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"Beginner" Bass Guitars - Under 550CND

S

SugarySnack

Feb 25, 2009
77
0
#1
Hey guys, I am new to the site so I guess this is my hello message! :hyper:

I have played 6 string electric guitar for 5 years, and I have now decided to try out bass. I have been practicing for the past little bit on my girlfriends crap-bass :p and I have decided it is time to buy a new one.

My main style will be metal (not death metal or down tuned at all), but this will not be the only thing I will do. I want to venture into other styles and techniques (slap bass for instance) a well. So here I am, with no knowledge of which brands make good bass guitars. I have been searching all over for reviews, but reviews arn't cutting it. Each guitar seems like it is "great". So now I need some opinions.

I'll get right to it. I have been looking at ESP/LTD basses mostly. I like the look, and the "reviews" say the sound is decent. I plan on getting a 4 string bass.

I have been looking at the following:

F-154DX [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

B-154DX [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Now both of those bass don't have active pickups, and I prefer an active sound so I am not too sure. I haven't had the chance to play these yet. A thin neck is also preferred.

I know there are ESP/LTD haters and lovers here (I did some searches), so if you like them, give me a reason why those would be good bass guitars for the price. If you hate it, give me another brand and link (please) to a guitar that would be better for the price. Please keep it under 550CND (around 450USD).

Thanks a lot guys!

*EDIT* And for an amp, I was looking at either the Fender Rumble 100 or 60. Those good? I played through one before just wondering if they are good for the money.
 
#2
Welcome to TB! You landed in a great place, so enjoy your stay and soak up the information here--there's tons of it.

I have no experience with ESP/LTD basses myself, so I can't help you there. My first recommendation is to scan the Talkbass classifieds--your money will go further in the used market, and that's especially true right now with a lot of folks thinning their herds to make ends meet. You can get some very solid basses for under $450USD!

I'm about to go, so I'll just throw out one suggestion for now: It's hard to go wrong with a jazz bass when you're looking for versatility and hope to try slap. Look for the used Fender MIM classic '60s Jazz as one possibility in that price range. A "regular" Fender MIM Jazz can be had for a good bit less ($250 or so). And if your heart's set on buying new, the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz is a fine bass for the price. There are many other worthy choices, which I'm sure others will throw your way. Good luck and enjoy the search!:)
 
#4
SugarySnack said:
Hey guys, I am new to the site so I guess this is my hello message! :hyper:

I have played 6 string electric guitar for 5 years, and I have now decided to try out bass. I have been practicing for the past little bit on my girlfriends crap-bass :p and I have decided it is time to buy a new one.

My main style will be metal (not death metal or down tuned at all), but this will not be the only thing I will do. I want to venture into other styles and techniques (slap bass for instance) a well. So here I am, with no knowledge of which brands make good bass guitars. I have been searching all over for reviews, but reviews arn't cutting it. Each guitar seems like it is "great". So now I need some opinions.

I'll get right to it. I have been looking at ESP/LTD basses mostly. I like the look, and the "reviews" say the sound is decent. I plan on getting a 4 string bass.

I have been looking at the following:

F-154DX [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

B-154DX [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Now both of those bass don't have active pickups, and I prefer an active sound so I am not too sure. I haven't had the chance to play these yet. A thin neck is also preferred.

I know there are ESP/LTD haters and lovers here (I did some searches), so if you like them, give me a reason why those would be good bass guitars for the price. If you hate it, give me another brand and link (please) to a guitar that would be better for the price. Please keep it under 550CND (around 450USD).

Thanks a lot guys!

*EDIT* And for an amp, I was looking at either the Fender Rumble 100 or 60. Those good? I played through one before just wondering if they are good for the money.
Click to expand...

"Beginner" Bass Guitars - Under 550CND: Link Removed

Amps: http://www.traynoramps.com/default.asp?p_id=2
 
#5
Unless you really want a rock looking bass I think these two would be excellent first basses:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

People here rave about the Vintage Modified Jazz and the Classic Vibe model that I've played at my local Guitar Center sounded just as good as almost any other Jazz I took off the wall.
 
#7
Hey guys, thanks for the replies so far.

Some of you mentioned Squire. From what I played in guitars, I was never happy with a squire. They always sounded bad and played horrible (for 6 string guitar). Are the Bass any better? I really should get out to a L&M sometime and try some out.

Oh, and would I be better off going for a Fender Standard P-Bass (not american :( too expensive), and a lower wattage amp? Or would a squire do and I could grab a Fender Rumble 100.

Oh, and another question. If I was to get that Fender Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass, would it be worth it to replace it with some active pickups? If so, can you recommend me some great "metal" pickups for that one. Thanks guys. (Oh, and just so you all know, Steve Harris is my bass idol. I love that guy, always have since I heard Maiden :) So, something that sounds "somewhat" (for the price) like him)

So I did some youtube video searches for those bass guitars, and I found a great one.
It compares it to the original Fender models they are based on. So far I am impressed. They sound a LOT like the original. I think you guys just may have helped me find my next guitar. Plus, this really fits in my budget well! Maybe Squire isn't as bad as I thought.
 
#8
SugarySnack said:
Hey guys, thanks for the replies so far.

Some of you mentioned Squire. From what I played in guitars, I was never happy with a squire. They always sounded bad and played horrible (for 6 string guitar). Are the Bass any better? I really should get out to a L&M sometime and try some out.

Oh, and would I be better off going for a Fender Standard P-Bass (not american :( too expensive), and a lower wattage amp? Or would a squire do and I could grab a Fender Rumble 100.
Click to expand...

Apparently, Squier has really stepped up the quality control in the past few years and the new basses are getting some pretty rave reviews here on TB.

If I were you I would go with one of these newer Squier basses and the best amp you can afford. The right amp can make a lesser quality bass sound great! I honestly think these new Squier vintage modified models rival Fender Standard series basses.

If you wanted a Precision bass, here's a link to a great Squier model available in Canada: Link Removed.
 
#9
SugarySnack said:
Hey guys, thanks for the replies so far.

Some of you mentioned Squire. From what I played in guitars, I was never happy with a squire. They always sounded bad and played horrible (for 6 string guitar). Are the Bass any better? I really should get out to a L&M sometime and try some out.

Oh, and would I be better off going for a Fender Standard P-Bass (not american :( too expensive), and a lower wattage amp? Or would a squire do and I could grab a Fender Rumble 100.

Oh, and another question. If I was to get that Fender Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass, would it be worth it to replace it with some active pickups? If so, can you recommend me some great "metal" pickups for that one. Thanks guys. (Oh, and just so you all know, Steve Harris is my bass idol. I love that guy, always have since I heard Maiden :) So, something that sounds "somewhat" (for the price) like him)

So I did some youtube video searches for those bass guitars, and I found a great one.
It compares it to the original Fender models they are based on. So far I am impressed. They sound a LOT like the original. I think you guys just may have helped me find my next guitar. Plus, this really fits in my budget well! Maybe Squire isn't as bad as I thought.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't be too eager to replace the pickups or slap a preamp into it. Steve Harris plays a passive Precision bass with a signature set of flatwound strings on it. His sound mainly comes from his technique and amp. Tons of folks have made rock records with passive Jazz and P basses.
 
#10
fourstringbliss said:
Apparently, Squier has really stepped up the quality control in the past few years and the new basses are getting some pretty rave reviews here on TB.

If I were you I would go with one of these newer Squier basses and the best amp you can afford. The right amp can make a lesser quality bass sound great! I honestly think these new Squier vintage modified models rival Fender Standard series basses.

If you wanted a Precision bass, here's a link to a great Squier model available in Canada: Link Removed.
Click to expand...

Do you have any brand preference for amps? I am not sure which brands are good either. Would the fender rumble 100 be a good choice? Or maybe the 100/210 fender bass amp. I need something that will cut through in a metal band (we are Iron Maidenesque lol) Maybe some hotter pickups (active?). Thanks a lot again.
 
#11
I've had two ESP LTD basses: a B155 & B155DX, and wasn't happy with either ... sold them both. The fretwork on both the LTD's was very sub-par quality, and needed leveling on several frets plus the DX had a electrical short. The neck on the DX had some bad plane work in one spot with raw wood showing. Now maybe it was just the two I got right in a row ... but ... they do look beautiful though, and sound good when working right. I'm not bad-mouthing all ESP LTD basses - just the two I got.

I went back to Ibanez - I shouldn't have strayed ... far better quality.

A note on ESP LTD & Ibanez SR necks: They are the same width as far as being narrow go, but the SR neck is considerably thinner from front to back than the LTD - much more comfortable IMO

EDIT: Seriously do like ^ said and try a bunch out - best way to know ;)
 
#12
From that video, I think I liek the sound of the Jazz more than the Percision. It seems "brighter" (more treble, which I like). As for strings, do you guys recommend changing them when if I was to get a squire? With Electric guitar, there is always distortion and so the strings don't make huge differences, but with bass it seems so much more out in the open. Any recommendations for string brands?
 
#13
SugarySnack said:
Do you have any brand preference for amps? I am not sure which brands are good either. Would the fender rumble 100 be a good choice? Or maybe the 100/210 fender bass amp. I need something that will cut through in a metal band (we are Iron Maidenesque lol) Maybe some hotter pickups (active?). Thanks a lot again.
Click to expand...
I think you need to start cruising Craigslist for amps. 100w is not going to be enough to cut through the drums in a metal band. 300w is a pretty good threshold for a gigging amp, unless you've got PA support. If you need to cut through a metal band right now I think you ought to make a loud amp your priority and then buy the best bass you can get with what you've got left.

Check these basses out: Link Removed, Link Removed, Link Removed. There are a lot of guys here who would say that these quality wise these are as good as a Squier and many are as good as a Fender standard. Get a loud amp and one of these and you're set!

SugarySnack said:
From that video, I think I liek the sound of the Jazz more than the Percision. It seems "brighter" (more treble, which I like). As for strings, do you guys recommend changing them when if I was to get a squire? With Electric guitar, there is always distortion and so the strings don't make huge differences, but with bass it seems so much more out in the open. Any recommendations for string brands?
Click to expand...
A jazz will be brighter than a precision, for sure. For strings I would go with [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Or... if you really like Steve Harris so much you might go with [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (since he's a flatwounds guy). They're very bright for a flatwound string.
 
#14
For amps, when I played through my friends 100w at a gig (fairly small) the amp seemed to be plenty loud. Didn't have to crank it to be heard. Maybe that is all the answer I needed :S. I was searching for new amps greater than 100w, and they get pretty expensive for my budget. Behringer was the only brand that I could afford (200w for less than the fender 100w), but I have read a lot of bad things about that brand.
 
#17
dvh said:
Sooner or later you'll find 100 w is not enough. Check the Traynor Dynabass series out. There is a 200 w 2x10 that will rock your socks off. Better than the Fender amps IMHO.
Click to expand...

That does look like a nice amp, but I simply don't have the funds for it. The amp will be around 600, and the guitar around 400 + taxes and I got myself 200 bucks short :(. I can't find anywhere else really to pull the funds from. Hmmmmmmmmm... I will check that amp out though. Being a student sucks :p
 
#20
There are a lot of Traynor/Yorkville amps around. Check for used. I just sold my XM200 T for $350 last fall. I see the same amp all the time on Craigslist. Even the old blue carpet ones are worth looking at and they are usually quite affordable (which, I can appreciate depends on the money you have, especially as a student!)
 

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