And the notion that you aren't serious about the artform unless you spend major bucks is just freakin lame thinking. Such weak sauce.
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Entry level= $700? Really????
- Thread starter Danni Moe
- Start date
My first ever bass was a $600 (Canadian) Fender MIM Jazz. So you can say that was an entry level bass. But, thing is I chose to get a Fender (instead of a Squier half its price) because I could.
However, I was already playing bass by the time I bought the Jazz (with a rented Squier Affinity P), so...
I'd say it is not too excessive to think of a $700 entry-level bass, but since there are way cheaper basses that can fullfill the same role of entry-level instruments, I say, more often than not, go for the cheaper alternative. Or rent the instrument you wanna buy if you are considering to do a significant investment. That way you'll know if you want it (and you want to keep playing bass).
However, I was already playing bass by the time I bought the Jazz (with a rented Squier Affinity P), so...
I'd say it is not too excessive to think of a $700 entry-level bass, but since there are way cheaper basses that can fullfill the same role of entry-level instruments, I say, more often than not, go for the cheaper alternative. Or rent the instrument you wanna buy if you are considering to do a significant investment. That way you'll know if you want it (and you want to keep playing bass).
People often ask me what they should buy as a beginner bass.
I try to tell them they should spend at least $500 to get a nice bass. I try to tell them if they buy a crappy $200 bass they won't enjoy playing it, and they will get frustrated and quit, and they should save their money and not buy a bass at all. I try to tell them if they buy a nice bass (or guitar) they will really enjoy playing it, it will be easier, and they will have many happy years with it. I try to tell them that the better instrument will retain its value.
They just look at me like I'm a dumbass. I can see them telling me "You want me to drop that much change on a bass and I can't even play yet?" in their mind.
So they go off and buy a $200 corner ornament.
Oh well, keeps the competition at a minimum.
I try to tell them they should spend at least $500 to get a nice bass. I try to tell them if they buy a crappy $200 bass they won't enjoy playing it, and they will get frustrated and quit, and they should save their money and not buy a bass at all. I try to tell them if they buy a nice bass (or guitar) they will really enjoy playing it, it will be easier, and they will have many happy years with it. I try to tell them that the better instrument will retain its value.
They just look at me like I'm a dumbass. I can see them telling me "You want me to drop that much change on a bass and I can't even play yet?" in their mind.
So they go off and buy a $200 corner ornament.
Oh well, keeps the competition at a minimum.
There are some very nice, playable bases out there for under $200. I consider $700 a mid-level price...at least for me. But to me, $2000 would be a high-end bass.
are you referring to the bass in the OP? That would mean you are about to turn 7 as it just came out....
+ another
So, your advice to potential bass players is to spend at least $500 on a bass (never mind the cost of an amp and other beginner goodies) otherwise they shouldn't bother buying a bass at all?
Wow. Perhaps one reason they look at you like you're a dumbass is because that recommendation is utter crap.
The price of a bass has nothing to do with a new player's desire to learn or determination to play. Nor does a higher price tag guarantee personal enjoyment, more years of service, or an easier learning experience. Perhaps this last part was partially true when starter instruments were made of plywood and had miserable wiring and warped necks - sky high action, scratchy pots and poor intonation don't exactly inspire confidence. But if you look at the current market, you'll see that we're out of the Dark Ages now, and there are plenty of basses in the $200-$350 range that would make superb starter instruments (to say nothing of used basses in that price range).
Also, the last time I checked, my local craigslist had more than its share of $500 "corner ornaments". Spending more money on a bass doesn't guarantee that it will get used. That depends on the player, not the instrument.
A well-set up Squier VM (or Squier CV, Schecter Raiden, Gretsch Junior Jet, Ibanez SR, etc., etc.) would serve a beginner just as well as a bass costing twice as much. It also leaves some spending room for a decent amp, a tuner, a strap, some cables, or...maybe some lessons?
agreed - the quality of instruments in that price range is (imho) 10x what it was even 10 short years ago....and infinitely better than they were 20 years ago...I would add the epiphone stuff to that list as well..
or heck how many of us have snagged used EBMM SUB basses for <$400? Great piece of kit ime.....
$500 is apparantly a magic number. I just played a CV 50's P and it was so solid. I just wanted to form my own opinion, and it was a solid bass.
How about this: buy what you can afford.
How about this: buy what you can afford.
I had a discussion like this with my grown stepson's father. Said stepson was having a classical guitar custom made by a luthier I had introduced him to. "That's a hell of a lot of money to spend on a guitar," the father said. I pointed out that his son had spend three years as a guitar major in a college music program and it was unlikely that he was going to lose interest! And the guitar would more probably appreciate in value. Twenty some years later, he still plays -- and treasures -- that guitar.
Me, I was told very early in my playing career that "you should always buy gear you can gig professionally with." I've never had reason to believe that my adviser was wrong. I have had the experience of playing with guys who had inadequate gear (I am NOT saying, please note "less prestigious brand name gear") and it was painful to watch, each time.
If you want a disposable bass, buy one. It won't be as satisfactory, over the long term, as a quality instrument, but lots of guys have low-end basses and are happy with them, especially younger players who haven't learned yet about long-term investments. I've had my share of crappy basses, and, no thanks, it's someone else's turn now. I understand what suits me and I'll pay what it takes to get it.
I am not mentioning brand names or dollar amounts because, face it, the world looks different to each pair of eyes. If you find a Squier that suits you, go for it. If it takes a Fodera to float your boat, get that.
Sure, companies use marketing terms to help sell their products: if they didn't, they wouldn't be doing their jobs, which entails keeping those companies in business and their employees and their families fed. That's not evil, that's the way the world works.
Me, I was told very early in my playing career that "you should always buy gear you can gig professionally with." I've never had reason to believe that my adviser was wrong. I have had the experience of playing with guys who had inadequate gear (I am NOT saying, please note "less prestigious brand name gear") and it was painful to watch, each time.
If you want a disposable bass, buy one. It won't be as satisfactory, over the long term, as a quality instrument, but lots of guys have low-end basses and are happy with them, especially younger players who haven't learned yet about long-term investments. I've had my share of crappy basses, and, no thanks, it's someone else's turn now. I understand what suits me and I'll pay what it takes to get it.
I am not mentioning brand names or dollar amounts because, face it, the world looks different to each pair of eyes. If you find a Squier that suits you, go for it. If it takes a Fodera to float your boat, get that.
Sure, companies use marketing terms to help sell their products: if they didn't, they wouldn't be doing their jobs, which entails keeping those companies in business and their employees and their families fed. That's not evil, that's the way the world works.
Some of you are still missing the point. Entry Level and Beginner's is not the same thing. At least not in all cases, like this one.
In this example, Entry Level just means one of the lowest cost models of a given product line. It's pretty simple, not sure why some of you are still harping on about how low the cost of a beginner's instrument should be.
You could be a pro and buy an entry level model.
In this example, Entry Level just means one of the lowest cost models of a given product line. It's pretty simple, not sure why some of you are still harping on about how low the cost of a beginner's instrument should be.
You could be a pro and buy an entry level model.
- Jan 12, 2011
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To me a a great example of an entry level bass that you could also gig with is the squire vintage modfied jazz bass either 4 or 5. The 4 is like 299 while the 5 comes in under 350. Great to start out with, good enough to gig with.
Heh...
You can get by with a little shopping for around $800. You can definitely get something reasonable in the $1000-$1500 range.
Nah...
You can get something passable for around $1000... but you're still talking student instruments up into the $5000+ range.
Exactly. It's a marketing term and has nothing to do with quality or suitability or anything, really, except in a relative sense.
Post that over in the DB forum and see what response you get.
I've probably bought and sold more double basses than most folks over there...
If you don't mind used, you can pick up a passable entry level instrument around $1000.
