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Can't decide on a beginner bass, which would you choose? Help!

G

gb_bass

Mar 30, 2019
7
6
#1
Hi! First thread here. I've started private bass lessons two weeks ago and I want to buy my first bass on a USD 200 budget. As I'm total beginner I can barely play something (scales, etc) so I can't notice really any differences between different basses, I feel very comfortable on all of them so, which one u would buy?

- Yamaha TRBX174
- Ibanez TMB-100 Talman
- Ibanez GSR200 GIO
- Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

I really need to choose between one of them cuz I will buy international (here in my country the same bases are doubled priced and difficult to find) and used basses are not from well known brands or are totally over my budget.

If u wanna recommend other bass keep in mind that as I will buy international I can't spent over USD 200(country laws)

Thanks for reading!!

PD: Sorry for my english, it's not my native language :)
 
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#14
Go for the looks.

The two Ibanezes (GSR200 and Talman) are active, meaning that the bass needs a battery and that the controls (for better or worse) do more. To me, I’d rather have a simple passive bass. Nevertheless, a friend/student of mine had a GSR200 and it was fine for him. Light weight and the neck is very easy to play. Quiet when not playing (no hum). Not my favorite look, but that’s personal taste (like, what’s the best color? — it’s up to you). The four active control knobs can be a bit confusing at first.

Basically, you can’t know whether you prefer active or passive until after you’ve been playing a little while. Best part is, either active or passive will work.

Yeah, so I’d go with the looks — whichever one looks coolest to you or looks like it would fit in with the style of music you want to play.

I’d probably get the Squier myself as it’s a simple passive bass in the classic Fender bass family. Purely looks-wise, I will admit that the Mint Green Talmans are catching my eye the most.

The tough part is, it’s hard to choose; the best part is, I think any of these will work out for you! :bassist:
 
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#16
I’d go for whichever passive bass you like the most.

At a point of just starting out there is a lot of potential to learn how to create tone with your fingers. There are lots of nuances to technique. While many will disagree with this, IMO an active bass can mask some imperfections, and fail to allow certain organic sounds to occur. There are also a ton of additional tonal possibilities with active, but I’d go with passive first to really develop a good feel for the tones that come along with technique.
 
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#17
Welcome to TalkBass, @gb_bass!
DigitalMan said:
I’d go for whichever passive bass you like the most.

At a point of just starting out there is a lot of potential to learn how to create tone with your fingers. There are lots of nuances to technique. While many will disagree with this, IMO an active bass can mask some imperfections, and fail to allow certain organic sounds to occur. There are also a ton of additional tonal possibilities with active, but I’d go with passive first to really develop a good feel for the tones that come along with technique.
Click to expand...
I was given the same advice when I was searching for my first bass. It's helpful to become familiar with what different pickups are capable of without the influence of an active system.

With that in mind, I'd recommend the Squier Affinity P/J or maybe even a Squier Affinity Jazz bass. The Jazz has a slightly narrower nut width…38mm vs. 42mm…which might work for you, but you'd have to try doing your scales on each to know for sure. Also, if the Affinity is well put together, you can always upgrade the electronics, tuners, bridge, etc. later on.
 
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#18
My 2c:
  • With any bass at this price-range, and especially if you don't see it before you buy, you should expect to require new strings, a decent setup, and possibly resolving some other minor issues such as electrical, fret-dressing, etc. This will set you back at least another 25$-100$ depending on how much is needed and how much you can do yourself.
  • For a newbie: getting a decent setup from an experienced tech is really a must IMO, for bass at any price-range.
  • I have the GSR200 (a lefty but I don't think it matters for this discussion). It's my "oldest" bass. After having the higher frets dressed / leveled it became my most used bass. It's reliable, cheap enough to not feel that I need to baby it, and (very important for some) it has the "SR ergonomics": small body, thin very playable neck, and (especially for this specific model) extremely light.
 
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