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Best beginer bass under 200$

#42
Eric Albany said:
Have any of you even tried a Tanara?
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Given their lack of a well-advertised dealer network and their limited availability online...no. Haven't even seen one.

While I appreciate your enthusiam for the brand you play, I have to be honest with you - for the price, they don't seem to offer anything that you couldn't get somewhere else. One bass, a P style, in two colors. That's it. Their website says the MSRP is $199, and Grizzly has them online for $129.

IMO, an SX would be a much better purchase for the money, for a number of reasons. With Rondo, you're doing business with a relatively well-known dealer, who has an excellent return policy and a variety of instruments to choose from - regular scale, short scale, different body shapes (Ps, Js, Jags) as well as different nut widths, neck profiles and pickup arrangements...all for the same cost as the Tanara.

Not to bash it, but I don't see the advantage.
 
#43
Eric Albany said:
Have any of you even tried a Tanara?
Click to expand...

Do you work for Tanara or something? They have two basses - a red one and a black one. They look like a pretty average entry-level bass to me. I may be wrong, but I think pushing this particular brand of instrument is only working against the needs of the OP - why buy a Tanara for $200 (his entire budget), plus shipping, when you can get a bass from an established brand (Squier, Ibanez, Epiphone, even SX) for much less used.

I know this is shallow, but I just can't trust a website that leaves PHP tags hanging around every single web page.

To the OP -

If you can get a buddy who knows guitars to go check out used gear with you, keep a close eye on Craigslist and don't hesitate to fire off an email or go check something out. You'd be surprised at how many people pay hundreds for a bass, never learn it, and sell it for pennies on the dollar soon after.
 
#44
Here is a picture of the new $125 Cort and my out-door rig. I really do like playing this bass. The neck is very comfortable.

2011-06-24-18.50.28.jpg
 
#45
Get in your car and go hit pawn shops, etc. I found a fine MIM P Bass for $150, along with $10 for a gig bag. Never know what you'll find. Talk to them as they might have something in the back. I also picked up a 12 string Alvarez that someone tried to turn into a 6 string. Basically stole that one. Got some Ping tuners and new strings. Plays fine. You might even find a good amp. Don't be afraid to talk them down or walk out if they won't deal.
 
#46
Your profiles doesn't say where you're located, but if you're anywhere near one, check out a Music-Go-Round store.
Used Guitars, Used Drums, Used Amps, Used Cymbals | Music Go Round
The benefits of buying used without having to drive all over creation looking at 1 bass at a time from craiglist or buying without playing 1st like ebay.
No, I don't work for Music-Go-Round, but I've done a fair amount of business with them.
 
#47
No, I don't work for Tanara. If I did, I would have already been raving about Sadowskys and how I could get you a Tanara for $30 with free shipping. Now back off. I may only be 15, but I know the secrets of the web.
 
#48
So I went to my local music store (Weathers) and I found the peavey millinium bxp 5 string to be extremely comfortable for me and still in my price range i didn't get a chance to plug it in since i was in a hurry and only had time to look at basses, so I don't know how it sounds so how does it sound.
 
#50
Will_White said:
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.
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Everything that's been mentioned so far is a standard 34" scale. If it's less than that, it will say so. You should be able to handle any standard scale instrument with no problem, but if you really have thick fingers it may (MAY) be easier at the outset to get an instrument with a wider neck - a precision-style bass rather than a jazz (which does not refer to the kind of music, you can play anything on a jazz bass).

Best rule is to try it out before you buy. The only basses you can't do that with are the SXs because they're only available online, but Rondo is supposed to be very good about taking returns.
 
#51
I bought a GSR200EX from Ibanez. It cost about $260. The GSR200 or the 180 should cost less, as they don't have the active electronics. My Ibanez is just good, it's of fairly good quality and it's very reliable. Once set up well, it plays like a much more expensive bass. As always: Go to a well sorted shop, ask for advice and play as many basses as possible to find out what you really want.

Keep on playing subsonically!
 
#53
Eric Albany said:
It's the attack of the Squires! Run!!!!
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Perhaps it's Squires with Squiers?

Auto-correct can be set to recognize unusual spellings.

My vote - if you are willing to go short scale - is the Gretsch Electromatic Jr Jet 2202. Easily available used for under $200, the fit and finish are excellent, and the pickup is thunderous. There will never be a need to change the electronics, because they're high-quality from the factory. I have a number of short scale basses, and this one came out of the box as the star performer of the lot.

PB070023.jpg
 
#56
Look through the TB classified forum or GC classified, and get a good used bass. Maybe before you buy you should go to as many music stores as you can, and try stuff out. See what sound you like, fat necks or skinny necks, passive or active, weight, ect.

Make sure you try out Ibanez SR; new SR300's are $300, but a used SR500 (and up) has the barts/3 band EQ.
 
#57
"How does the peavey millennium bxp 5 string sound plugged in and how does the four string of the same sound."

I have a quilt top bxp 5'r. It sounds good...very typical 5 sting jazz sound. Of the basses that I own, it's actually my least favorite. There's nothing wrong with it, I just find 5 strings less comfortable to play than 4 strings. I use it whenever I have a song that needs the low B string.
 

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