Hello all! I am new to the world of bass guitar. My brother played bass and when he passed away I said I would learn to play in his honor. Im not new to music, but I am new to stringed instraments. My wife has encouraged me to find a new hobby. So now seem like an appropiate time to lean the bass. What bass do you recomend for a beginner? I wouldn't be playing gigs for a while but might possibly join my churches worship team once I become comfortable.
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Best Bass for beginers
- Thread starter DHarmon71
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- bass beginer hobby worship bass
Sorry for your loss.
I don’t think there is a best bass to learn on but in my mind the most important factor is the shape of the neck. Everyone has different shaped hands and therefore, preference. Maybe go to a music store and just ask to hold a few and you’ll instantly find which ones feel better in your fretting hand. To me the other specs are negotiable.
If it’s comfortable to play you’re going to play it more. Good luck. You’ll get lots of suggestions.
I don’t think there is a best bass to learn on but in my mind the most important factor is the shape of the neck. Everyone has different shaped hands and therefore, preference. Maybe go to a music store and just ask to hold a few and you’ll instantly find which ones feel better in your fretting hand. To me the other specs are negotiable.
If it’s comfortable to play you’re going to play it more. Good luck. You’ll get lots of suggestions.
My advice is to go to guitar center and figure out what bass has the best ergonomics for you
Now is a great time to be in the "first bass" market. There is more "bang for the buck" than ever before in new low end instruments, and used are of course even better values. If there are any retail music stores nearby, your best bet is to try some basses and find out what you like. We can't really fo that for you, it's purely subjective.
Sorry for the loss of your brother.
As has been said, what is "the best" bass for you is completely subjective. You might want 4 strings, 5 strings, short scale, long scale, different neck radius, etc. Lots of options out there and one bass isn't like another in every way.
My advice is to go to places you can try some out, find what works and what you don't like. If you find something you're comfortable with you'll have great success learning. Good luck!
As has been said, what is "the best" bass for you is completely subjective. You might want 4 strings, 5 strings, short scale, long scale, different neck radius, etc. Lots of options out there and one bass isn't like another in every way.
My advice is to go to places you can try some out, find what works and what you don't like. If you find something you're comfortable with you'll have great success learning. Good luck!
What Bass(es) did your Brother play?
I'm not really sure. His favorite one was one he built with our uncle. The body of a squire and the neck of a Jackson
Welcome to TB!
All the above is good advice. Very short list of brands you can trust that sell inexpensive basses that could be great starters:
Sire
Ibanez
Squier
All the above is good advice. Very short list of brands you can trust that sell inexpensive basses that could be great starters:
Sire
Ibanez
Squier
Very sorry for your loss...
I would opt for something that is solid. Used is always a great bang for your buck. Go to local music shops and take a few basses out for a spin and see how the different basses feel to you.
Two common pitfalls that I have personally learned from the hard way:
BEGINNER INSTRUMENT - Don't buy an inexpensive "beginner grade" instrument. It's a flawed notion. Bargain basses that are hard to play are one of the chief reasons for beginners to quit. A well setup instrument that plays nicely will make you want to practice, not dread having to practice...
THE "COOL LOOKING" INSTRUMENT - Try not to shop entirely with your eyes - A bass should look cool, but don't think you can put up with a less than great feeling (and/or sounding) bass because it looks cool.
Once you find something you like and buy it, get a new set of strings for it and have a competent local guitar tech put them on for you and do a setup. A setup includes having all the things checked and adjusted that need to be checked and adjusted. A setup won't need to happen every time, but it's not usually too expensive and is a great way to make sure your bass plays as good as it can and is in good repair. Welcome to BASS and again,sorry for your loss.
I would opt for something that is solid. Used is always a great bang for your buck. Go to local music shops and take a few basses out for a spin and see how the different basses feel to you.
Two common pitfalls that I have personally learned from the hard way:
BEGINNER INSTRUMENT - Don't buy an inexpensive "beginner grade" instrument. It's a flawed notion. Bargain basses that are hard to play are one of the chief reasons for beginners to quit. A well setup instrument that plays nicely will make you want to practice, not dread having to practice...
THE "COOL LOOKING" INSTRUMENT - Try not to shop entirely with your eyes - A bass should look cool, but don't think you can put up with a less than great feeling (and/or sounding) bass because it looks cool.
Once you find something you like and buy it, get a new set of strings for it and have a competent local guitar tech put them on for you and do a setup. A setup includes having all the things checked and adjusted that need to be checked and adjusted. A setup won't need to happen every time, but it's not usually too expensive and is a great way to make sure your bass plays as good as it can and is in good repair. Welcome to BASS and again,sorry for your loss.
Having read the replies here, I think you are in a good place. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Just lost my Brother a few years back (retired Marine) and it was hard on me.
As to the bass......I would suggest starting off slow. Find a reasonably priced model (if there is such a thing these days) like perhaps an Aria Pro (excellent bass) or maybe a Marcus Miller (again, nice bass) and once you become more proficient on the instrument, and you like playing, perhaps you could move on to a "better" version like "Fender" or another builder...
And the important thing - HAVE FUN!! Your Brother would want that!! Cheers!!!
As to the bass......I would suggest starting off slow. Find a reasonably priced model (if there is such a thing these days) like perhaps an Aria Pro (excellent bass) or maybe a Marcus Miller (again, nice bass) and once you become more proficient on the instrument, and you like playing, perhaps you could move on to a "better" version like "Fender" or another builder...
And the important thing - HAVE FUN!! Your Brother would want that!! Cheers!!!
My first bass was a cheap acoustic bass guitar that a friend gave me 'out of the blue..I didn't even play an instrument.' This cheap old beat-up BG still is my favorite and most frequently used instrument. Because it's cheap & beat-up, I take it everywhere; even airplane carry-on.
FWIW, I play alone and by myself; almost no gigging. If you want to gig before you buy another bass, you'd probably want to go electric.
FWIW, I play alone and by myself; almost no gigging. If you want to gig before you buy another bass, you'd probably want to go electric.
Set your budget and look among whatever you find near enough to get to. Even the lower-cost models are good nowadays. To name a few, there's Harley Benton, Yamaha, Squier and Ibanez.
This is correct. You'll want to try any and all basses you can. However, nothing competes with neck feel. You'll find many go the "Fender style" route vs. a more C-shaped neck, a la Ibanez, Spector, others. I have a huge preference for the latter, even when talking about my Lull M5. So, once you get that sorted, the rest is really just preferences on active/passive, what tone and style you like and want from pickups and preamp (which are easily changeable), etc. Aesthetics usually are pretty low on my list, if the instrument is right.
Good luck, enjoy!
I'd add Sire to the list. A few more $s. but lotsa bang for the buck. YMMV.
Sorry for your loss. I'm so happy you're doing something creative to honour his memory.
Suggestions above are all good. I'd maybe suggest following the advice to see which neck profile suits your hands, but when you buy take a good look at the classifieds here on TB. The reason is that you're more likely to find something in very playable condition here than you would in a Guitar Center. People here usually have a good idea about set up, and you'll get so much more enjoyment, and make faster progress on a well set up instrument.
Suggestions above are all good. I'd maybe suggest following the advice to see which neck profile suits your hands, but when you buy take a good look at the classifieds here on TB. The reason is that you're more likely to find something in very playable condition here than you would in a Guitar Center. People here usually have a good idea about set up, and you'll get so much more enjoyment, and make faster progress on a well set up instrument.
Sorry for your loss.
Any interest in Stingrays? If so a Sterling by MusicMan Ray 4 would be my pick.
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Maple Fingerboard Electric Bass Black Black Pickguard | Musician's Friend (musiciansfriend.com)
Any interest in Stingrays? If so a Sterling by MusicMan Ray 4 would be my pick.
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Maple Fingerboard Electric Bass Black Black Pickguard | Musician's Friend (musiciansfriend.com)
Welcome to Talk Bass My only suggestion would be any bass you try, try it on a strap. I learned after buying a bass without doing that,a $900.00 plus error.
The curse of knowledge rears its head in these threads
Beginners can't "find what's right for you" because beginners have no idea what "right" feels like.
so I'll just drop a practical suggestion:
Get a Fender Squire Classic Vibe (CV) or Squire Vintage Modified (VM) model of a Fender Precision or Jazz.
These are inexpensive and well regarded, and represent the standard in terms of sound a features.
Get one in your hands and start learning.
The bewildering array of options and concerns about what makes a bass "good" can be dealt with over time as you learn.
Beginners can't "find what's right for you" because beginners have no idea what "right" feels like.
so I'll just drop a practical suggestion:
Get a Fender Squire Classic Vibe (CV) or Squire Vintage Modified (VM) model of a Fender Precision or Jazz.
These are inexpensive and well regarded, and represent the standard in terms of sound a features.
Get one in your hands and start learning.
The bewildering array of options and concerns about what makes a bass "good" can be dealt with over time as you learn.
