Beginner Bass Guitar Recommendations

[BullHorn]

Alright, what are the differences between the Jazz and Precision?

Hah, the never-ending question!

They look very similar and feel very similar but are different.

Essentially,
A P has a fatter neck and a fatter tone. It usually 'sits in the mix'.
A J has a thinner neck and a punchier tone. It often 'cuts through the mix'.

Both are great basses, that's why I own both.

 

[vespasian1]

I would check Ebay and take a look at used Carvins (USA made) and Schecters.

 

[Toptube]

Find a local store that has a good selection of basses. Figure out your price range and try out a few different brands. The point is to try and figure out a neck that you might like.

Flatness or roundness to the fretboard, size of frets, neck shape/thickness/width, etc. Once you find a couple that you think you like, have an employee demo the basses for you to get an idea for what each bass sounds like.

 

[Rob22315]

You should be able to get an Ibanez GSR200 off craigslist for $100 to $200. You might need to do a little work on it - tweak the string height, replace the jack - to get it decent. Buying local means you can check it out before you put your money down. If you have a friend who plays bass, bring him/her along to try it out.

I bought my GSR200 off craigslist but didn't really know what I was doing. Fortunately, all it needed was a new jack ($10 and a littles soldering). I didn't really know what to check when I bought but it all worked out. Having someone with some bass playing experience would have helped.

 

[Jake Chess]

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have someone who is knowledgeable with you if you shop locally - and for a first bass you should if possible. They will be able to point out things about the instruments that you will not see. Also they can steer you away from used basses that have problems that are not obvious.

It is also really good to find someone local who can help you set the bass up and teach you how to make your own adjustments. The setup on most instruments in shops and ordered online is pretty sad. There may be some exceptions in high end basses but that is the rule with the more affordable instruments.

Good Luck,
S

Apparently there is a very good bass instructor near me (4 blocks down). I will probably be taking lessons from him. Should I ask him to accompany me for picking out a bass?

Hah, the never-ending question!

They look very similar and feel very similar but are different.

Essentially,
A P has a fatter neck and a fatter tone. It usually 'sits in the mix'.
A J has a thinner neck and a punchier tone. It often 'cuts through the mix'.

Both are great basses, that's why I own both.

Watched some comparisons online. I hear the difference. If I were to eventually by a Fender I'm not sure which one I would pick (I guess it would depend on what my style develops into and what music I would play). Though because I have somewhat small hands I think the thinner neck of the J-bass would be more fit.

Find a local store that has a good selection of basses. Figure out your price range and try out a few different brands. The point is to try and figure out a neck that you might like.

Flatness or roundness to the fretboard, size of frets, neck shape/thickness/width, etc. Once you find a couple that you think you like, have an employee demo the basses for you to get an idea for what each bass sounds like.

*Takes down notes and nods* Yup, having the person demo seems like a good idea that I probably wouldn't of thought of. 0.0 Thanks for the tip!

You should be able to get an Ibanez GSR200 off craigslist for $100 to $200. You might need to do a little work on it - tweak the string height, replace the jack - to get it decent. Buying local means you can check it out before you put your money down. If you have a friend who plays bass, bring him/her along to try it out.

I bought my GSR200 off craigslist but didn't really know what I was doing. Fortunately, all it needed was a new jack ($10 and a littles soldering). I didn't really know what to check when I bought but it all worked out. Having someone with some bass playing experience would have helped.

I will check the stores to see if I will like certain brands (and feels), and then if I can get a better prices on Crigslist I definitely check that out.

 

[kingbiscuitpant]

hit rondomusic.com I've bought starter packs for 2 of my kids and a 6 string bass for myself and couldn't be happier in fact I just bought 2 more sx basses from a fellow tb'r

 

[Jake Chess]

Does anyone know good places for lefty basses?

 

[darkstorm]

Best inexpensive basses ($300 range) imo are Ibanez and Esp Ltd. These can also be found in nice condition used for $200 or less. Main thing is get the best feeling, playing, sounding, & inspiring bass for you that you can afford and find. Try many, narrow your choices down to the faves out of those you try. Do not buy a brand you havent tried in person.

 

[Batmensch]

Apparently there is a very good bass instructor near me (4 blocks down). I will probably be taking lessons from him. Should I ask him to accompany me for picking out a bass?

Most definitely.
One thing I may suggest. Don't stress too much about getting your first bass. Go with your instructor to try out some basses, listen to his suggestions (unless he tries to steer you away from certain brands he may not like, even instructors can have a brand prejudice), see what basses feel and sound the best to you. Even at this early stage you should be able to tell somewhat waht will work for you. And keep inmmind, some stores don't take the time to properly setup their basses nf guitars, often what feels like crap in the store, may be the best playing bass you ever played after a proper setup. Remember, though, if after playing a while, you discover that first bass isn't quite what you thought it was, you can always sell it and get another. At one point, after you've been doing this for a good amount of time, you'll have a better hold on what you want in a bass.
Oh, and take everything a salesman tells you with a grain of salt. As often as not, they will steer you away from cheaper brands simply to get more money out of you, rather than wanting to sell you a good bass. Less expensive does not always equal less quality. Squiers and Ibanez's are just two good examples of this.
All of this is primarily to say, this is why it can be very helpful to have someone more knowledgable with you when you go shopping. They can help steer you thru all of this.

 

[fingerbun]

What sort of music do you want to play? I think that should influence your choice.

Also while everyone is right to say listen to the bass and play it, the way the instrument is set up and the condition of the strings will be a big factor in the sound you get.

 

[philtoler]

if you have small hands like me go for one of the Ibanez SR range. I have been playing for 30 years and my SR500 is one of the lightest and easiest to play basses I have ever owned.

 

[BullHorn]

Watched some comparisons online. I hear the difference. If I were to eventually by a Fender I'm not sure which one I would pick (I guess it would depend on what my style develops into and what music I would play). Though because I have somewhat small hands I think the thinner neck of the J-bass would be more fit.

My first Fender was a J but with time I grew to also love the tone of the P. There are Ps with a J neck as well.

Speaking of the Ibanez SR series, yeah, it has a great neck but eventually I found the tone lacking. Good medium-price basses.

 

[Jake Chess]

Most definitely.
One thing I may suggest. Don't stress too much about getting your first bass. Go with your instructor to try out some basses, listen to his suggestions (unless he tries to steer you away from certain brands he may not like, even instructors can have a brand prejudice), see what basses feel and sound the best to you. Even at this early stage you should be able to tell somewhat waht will work for you. And keep inmmind, some stores don't take the time to properly setup their basses nf guitars, often what feels like crap in the store, may be the best playing bass you ever played after a proper setup. Remember, though, if after playing a while, you discover that first bass isn't quite what you thought it was, you can always sell it and get another. At one point, after you've been doing this for a good amount of time, you'll have a better hold on what you want in a bass.
Oh, and take everything a salesman tells you with a grain of salt. As often as not, they will steer you away from cheaper brands simply to get more money out of you, rather than wanting to sell you a good bass. Less expensive does not always equal less quality. Squiers and Ibanez's are just two good examples of this.
All of this is primarily to say, this is why it can be very helpful to have someone more knowledgable with you when you go shopping. They can help steer you thru all of this.

Thanks for the advice!

What sort of music do you want to play? I think that should influence your choice.

Also while everyone is right to say listen to the bass and play it, the way the instrument is set up and the condition of the strings will be a big factor in the sound you get.

I'm not so sure, I enjoy a wide variety of music. I'm not so sure what I would want to emulate at this moment in time...

if you have small hands like me go for one of the Ibanez SR range. I have been playing for 30 years and my SR500 is one of the lightest and easiest to play basses I have ever owned.

I have been looking at the Ibanez. They do seem to be what I am looking for.

My first Fender was a J but with time I grew to also love the tone of the P. There are Ps with a J neck as well.

Speaking of the Ibanez SR series, yeah, it has a great neck but eventually I found the tone lacking. Good medium-price basses.

Yup, I'm just looking for something to start out with, of course I will probably expand my taste in basses later on if I continue to pursue the bass.

Best inexpensive basses ($300 range) imo are Ibanez and Esp Ltd. These can also be found in nice condition used for $200 or less. Main thing is get the best feeling, playing, sounding, & inspiring bass for you that you can afford and find. Try many, narrow your choices down to the faves out of those you try. Do not buy a brand you havent tried in person.

I notice that lefties are more expensive. >.<
Well, at least it will be comfortable for me to play on.

 

[DearPrudence]

Yes! I went into a music store not knowing anything, and bought an Ibanez GSR 200 it looks like it was a good choce, because I am a 5ft. 1in. 13 year old

 

[seidler]

Just remember, whatever you start with and how you feel about it your opinion will change every 6 months for a year or 2 and then every year for another year or 2 as you progress. Your ears and hands will tell you what is right for you. Go cheap early as if you buy a 200 bass and sell it for 150 you lose 50. If you buy a 500 bass and sell it for 300 let alone a 1500 bass and sell it for 800, well you get my point. There is a bigger differnence in basses than you may realize when you start. Definitely try a p and a j bass and come back to them every year as they are great reference points.

 

[wolfmancharlie]

there is some very good advise for you above.First , Welcome to the low end. At this point I believe you should find a bass that feels good in your hands. If it feels good you will be able to practice longer and will want to play more often. Get the bass set up by a tech or your teacher. As soon as you can I would recomend that you get a good amp.You can play a cheap bass thru a good amp and it will sound good but if you play a great bass thru a cheap amp it will still sound like the cheap amp.Good luck, have fun, and PLAY whatever bass you get. And by the way, this is your first bass, when you get another, don't sell this one . Put it in a case in your closet and keep it. There are a lot of bassists out there that wish they still had their first one.

 

[metlman72]

And by the way, this is your first bass, when you get another, don't sell this one . Put it in a case in your closet and keep it. There are a lot of bassists out there that wish they still had their first one.

True to that. Myself and many other people regret selling off the first bass. As stated before welcome to the low end and most of all enjoy yourself along the way. Also as far as finding the right bass for you, it took me 8 different basses and 23 years to find mine. It came yesterday, and I knew it 30 seconds into the first song I played on it.