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First Bass

S

spidey4549

Sep 22, 2006
33
0
39
Montgomery, WV
#1
I am looking to buy my first bass soon. I know the only way to choose one is to go try them out and see which one feels and sounds better. I was just wondering what your all's opinions were on the few basses I'm looking at, and opinions on any other kinds I should check out. I am looking to get one with a P/J arrangement.

Ibanez SR300DX
Yamaha RBX170
Rondo SX SB-301
Squier MB4
 
#2
If your going to buy fender, you may as well buy high end because otherwise a squire wont satisfy you for long, youll probably get 2-3 months of play out of it before you realize how much better there is out there
 
#3
From that list I would go Rondo SX or Yamaha cause I have heard good things about both. As in build Quality and playability.

You might want to think about trying some 2nd hand Basses though. As far as I am concerned (I aint no pro or even close), if a bass is set up well by a pro. Might cost another £20 uk money but will play as well as any other (within reason).

A pro setup on a bargain bass is the best advice I can give to a newcomer to our nasty picky world :)
 
#6
I was told today at a music store that it would be better for me to just get a jazz bass instead of getting one with a P/J arrangement. Is this true? Which type would be better for me? I plan on playing hard rock and some classic rock on it mainly. He also suggested the Fender Standard Jazz. It was around $330 and it seemed like the store carried mainly Fender.
 
#8
I can understand the confusion. Typically, the only answer is what sounds best to you. Not knowing what's available or having an ear tuned to hear the difference can limit your ability to make the right choice.

I guess the first thing I'd say is to shop the used market. A lot of people will tell you that their first bass ended up not being what they eventually wanted (again, because they didn't know what they wanted to start with). My first bass was a crappy Epiphone P copy. I insisted on getting a new bass, despite the owner of the store telling me I'd regret it. I did.

He had tried to steer me into a beat up used bass (an old Rickenbacker Hamburg, if I recall) for the same price. He informed me I'd be back in a year looking to trade it in and that I'd most likely get nearly what I paid for the Ric, while the Epiphone would net me about 1/2.

Two years later....he was right. So that's my advise. If you're not sure what to buy you'll get numerous different opinions (and most of them will be good), but "your" sound isn't identified yet, so who knows which is the best advise? Buy used and get as much of your money back as you can when it comes time to buy something you know you'll like.

Mike
 
#9
spudmaster34 said:
either one will sound excactly like what it is, if you like the sound of a p/j then that will work beter for you, if you like the sound a 2 j's then that will work beter for you. DON'T COMPROMISE if you do you will regret it and not enjoy bass as much
Click to expand...

Agreed. I really don't understand the music store clerk's reasoning for steering the OP towards a Jazz Bass. There's a reason why Leo Fender designed both P and J basses.

Anyways, I would recommend the SX or the Ibanez.
 
#11
spidey4549 said:
I am looking to buy my first bass soon. I know the only way to choose one is to go try them out and see which one feels and sounds better. I was just wondering what your all's opinions were on the few basses I'm looking at, and opinions on any other kinds I should check out. I am looking to get one with a P/J arrangement.

Ibanez SR300DX
Yamaha RBX170
Rondo SX SB-301
Squier MB4
Click to expand...

My reccomendation is the Ibanez or the Yamaha. For a first bass, those both have very accessible necks and are easy to learn on. I know a number of local bassists who still use their RBX170s on gigs, despite having access to much better equipment. Yamaha makes good stuff.
 
#16
I went out today and tried out a Peavey Millennium 4 BXP. It sounded good and wasn't too heavy. I'm leaning towards it now because most of the stores around here don't carry Ibanez or Yamaha and a few other brands, so I don't want to buy one that I haven't held or tried yet. What do you guys think of the Peavey? What type of amp and accessories would go best with it, if I decide to get it. The guy at the store told me it ran at around $240. Here is a link to the bass:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#17
be sure to get extra strings, a tuner, an extra strap, and a nice cord don't be stingy on these, a bad strap will send your bass to the floor, a cheap cord will hum and buzz no matter how well sheilded the bass is, bad strings can make a great bass sound like ****, and of course you need a tunner
 
#18
I'd recommend finding a used Mexican Fender Deluxe P Bass Special on ebay or here in the classifieds. You get the easy playing Jazz neck, both kinds of pickups and a really classy look. You'll probably be thankful for the fatness of the P pickup when you start playing some hard rock. The Ibanez would be a good choice too. I've always liked the SR300/400/500.
 
#19
Thanks for all the help. I think I've decided to get the Yamaha RBX170. Everyone talks good about it and it's a good price for my budget. Plus I can now spend a little more on an amp and accessories. My budget for an amp will probably be $200 and less, but if needs be I can go up a little bit if it will be better. Any suggestions on a good amp in this price range and any good accesories to start with is appreciated.
 
#20
I had originally intended on a P/J setup, with the thinking I could put in a sweet sounding P pickup, and a really hot J pickup to dial in grunge and highs as necessary.

Well I had been dead set on that plan until I walked into GC one day, pickup up a MIM Jazz bass and loved the sound and feel, and I got a great deal on it as well. The Jazz Bass takes a different approach as far as pickup volumes and EQ setting than a Precision, but the Jazz setup hasn't disappointed me yet.

Either way, you should be able to get good sounds out of whatever pickup combinations you choose. Even then, there are so many flavors of replacement pickups out there, that you have even more options.
 

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