Buying bass

[Nebadon2000]

If you can go to $500 the new Sire V5 or P5. Maybe a SBMM Ray5 Stingray.

Yes I recommend starting with a 5 String, I only play 4 Strings but if I was starting out new today I'd get a 5.

 

[Gobnous Gretch]

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

For starting out, I would advise against marrying yourself to a specific brand and get something that feels good to play, stays in tune, and sounds good to you. Ibanez likely has something like that, they do make some good entry level stuff. Now it's certainly not universal among cheap basses, but they can have some frustrating little issues like falling out of tune, sharp fret markers, or super high strings, so the best thing you can do is go in person and play a bunch of basses until you find one that feels right because it sucks to learn on a bass that doesn't feel good to play. If you can afford the markup it's better to go to a small independent shop than a big box store, since you'll get most likely more specialized attention at a small shop. A tuner, strap, and some fresh strings would be good to grab, too. Good luck on your search

 

[vvvmmm]

Buy the coolest, cheapest bass you can afford, from a store (online is likely fine as long as it's name-brand, ex., Ibanez is good, Squier, Epiphone, Alvarez ...) that allows returns.

If it's from a music store and they will do a set-up, used could be good.

In the last cuppla months I bought an Ibanez TMB4, a SterlingRay4, and a Tobias Toby V (5 string), all under US$300 each. And I am happy with all of them. Altho' I had to tweak the Ibanez neck to fix one clanky fret on one string, it was playable, and the others came set up just fine.

 

[zon6c-f]

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

Welcome Aboard !



Please keep us posted as to your choice!

 

[littlebun]

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

I usually recommend the shorter 30 or 32 scale Squire basses to beginners. Low price and ok build quality.

 

[rantbot]

Well, I can only say what I'd do in a similar position. Were I to get into my time machine and do it all over again, I'd get something really cheap which actually works. So maybe something like a Glarry Jazz Bass copy. Something in the $100 range is fine for beginners, and you don't have to fret over "getting your money back when you sell it" or any such future concerns. Buy it from Amazon because it's usually ultra-easy to return if there's anything amiss, or even if you just decide you don't like it.

Used are good too; I've bought used instruments for less than a tenth of the new cost. But that was after I had some idea what I was doing. Sometimes used items don't work (busted truss rods, buzzing frets, intermittent pickups, etc.) and those are not the sorts of things a tyro wants to deal with.

As a starter you'll probably have to put more money into a usable amp than into the instrument.

And Ibanez is fine. Squier's fine. These days there are gobs of very decent cheapo instruments. It's important that whatever you buy "talks" to you or soon you won't want to have anything to do with it. That's an advantage of buying in a store; you can cruise the lineup and, well, see which one says "Me, me, take me!" Pick it up and if it doesn't bite you or try to squirm out of your hands, you'll probably end up best buds.

 

[themickster]

Don't let anyone tell you that Ibanez SR300E is a beginner-only bass. I bought one after playing for 30 years. It plays well, has a wide tone range, and the battery lasts months. If you want an SR without a need for a battery and cost doesn't matter, go for a 500E or higher. They come with an active-bypass switch.

 

[marchone]

Neck feel wasn’t much of thing in the late 60s, at least for me starting out. I was more interested in the look. Not knowing anything else I simply learned to play the thing. After a year or so of owning my Telecaster I tried a Jazz Bass and a Rickenbacker. That was the first time I learned there were other neck configurations. I still have and play my ‘69 Tele Bass.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I would put a decent amount of thought into what you're going to be playing it through.

As many have said, affordable basses are available relatively easily, but playing a decent bass through a garbage amp. can hamper your drive/excitement about playing the instrument.

There are several options there, as well.

For home practice/recording, I use a BOSS GT-1B. I believe they can still be had, brand-new for right around 300 (USD).

I was using an old Acoustic head and cabinet for live sound, but I recently down-sized/up-graded to an Ampeg RB210. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this option (but it's not cheap at almost 700 [USD]), when you've decided if playing the bass is really for you.

Good luck and feel free to message me with questions.