complete bass noob question about potential first bass

[FingerDub]

Maybe not with Rosewood, American Maple, & (probably 2 or multiple-piece) American Swamp Ash.

And the stock SX pickups actually sound pretty good, although they distort when you dig in at full volume.

You can hear samples in a pickup roundup here:

Studio 939: Basses for Newbies - Pickup Shootout

The author of the thread commissioned Nordstrand to design a pickup that sounds like the stock SX without the distortion.

If you're motivated, you can skim the massive original thread here:

basses for newbies (SX batch build thread)

I'm going to assume you are a trump supporter since you addressed things that have nothing to do with my quote of his post or interaction. It's obvious you read nothing.

So are you saying Rondo doesn't make basses with rosewood, american maple or ash? HUH?? And, MANY bass manufacturers make 2 and 3 piece bodies that are great, Squier included, and way more.

Hdrobert said "SX basses get a lot of love around here. Most of what you see at that price point is pure junk. But SXs are actually made with real wood and real components."

I don't care how much you think SX pickups are commissioned for the author of the thread by Nordstrand. You didn't read, and you commented on nothing he or I was talking about.

But, I see you like SX basses. Good for you. Some people like to eat at McDonalds, others like steak.

 

[The Rage]

Maybe you can try an Harley Benton bass. Seems like they're really good value for the money. Thomann ships to Portugal for 20 Euros (if you spend less than 199 euro).

 

[andruca]

Maybe you can try an Harley Benton bass. Seems like they're really good value for the money. Thomann ships to Portugal for 20 Euros (if you spend less than 199 euro).

You can always add a gig bag and maybe join some friends who need anything else (strings, cables, etc.) and easily make it to 200€, from that point on shipping is free ;-)

Regarding basses, one more note: NECKS! I've had a HB twin humbucker Musicman style bass (D shaped neck) and also tested the HB 75 Jazz (C shape neck). Both are thick for my taste (the D style being the thicker, hardly playable for my standards). Now the PJ HTR has a sharp-C/modern-C type of neck that plays WAY better IME and that's the neck profile you want to look for within the HB range if you're into thin necks. My advice for you and all beginners (my wife included, more on that below) is to go for thin necked instruments, they're always more inviting to play for inexperienced hands (unless yours are abonarmy big). I have big hands and while I can stand a variety of profiles and thicknesses on 4 strings I play mostly 5 and am beyond picky about thin necks on those, can't stand D profiles, always look for as flat a C as possible.

Now my little HB story (I suggest you drop by the official HB club thread and ask to go deeper into whateve you'd like to know, this is a shorter read for sure). My wife started learning bass a couple years ago with my basses (Stingray 5ers) and at one poing (after I got the kit P bass as a gift from her and got blown away by the awesome bang for the buck) we gave the HB range a go. Initially we got a B450 (144€ IIRC). Played comfortably but felt and sounded pretty dead, poor sustain as if the wood itself didn't resonate, too sterile sounding PUs, went back to thomann within a couple weeks and was replaced with an MM84 (twin humbucker Musicman clone -sorta'-, 177€). Even after I reworked its electronics (badly wired PU selector switch, too hot output, ate batteries as output jack wouldn't cut power to the onboard EQ) it played terribly, mostly because of the insanely thick D profile neck. Also the neck PU is too close to the fretboard end ("I'm smarter than EBMM so I'm making this 24 fret long", genius decision ) so even with not too big hands it's a PITA to pop strings (really bad with the G string, terrible with the D string). We sold the bass after a year and got what looks like her bass for a long time, an Epiphone Toby Deluxe (mostly for the real fast asymmetric profile neck -plays like butta' and is as levelled as my Musicman basses, allows for really low soft action-). It's got some sorta basswood body (with a nice tough finish) and altho' it's light it does not neck dive (partly because the neckside strap pin is shifted upwards). It can do P and J sounds decently enough (you have to take out some highs in order to lose some "hi-fi'ness" and it simply plays light years better than anything in its range (got it for 175€, but it's around 200€ nowadays).

All in all, I'm still happy with my BEAD tuned Harley Benton P kit build, pretty similar to the HTR in construction and neck profile, that's why I recommended it in the first place and think you'll be happy with it at an insane price. Easily beats 300€ Squiers.

 

[DrummerwStrings]

I'm going to assume you are a trump supporter since you addressed things that have nothing to do with my quote of his post or interaction. It's obvious you read nothing.

So are you saying Rondo doesn't make basses with rosewood, american maple or ash? HUH?? And, MANY bass manufacturers make 2 and 3 piece bodies that are great, Squier included, and way more.

Hdrobert said "SX basses get a lot of love around here. Most of what you see at that price point is pure junk. But SXs are actually made with real wood and real components."

I don't care how much you think SX pickups are commissioned for the author of the thread by Nordstrand. You didn't read, and you commented on nothing he or I was talking about.

But, I see you like SX basses. Good for you. Some people like to eat at McDonalds, others like steak.

Check yourself.

I simply replied to your post: while sub $200 basses may use plywood, many SX basses use Rosewood, Maple & Ash. Often the bodies are multiple pieces of wood - I did not say nor imply that it's a negative, it is a statement of fact. Your post was about wood & pickups: so was my reply.

Reread my post: I did not say SX pickups are commissioned by Nordstrand. If you read the 1st link you might see that Chunger, the writer of the thread that's linked, commissioned the pickups.

Politics is off-topic. And don't assume.

 

[swafran]

If finish and weight balance, standard neck feel are important to you - Squier

If you want to feel "inspired" by your bass like your friends say, and you think sound is the more important thing about an instrument - SX all the way. I love my Ursa and keep it alongside my much more expensive basses.

You will get: great wood, great pickups, great sound

You won't get: pretty finish, good detailing, standard neck profile, decent nut, weight balance (mine head dives like crazy)

 

[hrodbert696]

Huh? Other basses are not made with real wood at that price point? What's a real component? The $5 dollar Chinese pickup it uses?

The ultra-cheap no-name Chinese-made bass-shaped objects one finds on Amazon and elsewhere for $100 or less often have plywood bodies and tuners that will not hold tuning.

 

[Morris2103]

+1 for squier

 

[johnson79]

I'm going to assume you are a trump supporter since you addressed things that have nothing to do with my quote of his post or interaction. It's obvious you read nothing.

So are you saying Rondo doesn't make basses with rosewood, american maple or ash? HUH?? And, MANY bass manufacturers make 2 and 3 piece bodies that are great, Squier included, and way more.

Hdrobert said "SX basses get a lot of love around here. Most of what you see at that price point is pure junk. But SXs are actually made with real wood and real components."

I don't care how much you think SX pickups are commissioned for the author of the thread by Nordstrand. You didn't read, and you commented on nothing he or I was talking about.

But, I see you like SX basses. Good for you. Some people like to eat at McDonalds, others like steak.

Well this deteriorated at an epic pace...

 

[johnson79]

OP, I think that SX would be a decent starter bass with a setup.
A Squier would probably be a wiser choice for the long term. I have a 97 Squier P and it feels much better than my SX.

I do own an SX PJ and I'm really happy with that pickup combination.

Really, any bass at that price point (and higher) could be good or bad out of the box. Buy what you can afford, but expect to have to get a setup.

 

[Abra]

wasn't expecting this much feedback thanks guys you rock i'll definitely look into all the basses and sites mentioned

and just for the sake of more information here's the deal

I'm saving up for my drivers license/car, hence the small budget for the bass but I'm pretty committed to learn it, I don't think a cheaper bass will throw me off, I will have more money to throw around at the end of the summer but I just can't wait to get one even if it's cheap and has no resell value maybe it's dumb but I'm too eager to wait ... I still have my first classical guitar which was like 30€ at the supermarket about 7 years ago, I kind of get attached to new stuff even if it's cheap it's always the start of something
My brother also used to play bass and he moved to England leaving his amp and speaker behind which is perfect for a poor pleb like me, he had a cheap yamaha that got a set up and sounded pretty great, he always told me that a 200€ instrument could sound like a million bucks in the right hands so having a cheap bass was no reason to quit which also motivated me (even tho I was more into guitar at that time) seeing him practice so many hours with a "crappy" bass/amp was inspiring.

I never had lessons or followed daily exercises while playing the guitar, I would just sit in front of the computer and learn random things for fun, nothing too serious but I think it's about time I really learn an instrument and I've always had a secret crush on basses so I'm going for it

edit: self making the set up is out of question, I'm a complete noob and want a proper job at least for the first bass, after that I'm willing to learn how to do it by myself
and about squiers, even a used affinity series which I hear are not worth it at all is about the same price as this SX new or maybe I'm not digging hard enough (?) the sx would be a total of 159€ (around 138 pounds / 170 usd)
anyway I'll keep searching, only get paid at the end of the month either way

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Just buy that SX bass. It's well worth the money and a great first bass. The pickup configuration is the most versatile of anything out there.

 

[JACink]

@Abra, definitaley check out the Harley Bentons (I am a little biased but I own 4 of them), there is a lot of info here: I own a Harley Benton club

Also, if you buy from Thomann, you can return it no questions asked within 30 days, and they even cover shipping if it is in less than 15.

 

[Wesley R]

Many people have started out on a lot less bass than an SX, like a 1968 JC Penny bass, and thrilled to death to have one.

 

[Abra]

@Abra, definitaley check out the Harley Bentons (I am a little biased but I own 4 of them), there is a lot of info here: I own a Harley Benton club

Also, if you buy from Thomann, you can return it no questions asked within 30 days, and they even cover shipping if it is in less than 15.

Do you have a HB p bass that you recommend?

 

[JACink]

Do you have a HB p bass that you recommend?

I have a Harley Benton shorty P-Bass which I highly reccomend, but it is short scale (and it cost me less than 50€ ), but check out the thread I posted, there are lots of opinions on many of the HB line up, things like the PB-20 or the PB-40 (if you want the old school single coil) get lots of praise.

In fact, I think the most negative comments in that thread are from @andruca, who actually recommended a Harley Benton earlier in this thread

 

[dgrizzly]

I just can't wait to get one even if it's cheap and has no resell value maybe it's dumb but I'm too eager to wait

I highly recommend shopping used. You can likely resell it for what you paid for it in a year or two when you're ready to upgrade.

I'm pretty committed to learn it, I don't think a cheaper bass will throw me off

he had a cheap yamaha that got a set up and sounded pretty great, he always told me that a 200€ instrument could sound like a million bucks in the right hands so having a cheap bass was no reason to quit which also motivated me

I never had lessons or followed daily exercises while playing the guitar, I would just sit in front of the computer and learn random things for fun

edit: self making the set up is out of question, I'm a complete noob and want a proper job at least for the first bass, after that I'm willing to learn how to do it by myself

A proper setup is essential for getting a cheap or expensive bass ready to play. Part of learning the bass is learning to do that setup. If you have the extra cash, by all means seek a professional until you're ready to take that part on.

Otherwise, if you're comfortable learning from the internet, YouTube is a fantastic resource for both improving your playing and figuring out how to setup and maintain your instrument. For example, I've found channels like Scott's Bass Lessons and Marlowe DK absolutely invaluable.

Here is a 4-part video that I think does a great job explaining bass setup. At this point, don't worry about the precise measurements - just aim to get the neck somewhat straight where the strings are close to the frets, but not touching them. Then adjust your pickups accordingly (if your signal is too hot then lower them, not loud enough then raise them).

and about squiers, even a used affinity series which I hear are not worth it at all is about the same price as this SX new or maybe I'm not digging hard enough (?)

Don't write off Squiers (even the Affinity series). SX makes decent basses, but I've played a few Squiers that were really something special.

---

All in all, I hope you find these resources helpful. They've helped me become a better bass player, personally.

As far as shopping goes, I would play every single bass in that little music shop to figure out what style fits you best. If it's a P style bass you're after, get the best used one you can afford. P/J's can almost always do the P bass sound by rolling off the bridge J pickup, too.

Best of luck and come back with pictures once you've picked up the fresh axe!

 

[Abra]

I highly recommend shopping used. You can likely resell it for what you paid for it in a year or two when you're ready to upgrade.



A proper setup is essential for getting a cheap or expensive bass ready to play. Part of learning the bass is learning to do that setup. If you have the extra cash, by all means seek a professional until you're ready to take that part on.

Otherwise, if you're comfortable learning from the internet, YouTube is a fantastic resource for both improving your playing and figuring out how to setup and maintain your instrument. For example, I've found channels like Scott's Bass Lessons and Marlowe DK absolutely invaluable.

Here is a 4-part video that I think does a great job explaining bass setup. At this point, don't worry about the precise measurements - just aim to get the neck somewhat straight where the strings are close to the frets, but not touching them. Then adjust your pickups accordingly (if your signal is too hot then lower them, not loud enough then raise them).





Don't write off Squiers (even the Affinity series). SX makes decent basses, but I've played a few Squiers that were really something special.

---

All in all, I hope you find these resources helpful. They've helped me become a better bass player, personally.

As far as shopping goes, I would play every single bass in that little music shop to figure out what style fits you best. If it's a P style bass you're after, get the best used one you can afford. P/J's can almost always do the P bass sound by rolling off the bridge J pickup, too.

Best of luck and come back with pictures once you've picked up the fresh axe!

Will do

 

[morgansterne]

it looks like nobody mentioned that if you want to find info about SX basses here on talkbass, search "essex" instead. There's a fan club and all sorts of things.

I'm quite pleased with my squier vintage modified basses, but they're not easy to find super cheap (believe me I've looked!) I'd only advise you to avoid Rogue basses -- I have one I got in a trade -- the fingerboard is uneven and the pickups are really lacking.

 

[primusfan1989]

Id recommend a Squire over an SX any day of the week, particularly from the Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified series (the affinity series is junk IMO).

 

[Pirate Captain]

get this