Hello everyone. I'm new here. I'm interested did you know what is the best bass guitar for beginners? How about Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar?
Thanks
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Buying bass
- Thread starter basketballleia
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Hi and welcome to Talkbass.
The question will be, what is the best bass for you. Ibanez makes some fine instruments. Still, there are many options to choose from for a beginner, and happily these days many of the beginner options are actually quite good.
Your best approach would be to set a budget and play as many basses in your price range that you can get your hands on and see what you like. Have fun and good luck.
Cheers,
Geert
The question will be, what is the best bass for you. Ibanez makes some fine instruments. Still, there are many options to choose from for a beginner, and happily these days many of the beginner options are actually quite good.
Your best approach would be to set a budget and play as many basses in your price range that you can get your hands on and see what you like. Have fun and good luck.
Cheers,
Geert
Ibanez has been pumping out multiple models 4 string bass guitars for decades, from cheap instruments to super high class ones. You would need to narrow it down a bit. . .
Ibanez, Squier, Spector, among others, all offer good beginner’s bass guitars under $500. A few at half that. Both passive and active examples abound. Personally I would choose a passive bass for a first instrument.
If you have a teacher, they will suggest one.
If you have a teacher, they will suggest one.
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I was a beginner last year. When I started out, I had no idea how to tell a good bass from a bad one. People told me to go try a few, but I didn't even know how to hold one at that point.
I started with an Ibanez SR300e. That bass is good and very versatile. It is better suited for a person with small to medium hands, because its neck is thin. I have since switched to a Fender Player Precision. It suits my large hands better. A Squier Precision also worked for me, but I liked the Player better.
If you have short arms or are still growing, you might want a short scale bass such as an Ibanez SR Mezzo or Squier Mustang. 34 inches nut to saddle is long scale, anything less is short (or medium) scale.
There's no point in spending a lot of money on your first bass, as you'll understand what you want better after you've played for a while. The basses I mentioned are $300-500 in the US, ($900 for the Player). If you want to spend less, you can get a decent bass from SX or Glarry or Harley Benton (in Europe) for less.
And by all means get a teacher right away. A teacher will keep you from learning bad habits. A good teacher will tailor your lessons to what you need and want to learn. They will also show you how to set up your bass so it works for you.
Good luck!
I started with an Ibanez SR300e. That bass is good and very versatile. It is better suited for a person with small to medium hands, because its neck is thin. I have since switched to a Fender Player Precision. It suits my large hands better. A Squier Precision also worked for me, but I liked the Player better.
If you have short arms or are still growing, you might want a short scale bass such as an Ibanez SR Mezzo or Squier Mustang. 34 inches nut to saddle is long scale, anything less is short (or medium) scale.
There's no point in spending a lot of money on your first bass, as you'll understand what you want better after you've played for a while. The basses I mentioned are $300-500 in the US, ($900 for the Player). If you want to spend less, you can get a decent bass from SX or Glarry or Harley Benton (in Europe) for less.
And by all means get a teacher right away. A teacher will keep you from learning bad habits. A good teacher will tailor your lessons to what you need and want to learn. They will also show you how to set up your bass so it works for you.
Good luck!
I wouldn't worry too much about your very first bass guitar. The big problem with buying an instrument as a noob is that you don't have the technique to judge wether the instrument is good or bad for you. No matter if you buy a $50 bass or a $5000 boutique instrument, you will sound bad anyway. And that's fine because you won't even notice that you sound bad.
Buy whatever looks nice to you from brands that people mention here. Yamaha for example is also a great brand for beginners. Save some of your budget to get a decent set-up (much more important than the bass itself imho). You will learn the technique and one day you will know for yourself that the time has come to get a new instrument. Then you can go to an instrument shop and test every single bass they have. You will notice that you will like some basses much more than others. You will notice that the price tag and the brand have little influence on the playability or even sound. You will stop caring about colors and looks and you will eventually grab a bass and be like "Holy **** this is the one! ".
Buy whatever looks nice to you from brands that people mention here. Yamaha for example is also a great brand for beginners. Save some of your budget to get a decent set-up (much more important than the bass itself imho). You will learn the technique and one day you will know for yourself that the time has come to get a new instrument. Then you can go to an instrument shop and test every single bass they have. You will notice that you will like some basses much more than others. You will notice that the price tag and the brand have little influence on the playability or even sound. You will stop caring about colors and looks and you will eventually grab a bass and be like "Holy **** this is the one! ".
Sure. Ibanez is fine.
Choose a bass that, when you look at it, it makes you want to pick it up and play. And one that, once you pick it up, you don’t want to put it down.
Choose a bass that, when you look at it, it makes you want to pick it up and play. And one that, once you pick it up, you don’t want to put it down.
An Ibanez SR300E in whatever color you like is an excellent bass for a beginner. It has a rather slim neck which is typically easier for beginners, fairly lightweight, and offers easy to operate tone controls so you can experiment with different sounds. At $350 it offers great playability and construction which is what in my experience is most important for anyone’s first instrument.
Much good advice already, but whichever bass you purchase, get it set up correctly. I can't emphasise enough how important this is.
The Ibanezes are great, and I'm a huge fan of the brand - I think I have 8 at the moment.
The Ibanezes are great, and I'm a huge fan of the brand - I think I have 8 at the moment.
Great advice from our pals above.
I think a 4-string is a solid starting point. Even if someday you sample some other layouts - 5-strings, etc. - the 4-string is as relevant as ever and I think it's a straightforward option for getting going with bass.
Since you don't have much of an idea of your preferences yet, I agree with the recommendation to try a couple different instruments if you can and pay attention to what seems to fit your hands best. A lot of bells & whistles won't do much good if a bass has a neck that's either too wide or too narrow for you to comfortably navigate.
Ibanez builds good gear and many of their 4-string models (but not all) have rather slim necks. That just means that they offer a particular fit that's better for some than others. Like a new pair of shoes, it's okay for you to prefer the feel of one over another.
There are decent options from Yamaha that can be perfect for starting out. Their RBX-170 offers very good bang for our buck and I once saw one of these in a shop that had been hot-rodded with new pickups and a heavier bridge. It was a truly great sounding and playing instrument that got snatched up before I could get back to that shop and buy it for myself.
Aside from any particular brand, the world of used gear may be your easiest route in terms of getting a half-decent player for not a lot of money. If you guess right with your first bass, you'll be able to play it for a while
Get the one that looks the coolest which you can afford, everything else will fall into place once you start practicing.
Welcome to the site. I can’t really answer your question directly , but suggest that you spend time trying out as many different basses as possible, and be patient before pulling the trigger.
Alway when possible, be prepared to pay a little more for a better instrument. Keep in mind, if you are like a lot of us, you’re likely going to be buying more basses, and you might want to get as much of your initial investment back to help pay for the new bass. Getting much of your money back out of a cheap entry level instrument is usually difficult.
Finally, consider buying a used instrument. Sometimes you can get really good instruments for 50-60% off the retail price of a new one. Best wishes.
First you should stop listening to all the "simplify" trolls around here. You'll burn way too many hours that could be spent buying that first perfect bass.
Next, go to your nearest big box music store and find the youngest Shredder guitarist sales person there. Tell them you brought your life's savings and a credit card to find the best custom bass for Metal. This is scientifically proven method to find most knowledgeable musician in your area. This might seem counterintuitive, but really metal guitarists, epically the lead shredder, really understands the way to bring out the foundational tones in the boutique custom basses he will be showing you. And oh yeah, the more strings the better! Get that myth out of the way right up front.
Also be sure to remind them you'll need the shop luthiers best fret job ASAP. This will accelerate your initial learning with minimal fret buzz and more sustain which accelerates your ear training. While you're there see if they have that new CBD oil fretboard treatment, it virtually eliminates any blisters or calluses you would normally build up during the first few weeks. There's a guy at my bowling league that uses this all the time. Keeping your buckeye bubbinga fretboard heavily oiled is important at the start. He did find you a flame burl top with organic tort pick guard, right?
This highly undervalued bass specialist is also likely able to spec out the highest wattage vintage replica tube amp and paired 20" PA cabinets available for next day delivery, so you can cut thru the mix on your first gig or open mic session. You should maximize his knowledge while you can get his attention. This is also super important (much more than silly instrument setups, meh) to start playing on your first day like you will play at stadiums.
You'll also need the biggest pedal board they have and this is really where you can take advantage of all those extra watts from that big tube amp. That strong power curve will bring out the clarity in your signal chain and balance your critical stacked effects. Damn, you are going to sound AWESOME!
... wait I almost forgot...
The really, really most important thing is to have a sense of humor and a strong filter for sarcasm and opinions. Like all that nonsense I just shared above!! Its going to be a journey, no one but you knows YOUR answers (which are really the important ones), so enjoy the learnings!!
This is a great place to find good help (like the posts other than mine) and really do start simple with a well tuned instrument. Consider a comfortable strap, maybe not just the cheapest one. Learn to use the adjustments other than the volume/gain knob, etc...
You'll be enjoying your improvement in no time!
I financed an $800 bass as a first instrument with a big amp and two pedals, and possess none of it today. But the payments were so affordable!! I was a doofus. Element Zero, Goatrope, kbob and the other have all given great advice I wish I had started with!! Like Avalant says, I have a lower end Yamaha I still enjoy!
Welcome to Talkbass! Don't forget to share what you decide to go with!
Next, go to your nearest big box music store and find the youngest Shredder guitarist sales person there. Tell them you brought your life's savings and a credit card to find the best custom bass for Metal. This is scientifically proven method to find most knowledgeable musician in your area. This might seem counterintuitive, but really metal guitarists, epically the lead shredder, really understands the way to bring out the foundational tones in the boutique custom basses he will be showing you. And oh yeah, the more strings the better! Get that myth out of the way right up front.
Also be sure to remind them you'll need the shop luthiers best fret job ASAP. This will accelerate your initial learning with minimal fret buzz and more sustain which accelerates your ear training. While you're there see if they have that new CBD oil fretboard treatment, it virtually eliminates any blisters or calluses you would normally build up during the first few weeks. There's a guy at my bowling league that uses this all the time. Keeping your buckeye bubbinga fretboard heavily oiled is important at the start. He did find you a flame burl top with organic tort pick guard, right?
This highly undervalued bass specialist is also likely able to spec out the highest wattage vintage replica tube amp and paired 20" PA cabinets available for next day delivery, so you can cut thru the mix on your first gig or open mic session. You should maximize his knowledge while you can get his attention. This is also super important (much more than silly instrument setups, meh) to start playing on your first day like you will play at stadiums.
You'll also need the biggest pedal board they have and this is really where you can take advantage of all those extra watts from that big tube amp. That strong power curve will bring out the clarity in your signal chain and balance your critical stacked effects. Damn, you are going to sound AWESOME!
... wait I almost forgot...
The really, really most important thing is to have a sense of humor and a strong filter for sarcasm and opinions. Like all that nonsense I just shared above!! Its going to be a journey, no one but you knows YOUR answers (which are really the important ones), so enjoy the learnings!!
This is a great place to find good help (like the posts other than mine) and really do start simple with a well tuned instrument. Consider a comfortable strap, maybe not just the cheapest one. Learn to use the adjustments other than the volume/gain knob, etc...
You'll be enjoying your improvement in no time!
I financed an $800 bass as a first instrument with a big amp and two pedals, and possess none of it today. But the payments were so affordable!! I was a doofus. Element Zero, Goatrope, kbob and the other have all given great advice I wish I had started with!! Like Avalant says, I have a lower end Yamaha I still enjoy!
Welcome to Talkbass! Don't forget to share what you decide to go with!
My opinion is the most important thing is he it feels in your fretting hand. If the neck doesn’t feel good to you it won’t be comfortable to play. So try many. Don’t worry about price. Because if you find a bass that feels good to hold and press the frets you can get that neck shape at any price point. My opinion.
Whatever bass feels and sounds best and what you are able to spend. My First bass was a 4 string Aria Pro II. I ended up getting rid of it due to the weight and how it felt, I bought it on looks/sound and didn't really try anything else of basses at the time cause I didn't like how it looked (Young and Dumb). My next bass and being little older age wise, I didn't make that mistake again but made the best choice at the time for what I liked in the bass and how it felt playing for me plus what the most I could afford at that time. Got a Fender Jazz and still have it til this day. I had it worked on and added EMG's to it, Plays awesome and sounds great!
I also started to look into Neck Through basses but were still out of reach cost wise for me at that time, so I ended up getting a Tobias Killer B 5 string at a awesome price. I had it for awhile then sold it and I have regretted that move ever since. It had one of the best feeling/playing necks (unfinished) I have ever played on and good bass for the modern jazz stuff going on.
Then a few years later on I had more money and had my first Built to order Bass, that was a Carvin Icon 5, loved that bass. Then I wanted something with more aggressive sound in a 4 string and ordered a Carvin SB4000 and that was a great sounding bass as well. Had to sell them due to being out of work for a year and had to pay the bills
I received a gift from my Brother (RIP), it was a Lakland 55-02 Deluxe 5 string, he instructed his son to give it to me. I was in the market for another Higher End bass before my Nephew brought over the Lakland, so it took care of that since I loved the way the Lakland plays, feels, and sounds.
My last addition was a Sterling SUB Ray 4, I wanted a bass that gave me that RAY sound plus a little more. This is a very nice bass for the money and with a few tweaks can be a very nice bass that will sound really nice. I put Aguilar pickup in and it really changed this bass.
So I just wanted to show my journey that I went through and how I changed basses and did some mods to some of them. I went up the latter in basses and how they went up in level playing and cost.
So if you are really serious about playing bass, I would get the best bass I could afford. Go by how it feels and sounds to you and meets what you are looking for, after playing some gigs you may want something a little different that you didn't see when you first picked the bass. Also, can the bass be flexible enough for you as you grow as a bass player. Most likely you will end up with a few basses down the road like most of us here.
Hope this helps
Welcome! Honestly, like all of us when we were beginners, you aren't yet aware of what you do and don't like regarding the ergonomics of various designs of basses.
As such, Ibanez basses are excellent choices to get started. For the price they are well built. And many if their models have slim neck profiles, which can be easier for beginners.
Once you play for a while you'll be able to go into shops and pick up basses and know for sure what you do and don't like about them. That's when the fun quest for the perfect bass for you really begins.
Enjoy the ride!
Is there a specific model you're looking at?
Big fan of Ibanez here.
If you are looking for a GREAT VALUE the Ibanez TMB series are fantastic and very low cost. If you want a slimmer neck, their SR series is also fantastic and range from very low cost to high cost. You can't go wrong with any of them.
As stated above, please be sure that it has a good "setup" which can make it much easier and enjoyable to play as well as sound better. Few low-cost basses come with a good setup.
If you are looking for a GREAT VALUE the Ibanez TMB series are fantastic and very low cost. If you want a slimmer neck, their SR series is also fantastic and range from very low cost to high cost. You can't go wrong with any of them.
As stated above, please be sure that it has a good "setup" which can make it much easier and enjoyable to play as well as sound better. Few low-cost basses come with a good setup.
Welcome to TB. Plenty of good advice already from the bass community. I suggest you play as many basses as you can before buying one. That way you have some idea what's comfortable for you. Have a friend who knows instruments check out your choices before buying. If there are problems (especially truss rod issues or a warped neck), avoid that particular instrument. There can be good and bad examples of every model bass from every manufacturer. Some are better than others and Ibanez is certainly a reputable brand. Used instruments are usually a better deal than new ones and you might score a great bass right off the bat. Check yard sales, pawn shops and Goodwill and Salvation Army stores for bargains. Even new basses may need to be set up to your liking so don't reject a bass because the previous owner installed awful strings. Hope this helps.
Get a cheapest thing you can find. If you progress well, you will know when it's time for the better. If you fail, not the big deal about money. The highest strings and nastiest thicker neck will give you headache. But.
When you make good on that one, the real thing is going to sing in your hands.
Get the cheapest one you can find.
When you make good on that one, the real thing is going to sing in your hands.
Get the cheapest one you can find.
Anything $500 or less, looking for the “best” bass right out of the gate sets you up for a lifetime of G.A.S and sets the wrong vibe about being a musician. A good player will sound good on anything.
There’s truly no point in going down the rabbit of hole of searching for the perfect bass at this point. Until you’ve been been playing for years you won’t have a solid grasp of what your personal preferences are (both ergonomically and tonally). My perfect bass could easily be the opposite of what you would consider perfect.
just a set a budget and find something you like visually. Be sure to get it set-up at a music store and definitely take a few lessons (at least 4, virtually or in person).
Good luck
There’s truly no point in going down the rabbit of hole of searching for the perfect bass at this point. Until you’ve been been playing for years you won’t have a solid grasp of what your personal preferences are (both ergonomically and tonally). My perfect bass could easily be the opposite of what you would consider perfect.
just a set a budget and find something you like visually. Be sure to get it set-up at a music store and definitely take a few lessons (at least 4, virtually or in person).
Good luck
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