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Buying the first bass

C

Cyncro

Dec 26, 2010
1
0
#1
I am looking to buy a pretty cheap bass, not really looking for a specific model, I'm just buying the bass so I can kind of just have fun with it, teach myself a few things, not going to go entirely in depth with the bass. So just to have and play around with, do I need a new amplifier? I am currently running my guitar through a Line 6 Spider IV, and not sure if I really need a new amp. From the "starter kits" I've seen, all the amps are a lot worse than my guitar amp.

I don't need amazing tone and sound, but I don't need crappy tone and sound. Just need to know what kind of pick ups I should look out for.
 
#6
Get a Squier to start !!-- then if you like bass, you can buy a bass amp later....learn by playing unplugged, or thru your guitar amp at low volume (play with the EQ -- you don't have to have "professional" sound while learning.

The minute you get serious, get a bass amp.
 
#8
Cyncro said:
I am looking to buy a pretty cheap bass, not really looking for a specific model, I'm just buying the bass so I can kind of just have fun with it, teach myself a few things, not going to go entirely in depth with the bass. So just to have and play around with, do I need a new amplifier? I am currently running my guitar through a Line 6 Spider IV, and not sure if I really need a new amp. From the "starter kits" I've seen, all the amps are a lot worse than my guitar amp.

I don't need amazing tone and sound, but I don't need crappy tone and sound. Just need to know what kind of pick ups I should look out for.
Click to expand...

Buy a Squier bass and try it on your guitar amp, if you like the sound wait with buying a bass amp.
 
#9
Get your price range and head over to your local music store and play every single bass that's in that price range. You will be able to find one that really sticks out to you and that should be the one you get. As far as squire goes I personally tend to stay away because my first guitar was a squire and the thing just completely fell apart on me. And hartke Amps aren't to expensive!
 
#12
This

bassman30 said:
Get your price range and head over to your local music store and play every single bass that's in that price range. You will be able to find one that really sticks out to you and that should be the one you get. As far as squire goes I personally tend to stay away because my first guitar was a squire and the thing just completely fell apart on me. And hartke Amps aren't to expensive!
Click to expand...

I would add, before even plugging into an amp, I find the bass that rocks my rib cage, when playing the 5 lowest notes acoustically. When I find THAT bass, then I check for dead spots at the 5th thru 7th frets on the G string. If it passes those tests its a keeper. Playability and pickups can be dealt with later.
 

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