Beginner To Semi Decent Bass

[Dr. Cheese]

If possible, go shopping with an experienced player. Try to find a quality bass so you won’t need to replace it as soon as you develop skill as a player. This can be done without spending a ton of money. Especially if you go used, you can find incredible basses for very little money.

 

[Eminor3rd]

Thanks for the info. Ive found the above squire £150

A more modern squire PJ bass with small amp £239( seems abit pricy) Cherry Red

Ibanez Gio GSM200 (I think) £120 (Walnut)

With that info, what would you guys be drawn too. I’m going to go see them all in the next day or so.

thanks

The quality, overall, will be similar with both of those brands. They feel and sound radically different -- I would let your instincts make the decision for you once you get your hands on them.

The Ibanez, for example, will have a much thinner neck and less space between the strings. You'll either love or hate that. For a first bass, the correct answer is "get the bass that you'll play long enough to get good." If there are any obstacles to practice, including wrestling with a neck shape you don't like, chances are higher that you won't stick with it.

 

[arbiterusa]

Most people suggest buying a semi decent one rather than a beginner one.

Things have changed. I've gigged stock beginner basses (First Act, Squier Affinity) recently with nothing more than a string change and perfunctory setup. That was not possible when I was starting out, hell, back in 1979, even the "good" basses usually needed a lot of work and weren't nearly as well made as even the cheap stuff is now.

I gotta say, I think the best bang for the buck in entry-level basses (and mid-level, and pro, for that matter) these days is Ibanez. A GSR 200 will be a bass you can keep for the rest of your life. But then again, so was the Squier Classic fretless that I bought back in 2002 for $189.00. Which I still have, and still play out with.

 

[Beginner Craig]

Ok guys. Went for a red Ibanez GSR200. Mint condition. Planning on learning on this then see where things go

 

[Beginner Craig]

Ok guys. Went for a red Ibanez GSR200. Mint condition. Planning on learning on this then see where things go

I love the look of the Epiphone Thunderbird IV Gothic. Set myself a goal, If I’m still keen and progressing I’ll treat myself later on this year. Its a bad ass looking bass. Anyone rock one?

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I have a Gibson T-bird pretty much same design as an Epi. Was fun to play, gotta great thump, but I moved the strap button to clear up the neck dive issues that are common for most all T-Birds.

 

[Damorand]

If getting the epiphone one get the pro version, I've heard bad things about the non pro one.. I may be wrong but do some research mate..

Edit.. Not sure they do the pro in the gothic finish

 

[Beginner Craig]

Thanks man. What are the issues?

 

[Beginner Craig]

If getting the epiphone one get the pro version, I've heard bad things about the non pro one.. I may be wrong but do some research mate..

Edit.. Not sure they do the pro in the gothic finish

Good fix man. Does it hang easy now?

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Good fix man. Does it hang easy now?

With a good strap... perfect.

 

[Damorand]

Thanks man. What are the issues?

I've heard rumours the necks can be fragile on the bolt on neck ones, I think there are a few posts on this forum about them where they can break at the headstock.. The neck thru ones which are the epiphone pros or the real deal Gibsons don't have this issue so I hear.. I've never had one myself just what I read when I nearly acquired one myself.