First Bass

[Isaac_James]

Just FYI, when you embed your responses into the quoted text the whole post shows up as a quote. You can work around it with a little HTML if you're clever with that or you can post your whole reply after the quoted portion.

You are not alone in observing that many shops have diminished stock in instruments. COVID didn't help with that but the shift in recent years towards online instrument sales also plays a role and that began before COVID was a thing. It's a shame for those of us who want to hold the instrument in hand before buying it!

I am supportive (and a wee bit envious as a parent of two young kids) of your decision to pursue a home studio as your hobby. If you are getting into this seriously I would recommend getting at least a 50W practice amp, or bigger if you plan on playing with others. 200W is typically the minimum you can get away with if you're playing with a drummer and a full kit, but something like 500W will go further. A preamp pedal is also a nice thing to have, you can use that as a DI box for recording. Look for one with an XLR output. There are a LOT of options here and if you want suggestions, that's a whole 'nother thread.

 

[salmon256]

Hi!

To echo what all the others are saying, I agree going to a store and trying tons of a basses if you can. I can vouch for Yamaha and Marcus Miller V3 to V7 models. My reason for bringing up Yamaha is they are built like tanks, and also provide a pretty awesome all round tone for most. My big thing personally from me would be is to get a bass that calls YOU, and makes you wanna practice because if you play or jam with others, even if a PA system is a thing, it's good to use the next big purchase on gigable amp/combo in the future. I even recommend watching some videos on choices for beginners, myself I first play an Ibanez Mikro not knowing it was extra short scale, but I don't regret at all! So something you can't put down is my philosophy and something that makes you wanna practice! Have a great day, keep us posted on your choice!

PS: Talkbass is an older crowd, don't fall into the new music bad, tort bad jokes. Choose what you want, and everyone on here though is chill for the most part
Have a great day and weekend again!

 

[peterbata]

Just FYI, when you embed your responses into the quoted text the whole post shows up as a quote. You can work around it with a little HTML if you're clever with that or you can post your whole reply after the quoted portion.

You are not alone in observing that many shops have diminished stock in instruments. COVID didn't help with that but the shift in recent years towards online instrument sales also plays a role and that began before COVID was a thing. It's a shame for those of us who want to hold the instrument in hand before buying it!

I am supportive (and a wee bit envious as a parent of two young kids) of your decision to pursue a home studio as your hobby. If you are getting into this seriously I would recommend getting at least a 50W practice amp, or bigger if you plan on playing with others. 200W is typically the minimum you can get away with if you're playing with a drummer and a full kit, but something like 500W will go further. A preamp pedal is also a nice thing to have, you can use that as a DI box for recording. Look for one with an XLR output. There are a LOT of options here and if you want suggestions, that's a whole 'nother thread.

Thank you for the heads-up re: quoted text. An amp is defintely going onto the "must buy" list. Small steps, right. Here is one of of an abundant number of pics of my tiny little setup. Not tooting my own horn by the way. Not my style.

Tonelab 2 — Postimages
Studio C — Postimages

 

[peterbata]

Hi!

To echo what all the others are saying, I agree going to a store and trying tons of a basses if you can. I can vouch for Yamaha and Marcus Miller V3 to V7 models. My reason for bringing up Yamaha is they are built like tanks, and also provide a pretty awesome all round tone for most. My big thing personally from me would be is to get a bass that calls YOU, and makes you wanna practice because if you play or jam with others, even if a PA system is a thing, it's good to use the next big purchase on gigable amp/combo in the future. I even recommend watching some videos on choices for beginners, myself I first play an Ibanez Mikro not knowing it was extra short scale, but I don't regret at all! So something you can't put down is my philosophy and something that makes you wanna practice! Have a great day, keep us posted on your choice!

PS: Talkbass is an older crowd, don't fall into the new music bad, tort bad jokes. Choose what you want, and everyone on here though is chill for the most part
Have a great day and weekend again!

Thank you @salmon256 More great advice. The recurring theme so far seems to suggest that I get into stores (often) and try try try until I buy buy buy (pardon the nursery rhyme).

Another thought that just came to me: Wouldn't it be nice if I could actually speak and listen to bass owners in my vicinity. Maybe get out to see some live shows. Which by the way are few and far between even though we live in a thriving city (Montreal). I just don't know any bass players. Although, I have been fascinated by what I have heard and seen on the internet. So many talented musicians.

A quick little tidbit and I am not in the habit of name dropping. I owned a recording studio here in town back in the late 80's early 90's. A young up and coming bassist came in to do a little session work. That was Rhonda Smith and her then boyfriend Bones Jones. I have that photo somewhere. Hilarious.

 

[peterbata]

I’ve never played a bass that I’ve bought from the classifieds before buying. So there is an inherent risk, but there is also a wealth of knowledge and experience on this site to lean on. You’re off on the right foot by starting this thread.

We’re I in your position - small project studio, bass is not your primary instrument, $1000 ish budget - I would be watching the classifieds for a good Precision or Jazz style bass. That may sound contrived and tired, but those are among the two most recognizable recorded basses so either would serve you well.

Thank you @Mighty Thumb Oh, I certanly gave the pre-owned P & J some thought but assumed that they would be way out of reach price-wise

 

[Isaac_James]

Thank you @Mighty Thumb Oh, I certanly gave the pre-owned P & J some thought but assumed that they would be way out of reach price-wise

There are P basses at all sorts of price points now. You can spend $2000 on an American made one, but Fender has a Mexican factory and those are more in your price range. Squire (Fender's entry level brand name) also makes some pretty darn good basses these days. People rave about the Classic Vibe basses and those are in the $400-$500 range new, I think.

 

[peterbata]

Let's get the important stuff out of the way first: Gravy and cheese on fries??? Ok, understand this; you don't violate First Principles, except at your peril: The Earth is not flat, entropy rules, S*&t runs downhill....and French Fries = 'Taters, hot oil, salt (plain old salt; iodized is acceptable). Period.

Gravy and cheese on what started out as FFs does not = FFs. It's something, but it ain't FFs. As an aside you don't mess with ales; you don't put strawberries in'em, or whatever the whacko new age ingredient dujour intended to make your beer stand out from the rest, is. The W Europeans/UK got this stuff figured out a long time ago. Don't mess with, just improve execution.

QED

My first instrument was Trombone; second, quite a few decades later, drum kit, third (recently), bass. Since I didn't have a guitar background, test driving would have been pointless (and difficult to arrange); the OP has a guitar background so it seems to me that test driving would be very worthwhile if reasonably feasible. I know nothing but, First Principles again, how could one go wrong with a P or J-base? For me though, when I read that Leo left Fender in '60 something and ended up building G&L during his increasingly older (and presumably wiser and more knowledgable) years I just decided "G&L"; and for some reason that evades me right now plus nice reviews I snagged a Kiloton (Tribute Series). I still know next to nothing, though my fingers are starting to move around the fretboard better, and I love that bass (and I'd doubtless love a bunch of others). I will cop to serious lust at the countenance (and six bolt neck) of the Fullerton Kiloton in orange metallic with fake tortoise shell PG.

Thank you @NotAGardener Again and not surprising G&L. I'm at a loss. Bet you guys wish that I had never stumbled upon this site (he says with a naughty grin).
Gravy and cheese you say? We live in a province that I am almost certain invented and prides itself on "LA Poutine". As a matter of fact an annual huge Poutine Fest is slated for July. There is one held in almost every corner of the province that we live in. Believe it or not I have not had one in clode to a year. Not a fan. Feast your eyes and pallet.

The Grand PoutineFest | Old Port of Montréal

 

[peterbata]

There are P basses at all sorts of price points now. You can spend $2000 on an American made one, but Fender has a Mexican factory and those are more in your price range. Squire (Fender's entry level brand name) also makes some pretty darn good basses these days. People rave about the Classic Vibe basses and those are in the $400-$500 range new, I think.

Hmmm! Some bass player from my past must still owe me money. I'll have to give that more thought.

 

[Mighty Thumb]

I recently picked up a Sire P5 that blows the doors off every Mexican Fender I’ve owned and most American ones I’ve played. They are well below your budget. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[peterbata]

I recently picked up a Sire P5 that blows the doors off every Mexican Fender I’ve owned and most American ones I’ve played. They are well below your budget. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Awesome. Thank you

 

[Isaac_James]

I recently picked up a Sire P5 that blows the doors off every Mexican Fender I’ve owned and most American ones I’ve played. They are well below your budget. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This is a very good point - there are many good P bass style FSOs (Fender Shaped Object) that aren't made by Fender or Squier. I've only played a Sire once and I think it was an M2, not one of their classic style basses, but it felt great and they are priced very affordably. Yamaha also delivers good bang for your buck, I am one of many users here who sing the praises of their BB basses. Schecter also makes good stuff. I'm sure there are other examples too. That is one big difference now compared to 40 years ago when you last played bass - many more good options outside of Fender.

 

[themickster]

Hello all. New member here who is very pleased to be part of this community. Thanks for having me. This will also be my very first post so please go easy on me

Bass is not my first instrument (Guitar was/is). Although, I have found myself playing bass (not mine) on some of my earlier original compositions. That would have been some 40+ years ago. Yes, I am old / older now. Wiser? Not so sure.

I have finally put together my own small project studio and was thinking of picking up my own / very first bass. For no apparent reason O should add. I came across two gentleman who are selling their Ibanez SR750. This would be on Facebook Marketplace. by the way. One turned out to be a royal scam artist so that leaves me down to the one.

His SR750 appears to be in excellent shape (in his words Mint). It comes with with an Ibanez fitted hard case and was set up and dress fret by Weston Instruments.

Again, I do not know much about the model other than it was discontinued in 2017 and the last retail price then was $899 CAD.

He is asking $900 and claims that his asking price reflects the fact that the fret job alone cost him $400

I have never played this model so I know absolutely nothing about it other than what I have read and heard in YT videos.

Which brings me to the crux of my post. What should I be looking for in the purchase of my very first bass and possibly the last. I am looking to spend something in the vicinity of $1000 -> $1200 (Canadian dollars).

Your time and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Peter

For those of you that wish to see the Ibanez SR750 mentioned in my post please visit my shared folder.

494.1 KB folder on MEGA

Go for something like an Ibanez GSR or SR300E or low cost Yamaha. They are good basses.

 

[peterbata]

Go for something like an Ibanez GSR or SR300E or low cost Yamaha. They are good basses.

I'll add those to my list as well. Thank you

 

[NotAGardener]

Other than one email back/forth I don't know this guy but he has several nice basses at his reverb site; he seems to deal with lots of nice guitars. Had I been headed down his way at the time I'da probably gotten one of his. Gryphon Endeavours | Reverb

If still shopping I'd probably go to the trouble to drive down for this: G&L Fullerton Deluxe LB-100 with Rosewood Fretboard 2021 - Fullerton Red | Reverb

 

[ebo]

G&L Tribute L-2000 Bass Guitar - 3-tone Sunburst G&L tribute L2K. $800 new, and you can get used for $600. Pretty versatile.

 

[Sortarican]

Having helped several guitarists pick up their first bass and letting them noodle on my various models, I'd say the most common takeaways (as others have mentioned) is figure out the neck profile you like and the core sound profile you'd like.
Your price range leaves you a lot of options.
I didn't see it mention (but didn't read all the post details) but what style of music do you play most and what is your favorite 6 string? This may help guide you on what's the best fit.

 

[jd56hawk]

Hello all. New member here who is very pleased to be part of this community. Thanks for having me. This will also be my very first post so please go easy on me

Bass is not my first instrument (Guitar was/is). Although, I have found myself playing bass (not mine) on some of my earlier original compositions. That would have been some 40+ years ago. Yes, I am old / older now. Wiser? Not so sure.

I have finally put together my own small project studio and was thinking of picking up my own / very first bass. For no apparent reason O should add. I came across two gentleman who are selling their Ibanez SR750. This would be on Facebook Marketplace. by the way. One turned out to be a royal scam artist so that leaves me down to the one.

His SR750 appears to be in excellent shape (in his words Mint). It comes with with an Ibanez fitted hard case and was set up and dress fret by Weston Instruments.

Again, I do not know much about the model other than it was discontinued in 2017 and the last retail price then was $899 CAD.

He is asking $900 and claims that his asking price reflects the fact that the fret job alone cost him $400

I have never played this model so I know absolutely nothing about it other than what I have read and heard in YT videos.

Which brings me to the crux of my post. What should I be looking for in the purchase of my very first bass and possibly the last. I am looking to spend something in the vicinity of $1000 -> $1200 (Canadian dollars).

Your time and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Peter

For those of you that wish to see the Ibanez SR750 mentioned in my post please visit my shared folder.

494.1 KB folder on MEGA

Thanks, just bought one of the basses I recommended to you...I wasn't planning on it, but I was three miles from Russo Music so I decided to drop by.
Good thing I did.
Saw this one the minute I walked through the door.
Picked it up, plugged it in, and knew right away I wasn't leaving without it.

 

[peterbata]

She's a real Beauty. Congrats

 

[jd56hawk]

She's a real Beauty. Congrats

Thanks.
I knew what to expect, but I was still surprised at the quality of the finish.

 

[mrperkolator]

Thank you so much for chiming in. And, thank you for the Welcome. My thoughts exactly on the fret dress. So,basically the seller wants $500 for the bass and have the seller pay additional $400 for the fret dress which in reality was due to wear and tear brought on by the player / seller. I think that I am going to rule out "Used" all together. Have a safe and wonderful weekend. Peter

I wouldn't pay $1 for someone's fret job, unless it came with a receipt and a transferable shop guarantee. I'd assume an older bass would need another one (unless it was very recent). You could try offering $500 if you really like the bass.

on the other hand.... I was on a roll a year or two ago trying all sorts of stuff. For a semi-pro bass in the price range you're talking, you cannot go wrong with a passive Sire. I'm using "semi pro" as somewhere between beginner and pro. I recommend passive instead of active Sire because I have an active jazz (Sire V3)... the knobs were too close together so I swapped the preamp. Passives are pretty much Fenders. Sire's M line is not a fender copy, and the knobs look decently spaced. I've heard great tones online with the M series. I played several in their line and in Squire. Both the Squires and Sires were nice. Sire I bought online, and I'd do it again. Squire... I'd try it in person first. Their QC isn't always there. Sire's rolled fretboards will also have you spoiled after trying.

But generally speaking, Sire is the best at quality per $. I'd buy sight unseen again.

Go try a few different models if you can. You will develop a taste for what you're looking for. A J bass, P bass, or PJ are good bets for versatility, but for certain tastes and music a thumpy hollowbody cannot be replaced. There's lots of opinions, and unique situations that change what is ideal.

Good luck!