I'm looking to buy my first bass. I am unable to go to a reliable store being that the nearest store is over an hour an a half from me. So I would being buyin online. It seems that Harley Benton is more on the budget side of basses. Is Harley Benton basses worth it being that cheep or what basses would you recomend for a beginer who loves music but is learning bass to play with friends?
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First Bass Recommendations
- Thread starter DHarmon71
- Start date
You will get dozens of responses here. Instead of going an hour and a half, you could try looking at used stuff. FB Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp are all viable options for the second-hand market.
I know nothing of Harley Bentons apart from their seemingly good reputation here. I would (since you did ask) go with something from the Squier Classic Vibe line. There is a CV Jazz bass listed near me for $250... that's a pretty darn good deal.
Anyway, people with more/better information will follow up.
Good luck with your hunt!
i've heard good things about harley benton but haven't seen one in person, and they make a number of different basses. here in the U.S., ibanez and squier make lots of lower priced basses, some quite good. i'm a big fan of the ibanez GSR100EX, which is available in an attractive black and a less attractive woody finish. or there's the classic vibe squiers, which are sort of fender's highest lower end basses.
what kind of music do you want to play and what's your budget?
what kind of music do you want to play and what's your budget?
Do you realize that you will likely need a bass amp also?
Squier Jazz or Precision basses are quite good, gigable instruments.
Squier Jazz or Precision basses are quite good, gigable instruments.
Squier is a good starter - cheap enough to learn on, but well-built enough to gig with as you improve and find others to jam / write / do covers with.
Still have my Squier strat after 30 years. And still gig with it....
Still have my Squier strat after 30 years. And still gig with it....
I own all kinds but I still go back to my first bass a lot. Yamaha was the way to go for me.
Advice I like to give in this situation is don't try to decide on a specific bass. Define what features you want, how many strings, spacing, looks, etc... and then look for what fits. If you decide on a Fender Jazz but someone offers a 30 year old ESP Jazz clone in your price range check it out.
Harley Benton is popular. For penny pinchers a used Yamaha or Ibanez can get you quality worth many times what you pay for it. Names like Cort, Carvin and Fernandes can have pitiful resale value and many are excellent.
Harley Benton is popular. For penny pinchers a used Yamaha or Ibanez can get you quality worth many times what you pay for it. Names like Cort, Carvin and Fernandes can have pitiful resale value and many are excellent.
Bide your time. Save up. Keep your eyes peeled. Seek help, and it may be beneficial to budget for a good setup, when the right bass comes along. You may need to have a couple of digs at landing a good one — less likely if you fork out, as long as things fall into place. Go all in. Have a blast.
What's your local secondhand market look like? The entry-level Ibanez gear shows up on occasion and is very affordable.
Riis
Riis
Best answer...go to a few stores and try out as many basses as possible.
Some will look good, some will feel good and some will sound good.
Try enough basses and you'll find one that does all three.
Believe me, it's worth the hour-and-a-half drive.
(I've seen quite a few bassists give up in frustration because someone recommended the wrong bass....nothing is more important than finding a bass you can really bond with.)
However, if you have to buy online, you can't go wrong with either of these.
Squier 40th-Anniversary Vintage Precision or Jazz...incredible buy for the money.
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Harley Benton builds good quality instruments for their price structure. I own a couple and I love the way they play. The VT series jazz bass is an excellent value.
Squier, no doubt for me. Classic Vibe is the best and can sometimes match the sound and performance of bass 3 times more expensive.
In your situation, I would buy it used after trying it or on Amazon as you can return it if it has any kind of defects or fret buzz.
In your situation, I would buy it used after trying it or on Amazon as you can return it if it has any kind of defects or fret buzz.
Squier, Ibanez & Sterling are the 3 brands I usually recommend to my students. As a professional player, two of my main gigging basses are a Squier Classic Vibe and Sterling Stingray.
As for specific models, with regards to Squier and Sterling, I tell my students they can’t go wrong with anything Leo Fender had his hand in. P Bass, J Bass, Stingray, etc.
As for specific models, with regards to Squier and Sterling, I tell my students they can’t go wrong with anything Leo Fender had his hand in. P Bass, J Bass, Stingray, etc.
I've been playing going on 45 years and have some high end basses. This is just an opinion mind you. But, my current go to has been a PJ5. HTR Harley Benton in their Deluxe Series. I needed a bass to move around with more than normal so, I ordered a cheap bass to do so, Harley Benton. Color is red, but more burgundy than red. Build quality, fit n finish is perfect, neck is excellent.
All as good as any bass I've seen or used. Controls work just fine. This bass was a total surprise!! First change was the stock strings. I never play the strings on a purchased bass, they are typically junk. Went with the same gauge D'addario's. Again, don't be afraid of Harley Benton. Maybe I got an exceptional bass but it's a keeper. Thomann was fast. I think delivery took 10 days from Germany.
I like many here setup my own basses. If you have no idea about how to setup a bass, any bass, take it to someone who is. It makes all the difference in the world! Good luck in your decision.
All as good as any bass I've seen or used. Controls work just fine. This bass was a total surprise!! First change was the stock strings. I never play the strings on a purchased bass, they are typically junk. Went with the same gauge D'addario's. Again, don't be afraid of Harley Benton. Maybe I got an exceptional bass but it's a keeper. Thomann was fast. I think delivery took 10 days from Germany.
I like many here setup my own basses. If you have no idea about how to setup a bass, any bass, take it to someone who is. It makes all the difference in the world! Good luck in your decision.
When you take price/quality ratio and quality control on starter/low end models in consideration;
Sire, Ibanez and Yamaha never shamed me. Buy the one that looks cool to you within max of your budget from this brands and you will get what you paid for. 2nd hands is a + too If they are in right condition.
Sire, Ibanez and Yamaha never shamed me. Buy the one that looks cool to you within max of your budget from this brands and you will get what you paid for. 2nd hands is a + too If they are in right condition.
Harley Benton is a good brand for beginning, perhaps even better is SX bass. If you have no idea of what type of bass you like, buy a 4 string Jazz bass or Precision bass. If you have any idea, follow your idea. Cheap bass can be great!
As for an amp, good starter amps are Ampeg Rocket or Fender Rumble.
I also recommend to buy used, but you would probably need a friend to check it for you.
Good luck!
As for an amp, good starter amps are Ampeg Rocket or Fender Rumble.
I also recommend to buy used, but you would probably need a friend to check it for you.
Good luck!
I recommend Squier, too. I played a gig once with a Squier Affinity Jazz and it served. As far as an amp, you say you'll be playing with friends. Will there be drums? If so, you'll need something loud enough to be heard. If no drums, something smaller.
