I think that someone is still trying to sell their OEM or OLM Music man copy here on TB. Search for the thread called "Three basses for sale". I believe that it's being sold for $200 and that includes shipping. It has a humbucker pick up and should be easy to play. An BTW, the Squire salesmen are right. Squires are good, but you're still paying 30% more because of the name. Tanara doesn't do that.
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Best beginer bass under 200$
- Thread starter Will_White
- Start date
Dang. These Squire hounds are like world famous boxers. They bombard you until you're struck down for the count! Try and negotiate the price for the Squire if you go to buy one. Just tell them that you know that the price is marked up 30% because of the name and you want that 30% mark up removed. That can make a huge difference some times.
You really should learn to spell Squier by now, lucikly those dont raise the price based on the name like "Squire" would.
As a beginner bassist I'd add a mention for Yamaha. I'm not sure how much they are in the US but I picked up a used RBX360 for £50 (around $80) from eBay. Another £30 ($48) for a professional set-up and to fix a couple of cracks and I've got a great playing and sounding bass for not much money. I was planning on upgrading the electronics but the stock P-J pickups are sounding pretty good - I'm saving my money and will get something more high-end to supplement it (not replace it) in a couple of years.
I'll chime in with a recommendation for the Yamaha RBX170, which I own. $180 new, playable out of the box. Once you can afford it, I'd change out the stock strings for something better (Most new bass/guitar strings are bottom of the line to keep prices down.) I put LaBella deep talking flatwounds on mine after a couple of months and really love the improvement in tone. You'll probably need a professional setup done (approx. $30) so you and your bass will play at its best.
Like someone else pointed out, your bass amp will be half of your instrument. You can probably find a small used bass amp for around $100 if all you need is something to hear yourself practice. Another alternative is to get a headphone amp to plug your bass and headphones into and not disturb anyone in your dwelling.
Like someone else pointed out, your bass amp will be half of your instrument. You can probably find a small used bass amp for around $100 if all you need is something to hear yourself practice. Another alternative is to get a headphone amp to plug your bass and headphones into and not disturb anyone in your dwelling.
For the money ($169), I can't say enough about the Squier Jaguar VM Special (short scale). I bought one a few weeks ago, and it's now my gigging axe. For $199, you can get the 34" scale.
You can choose between a P/J pickup combination or a single, bridge mounted humbucker.
BTW, there's not much markup in those prices, so insisting a dealer knock off 30% is unrealistic. My local dealer gave me a fair discount and threw in a few accessories including a good cable and strap.
You can choose between a P/J pickup combination or a single, bridge mounted humbucker.
BTW, there's not much markup in those prices, so insisting a dealer knock off 30% is unrealistic. My local dealer gave me a fair discount and threw in a few accessories including a good cable and strap.
So I am 6' 4" and have huge hands and big fingers how are all of these on size and playabilty for big people because I know sone brands make the cheaper ones smaller to market more for kids.
Will - most cheaper basses will either have a 34" neck (which is standard long scale) or they'll be specifically marketed as short scale, like the Squier mentioned above. So no, in most cases the cheaper basses won't be downsized for kids - I know the Yamaha models mentioned above are full length, and the Squier Jaguar (as mentioned) comes in short scale and long scale.
The only other consideration is neck width and depth which varies from one bass to the next, and I wouldn't like to tell you to get a really wide neck just because you have big hands - this is where you'll need to try some for yourself. Have fun!
The only other consideration is neck width and depth which varies from one bass to the next, and I wouldn't like to tell you to get a really wide neck just because you have big hands - this is where you'll need to try some for yourself. Have fun!
It's a little more than your budget (look for used) but I gigged a Squier CV Precision last night. My custom Jazz sat idle the whole night. The Squiers are very well made instruments, and play wonderfully. The stock p'ups are just fine, and my bass sat really well in the mix. No need for mods here.
I'm not trying to beat your head in with Squier propoganda, I'm just saying that mine works great, sounds great, plays great. That's what you want for your money.
Look for used, and do your homework. There are some great, inexpensive basses out there. A new $180 bass might not be as playable as a used $250 bass.
I'm not trying to beat your head in with Squier propoganda, I'm just saying that mine works great, sounds great, plays great. That's what you want for your money.
Look for used, and do your homework. There are some great, inexpensive basses out there. A new $180 bass might not be as playable as a used $250 bass.
I think you'll get more bass for the buck if you buy used. That will give you spare change for any extra bits you might want to get later.
Peavey Millenium or other Peavey basses are good bargains for the money (I do have a Peavey DynaBass I'm about ready to part with for $200). Any of the low cost Ibanez are good... Also, if you find one, a Cord Action bass is a great sounding bass. I just found one for $125, and I love the tone of the thing! It's now my main ax for gigs. And just by coincidence, they actually manufacture many of the less expensive Ibanez basses. So if you end up with an Ibanez in your price range, you may very well be playing a Cort!
Peavey Millenium or other Peavey basses are good bargains for the money (I do have a Peavey DynaBass I'm about ready to part with for $200). Any of the low cost Ibanez are good... Also, if you find one, a Cord Action bass is a great sounding bass. I just found one for $125, and I love the tone of the thing! It's now my main ax for gigs. And just by coincidence, they actually manufacture many of the less expensive Ibanez basses. So if you end up with an Ibanez in your price range, you may very well be playing a Cort!
