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Beginner Bass for guitar player recommendation.

#21
Either a Classic Vibe Precision or a Jazz are a great choice. I own tons of vintage gear and even a few Squiers ;) the CV are the real deal. Personally I like Precisions but I'm thinking the thinner neck on the Jazz might be for you.
 
#26
IMG_1987.JPG
basslifter said:
If you are coming from guitar, you will like Ibanez. Generally smaller bodies, thinner necks, lighter and more narrow string spacing. Also pretty decent quality overall even on low end stuff.
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Yes, some of them have 6 strings and guitar string spacing as well :) :bassist:
 
#28
hrodbert696 said:
The VM series are all pretty good. Why did you pick those three models in particular? They're quite different from each other. What are you actually looking for in a bass? It's hard for us to make a recommendation if we don't know what you're after. If you don't know and just want a basic bass I'd say just get a precision (P).

Even if the local shops don't stock the particular models you want, I would still suggest trying out what they do have, so that you get a firmer sense of what you're looking for. Would you prefer a 30" scale or a 34"? Slim neck or fat and chunky? Active electronics or passive? Single-coils or humbuckers? Any decent shop should have at least a few models that will enable you to get a sense of what your preferences are.



I created a thread for this kind of thing a long time ago, but it's pretty buried now...

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/standard-bass-types-for-new-players.1088752/#post-16124749
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I ask about the particular model because there are in my price range at the moment. I want to use the bass just to record DI. The particular model are all price under $200. My prefer price range is under $300. Like I said I'm really a guitar player but want to record my own bass line.
 
#29
If you are not goingto play the bass and just use it to lay down a bass track I would get a cheap Squier P

I assume from your post above this is your project an your backup band plays what you create for them. There is nothing wrong with that (That is how I started out) but bands thrive better when all members have input. Not sure if that is what is going on but just throwing it out there
 
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#30
You could always go with a Bass VI if you do 50s 60s or even some 70s stuff, I don't play guitar, but I would think it'd be pretty good for a guitar player. What kind of music do you play? What is your current guitar? I would NOT recommend the Squier Affinity series. I bought one of those as my first bass a (J) it didn't sound that bad, but MY GOD THE ACTION WAS HIGH!. It honestly was painful to play, for a beginner. Now i play 70s Kramers and the action on those is the lowest I've ever seen, but they can set you back $800 easy. I would recommend depending on how money you have to look at either an Epiphone EB, or a $400-$600 Fender/Squier. Those are pretty good and can be upgraded. Particularly the Modern Player series. You can get a good Fender Jazz of P MIM for very cheap used. If I were you I'd just go to a guitar Center or any music store and just play the basses they have, If you a bunch of basses you'll get an idea of what you want.
 
#31
jpcl said:
I ask about the particular model because there are in my price range at the moment. I want to use the bass just to record DI. The particular model are all price under $200. My prefer price range is under $300. Like I said I'm really a guitar player but want to record my own bass line.
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If you're right handed, then you should get a VM Squier Jaguar Bass. You get both a P and a J bass with the ergonomics of a Jazz. They have both a regular 34" and short scale 30" versions.

It's also a good bass to upgrade the components on when you get better at the instrument. Getting a stacked Jazz pickup in the bridge position will make it almost noiseless... and it records beautifully.

If you're a lefty, get the 70s VM Jazz bass. A Jazz is more versatile in terms of sound.

If you're really into more classic rock or pop stuff from the 50s to 70s into DI, then your choice of string will be as important as the bass you buy. Anything darker-sounding than Pressurewounds (GHS and Rotosound 55s) or half-rounds (D'Addario, Rotosound, GHS Brite Flats, etc) is probably going to be your best bet, tone-wise. I suggest a middle of the road string because they are more versatile (and with foam muting or playing technique) into getting that vintage sound. Or you can go ahead and get some flatwounds if you really don't want any of that high-end mwah to your bass sound (and leave that part of the soundscape to your guitars)

I would avoid anything brighter than GHS Boomers/D'Addario Nickel wounds et al. in the tonal department. IMHO.
 
#32
Getting back to the OP's original question, you are looking at three excellent value Squier basses. All of these are currently on sale, at either GC or MF. In the order you listed:

SQUIER VM CABRONITA PRECISION BASS Reg. Street Price $299.99 SALE- $199.99. This is a relatively new Fender/Squier design, using the TV Jones-style FideliTron humbucker, which has been used more often in guitars than basses. I have ordered one of these myself, based upon glowing recommendations from other TB members. Available only in black, it's a runaway bargain compared to the Fender model which has a Street Price of $599.99! It has a full 34" scale with a medium width neck and will be the longest reach transitioning from a guitar. From all accounts, great deep bass and good mids.

SQUIER VM TELECASTER BASS- Reg. Street Price $299.99, SALE- $199.99. This one has been around a while. Available in vintage beige or black. Heavy and familiar Telecaster body, booming single coil pickup and 32" scale with a fat neck. I own one of these and highly reccomend it. This should look and feel very familiar to guitar players, and provide a nice solid bass experience. Ignore two of the three settings on the blade switch, and you'll be fine!

SQUIER VM JAGUAR BASS SPECIAL SHORT SCALE- Reg. MSRP $279.99, SALE- $149.99. This model may be the easiest for a guitarist to transition into. Only a 30" scale, with a very fast, slim neck. Has the "PJ" pickup set, which is one Precision and one Jazz pickup. Versatile tone switching between the two pickups. Lighter than either of the other two basses. Several colors. This may be your best bet coming from Guitar World.

As several others have posted before me, nothing will beat your personal "hands-on" experience as to which model will be absolutely right for YOU. At these sale prices (which may very well be coming to a close this weekend), you may not have the option of waiting until you can try them out. Here's a thought, tho....at THESE prices, even if you can't return them, you should have NO problem selling them for what you paid if it turns out that what you bought just doesn't work for you.

Again, at these prices, I would buy the VM JAGUAR BASS SPECIAL ----AND---- the VM TELECASTER BASS so that you would have two different sounding basses to play with and give you a choice as to which suits the music you're playing at any given time. I also believe that the Telecaster is about to be discontinued, so I would grab one while you still can. No one else is making a Telecaster-style body bass at this time for under $1,000.00! Plus, the two of these would cost you only $49.99 more than the regular street price on ONE of these while they're still on sale!

Good luck and welcome to the low side!
 
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#33
I never buy instruments new, especially if I'm just learning. I got both my bases for less than 50 bucks when I started out and I learned to fix and set them up myself. I'd recommend that. But if money isn't an issue, I'd go for an Epiphone or beginner Fender. And Squire is decent as well despite the bad things people say (due to the brand name). If you're a beginner, Squire is good. But no matter where you get your bass, you need to learn to do a proper setup because they never seem to come from any store setup well. It will be a whole lot easier learning if you make the correct intonation and action on the bass before first playing.
 
#34
When I transitioned to bass, I picked up a used MIM P on CraigsList (lots of deals there and you can play them first). Modified it to the point it became a Classic Vibe P body with a Jazz neck. Although I have an Am Std Jazz, the P with a Jazz neck is my number one. I also just picked up a short scale Squier Mustang. It is fun to play, but I just like the feel of the 34" scale and Jazz neck. If you can, get to a NYC store and at least get a feel for the difference between a P neck, J neck and a short scale (if they have them). That way, if you do have to go mail order, you'll have an idea of what you're getting. Good luck!
Shaun
 
#35
jpcl said:
Recommendation for a bass for a guitar player. I have been looking at Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Precision Bass, Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Bass and Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special Short Scale. Any suggestion is welcome, I haven't been able to try any of the bass mention above. Guitar center don't stock any of these. Thanks
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i have two pieces of advice:

1) the only way to buy an instrument is blindfolded, IMHO. play as many different basses as you can within your price range - you may find that the one you like the most isn't one of the models you thought you wanted to look at. try not to limit yourself with preconceived notions - keep an open mind and try everything!

2) get the best bass that you can possibly afford. an instrument that plays well and sounds good will encourage you and make you play better. i was lucky enough to start off all those years ago on a pro-quality instrument and it made so much difference in my advancement - who knows, with a lesser bass, i might even have quit... (and, incidentally, i've never owned a fender bass.)

hope this helps, and good luck in your search!
 
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