Hey all. I'm brand new to the world of bass. Although I've been researching basses and equipment for what seems like a L O N G time, I have no bass or equipment yet. Like I said, I'm brand new. I'd like some advice on a good quality first bass and home amp that won't break the bank. I have no aspirations at this point other than to learn, learn, learn, and play along with the music I enjoy at home. Thanks to everyone in advance for the suggestions!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Brand new guy here. Looking for advice.
- Thread starter ajd31212
- Start date
Welcome to TB!
What's in the bank you don't want to break? For some people a $1500 bass is "affordable" and for others it's a dream for another lifetime. The best advice is to go to a music store with a budget in mind, try out whatever they have that you can afford, and buy the one that speaks to you. Bear in mind that your first bass probably won't be your last - you're just learning the fundamentals. Later on, as you learn more (and acquire GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome), you'll have more specific ideas what you want. For now, as long as it looks, feels, and sounds good to you, you're fine.
Yamaha basses are good at just about any price point. Their new TRBX series are pretty impressive. I think they have one model under $200 and the TRBX304 is around $350, the 504 around $500 or something. I love their BB series basses, though they're harder to find in stores to try out. Squier has done very well with their Vintage Modified line, which generally run around $300 also. Good copies of standard Fender designs. For amps, I'm hearing good things about the Fender Rumble series for home combo amps. Just a small one is fine for home practice. When you start to play with a band, though - especially a rock band - you need a lot more power. Drummers are loud and don't have a volume dial, so everyone else needs to set their levels to match. Bear in mind, you can usually find used gear for about 2/3 of what new gear would cost, on the classifieds here, or on craigslist, in pawn shops, etc. Just be careful you aren't buying someone else's headache.
What's in the bank you don't want to break? For some people a $1500 bass is "affordable" and for others it's a dream for another lifetime. The best advice is to go to a music store with a budget in mind, try out whatever they have that you can afford, and buy the one that speaks to you. Bear in mind that your first bass probably won't be your last - you're just learning the fundamentals. Later on, as you learn more (and acquire GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome), you'll have more specific ideas what you want. For now, as long as it looks, feels, and sounds good to you, you're fine.
Yamaha basses are good at just about any price point. Their new TRBX series are pretty impressive. I think they have one model under $200 and the TRBX304 is around $350, the 504 around $500 or something. I love their BB series basses, though they're harder to find in stores to try out. Squier has done very well with their Vintage Modified line, which generally run around $300 also. Good copies of standard Fender designs. For amps, I'm hearing good things about the Fender Rumble series for home combo amps. Just a small one is fine for home practice. When you start to play with a band, though - especially a rock band - you need a lot more power. Drummers are loud and don't have a volume dial, so everyone else needs to set their levels to match. Bear in mind, you can usually find used gear for about 2/3 of what new gear would cost, on the classifieds here, or on craigslist, in pawn shops, etc. Just be careful you aren't buying someone else's headache.
+1 ^..... Now days no one makes junk and stays in business so even the lower priced basses are going to play much better than you can and do that for several years. The started kits for $250 that include a 10 to 15 watt amp and a set of strings will be fine to get you going. The more you pay the better the bass. IMO one of the starter kits will be enough for a year or so. I see no point in spending more until you know if the bass thing is going to stick. A four string P bass will play everything you will be doing right at first. I also started on a Yamaha. Was not a starter kit, but, I'm sure I paid less than $350 for it. If you have a bassist as a buddy take him/her along to the music store so he can help with decisions. Yes your first instrument should come from a Mom and Pop music store, if there is one in your town. You need someone that will answer questions for you.
On top of the bass and amp you are going to need the following:
When you start gigging you will need:
On top of the bass and amp you are going to need the following:
- A music stand $35.
- A guitar stand $15.
- A electronic tuner $15 to $35,
- A guitar strap $15 to $50.
- Some how to play bass books $25.
- Lessons - somewhere around $25 to $35 per session. Figure on 10 to 12 lessons. Knee to knee is best, if no one is available there are some good DVD Internet lessons for about that same amount.
When you start gigging you will need:
- A guitar bag $65
- A gigging amp of 150 to 300 watts will cost somewhere in the $300 to $500 area. More than that and you probably will be plugging into the house PA system. The small amp is now your practice amp and you leave the big amp down stairs or in the garage. Lug it out for gigs, practice on the small amp.
- With the big amp you will need a two wheeler hand truck $65.
Last edited:
Thank you both for your replies and advice. I apologize for not being more specific on budget; I need to understand that there are tons of people on here who all have different ideas on things! I'm looking to spend somewhere around 300-500 on a bass, then maybe 200 on an amp. I appreciate the other "stuff" you listed, MalcolmAmos. Those are things I didn't think about to start with. I do intend on buying from one of our two local music stores here. Both of them service anything they sell, and they offer a free set-up with anything purchased from them. I prefer to buy local anyway. Again, thanks to you both. This is exactly what I was looking for.
IMO, when it comes to amps, just drop $100 on a bedroom amp, like a Fender Rumble 15 or 25 or an Ampeg BA108. Those are all you need to play at home. The manufacturers then have a pile of models in what I consider "no man's land," which are more than you need to practice at home but not enough to actually play with a band. Not a rock or heavy blues band, anyway, I guess they would work in a jazz or folk setting. The next step up would be to spend $400 or so on something with at least 200 watts and either a 15" speaker or two 10" ones. That's something you can play small gigs and jams with and not worry that the drummer will drown you out. You THINK you're loud and the neighbors complain, then the rest of the band starts playing and you find you're not that loud after all.
Which reminds me, to add to Malcom Amos' accessories list - if you start playing with people, $15-20 on a pair of musicians' earplugs. They're designed to cut volume across all frequencies so you can still hear clearly and enjoy the music, but save your ears from damage. Regular cheap foam plugs make everything muffled and you can't enjoy what you're doing.
$300-500 is a good price range for a first bass, more than I had. You can get a solid instrument for that which can serve you well in gigs and everything. If you can keep to the lower end of that, I would save $200 to set aside for a bigger amp in case you get bit by the band bug later. I only lasted three or four months before playing along to CDs got dull and I wanted to play with people. Just to elaborate on what I said earlier, when you try out basses in the shop, pay attention to -
1) looks. You should love your bass so you're motivated to keep practicing.
2) feel. Like I said, it will take time to figure out your real preferences. Some basses have thick necks, some are thinner - which feels better in your hand? Some are lighter and some are heavier, some balance better than others on a strap (ask the store to give you a strap to hang it on and see if the neck dives for the floor) or on your lap, strings can be spaced tighter or wider, etc.
3) sound. You can do a lot by knob-twiddling to adjust your tone, and again it will be a while before you have a specific "sound in your head" you're trying to create. But it should sound good to you. Some basses tend to have more "thump" and a warmer, darker tone, others have more "zing" and a brighter, "growling" tone.
I'm a few months ahead of you and in the UK at 53 picked up the Bass again after 35 years and loving it, still playing along with music which with smartphones and tablets is fantastic and sounds great.
I got the Squier VM Jazz and a Ashdown tour bus 15 combo.
I then looked for easy songs to play and the one thing that has made a big difference for me is tabs as I say I had dabbled all those years ago and this got me up to speed very quickly, there are lots of easy songs to learn and my first was With or Without you by U2 which is so easy I picked it up in minutes.
Really enjoying playing again have toyed with joining some freinds for a jam but haven't quite had the guts just yet.
Over Christmas I got a SS VM Squier Jag, and am switching between these alternatively, also was in a music store in London and bought a Jack and Danny SS for £69 which is an amazing price and with gig bag.
So good luck and let us know what songs you learn, enjoy.
If you are just planning on playing at home alone, a 15-20 watt practice amp is fine. Fender and Hartke make good quality, affordable ones.
For $300-500, you can get a very good quality bass. You'll stretch that budget even further if you buy something used. I would recommend keeping it simple. Look into a Squier or Fender Precision or Jazz bass. You really can't go wrong with one of those. Buy one you think looks cool and feels comfortable when you play.
Good luck and have fun.
For $300-500, you can get a very good quality bass. You'll stretch that budget even further if you buy something used. I would recommend keeping it simple. Look into a Squier or Fender Precision or Jazz bass. You really can't go wrong with one of those. Buy one you think looks cool and feels comfortable when you play.
Good luck and have fun.
Last edited:
