Beginner again

[ryanms3030]

That's a nice score! I am just getting back at age 36 after about 8 years of not playing. I ordered a used Squire Vintage Modified 77 for just under $200. On my local CL in LA I can't find any Fender Jazz for less $500 and most are in the $800-1000 and up. I'm looking forward to really learning to play this time. No excuses with the amount of Youtube videos and other free resources on line these days

 

[EdgeXXL]

I guess its time for an update on this thread. I have been pretty busy since the last post I made here. I have GAS really bad and have bought four more basses and another amp. Whoever it was that said "say goodbye to your wallet" hit the nail right on the head. What I can say is that I have bought a couple basses really cheap and then resold them at a nice profit. This is pretty much thanks to the TB community as I have learned a ton here and for which basses to watch for.

I had to return the Sterling Ray 34ca (very thankful for the return policy at GC). It just wasn't working out the way I thought it would. I can't really pinpoint what it was but it just wasn't the right fit. I next bought a really nice Fender MIM Precision FSR. I like it and have been playing it everyday.

I have been all over town in every guitar shop playing everything they have hanging on the walls trying to find the one I can't live without. I tried every model of the EBMM and SBMM line. I also tried all of the Fender models and a bunch of other stuff. I am sure they all got tired of seeing me come in and play stuff all the time. I looked at every offering and price point and these two were the ones that just kept going back to so I bought them both. What is really funny is they are both low cost entry level basses.

The first one was a Candy Apple Red Squire VM Jaguar with a single Humbucker. I loved the way the Jaguar feels and can't wait to put some flats on it and just go to town playing it. This Jaguar was a trade in and whoever owned it had it set up very nice. That and the beautiful color are what caught my eye. Then I picked it up and plugged it in and knew right away this was one I couldn't pass up. The way it sounded and fit just felt right.

The second one believe it or not was a Sterling SUB Ray4. I knew after having the Ray 34ca that I would find another bass in the Sterling line up I would like. After playing all of the other EBMM and SBMM models I kept going back to the SUB and it just felt better to me. I love the way the SUB feels and will play it a lot. I only wish the SUB came in more colors. I ended up with the seafoam green with the maple neck. I tried the SUB Ray4 and the SB4 and preferred the larger body of the Ray4. I really like the chrome control plate on the Ray4.

I can't quite put my finger on it but these inexpensive basses just felt better to me than their more expensive counterparts.

 

[sbass traveller]

I agree. I own 5 basses, 4 of which feel better than the 5th, and those 4 are the cheapest of the lot. If the bass feels right, then that's the one to get. Pickups can be upgraded. Of course, the feel of a bass can vary based on many factors, but mostly setup. A cheap bass will always feel better properly set-up, than an expensive bass improperly done.