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Basses for beginners

S

satanson

Jul 28, 2013
3
0
#1
Hi there!

I've been playing the bass for some time now, and I'm planning to buy my first own bass guitar. So which one do you recommend for a beginner?
I play mainly hard rock and heavy metal, with some simple bass solos. I'm planning for more years, so I'm looking for a more durable bass.

Right now I'm thinking about buying an Ibanez SR505 or a Fender Standard Precision Bass. So which one do you think is better, or am I completely wrong on this?
 
#3
Well, I was looking for both 4-string and 5-string basses and came up with a few candidates. Amongst the 5-string basses I really liked the Ibanez SR505 the most, and I was considering the SR500, but I wanted to get an opinion on a Fender bass too, so that's why I chose that one. But probably I wouldn't need a 5-string bass yet, so I'll have to concentrate on 4-string basses.
 
#4
I'm personally an Ibanez fan, but first some questions...

  • Have you played either one of these basses?
  • Do you prefer active or passive?
  • Will you ever need to have a low B string/need to tune down to A etc.?
  • Nut width/neck thickness preferences?
  • What bass (if any) do you own now?
  • Pickups? The P has the passive split coil, Ibby has the two passive soapbar style ones (connected to an active EQ)

Seems senseless to start out on a 5er if you don't really need it (IMO, I'm sure others will disagree). Hypothetically you can't go wrong with a P (Steve Harris played one...), but if you want a "modern" sound (active 3 band EQ) go for the Ibanez.

And, as always, try before you buy, look used for a good deal, etc.

:bassist:
 
#5
I'm planning to try them next week.
I'd rather have an active bass (If you have an active Ibanez, how often do you need to change the batteries?), but I guess I won't really need the low B string.
Nut and neck? I really can't answer that. The most important for me is to have a bass that is comfortable for me, so I don't have any preferences.
I don't own any basses, I learnt to play on a borrowed one.
Pickups? I'd prefer a soapbar style.
 
#6
Friend,

In general, there is no answer to your question. It's all subjective. There are fanboys and haters for every make and model out there. Very rarely have I read someone on TB flat out say "do not buy this"; and those were on some pretty obscure instruments in my opinion.

I've not owned either bass mentioned, however I can say that they are fine choices from a 30,000 foot view. Personally I haven't cared for Ibby necks, but that's me. See how it works? Do YOU like the neck? Do YOU like the action? Do You like the weight? Does it feel good to YOU?

Also, you mention you've been playing for a while - what have you been using? Are you branching out into other music where a 5 string would be necessary? You could always start with a 4 string and upgrade later...that's where GAS and more gear come into play down the road!! :hyper:

Answer some of these things for yourself and you'll answer the question. Don't worry about the quality as much, Fender and Ibanez make fine products, especially in the price range you mention. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule so as someone already said - try before you buy!

-GB
 
#7
satanson said:
I'm planning to try them next week.
I'd rather have an active bass (If you have an active Ibanez, how often do you need to change the batteries?), but I guess I won't really need the low B string.
Nut and neck? I really can't answer that. The most important for me is to have a bass that is comfortable for me, so I don't have any preferences.
I don't own any basses, I learnt to play on a borrowed one.
Pickups? I'd prefer a soapbar style.
Click to expand...

Check out a four string Ibanez then (sounds like that's what you want). I have an SR600 and I love it!

*I've owned it for about 5 months and I've never changed the battery (yet). I do keep an extra 9V around just in case.

*The SR is comfortable (for me) because it has a <1.5 nut width (less than a jazz) and is rather thin. YMMV.

Very good bass for the money. I'd stay away from the lower models (SR300, etc.) and get an SR500 or up. I opted for the SR600 because I read reviews on the SR500 saying that the finish on the bass/durability of the hardware were spotty. I feel it'd be a rather solid first bass.
 
#8
As others have said, there's rarely "better" or "worse" between different basses. People will even dispute whether a $1300 Fender is really any better than a $300 Squier. It ultimately comes down to how you subjectively like the feel, look, and sound of a bass.

The two basses you mention are about as different as you can get. Did you come up with those two based on looking online, or have you tried them out in a store? The Ibanez will have a slim neck and active electronics, not to mention the 5th string. The Precision will have a round, thick neck and passive electronics. You can play lots of different styles of music with either one, but they'll have very different character.

There was a video circulating around a while ago with a guy that recommended players get two basses - a passive 4-string for classic tones, and an active 5er for modern sound. I'm not sure I really agree with the advice (not to mention there's folks around here with collections of 17 basses or whatever), but in a sense that's what your two choices amount to. TRY THEM OUT and buy the one that speaks to you.
 
#10
Get the nicest one to you that you can find. Which you can afford to get. Along with case or gigbag, isntrument cord and picks. And shoulder strap to if wanting to upgrade from one youve been using. This maybe used or new bass. That youve tried yourself and liked better then the others. For feel, playbility, sound and asthetics. If you can afford to spend 1k for this, then go ahead and do so. You;ll thnak yourself several times in the long run. Much better then going cheap due to being "beginner". Begginers are entitled to pro level insttruments imo. Buy pro level., midline and up of mfg.
 

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