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Beginner Bass Recommendations?

#81
Gravedigger Dav said:
To start, I would recommend a pawn shop trip...
...Shop the classifieds here and any other bass sites you can find as well as Ebay and Craigslist. But, be careful with Craigslist. It can be a dangerous place.
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Augsp said:
I'm in South Korea, but my Korean isn't as good as my English (I attend an international school), so I just decided to ask here. :)
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Your bass suggestions are all fine. Not sure about the pawnshop scene in the ROK. Craigslist.org exists in Seoul, but is probably not dangerous and doesn't appear to have more the 3 or 4 basses on it.
 
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#85
Augsp said:
Wow, so many replies! Thank you so so much. (I actually want to sleep after my last post, then woke up right now)
I have to say, overall I'm quite suprised by the number of people recommending Squier jaguars. So far, that's the one I really have my eyes on,but I'm not completely sure since it's not quite the easiest to get short scales in my country, from what I've heard. But I'm quite sure that I'll be able to find a used one someplace!
Again, thank you for the extensive replies!
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I may have missed it, but.....where are you living?
 
#88
So um hi guys, update time!
I've been learning how to play he bass for a bit over a month now, and we're finally considering of buying one. Turns out that I didn't get much of a choice on choosing what bass in the end. I'll probably be getting the Swing G-1 Millenium Active. I can either buy an arctic white or a black, both with white pickguards and maple neck. Any recommendations on color?
(Sunburst was also an alternative option, but all of my friends/family shut me down on that one immediately.)
 
#89
Augsp said:
So um hi guys, update time!
I've been learning how to play he bass for a bit over a month now, and we're finally considering of buying one. Turns out that I didn't get much of a choice on choosing what bass in the end. I'll probably be getting the Swing G-1 Millenium Active. I can either buy an arctic white or a black, both with white pickguards and maple neck. Any recommendations on color?
(Sunburst was also an alternative option, but all of my friends/family shut me down on that one immediately.)
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How come you didn't get a choice?

I had never heard of Swing basses before, looks like a basic jazz bass copy, should be fine. EDIT: Huh. The one I'm seeing looks a LOT like a Sire Marcus Miller sig. Same 5-knob control panel with the active/passive switch and the 18v preamp, which is not the most common type, especially for less expensive basses. Is it connected?

Color is totally a matter of what you like. I usually say to pick a bass that you think looks cool because if you love it, you'll be more motivated to practice. If it were my bass, I would go for black and put a tort pickguard on it. One thing about white is that if you gig with it, it will really pop under lights. That may be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your point of view.
 
#90
hrodbert696 said:
How come you didn't get a choice?

I had never heard of Swing basses before, looks like a basic jazz bass copy, should be fine. EDIT: Huh. The one I'm seeing looks a LOT like a Sire Marcus Miller sig. Same 5-knob control panel with the active/passive switch and the 18v preamp, which is not the most common type, especially for less expensive basses. Is it connected?

Color is totally a matter of what you like. I usually say to pick a bass that you think looks cool because if you love it, you'll be more motivated to practice. If it were my bass, I would go for black and put a tort pickguard on it. One thing about white is that if you gig with it, it will really pop under lights. That may be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your point of view.
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I didn't get a choice because my parents literally just told my bass teacher to just "pick anything appropriate" They were very against me learning to play in the beginning, and basically they're desperately hoping that I'll give up soon. ( they want me to take up violin lessons again) so, I got landed with that one. I'm not sure if Swing is related to Sire, though. If anything, Swing's one of the most famous Korean guitar makers. I'm pretty familiar with the model in question though, since that's the one I usually borrow when I have bass lessons.
 
#91
Augsp said:
I didn't get a choice because my parents literally just told my bass teacher to just "pick anything appropriate" They were very against me learning to play in the beginning, and basically they're desperately hoping that I'll give up soon. ( they want me to take up violin lessons again) so, I got landed with that one. I'm not sure if Swing is related to Sire, though. If anything, Swing's one of the most famous Korean guitar makers. I'm pretty familiar with the model in question though, since that's the one I usually borrow when I have bass lessons.
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Well, sounds like you've got your work cut out for you dealing with your parents. Usually it takes time and dedication to win over reluctant parents. And there's nothing wrong with playing two instruments, by the way, if you have the time for them. The bass looks like a good choice - can't go wrong with a jazz. Post a pic when you actually get it!
 
#92
See profile pic - I love me them jazzes! Hey even if I haven't heard of Swing, don't worry too much about the name. If your teacher thinks it's alright and it is setup well, you should be fine. Just don't give up - the first few months are the hardest... it will get easier and more addictive quite quickly if you be sure to devote at least 15-30 minutes a day to practice. Hit up TalkBass for inspiration or practice ideas if you get bored!
 
#93
Augsp said:
So um hi guys, update time!
I've been learning how to play he bass for a bit over a month now, and we're finally considering of buying one. Turns out that I didn't get much of a choice on choosing what bass in the end. I'll probably be getting the Swing G-1 Millenium Active. I can either buy an arctic white or a black, both with white pickguards and maple neck. Any recommendations on color?
(Sunburst was also an alternative option, but all of my friends/family shut me down on that one immediately.)
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Color is not that important now.. That looks like a decent enough starter bass..
 
#95
This brings back memories. I took clarinet instruments at age 8 because my parents decided that I would and I stuck with it but never loved it. I desperately wanted to play guitar when I was 12 and 13 but my parents were adamantly against it. They thought it unseemly for a girl. But on my 14th birthday they bought me a brand new Zim-Gar guitar which was just terrible. I learned on it and saved my money and several months later bought myself a Gibson. That was 50 years ago and I still play.

Bass was something that always intrigued me, and about 15 years ago I bought a bass and took some lessons. The bass I bought was a Fernandes (great bass) and full scale. However, bass did not "stick". Two years ago I tried a U-Bass and I love it. I love the small body and 22 inch scale. Honestly I would not recommend this for a beginner if you really want to be a bass player. I do think that if you are like me in not wanting to hold something too huge, you'll be more comfortable with short scale. However, over the long run it's better to at least have the choice to play full size.
 
#96
I would advice you to try out an Ibanez Mikro, it's just 28,5" but you won't notice that except that it will be a lot easier for you to play.

It's hands down the bass I enjoyed playing the most, no bass fits my hands better.

Playability wise it is the best bass I ever tried.

Soundwise it leaves a little to wish for, but I am quite content with that aspect too, and you can always swap out the pickups for some quality ones.

You simply won't find a bass that gives you more for the money, and it is just under 200$ from new.

Edit: Oh, well saw that you already got one, so I hope it fits you. And wish you the best in your efforts of learning how to play bass.
 
#98
Augsp said:
So um hi guys, update time!
I've been learning how to play he bass for a bit over a month now, and we're finally considering of buying one. Turns out that I didn't get much of a choice on choosing what bass in the end. I'll probably be getting the Swing G-1 Millenium Active. I can either buy an arctic white or a black, both with white pickguards and maple neck. Any recommendations on color?
(Sunburst was also an alternative option, but all of my friends/family shut me down on that one immediately.)
Click to expand...

One great thing about black…it'll look just fine for any genre or band situation. :cool: :thumbsup:

Just out of curiosity, why an active bass? I have nothing against them, but I do remember being warned away from them by a couple of musicians. Not because actives aren't good, but they thought I'd be better served by a passive bass for my first-ever…probably because of the simpler tone/sound controls.

I took a long look at the Swing site. I rather like the specs I'm seeing. I also like the headstock design, especially the J-4 Jazz's matching headstock.

Is there an online retailer that sells them? I'm wondering how much they'd go for after currency conversion and overseas shipping, assuming they take international orders in the first place.
 
#99
Malak the Mad said:
One great thing about black…it'll look just fine for any genre or band situation. :cool: :thumbsup:

Just out of curiosity, why an active bass? I have nothing against them, but I do remember being warned away from them by a couple of musicians. Not because actives aren't good, but they thought I'd be better served by a passive bass for my first-ever…probably because of the simpler tone/sound controls.

I took a long look at the Swing site. I rather like the specs I'm seeing. I also like the headstock design, especially the J-4 Jazz's matching headstock.

Is there an online retailer that sells them? I'm wondering how much they'd go for after currency conversion and overseas shipping, assuming they take international orders in the first place.
Click to expand...
I'm actually not even sure if it is the active one. My teacher sent me several pictures for the color, and one of it was active, the other was 5 stringed...guess he thought I wouldn't notice the difference or something.
I'm not sure if there's an online retailer, but I'm pretty sure that it won't be unreasonably overpriced.
 
#100
NoiseNinja said:
I would advice you to try out an Ibanez Mikro, it's just 28,5" but you won't notice that except that it will be a lot easier for you to play.

It's hands down the bass I enjoyed playing the most, no bass fits my hands better.

Playability wise it is the best bass I ever tried.

Soundwise it leaves a little to wish for, but I am quite content with that aspect too, and you can always swap out the pickups for some quality ones.

You simply won't find a bass that gives you more for the money, and it is just under 200$ from new.

Edit: Oh, well saw that you already got one, so I hope it fits you. And wish you the best in your efforts of learning how to play bass.
Click to expand...
I really did want a short scale at the beginning, partly because the one I fell in love with was a short scale, and partly because I just thought it'd be better, being a teen and all. But it's hard to find short scales in Korea let alone an ibanez mikro. I will consider it later when I actually get a choice, though. :D
 

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