Beginner Bass

[Z3phyr]

Yeah, so, I'm a guitar player that is interested in learning how to play a bass.

Lately I've been addicted to the heavier sound of the base, and really want to make the switch from guitar to bass.

I play rock/punk usually.

Anyway, on with the point. I am interested in purchasing a bass, but confess that I know NOTHING about which brands are good.

My budgest is pretty low, because this will be my first bass and have many other monetary obligations to worry about. I need some sort of a beginner bass, but one that won't fall apart soon and has a decent sound.

From experience, I know that Fender makes good guitars, so I am somewhat biased towards that brand, but I dont know anything about Fender basses.

Bascially, I just need a few examples of cheap basses, and what makes them decent. Oh, BTW the kind I want to play is the basic four string fretted bass.

Thanks to all that lend assistance to this guitarist turned bassist.

 

[Munjibunga]

You and Gard need to learn how to spell "bass."

 

[Z3phyr]

I misspelled it once, I apologize.

Thanks for the generous help.

 

[BurningSkies]

Hozabout a little more info on your budget...Fender makes some fine basses, but for real cheap intro level stuff I'd avoid their low end. Around here, people seem to like Essex (SX) for hardy, inexpensive basses. Check out their 'megathread' here. Their low end starts around 80 bucks...for something that's pretty decent.

 

[PilbaraBass]

If you want a decent bass that's built well and is inexpensive and sounds good to for a good price, I don't think you can go wrong with a Yamaha.

I've been playing bass for 15 years and just bought a cheapo used RBX170 at a great price, and LOVE IT!

 

[embellisher]

The SX basses are very good values for the price. I have a $99 P bass copy, and it kicks butt for the price. And this is coming from a guy that owns 13 basses, including a couple over $2500.

The MIM(made in Mexico) Fenders are good too, but they start out around $350.

What is your budget?

 

[embellisher]

Oh, and I fixed the thread title for you.

 

[kilgoja]

yeah ...mexican fenders don't sound good to me...the american ones are great but they cost around $1000

i don't really know of a cheap bass that sounds good...you could by a mexican fender and change the pickups in it to the american ones

 

[purfektstranger]

yeah ...mexican fenders don't sound good to me...the american ones are great but they cost around $1000

i don't really know of a cheap bass that sounds good...you could by a mexican fender and change the pickups in it to the american ones

Regarding the MIM Fenders: I own an 1990 MIM Fender Jazz. I spend 40 bucks on used Fender American pickups and the bass sounds real sweet now. If you want to spend even less, I have heard sound clips of an SX Precision and was amazed at what a hundred dollar bass could do.

 

[Atomic-Hedgehog]

you should go take a trip to your local pawn shops... that's where i got my first bass ( 1985 Ibanez Roadstar II ) for about $90... it still serves me well.

 

[purfektstranger]

you should go take a trip to your local pawn shops... that's where i got my first bass ( 1985 Ibanez Roadstar II ) for about $90... it still serves me well.

+1


Own one of them as well (RB630) and love it.

 

[Z3phyr]

Thanks for the help I'm getting.

To be a little bit more specific about my budget, I would like to spend under $150 US on the bass, but at the most wouldn't want to go above $199. Exactly how much I would spend would come down to which bass I think seems best for its low cost.

 

[BurningSkies]

You know, you're gonna need an amp too.

For that kind of money, I'm sticking with my suggestion of Essex.

I would stay away from the Squire line and anything else in the under 150 price range is garbage.

 

[Munjibunga]

I misspelled it once, I apologize.

Thanks for the generous help.

Hey, no charge, man!

I'd go with Fender. Not Squier, but play a bunch of Mexican P-basses and pick the one that feels/sounds best to you. I don't care for P-basses (I have 4 J-basses), but that probably will fit your style better. You might want to try an Active P-bass Special (Mexican) to get two pickups for more versatility. The American P Deluxe is the best sounding P I've ever played (and I've played a lot, and owned two). Here's a pic of the Active P-bass Special:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[embellisher]

You know, you're gonna need an amp too.

For that kind of money, I'm sticking with my suggestion of Essex.

I would stay away from the Squire line and anything else in the under 150 price range is garbage.

I agree 100%. Unless you find a killer used deal locally, get an SX. They are the only $150 bass that I would own. They are much better than a Squier.

 

[Z3phyr]

I already have a few amps, because as I said I used to play guitar, so that would eliminate some of what I would need to purchase.

The Essex sounds good as a lot of you seemed to agree that it is a good cheap bass.

I'll look into that and some of the other suggestions.

 

[embellisher]

Be careful playing bass through a guitar cabinet or combo. At anything other than bedroom practice volume, bass will destroy the drivers. They are not designed for the frequencies that the bass produces.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I agree 100%. Unless you find a killer used deal locally, get an SX. They are the only $150 bass that I would own. They are much better than a Squier.

A brand new Yamaha RBX170 will run you about $170 (I paid $AU 170 for a used one, which is a bargain here in Australia).
I tweaked the action and intonation last night and it plays very nicely, and the P-bass tone on it is fat and sweet, the jazz pup isn't the greatest, but is still quite usuable.

For the price, there is no way I can fault this bass.

 

[Daytona955i]

Look at the ESP B-50.