t have any Ibanez stuff in stock unfortunately so I’ll need to hold off to the weekend to try out an SR and see if I get along with it. But should I go the Squier route I feel like I’d be alright

I've tried half a dozen Affinity basses. Two were horrible, two were decent, one was pretty good, and one was damned nice, so I'd definitely go to Guitar Center and try out as many as possible… don't forget, with a 15% off coupon you can use the money you saved for some good flatwounds or tapewounds.

 

[Alfonso Alba]

I'm a little late to this thread but I'd like to recommend the Squier VM Jazz. That's what I started with only 6 months ago, and I bought it after trying out the Sterling SUB, Yamaha TRBX304, Epiphone Thunderbird Goth and EB0 and Ibanez GSR200. Later I bought a Fender Mustang P/J, but most of the time I still prefer the VM Jazz. Try all of them, if you can, but if you can't try them, I don't think you would go wrong with the Squier.

 

[Plutonium244]

I am late to this thread as well, and wouldn't probably post now except that no one has brought up Sire basses. It's a brand to consider... excellent but also affordable, a professional grade bass on the cheap. They're new (2-3 yrs old), affiliated with Marcus Miller And are comparable to much more expensive basses. Some people compare them to American Fenders, AVRI Fenders, or even Sadowsky for quality.... I'd go along with the first two, but its not quite a Sadowsky. Only downside to Sire basses is that you have to order, then wait 6 weeks to receive it; and you can't play one at a retailer to test it out.

Ibanez is a good bass for someone starting out as well, I have a BTB33 that I like.

 

[Amish]

I don't own the Ibanez SR500 but I have played it. I love those basses and it is why I picked up a SR30th myself. Very light, very thin and slick neck. The added electronics is a plus too.

 

[bassliner50]

Welcome to TalkBass. I'll keep it simple and I will recommend the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz. Down the road you may wish to modify it. A plethora of parts for this bass are available, allowing inumerable upgrades. Then I believe the resale value of the Squier would be another positive attribute.

 

[JoeWPgh]

Play as many as you can get your hands on. Quality control isn't as prioritized on lower cost basses. That's not to say they are bad basses. The quality of one bass to the next will vary more within a brand, than with their higher priced offerings. One Squier or Ibby might be great, and another, not as much. Get the one that feels and sounds right to you.

 

[tedious1]

I’d try them out but time really is of the essence here

LOL, but you made some time in the end, smart...

I too am a converted guitar player, and I'm greatly amused by how similar your list is to what mine was.

To kill the suspense, I went with the Squier, despite wanting to like the Ibby's I played (and I played mostly Ibanez guitars when I was playing cheese wires) I couldn't bond with any of them.

Which is just hammering the same point so many have already tried to hammer:
Play everything you can, and buy what calls to you.

I won't weigh in on the bottom half of your list, but either of the Ibby or Squier is liable to serve you well, but whatever calls to you is the one you should go with.

Oh, and welcome!

 

[JZQuantum]

Here’s a few pictures of the SR, just so you can see the extent of the cosmetics, it’s far from cute but the seller insists it’s just the finish and the strap button thats damaged, he’s asking £100 for it

The broken button can be easily repaired. That wouldn't put me off the bass if it played and sounded great. And the chipped finish is cool with me if it doesn't affect feel or playability. Some people pay MORE money to get a bass that looks beat up and relic'd.

Whatever you pick, save money for a professional setup. A great luthier can make a broom stick easy to play...easily worth the investment because a great setup makes you want to play the bass. Get new strings.

I'd consider some other basses...entry level Yamaha TRBX304 is great, and anything on rondo music's website is worth considering.

My first bass was a Yamaha BBN5 and it's still in my family and performing on stage after all these years.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

Here’s a few pictures of the SR, just so you can see the extent of the cosmetics, it’s far from cute but the seller insists it’s just the finish and the strap button thats damaged, he’s asking £100 for itView attachment 2887594 View attachment 2887595 View attachment 2887596

I like a little mojo on a bass, but the amount of wear on that one would concern me. I would not buy that one without trying it out first. There is a fine line between honest wear and abuse.

 

[Kylo88]

Thanks very much for all your responses and input, it’s actually really helped a lot, and confirmed that I’ll be sticking around this forum to pick some brains now and then. I’ve actually came to a decision, I’m getting the squier, should get paid either today or tomorrow so I’ll be putting the money down in the coming hours. I may be jumping the gun a little here but since I picked it up in the store it’s all I’ve thought about, plus having looked around there’s plenty of upgrades if I want to change it up going down the line, I reckon it’ll do everything I need. Thanks again for all your help folks, means a lot

 

[pudgychef]

Whatever you pick, save money for a professional setup. A great luthier can make a broom stick easy to play...easily worth the investment because a great setup makes you want to play the bass. Get new strings.QUOTE]

I was coming to post this advice. All the basses on your list are decent....I have gigged VM and CV Squiers..would have no worry with the SBMM or the Ibanez

Would also look at the new Yamaha BBs and the Ibanez Talman in that range.

But definitely get a pro setup....makes all the difference.
Cheap basses these days are great....most just need a set up and will perform like basses 3x the price 15yr ago...
Good luck and welcome!

You are in UK? Vintage brand and Harley Benton worth a look as well from what I have seen.

 

[pudgychef]

Thanks very much for all your responses and input, it’s actually really helped a lot, and confirmed that I’ll be sticking around this forum to pick some brains now and then. I’ve actually came to a decision, I’m getting the squier, should get paid either today or tomorrow so I’ll be putting the money down in the coming hours. I may be jumping the gun a little here but since I picked it up in the store it’s all I’ve thought about, plus having looked around there’s plenty of upgrades if I want to change it up going down the line, I reckon it’ll do everything I need. Thanks again for all your help folks, means a lot

Congrats! Which Squier did you settle on?

Get that bass set up and rawk it!

What are you amp plans? Fender Rumble is a nice match for a Squier...

 

[Kylo88]

Congrats! Which Squier did you settle on?

Get that bass set up and rawk it!

What are you amp plans? Fender Rumble is a nice match for a Squier...

Settled on the VM jazz, just gotta decide whether I want a maple or rosewood board
As for amps, for the time being I’ll be running through Bias on my laptop with some Yamaha monitors, I’ll be looking into amps next month, I like the look of the fender rumbles and the Orange crush amps seem to get good reviews too, plus I have a dark terror for my guitar which I really like so that may be a shout too, I’m also very open to suggestions of course

 

[Conkal]

I would definitely NOT recommend the rumble. At least the 60watt one. it is not good at all

 

[JonnnyC]

I never think you can go too far wrong with Fender/Squire stuff.

My first was a Squire P bass. Liked it so much when I upgraded it took a lot of persuading not to go for a Fender P.

If I started again, I’d choose the Jazz! It’s versatile sound wise, the slimmer neck feels easier to play, to me. Also the pickup placement will be good for finding a comfortable position, I use the pickups as a thumb rest of float in between the two. All gives a different sound!

 

[Heavy Blue]

Settled on the VM jazz, just gotta decide whether I want a maple or rosewood board

I’ll be looking into amps next month...I’m also very open to suggestions of course

Hard choice! I have the maple boarded one but just finished trying out a rosewood one for 5 days and I really liked it too. They do have some differences though for sure.

Besides the necks being different so are the body woods with the maple board have a maple body as well and the rosewood one has a basswood body. Also in my case is that mine has Duncan designed pups and the other has fender designed.

What I found was that the all maple one has a very middy sound and compared to the other I cut the mids down some. It sounds best with fresh roundwounds and if I could slap it would probably sound great that way. Great for rock and such too.

The rosewood one seemed to have more clarity & an overall rounder sound and better string to string balance, particularly with flatwounds. It has a better sound for old school stuff. TBH I was surprised I liked it so much cause I usually don't like rosewood fingerboards. I returned it today and I'm going to get it next payday.

As for amps, for the rumble series I'd suggest the 200 head with a cab of your choice. I did like the fender rumble 15" but didn't play it at gig volume. Imo Peavey also makes some great bass amps at a good performance/price ratio. Idk where you are but Traynor/Yorkville may be another option with good value for your dollar. I had YBA-200-1 w/TC1510 setup that was great and still wish I had & still have a BM400 and it's tough as nails if not exactly boutique tone lol.

I have a Mesa Walkabout 12 and they've been recently discontinued but if you have the scratch and can find one get it. You won't be disappointed! I've had mine for 12 years and it isn't going anywhere. If I could I'd like to get another large all tube head.

Now to find a nice affordable lefty P bass.