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Beginner with ???'s about buying my 1st bass

M

MetalRooster

Feb 14, 2012
1
0
#1
Ok guys I have done some research already, but what I can't get answered is would it be easier to learn on an electric bass or acoustic?

If it's electric i think i'm leaning towards either a Squire or a Dean..... if acoustic...... i dunno

Please guys help!
 
#2
Go with an electric and add an acoustic if/when you feel like experimenting with one. An electric is a mainstay for practice, great for getting into bands, and portable. Granted, an acoustic is portable, too. However, when playing with a guitarist (acoustic or low-volume electric) and/or drummer, you will be drowned out (most of the time). Best setup is a Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe, SX Ash Ursa, or Yamaha RBX, paired with a 100-watt amp (trust me, you'll want it loud/audible). From there, throw down the gauntlets and feel free to try anything and everything else. :smug:
 
#4
Why would you want an acoustic? Normally they need amplification even in just regular acoustic gig things. For acoustic Id say the one Jonas hellborg has been playing by Warwick is very nice.

Electric bass is going to be the more common, used, and sound preferred for bass for most music.

For nicest low cost basses I favor ones like Ibanez SR300 and Esp Ltd B154dx or F154dx. The Jackson JS3 is also getting real good reviews to. These are all soapbar pup basses with active eq onboard. For a little more ($399 street price), the BC Rich bolt on spalted maple paulo warlock is killer imo. Passive but sounds like an active for output plus bass and treble extension and low bass articulation. The more expensive Ibanez SR's and ESP ltd B & F series are also great choice.

But best is try several and decide what fits, feels, plays and sounds best for you. And decide which you want to mainly use. Acoustic or electric.
 
#6
Electric. What sort of music do you want to play? Without knowing that, I can't recommend a specific brand, but Squier, Yamaha, and Peavey are all great choices at a low budget.

I'd stay away from Dean. Also, most low-budget pointy basses tend to be garbage.
 
#7
Buy used, much more bass for the money. Peavey has some fantastic basses at incredible prices. You will get a better bass than the squier most will tell you to buy. I am not putting down a squier in any way. Just saying there are better options for the money.
 
#8
To be honest, go into a music store and talk to someone who has experience in selling beginner equipment and instruments. Ask them their own opinions and what has been one of the most popular beginners bass guitar. Once your done, tell them you will sleep on it, then go some where with the best price. I do it all the time. Once again it is always totally up to you, price and commitment. Your safe with getting the most popular, as they are usually the most reliable.
 
#9
Go to a music store ask a bunch of questions don't be swayed by anything new. Buy as nice of a bass as you can afford! Two avenues of thought are at play here, one buy cheap incase you aren't very good(news flash you won't be cause you are starting out!) or because you are too excited to save up and get what you will appreciate later, two, get as nice as you afford because (and these are MY reasons)

A. Nice stuff is nicer to play, stay in tune longer, wows the peeps, drives you to stay with the it when the goins gets tough, is easier to play, will probably have lower action(easier to play), and won't be something which will be replaced six months after you learn something.

Try to not buy from GC! They are DEVIL(ok my bias from much experience!)
anyway, find a local shop with an actual OWNER who will be very interested in helping you because most likely it's how he keeps his shop open.
 
#11
As was mentioned, buy what you envision yourself playing. If you're an acoustic guy and that's where your heart is, buy acoustic. If you like electric bass and the sounds, buy that. Buying what you're more attracted to will encourage you to practice more and you'll be happier when you do. And it's not like learning to play electric bass limits you to just that....

As far as what to buy, there's no "correct" answer. If you have no equipment at all, there are some decent starter packs offered by companies like Squier, Dean, Washburn, and Peavey. While I am not a new musician, I am a relatively new bass player (converted from guitar). The first bass I played/learned on was a Peavey Zodiac-4. Nice, for the price. Now I'm playing a Schecter Raiden and I really like it, but it certainly wouldn't be for everyone. It wasn't big money, but it was the one that fit like a glove when I tried everything I could and the sound was what I wanted at the time.

My best recommendation is to look for a bass with a P/J pickup configuration and passive electronics. The P/J will usually give you the widest variety of sounds and seems to reproduce what most people expect a bass to sound like. Fender-styled P basses are also very popular because they have the most familiar sound of all of them. Passive electronics are easy to live with and simple. Try a bunch out at a music store. Guitar Center is a great library, and even though you WILL get more attention at a smaller store, GC usually has more to try out. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the salespeople, most are pretty cool and if you tell them that you're just starting out, they'll be more than happy to play/demo a bass for you.

In this case, there's no "right" answer, it depends on what you like. But buying a "starter pack" isn't necessarily a bad option, they're mass-produced for a reason. Like most people, if you play and really like it, you'll be upgrading equipment soon enough anyway.
 
#13
Oh- another thing.....

Don't be surprised when you buy your first one, especially if it's an entry level model, and find it needs a complete set up from top to bottom. If you don't know how to do it, count on spending a few extra bucks to have a pro set it up. If they'll do it, flip them a few extra bucks to show you what to do.

A good setup can make all the difference in playability, especially with a beginner bass.
 
#15
Entry-level bass used to mean, circa 1985 when I started, affordable but poor quality.

I think since now there are so many computer rigs for cutting the blanks (as I understand it), entry-level means fewer features. I paid $160 for my Hondo bass back in 1985. I paid $300 for my Squier VMJ in 2008. I think that's pretty close adjusted for inflation, and the Squier VMJ is a beast. I'd recommend that route. So easy to get a good sound out of it, so nice to play, even looks good.
 
#16
As a beginner I would suggest something from the Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe line from Squier. Go to the the store and try a Jazz and a Precison. One of the two will just fit your hand better and feel more comfortable to play. The Fender Jazz and Precision basses are the standards by which all others are judged and is a good place to start your journey into the world of bass. Either one will work for a myriad of musical genres. The Squier versions of Fender's J and P basses are good quality instruments that don't break the bank. They will last and you shouldn't outgrow it too soon (if ever). I would veer away from the affinity line and go with the VM or CV series. Both series offer multiple P and J models, just find the one you think looks the best, that you'll want to play everyday.
 

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