Beginner needs help with picking a Bass

[Cycleops]

I'm s complete beginner at bass but I have some six string guitar experience quite a few years ago. I've always wanted to learn bass and now have the opportunity being retired with time on my hands.

What do I get? A cheap model like a Ibanez, Cort, Vintage or the like or a better more expensive one? I've been advised if buying a budget bass it won't be worth much when I come to sell. I'm not too worried about that, what I want is playability. I know some better models have better pick ups and hardware which gives a better sound but I'm not worried about that, just something I can get along with.
Any advice?

 

[Lil Mo]

Questions to consider:
What style of music do you primarily play? This will determine the pickups you may like as well as number of frets, look and feel of the bass etc.
Since you are a guitar player, I would guess a thinner neck would feel more at home to you? Ibanez for example have some premium and prestige models with thinner necks and flatter radius 12-14 etc.
Spend the money on a bass that is at least mid level if not pro. You will thank yourself in the end. You want a bass that the action and set up can be custom tailored. Can't do that with a lot of cheap basses. Action will be way high off the fretboard and the tuners will be horrible on a cheap bass.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

I'm also a former 6-string guitarist starting on bass now too.

The price isn't a good measure, for either playability or tone. Do you have a favorite bassist, or some favorite bass tones from songs you could name? That can help narrow your search.

 

[MynameisMe]

When picking up a bass my advice is to use both hands.

 

[JW56789]

I never recommend a 'beginner bass' (typically one of those horrible bass + amp setups sold in a box at Best Buy, etc.). There's nothing worse to inflict on a beginner than an axe you'll have to fight, sounds crummy and uninspiring, and is something you'll never continue to use as your skill set grows. No throwaways !

Most of us will have a sweet spot where budget and expectations meet, and depending on disposable $$, that can vary quite a bit. So I always recommend a serviceable instrument. Look for a bass that's solidly built, can get in tune and stay in tune, is quiet electronically, and will hold and maintain a setup for a reasonable period.

The good news is that there are a terrific number of gig-able instruments in the $300-$500 range new, and of course you can get an even better bass if you can carefully shop the used market. And get as much amp as the budget allows. And the better you can buy, the better your resale will be should you decide you'd really rather go fly-fishing instead !

You want a setup that inspires you to keep plugging away at it, not something you have to fight and sounds dull or crummy.

 

[Cycleops]

I'm also a former 6-string guitarist starting on bass now too.
Do you have a favorite bassist, or some favorite bass tones from songs you could name?
Do you have an amp yet?

I guess blues and some rock.
I was thinking of getting a Fly3 bass amp for starters.

@Lil Mo So you think a flatter radius neck is better? I've never been able to sus the advantages/disadvantages of flatter/rounder.

I'm having to have all this shipped from the UK so can't try. There are some shops here and most seem to have only 5 string, plus there could well be a lot of fake Chinese Fenders about too so would rather get better gear I'm sure about.

 

[MynameisMe]

I would suggest some form of a P Bass because it is the workhorse of basses and the simplicity is good for a beginner.
I see many on the local FB marketplace and Craigslist less than$ 200.00.
Move up to the $'400.00 range and there are many more options.
I would also buy used if you have any knowledge or a friend who will go with you to check the great out.
I see many good basses in that price range.
The simpler the better. I would choose a passive bass over an active one. The less could go wrong.

 

[groove pump]

I'm s complete beginner at bass but I have some six string guitar experience quite a few years ago. I've always wanted to learn bass and now have the opportunity being retired with time on my hands.

What do I get? A cheap model like a Ibanez, Cort, Vintage or the like or a better more expensive one? I've been advised if buying a budget bass it won't be worth much when I come to sell. I'm not too worried about that, what I want is playability. I know some better models have better pick ups and hardware which gives a better sound but I'm not worried about that, just something I can get along with.
Any advice?

You have some experience playing guitar, so you can probably relate to the idea of looking for something that gives you a decent fit. Some electric guitars have more modern "shredder" necks that are rather shallow and others have more depth under the fretboard - more chunkiness. Their widths and string spacing vary, too. Basses are the same and figuring out what fits you better can be a huge help.

The Fender Jazz and Precision basses are still crazy popular for very good reason. Leo pretty much nailed it with those early on. If you can sample one or two of each, you'll often find 4-string J-bass necks to be a little more narrow - typically 1 1/2" at the nut - while P-basses are usually wider - 1 5/8" at the nut. Even though you're just starting out, you'll probably be able to recognize a more comfortable layout for you. That can go a long way toward giving you easier "playability" and success with learning the instrument.

If you try different instruments, try to also check how they fit you on a strap - not just when resting on you knee when seated. Many basses with shorter upper horns that don't extend up to around the 12th fret can be susceptible to neck dive. That's usually no fun - your fretting hand should only need to play notes and not also support the neck when you're standing up. And the instrument doesn't have to be crazy heavy to be decent.

I agree with our pals in terms of the used market. If you're okay with spending the equivalent of $400-$500 on a bass, you'll be able to buy something that takes good care of you for a while.

 

[Cycleops]

Thanks for all the help, that's very useful. I would of course get a better deal by going used but where I am , Ghana West Africa, there is so much fake stuff around I don't want to take the chance. Here's an example of a "genuine" Fender bass for $170, yeah right on the local Craigslist.

 

[dmt]

Get a Squier Precision of some sort, or, if you don't like the Precision's wide neck, a Jazz.

However, Ibanez and Yamaha (among others) make some decent lower priced basses if you prefer their looks.

Really, anything you can afford that can be tuned (and hold tune) and take a decent setup (basically, straight neck and height of the strings above the neck), and which doesn't have electronics problems (sound cutting in and out, excessive crackling, etc.) will be fine. Main thing is to get one and get started

 

[nilorius]

There is a question - do you plan to have serious bass career, or not, If you are unsure, then take some cheap Ibanez.

 

[DAVEYC]

I also had been playing guitar for 30 years before trying out bass.
I went for short scale as I thought the transition from one to the other would make it easier for me.
I bought an Ibanez TMB30 ,was £155 to start off with.
But a used, as new Squier VM Jaguar short scale bass became available at a good price ,so I bought that also and I much prefer it, mainly because the neck is slimmer.
If I could pass on any advice as a beginner it would be try before you buy.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

A P Bass.

 

[Cycleops]

There is a question - do you plan to have serious bass career, or not, If you are unsure, then take some cheap Ibanez.

It's really just for fun. I love music and the challenge, I'm sure if enjoy playing the the bass but who knows?

As for brands I can get Ibanez, Sterling, Vintage, Cort, Wasburn, Warwick and a few others shipped here but Fender(Squier), Yamaha, Gibson, Danelectro aren't available to me due I'm guessing to licensing agreements which is a shame as I rather fancied a Yamaha.

So if I go for a p or j lookaike will it be faithful to specs, dimension and configuration wise?

 

[Bass V]

bass - Silvertone LB11
amp - Fender B-DEC 30

 

[AboutSweetSue]

There will likely be variations on the P and J design/specs/etc., but it will be in the ballpark if it's aiming to copy.

Out of those options, I'd go Ibanez. I've never owned one, but I've played quite a few. The Talman seemed pretty sweet for the price.

 

[Riff Ranger]

There's Ibanez, there's Ibanez, and then there's Ibanez:


These ATKs are neither "cheap" nor skinny of neck. I think of Ibanez basses like I think about Toyota automobiles: they make just about everything at all but the highest price points, but they never made the Mustang or the Camaro, and for some people, it's the classics or nothing—many, when it comes to basses and guitars (and I get it: I love my Fender Precision Bass).

I wish I had any idea of what to expect in Ghana, or what you would reasonably expect to pay for it. I guess I'm mostly chiming in to suggest not writing off a major manufacturer as "cheap."

Ordinarily I would suggest going used, but it sounds like you have limited selection there, and truly cheap copies are best avoided. Going with something new from an established manufacturer would be a safe bet. A Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe Jazz Bass or Jaguar Bass sounds about right for transitioning from guitar and playing bluesy stuff.

The Blackstar FLY3 Bass works great for playing along with recordings, good with headphones, and okay through the speaker. You would still have use for it after stepping up to a gig-able amplifier. Blackstar probably has you covered there, too, with their larger combos.

I own two Squier basses and a FLY3, so I'm not suggesting anything for you I don't use myself.

All the best, and have fun!

 

[groove pump]

Didn't mean to infer that you need to get a Fender.

Some of the best bang for our buck is coming from Korea and Indonesia these days and a lot of non-Fender gear will probably be less prone to crummy copies by the knock-off artists.

Also - even if a bass is of a P-bass or J-bass layout, it might have a wider or more narrow than typical neck. I actually really like 4-string necks that are right in between with 1 9/16" width at the nut.

As long as you don't make a super impulsive purchase, you'll probably be fine. And you'll learn as you go. After you play your first bass for a while, you'll probably build better instincts for what you like or don't like.

May the groove be with you!!

 

[Liam Wald]

Get the best bass that you can comfortably afford. A quality instrument will make the whole process more fun and enjoyable. It will probably also make you want to play it more often and longer. Buy used and you will always be able to get most of your money back if you decide bass isn't really your thing.
If you stick with bass you won't be looking to upgrade next year.

 

[nilorius]

It's really just for fun. I love music and the challenge, I'm sure if enjoy playing the the bass but who knows?

As for brands I can get Ibanez, Sterling, Vintage, Cort, Wasburn, Warwick and a few others shipped here but Fender(Squier), Yamaha, Gibson, Danelectro aren't available to me due I'm guessing to licensing agreements which is a shame as I rather fancied a Yamaha.

So if I go for a p or j lookaike will it be faithful to specs, dimension and configuration wise?

If it's kind of a fun, then check out Ibanez, it has the quality for the money.