First Bass purchase advice?

[-Stingray]

As another guitar player who has just got his first bass I encourage you to go for it. I also decided I wanted a P Bass and could not be happier.

I have sort of made a commitment to myself not to buy new guitars anymore unless that is the only way to get the particular one I want. I have just lost too much money buying new and selling within a year.

But with the Bass I decided to build it. Another great way to lose money if I was to decide to sell it. But I don't see that happening.

The classifieds here, craigslist, and reverb are great places to start the search. You can also adjust the filters on your reverb wall to help narrow the search down.

 

[jd56hawk]

I was all about making a Midnight P my next acquisition, until I read up here that you have to remove the neck to make a truss rod adjustment.

Too bad....it's a gorgeous instrument otherwise.

Some people have no problem with that at all, but I'd prefer a simple, easy-to-access truss rod.
Okay, you remove the neck adjust the truss rod, put it back on and find out it's still slightly off, so you have to do it again as opposed to the simplicity of adjusting a regular one?
Thanks for letting me know...I wasn't aware of this.

 

[Sparkl]

If you played it, liked it, and can afford it, you should get the pro, IMO. Being a guitar player you can already play the thing more or less and if spending the money isn't at all an issue, I say go for it. The player is fine too. I think I'd have different advice if you weren't already a musician but that's not the case.

Not really, no. He can't play it. He can press the strings though. But it's a big difference. He will learn though.

 

[40Hz]

You’re already a guitarist. So you understand strings, frets, and action.

I’d suggest you just get the one you like best. A PB and JB are as much a standard in the bass world as a Strat or Tele is in the guitar world. You really can’t go wrong owning a PB. For many bassists, it’s the only bass they’ll ever need.

Welcome to the realm of the low notes!

 

[klejst]

Get something obviously within your budget, but also important, get something that sounds good to you and what you're going for as far as sound and tone and also something that plays good in your hands.

Start with something decent (as far as price wise and just some gear to get you started) and as you advance you can get better gear.

 

[gln1955]

Not really, no. He can't play it. He can press the strings though. But it's a big difference. He will learn though.

You've heard him play, then?

 

[Huw Phillips]

I would split the money evenly between a bass and an amp on here, I started about a year ago and bought a new MIM P and a cheap amp, now I regret not buying second hand and a better amp. New does have that box fresh feel thought but it’s not very ecological
Have you looked at the made in Japan fender P it’s one sexy beast for the mo ey

 

[Drucifer]

IMO the concept of someone not being "good enough" for a particular instrument is nonsense. If you want it and can afford it, there is no reason not to buy it... and certainly springing for an instrument you are excited about and that may be better quality than cheaper alternatives might help you to enjoy playing bass and progress more.

I would say, though, depending on how close the budgeting issue is and how committed you are to learning bass, that it is fair to consider whether *you personally* might find it to be better to buy a cheaper bass and keep some money set aside for, say, another (non-bass) guitar, if that would give you better enjoyment in the long run. But that is a question of personal money priorities, not a question of there being anything inherently bad about buying a quality bass to learn on.

Agree. If you look on this website, you will see just as many "I love my MIM and spending more is wasting money" threads as "I love my boutique bass and I would never settle for less" threads. It's a personal choice on how much to spend. There are great cheap basses out there, and there are great expensive basses. If it speaks to you, it's a great bass. If you really want bang for the buck, however, you should look at the TB classifieds for a used one, if you take care of it you will likely get most if not all of your investment back if you decide to sell.

 

[Kro]

You've heard him play, then?

I hate to break it to bassists that aren't routinely around guitarists that also like to pick up a bass every now and then - but the transition isn't all that difficult. Many of them are pretty much immediately passable bassists if they're decent guitarists. Yes, their technique won't be perfect, and they might seem a little ham-fisted, but then again - that's the MO for many bassists as well.

But seriously guys, being a bassist is a state of mind. It takes some time to develop good bass instincts, but it isn't like much of what guitarists do doesn't translate. Hell, Leo specifically made the Precision to be a guitarist friendly instrument!

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Couple things. I am a bass player who has dabbled in guitar. I recently started trying to learn guitar in earnest. So coming from the opposite perspective, I can see exactly why you want a Precision bass and I think it is an excellent choice. Second, you already play guitar and have a good idea of what you are getting into. If you are already committed, then I think it is a good idea to go ahead and get the bass you REALLY want. Even if it is more expensive. Also, get the rig too. I would strongly recommend buying used. In fact, I have a great P for sale in the TB classifieds!

 

[ejaggers]

I hate to break it to bassists that aren't routinely around guitarists that also like to pick up a bass every now and then - but the transition isn't all that difficult. Many of them are pretty much immediately passable bassists if they're decent guitarists. Yes, their technique won't be perfect, and they might seem a little ham-fisted, but then again - that's the MO for many bassists as well.

But seriously guys, being a bassist is a state of mind. It takes some time to develop good bass instincts, but it isn't like much of what guitarists do doesn't translate. Hell, Leo specifically made the Precision to be a guitarist friendly instrument!

It depends on the person of course.

My ex-band leader (may he RIP), a guitarist, was a horrible bass player, although you couldn’t tell him that.
A bass player I knew switched to guitar and actually played it better IMHO.

Buddy Miles organist, Andre Lewis set in on my bass once, and I really didn’t
want to get back on stage after him, he was that good.

There are multi-instrument players that play them all well, like Prince for instance,
and there are those of us that do what we do well.

I have never been much of a guitar player even though I’ve had lessons many times over the years,
although I was a decent drummer and keyboard player.

My point is that a kick-ass keyboard player playing a synthesizer set for Trumpet probably won’t
nail the part like a Trumpet player unless he thinks like a Trumpet player.

OP: Get a Squier P and a nice amp since this is a hobby. You'll thank me later.

057912

 

[Kro]

My point is that a kick-ass keyboard player playing a synthesizer set for Trumpet probably won’t
nail the part like a Trumpet player unless he thinks like a Trumpet player.

I agree, and that goes back to me saying that being a bassist is mostly a state of mind.

I just wouldn't want anything to be seen as discouraging, and to be honest I'm very sensitive, maybe overly-sensitive to an us (bassists) vs. them (guitarists) mentality, which some earlier posts had hints of (not calling out anybody in particular). I give credit to anybody that wants to pick up a bass at any point and have some fun with it, regardless of experience or skill level.

And if they have the means to go straight to a more expensive instrument, then more power to them. I will however echo the recommendation to make sure that amplification be considered as part of the equation. A bassist's rig is only as good as the weakest link - an amazing sounding bass will still sound like junk through a poor amp/cab, whereas an OK bass could sound fantastic through a decent system.

 

[Sparkl]

You've heard him play, then?

Nope. But assuming that an electric guitar player knows how to play bass more or less is just as awkward of an assumption than mine.

 

[Sparkl]

I hate to break it to bassists that aren't routinely around guitarists that also like to pick up a bass every now and then - but the transition isn't all that difficult. Many of them are pretty much immediately passable bassists if they're decent guitarists. Yes, their technique won't be perfect, and they might seem a little ham-fisted, but then again - that's the MO for many bassists as well.

But seriously guys, being a bassist is a state of mind. It takes some time to develop good bass instincts, but it isn't like much of what guitarists do doesn't translate. Hell, Leo specifically made the Precision to be a guitarist friendly instrument!

Heh. Guitarists point of view on rhythmics and phrasing is completely different to bass. 90%+ of lead instrumentalists can't hold rhythm on their own. This is the main reason why transition isn't as simple as one would think. Sure, if you play 3 chord rock music by grinding the root all the time, sure, transition is a piece of cake. So it is for a bass player who then grinds a powerchord instead.

 

[Sparkl]

I agree, and that goes back to me saying that being a bassist is mostly a state of mind.

I just wouldn't want anything to be seen as discouraging, and to be honest I'm very sensitive, maybe overly-sensitive to an us (bassists) vs. them (guitarists) mentality, which some earlier posts had hints of (not calling out anybody in particular). I give credit to anybody that wants to pick up a bass at any point and have some fun with it, regardless of experience or skill level.

And if they have the means to go straight to a more expensive instrument, then more power to them. I will however echo the recommendation to make sure that amplification be considered as part of the equation. A bassist's rig is only as good as the weakest link - an amazing sounding bass will still sound like junk through a poor amp/cab, whereas an OK bass could sound fantastic through a decent system.

Hey, it goes vice-versa you know...

If you have any experience in teaching bass/upright or playing live you know it is really easy to count all the examples where for example a cellist grabs the upright bass students since "it is the same instrument basically" and transition is simple. And then a big majority of the students just suck, cos they don't have the appropriate mindset or technique. It always starts with a bass guitar since it is the simplest instrument to play modern 3 chord music with. Point is, if you want to be able to play bass guitar "more or less" there is MUCH more to be learned than just playing the roots all the time. A ton of different techniques, sounds etc.

This is not to be meant as discouraging to someone who wishes to pick up the bass, but it really gets on my nerves when most people look at the bass guitar as an easy toy. And people who mostly speak this way (the majority) are players unable to play a major scale even. Or don't even realise what positions on a fretboard are. Or something. Well, just a very educated statement to make, right?

 

[Kro]

I guess I'm more willing to give the benefit of the doubt across the board, and I'm lucky enough to pretty much only work with musicians that have a ton of respect for bass, and me as a bassist. I know that might not always be the case, so I say that seriously - I feel lucky.

Not that I haven't come across the lead guitar player that couldn't keep time to save his life, but at least the ones I've worked with were pretty self aware, and are willing to put the time in to get their parts locked in.

I really do have it good though, two of the three (yes three) guitar players in my primary band are guitar instructors, and one teaches bass and piano as well.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

You can always return it if you don't like it.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

I'm a guitar player (the other kind ). I'd like to take up learning bass. I'm confident I want a Fender P-Bass to start. I've already gone to multiple stores trying them out to get a feel. I've also been lurking the forum while doing my own research.

I've been looking at the Fender Player Precision and American Professional Precision. As someone starting out, should I wait until I'm farther in the journey before considering the more expensive basses? I can afford an American Professional but I'm not sure if I should dive in like that, yet. The American Professional was my favorite of the ones I tried. The Fender Player I tried was a close second.

I'm curious what the more established bass players think.

go for the american bass..will hold its value and you won't have to lose money later doing an upgrade..the player series is the new word for mexican series..and they jacked the price up on the mexicans by something like $100..get an instrument that has the logo under the finish on the headstock..the cheap waterslides on the surface are the pits..I believe the "original" series have the waterslides on the surface because they are trying to recreate the instruments of a particular era where the waterslides were being used..

 

[mrcbass]

Haven't read whole thread, but I'll dissagree with a lot of what I read on page 1. There's nothing wrong with strarting ot on a budget instrument. You won't notice the difference between a Squier/MIM or MIA for a long time if ever. You can find a used squier for a couple hundred bucks which will allow you to get a little beter starting amp. IMO, the amp is the place to "buy the best you can afford" for starting out. You won't lose much on the bass if you ultimatley decide it's not for you.

After 6 months (or more), if you have the Jones, and you feel the need, then go shopping for a higher quality instrument if you feel the need. You may find you eant to explore 5 or 6 string or fretless basses eventually and you should go through a similar process - try it on the cheap and then move up after you figure out what is imoprtant to you for a bass.

I'm approaching 4 years on bass and am just now at a point where I know exactly what I need to manage all of my playing situations. 11 different basses haev been in my house at one time or another to get to this point. I'd be very broke if I purchased new (or even used) MIAs (or equivalent in other brands) along the way. All but my recently purchased MIA were $500 or less (and I would have got a used one if I could have found what I needed in the used market).

If you do get hooked, don't get stuck in a "Fender P is the only ay to go" rut. It's just not. Im a recent convert to the P bass, but I still have a couple of non-Fender jazz configurations that I use for non rock situations. I got to know what I needed by trying a lot of differnt basses and unfotunately you really can't tell for sure until you play it in your environment. GC will gelt you do returns, so keep taking home different styles that you think you muight like after a store test run. Some you'll like, some will be heading back the next day.

 

[SteveHeissner]

I own a Fender MIA Precision bass and I love it. Yet if I were in the market for a P-bass today I'd put a $300 Squier VM Precision on my short list right up there with the Fender American Professional simply because they're great instruments. Good luck in your search!