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First Bass Suggestions

T

thatguy82

Apr 11, 2013
6
0
#1
I'm trying to decide on a good first bass, and I'm kind of stuck. I've saved a bit of money to get a good bass so I won't go back to buy another a new good one a year later. I have around 500-800 to spend.

I was pretty stuck on this guy

Invalid Link Removed

but I have also read that it has some problems with humming.

My other two considerations so far were the Schecter Guitar Research Stiletto Studio-4 Fretless Bass, and the Invalid Link Removed

As well as Invalid Link Removed

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm still pretty new to bass, but I want to find one that will last me and sound great from the very start.
 
#4
I'd say try for the stiletto. I've played a few different instruments, all from the same model line. Invalid Link Removed all this finish too. I've played two or three of the four string fretted and at least one if not more of the 5. They are good instruments. If I were you I'd start fretted though. Luckily for the same price you can get a five string stiletto, which is something you may want to consider starting on. I myself prefer four, but that's because that's how i started, plus the added string reduces spacing and I generally don't really like the quality of sound that the low B produces. But It might be different if you start on a five string. I'd highly suggest going to a shop and trying some basses out too, and find out if you like four/five/fretless/active-passive/different makers. If not, get what you can, and enjoy the hell out of it while you begin your adventure!
 
#5
Well my friend is letting me have his old amp for pretty cheap. It's a Orange practice bass amp 20B 35 watts. I've thought a lot about the Jazz, I'd really like a precision but I can't find one I like in the price range I'm looking for. I'm looking more into the squier Vintage Modified bass now.
 
#6
I thought about going into guitar center and trying each of these, but I feel a bit foolish going in not knowing exactly what I'm doing. I'm definitely doing my research, and I may just say screw and walk in and try the ones I like out anyway. Do you think the stiletto five string would be a bit tough for a beginner? I figured I would start with a four string and maybe move up one day.
 
#7
CauliColin said:
If you are just starting, if I were your I would get a Squier Vintage Modified bass (whichever one you want) and use the leftover money for a decent practice amp/combo. That is just a suggestion.
Click to expand...

That too. It was four years before I got a decent setup. And it made a difference. The better sounding amp gave me a higher tenacity to play the bass better
 
#8
It depends. For a couple of months, I went into a shop where they had a stiletto-5 and some other five string. I've been playing bass for 6 years now and I can't quite adjust to the extra string. I guess you would have to anticipate what kind of styles/artists that you'd want to emulate and see if a five string is appropriate. You may also want to consider the difference in accessory availability too. You'll get probably twice as many options for things like strings if you stick with a four. But I guess five strings are common enough now that you could possibly have close to the same amount of options
 
#9
thatguy82 said:
I want to find one that will last me and sound great from the very start.
Click to expand...

This sounds like a bright, thoughtful thing to do, but it just can't be done! Actually I don't think it would always work in any other part of life either: car, house, book, pair of shoes, shirt, girlfriend, sailboat.......It might work for washing-machines.

Just as soon as you have a tiny bit of experience all your assumptions about what you like will change.

There are so many different basses about, all a bit different, almost all pretty good or better. And what's "good" for you will change too as your playing improves. I've been playing for ten years, and the cost of all my basses (OK, I don't have many and some folk have dozens) cost me not much more than what you're proposing to lay out on that one bass. My advice: buy a used instrument for about a third of that price. (I'm editing my advice about amps as you've added the post about borrowing. Sometime you'll want cash for that side of your gear though). For certain you'll want to change both within a year, and if you buy new you'll have thrown much more money away.

Enjoy bass playing!
 
#10
Well most of the bassists I like mainly use four strings that I know of. Jeordie White, Paz Lenchantin, Justin Meldal Johnsen, Justin Chancellor, Paul D'Amour, Oliver Riedel. I know these are mostly rock musicians, but I also really enjoy funk bass.
 
#11
I think that's a pretty good suggestion Osprey. I have played other instruments before, but my problem always was I looked back after buying my first one for 150-300 dollars and usually wished I had just spent that little extra for I what I wanted in that current moment because the gear was better.

So I thought maybe I could make it happen with this, but it does seem unlikely to hit a home run on the first try.

I may just keep a look out for a good used bass on ebay. I'm also considering this guy Invalid Link Removed for the price it has pretty great reviews.
 
#12
Seriously, spend as much as you can on an amp. At least 200 watts, and a 15" or 2x10" speakers minimum. Buy used and a good rig can be had for $400 or less, and used gear can usually be sold for whatever you paid when you upgrade.
Get a Squier or an SX bass and you'll be gig-ready right from the start, while a bigger and better amp will keep you inspired to play more often and teach you about getting good sounds.

Bass "practice" amps stink.

Good call on the SR300.
I have an Iceman and SR500, but all the SR300s I've played were solid, played nice, and sounded good.
 
#13
The thing is that no matter what you get, once you get more familiar with bass and if you hang around TB then in a year you'll be GASsing for another one no matter what. There's always going to be something else you want to try.

Of the three you list, though, I'll vote in favor of the Washburn. I had the 5-string version, it was my second bass, and really liked it. The reason I eventually sold it was only that, on a 5er, I wanted a less flat fretboard. But what you're getting there is basically a jazz bass, but neck-through and very light and comfy to play - really a great deal for what they cost.
 
#14
thatguy82 said:
I'm trying to decide on a good first bass, and I'm kind of stuck. I've saved a bit of money to get a good bass so I won't go back to buy another a new good one a year later. I have around 500-800 to spend.

I was pretty stuck on this guy

Invalid Link Removed

but I have also read that it has some problems with humming.

My other two considerations so far were the Schecter Guitar Research Stiletto Studio-4 Fretless Bass, and the Invalid Link Removed

As well as Invalid Link Removed

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm still pretty new to bass, but I want to find one that will last me and sound great from the very start.
Click to expand...

Fender Jaguar is a jewel, all the others are not;)

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#17
thatguy82 said:
Well my friend is letting me have his old amp for pretty cheap. It's a Orange practice bass amp 20B 35 watts. I've thought a lot about the Jazz, I'd really like a precision but I can't find one I like in the price range I'm looking for. I'm looking more into the squier Vintage Modified bass now.
Click to expand...

Does your friend also have an old bass you can borrow for a month or 2 then you might feel comfortable about walking into a shop and trying a few out. let your ears decide wether you want a j or a p etc and then have a look for one in the classifieds
 
#18
Be mindful of your wallet I suppose.
Beyond that it's all about what you feel is the best fit for you.
There's several suggestions to get Squier Vintage Mod's and having money left over to get an amp. But, all in all it's your decision, best of luck.
 
#19
I own a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5-string, and that line of Schecters is excellent value for money. Of the three basses you call out, that fretless is the only one I'd have any interest in owning, personally. But be aware that they have an extra-long 35" scale. At some point, you're probably going to want to get used to swapping between neck scales, but if I were advising a friend starting out, I'd recommend a 34" scale - *especially* if you're starting on fretless.

Fenders are too expensive for what they are, but they at least hold their resale value better than lesser-known makes. Even though it's not an instrument I'd personally buy, of the three you call out, I'd be tempted to recommend the Jaguar - it's a standard Fender Jazz neck, with enough options in the electronics for you to find a sound that suits you, and when you outgrow it, you shouldn't have too hard a time trading up. And it's neither a P nor a J, which shows you have character! ;)
 

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