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Beginner Basses Under $200?

B

Bass Against

Jan 25, 2015
16
2
#1
I've been interested in playing bass as long as I can remember, and I'm finally deciding to start. So far, I have narrowed my choices of bass down to the SX Ursa 3 and the Peavey Milestone. If anyone has another instrument to suggest I would be glad to hear it. I was wondering if anyone has tried either of these basses, or just offer you opinion on which you prefer. Personally, I'm leaning towards the Milestone but I'm curious to see what you all think

SX Ursa 3: Link Removed

Peavey Milestone: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/peavey-milestone-4-string-electric-bass
 
#2
Bass Against said:
I've been interested in playing bass as long as I can remember, and I'm finally deciding to start. So far, I have narrowed my choices of bass down to the SX Ursa 3 and the Peavey Milestone. If anyone has another instrument to suggest I would be glad to hear it. I was wondering if anyone has tried either of these basses, or just offer you opinion on which you prefer. Personally, I'm leaning towards the Milestone but I'm curious to see what you all think

SX Ursa 3: Link Removed

Peavey Milestone: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/peavey-milestone-4-string-electric-bass
Click to expand...
 
#6
I'd get the SX if I wanted a bass to hot-rod and the Peavey if I wanted a bass to play.
I bought a Douglas from Rondo. Good wood body, good neck. I've reshaped the head stock, new pickups, rewired the control cavity, deglossed the body..... I actually even play it once in a while..............
Unless I rout out a spot for a Fender Telecaster bass pickup...
 
#7
If I worked at a music store I would seriously promote the hell out of Peaveys at the starter level, in my experience they are fantastic. I'd order the ivory/tort and call it a day, great first bass.
 
#8
I've been on a short scale kick for a while now and just bought a used Squier VM Mustang for $150, the pick guard still had the plastic on it. It plays great. Another short scale is the Squier VM Jaguar short scale for $179 or the long scale for $199. You may want to look at used to get a better selection.
 
#10
I picked up an older Milestone when I got back into playing about 8-10 years ago, was a great little bass, I ended up giving it to a youth at church when I started gathering a Fender fleet back ... I think the older ones were a bit better than a couple of the newer ones I tried, but in any case, under $200 tough to lose much on anything ... but I would get the Peavey or a used Squier ... JMHO
 
#11
Have you considered getting a used bass? I'm new to bass too and wanted to get a 'starter' bass for around $200 or so. I went to a few music stores and tried out basses at that price point and above just to see what I'd like and get a feel for different makes and models. When looking at the new basses, I was also leaning towards a Peavey. I also checked out some used ones at the stores and on Craig's List.

I ended up finding a very nice used bass that's a few notches in quality above the new basses I was looking at and I was able to do so for much less than my original price point; I paid $130 for an Ibanez SR 400 from 2002 and am very happy with my bass. It looks great, has nicer hardware than the new ones I saw for $2-400 and plays like a dream.
 
#12
I'd go with the Peavey as well but I'm biased having 21 Peavey basses. The older Milestones were very good,the Milestone III
was my first Peavey bass.

But there are lots of good things said about the SX basses, the most common complaint is the strings are lousy.To me if that's the only
problem then it's not a problem.You'll see loads of posts on here recommending the good service from Rondo too, an important thing to
consider when buying a new bass.

ReneB is correct buying used can bring better basses but it can limit choices and if problems develop you're stuck with it.

On the whole I'd say you've picked two sensible choices.

Welcome to the World of Bass
 
#14
➕ 1 on the Peavey.I like that body style and headstock.Peavey makes good stuff.I started on a Squier Affinity p bass starter pack.I still own it.It was good as is but I've modded mine.Now its great.That is one good thing about Squiers,there are endless mods available if you chose to do so.
 
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#16
Several of my students have had Affinity series basses, and they seem to do the job just fine. You might also look at Yamaha. The truth is that he quality of entry level basses has become suprisingly good over the last 15 years or so. Its hard to find one that ISN'T good.

Amps are another story though, IMHO. The combo amps in the same price range as the basses you mentioned are pretty wothless from a playing-with-other-people perspective. I'd spend a bit more get something a little nicer/more powerful-at least 200w and with a 12" speaker. Expect to spend almost 2x what you spend on the bass.
 
#17
I hear the Yamaha RBX-170s are pretty awesome PJs.

I got a S-101 P-bass (lefty, to boot) for like 80 USD, 158 CND taxes in and shipped up here. If you can find some S-101s, they're great beginner basses and good mod platforms.
 
#19
I started off with the Ibanez GSR200 combo pack...I would be keeping it (and modding it), but my instructors GF needs a bass for college and I'm going to sell it to her for cheap. Plus I also have a Yamaha BB1000MA and a Squier VM Mustang. I recently strung the GSR200 with Steve Harris Rotosounds...and it sounds an plays just fine. I, honestly, can't tell much of a difference between the three of them. I also agree that a good amp would be more important then a good bass, you can always grow into the amp.
 
#20
Bass Against said:
I've chosen the Peavey over the SX, but now theres another one that I'm looking at, oops. Anyone try the Squier Affinity series?
Click to expand...

I had a sunburst Squier Affinity Jazz a few years ago…a 2009 model, I think. It was my designated travel/beater bass…something to the tune of; "If it gets dinged…no problem. If it gets damaged or stolen…that'd suck, but it wouldn't be the End of the World."

It was surprisingly decent, and for it's "traveling" role, it was quite lightweight. My one and only gripe was the tuners. It sported the older, closed-box tuners like you still find on the back of Squier Broncos. They were squeaky, felt cheap and had to be re-tuned often. Nowadays, the Affinities have the same open-gear tuners the VM's and on carry. Problem solved!
 

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