I haven’t played the Yamaha but from what I’ve heard it’ll do the job fine. All of those are great first basses. I started on an Ibanez Gio SR 180. I still have it and play it more than my Läkland because it’s incredibly light (7.7lbs) and has a fast neck (I sanded the back a little). If you get the chance to hold any of them before you buy do it because the difference between an Ibanez and a Fender/Squier is quite noticeable. I don’t think you can go too far wrong with those choices but as the others have said, probably go passive and whichever one makes you want to pick it up and play.
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Can't decide on a beginner bass, which would you choose? Help!
- Thread starter gb_bass
- Start date
That was the bass I started learning with. It's good for the price but I have no experience with the other three.
Well the options are kind of same expect the squier stay away from it .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
Where are you from ?maybe your country has some good hand made basses with this price range ?!
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
Your English is great.
SQUIER P/J BASS.
1) At this price point, you don't want active EQ or pickups. This may be the only bass you ever own, buy a passive bass.
2) The P bass is iconic, it will work in ANY music setting you find yourself in.
3) My alternate basses at this price point are the SQUIER JAZZ affinity, SQUIER JAGUAR SS. Both within your budget, both great basses. The Jaguar is a smaller bass, yet huge sound and easy to play.
+1Your English is great.
SQUIER P/J BASS.
1) At this price point, you don't want active EQ or pickups. This may be the only bass you ever own, buy a passive bass.
2) The P bass is iconic, it will work in ANY music setting you find yourself in.
3) My alternate basses at this price point are the SQUIER JAZZ affinity, SQUIER JAGUAR SS. Both within your budget, both great basses. The Jaguar is a smaller bass, yet huge sound and easy to play.
I'll add that squier/fender are the easiest to upgrade components down the road, should you desire
I disagree somewhat with the hardware being better on the Ibanez. As a teacher, most of my students have budget instruments including Ibanez. And I often have to do setups for my students to make them playable, because they don't get them setup before starting.
They all have cheaper hardware that can have issues. In fact, I have seen more bridge/saddle issues with Ibanez than with the other brands. I'm not knocking Ibanez either, I actually really like them. They are just as good/consistent as the others, but I certainly wouldn't say they are better. If anything, I think Yamaha are a bit more consistent with quality control.
Personally, I would go with the Squier...just because I prefer passive Fender type instruments.
They are all decent choices but I recently picked up a cheap 174ew and it's really fun to play..nice and light...
This is an opinion, there is no reason to stay away from a new Squier Affinity P/J. It is a good bass for a beginner. It's a much nicer bass than the Yamaha I started on way back in 1986. Plus it costs less than what I paid for my first bass back in 1986. The Squier is basically 100% upgradable, you can buy direct drop-ins for the tuners, and bridge. The pups are easily upgraded as well, just keep in mind the bridge J pup is neck width. I've upgraded quite a few used Affinity models, as they make great platforms for modding.
I have owned a Talman, not a bad choice, don't leave it plugged in overnight, or your battery will die (same as any active bass). Ibanez SR series are good as well, I've grown to dislike there aesthetic over the years. The Mikro, I think is a cool little bass and doesn't look as obnoxious as I find the full size models. This is my opinion of course. I have no opinion on the Yamaha, I've read good and bad. Personally I will never own another Yamaha, I don't like them.
I'm just curious, @wishforbass what's your experience with a Squier Affinity? I don't recall you posting about owning one or most of the basses on that list. and you used to post a lot. I recall you had a Yamaha.
I learned to play bass on a Squier VM Jaguar Short Scale, which I think is in your price range. I really feel it's a fantastic bass, and incredible value for money. I was switching from guitar and while I can play a regular long scale bass, I find the short scale much more comfortable and easy to play. I've gigged with it in a band and it holds up really well. In fact the bassist in the band I watched last night was playing one. I've since switched to a Fender Mustang PJ as my gigging bass, but not because there was anything wrong with the Jag. I just love the look and feel of Mustangs.
Definitely consider the Jaguar. Short scale basses can be easier to play for some people The sound it delivers is great, too. Same price range as the others you listed. But the Talman gets lots of love around here and I'm a big Ibanez fan.Your English is great.
SQUIER P/J BASS.
1) At this price point, you don't want active EQ or pickups. This may be the only bass you ever own, buy a passive bass.
2) The P bass is iconic, it will work in ANY music setting you find yourself in.
3) My alternate basses at this price point are the SQUIER JAZZ affinity, SQUIER JAGUAR SS. Both within your budget, both great basses. The Jaguar is a smaller bass, yet huge sound and easy to play.
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
Welcome to TB !
I'd say the Yamaha.
But best to try a few out in a store if possible and determine what sort of neck profile feels comfortable to you.
For me, the neck profile is everything.
Between squier vintage modified and classic vibe bass and affinity is a crazy gap.
I'm kind squier fan when we talk about good budget bass but the affinity wasn't work for me well .I didn't own them but I teach beginners and mid level classes and a lot of my students who bought this face connection and wiring problems and knob problems .(same have it for few months then this problem start that the pickup output gets unbalance ).
So in this price range I believe Yamaha can do better but still I like jazz bass 60s classic vibe and pj vintage mod.
Some fender shops ask people who play instrument to test their stuff .
Do to a lot of bas reviews and problems squier affinity had even the fender shop send them out of sale .
As you can see in the list they didn't keep them any more espcespeci as bass because the guitar line was meh but the bass sides we didn't see good experiences.
I have Yamaha bb415
Ibanez sr 1300 premium
Cort gb 45
Had (fender jazz bass deluxe 5 string ,but send it back because the neck was not my type )
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Skip the gio... Ibanez makes great instruments... but that one does nothing for me
The Squier
No batteries included or required
The Squier
No batteries included or required
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
gb_bass - Those are good choices. You said you have to buy international, do you have a particular country or store that want or are able to buy from? You may want to search that store using your price range as filter and see what comes up. I know my favorite mail order store in the USA has several others in your price range that I would rather get (Ibanez GSR100EX GIO or the Squier Bronco)(I prefer playing passive single pickup basses). The new Jackson JS2 Spectra (active, but has a passive option and has a bass boost like the GSR 200) looks nice and is in your price range.
That being said, I started on GSR200 and worked perfectly fine, even used it in a few gigs. I just prefer passive basses now. I've picked up acoustic guitar lately and now I'm considering trying a 6 string bass and the GSR206 is at the head of the list because of price. At your price point I think I'd stay passive (or at least look for a bass that has a passive option).
While I love the look of the Talman in Mint Green with Maple neck, I'd probably go with the TRBX174 as it is passive.
Last I checked, though, Spector ReBops are not beginner budget friendly. Great basses, though.
As for the choices the OP mentioned, none of them are bad choices. I'd go with the Squier or Yamaha personally, but that's just me. ESP's LTD line has some killer beginner instruments as well and I personally prefer LTD to Ibanez.
As for the choices the OP mentioned, none of them are bad choices. I'd go with the Squier or Yamaha personally, but that's just me. ESP's LTD line has some killer beginner instruments as well and I personally prefer LTD to Ibanez.
