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

[aprod]

Ibanez just released this bass: Invalid Link Removed
Nice short scale and inexpensive, $279.00 USD.

 

[bassstrangler]

Yamaha. You'll never know when you need 24 frets. They also have very good ergonomics relative to the other basses. Like someone else said, make sure you get it set up by a competent tech and that they pay special attention to the fret ends, which is where most budget basses feel cheap. That will get you a bass that will last a long time.

And by the time the OP sinks all of the money into a "proper" set up especially if a fret job is needed, he could have bought a nicer more expensive bass.

Sinking an extra $100 to $150 into a $200 bass is madness. If fret ends are that bad, which they shouldn't be if at all, buy a roll of masking tape and a manicurist's nail file (the ones with multiple grits) and spend an hour getting the fret ends smoother.

 

[nonohmic]

I’d look for a used Squier cv60’s P or J or a SQ Mat Freeman.

Lol good luck. Asking prices used are more than they were MSRP now.

 

[Ghook]

The Talman looks & sounds pretty great. I almost picked on up a couple of weeks ago myself. It’d make a very decent first instrument IMO.

I returned a TMB 30. Not because the bass was lacking, my amp was. Active pickups will overdrive a small amp.

 

[BioDriver]

Save a little more and grab a Squier CV or VM.

 

[Aloe]

shipping a bass internationally is like rabbit's hole.
where in the world you are, not Ukraine by a chance?

 

[leerod054]

Well I have this one... Ken Smith BSRP5 string...Definately not a begginer bass but I just picked up on this Jackson concert 5. Real skinny neck...all active pickups and short scaled compared to my Smith. zZounds has these on a Play as you Play program

 

[JtSD619]

Squier PJ for the win

 

[cataract]

I returned a TMB 30. Not because the bass was lacking, my amp was. Active pickups will overdrive a small amp.

The Ibanez TMB30 is actually passive only. Perhaps the pickups are just really hot.
Ibanez TMB-30 | Cask Music

 

[Tom Bomb]

Draw straws … then draw some charts and get stuck in to it

Or be scientific, take an average, from the above inclinations. Or just go with your gut. You have a good list. Or get whatever's practical. I'll always err on the side of caution, save just a little more, aim higher, if at all possible. The wait can be worth it.

 

[Reedt2000]

I'll always err on the side of caution, save just a little more, aim higher, if at all possible. The wait can be worth it.

This is a fair point, for example there is a pretty big step up from Squier Affinity to something like the classic vibe or vintage modified. Worth the relatively small increase in price, going used saves money too...

 

[gb_bass]

This is a fair point, for example there is a pretty big step up from Squier Affinity to something like the classic vibe or vintage modified. Worth the relatively small increase in price, going used saves money too...

Here in my country can't find a classic vibe. The vintage modified is USD 600 (total over of my budget). Would u buy used gear international? I was looking at SweetWater, ZZounds, GuitarCenter, Music123, etc. Is Reverb a good option?

Thanks for ur answer!

 

[gb_bass]

shipping a bass internationally is like rabbit's hole.
where in the world you are, not Ukraine by a chance?

Haha, I'll take my chances... I refuse to pay double the price for same basses... Nope, I'm in South America, Uruguay.

 

[gb_bass]

The GSR200 is also available passive (or at least, it used to be).


Yep, best advise is to play all of them and go with what feels best to you. And definitely get it set up.

My wife has an Ibanez GSR200 (passive) that she bought before we met. She played many basses and picked the one that felt best to her. I put a new set of strings on it about 7 years ago, but mostly it has gone unplayed because she lost interest, and all my basses are way more high-end. Recently she decided she wanted to play again, so I pulled it out of the gig bag and did a set up on it, and started playing it myself.

I cannot put this thing down! No kidding, this is my favorite bass in the house. I can't believe how good this sounds and plays. I would happily take this into any playing situation and seriously rock it.

All that said, any of the basses listed by the OP are great beginner choices. Always always always get the one the feels best to you.

Thanks for ur answer! Sorry for my ignorance, as I said I'm recently started in the music/bass world What do u mean by setting up my bass? What changes are necessary on any of basses listed above?

 

[gb_bass]

Well the options are kind of same expect the squier stay away from it .
Where are you from ?maybe your country has some good hand made basses with this price range ?!

I'm from South America, Uruguay. Nope there aren't. For example a used Yamaha TRX174 is about USD350 - 450. New basses at my price range are from Memphis, Alabama and other not well known brands.

 

[gb_bass]

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.

Thanks for u reply! I was looking at SweetWater, Music123, ZZounds and GuitarCenter. If u don't mind, why do u prefer playing on passive single pickup basses? I saw the Jackson JS2, have u tried it? I defenitly can't here at my country cuz they don't exist haha.

 

[gb_bass]

Welcome to TalkBass, @gb_bass!

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.

Hi! Thanks for your answer. I didn't thought about it but it really makes sense, it's indeed a good of advice. I'll be looking at passive basses.

 

[Ghook]

The Ibanez TMB30 is actually passive only. Perhaps the pickups are just really hot.
Ibanez TMB-30 | Cask Music

I stand corrected. The eq is active. Anyway too sensitive for my amp. I now have a Rumble 25 that would have been fine. I guess my advise would, for a beginner, try to find a bass/amp pkg. Squire has some nice ones or go for the Ampeg 108 or Rumble 25/40 and just pick a bass you like

 

[red_rhino]

Thanks for ur answer! Sorry for my ignorance, as I said I'm recently started in the music/bass world What do u mean by setting up my bass? What changes are necessary on any of basses listed above?

No apology necessary. That's an excellent question for a beginning player to ask.

"Setting up a bass" refers to adjustments that are sometimes needed in order to make an instrument more playable. Sometimes we refer to this by the more general term "action".

A bass as it arrives at the store (or delivered to you) is usually playable, but sometimes the strings can be too high (making it harder to press down to the fingerboard and sound the note) or too low (causing the string to buzz when you play the note). There are a couple of adjustments that can be made to address this (for example, loosening or tightening the neck truss rod to make the neck flatter or add curvature; and raising or lowering the string saddles on the bridge). It may also be necessary to intonate the strings by adjusting the bridge saddles laterally. However, as a beginner, these are things you should not do yourself. Take the bass to a competent luthier who can make these adjustments for you. It normally doesn't take very long, and there should only be a nominal charge for this service. It's not major.

Later on, after you've had the bass set up one and been playing it for a while, you can educate yourself on how to do your own setups. There are plenty of threads on that topic here, and YouTube videos to reference.

Have fun.

 

[2strings2frets]

My opinion is the Yahama,you get a lot for the money in terms of basic quality. Buy passive if just starting, fewer battery/wireing issues. Ultimately if it looks good and feels good to you you will play and enjoy it more and therefore make faster progress. Enjoy the day