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First Bass?

K

kibbles0515

Sep 9, 2010
81
0
#1
I wanna know what a good beginner's bass is. I'm not rolling in dough, but I don't want a toy like something from First Act or anything (do they even make basses?). I was thinking about a Squier P Bass Special (Squier=cheaper)...or maybe a Fleabass, except that the reviews seem to be pretty negative. As for what style I play/want to play, I like rock, punk, metal, etc. The P Bass Special seems pretty versatile, but I want some more opinions.

To summarize: what do you think of the Fleabass or the P Bass Special, and/or what is/was your first bass and how did/do you feel about it?
:bassist:
 
#3
Squier's get great reviews here and played a few at GC. Nice basses. Also look at the classifieds. Typically you can get a better deal on a used bass. The good thing about buying from TB classifieds is that they usually come with decent strings and have been setup. New basses usually need both.

Also look at used older Peavey's. There is a lot of love for these on this forum. Just Search :hyper:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=692547&highlight=peavey

this one has sold but will give you an idea what might be available if you watch the classifieds.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=692750&highlight=peavey
 
#6
Stay away from the Fleabass, I've never played one but every single iota of review I've ever read or been told points towards steering clear. Can't go wrong with a Squier bro, they're good quality basses for the cost, and some would say that they still would be with a higher pricetag.
 
#8
Not a bad choice, but I think you would have done better with spending just a bit more and going with a Squier. I think you'll outgrow the 200 quicker. But hey, it's your $$$ and your choice and that 200 is not a bad bass.
 
#9
Sorry to trash on the Ibanez 200 but I have one hanging on my wall that became a project guitar because the electronics failed after 4 months of playing.... And honestly by that time I had grown out of it anyways.
 
#10
Theres lots of very good basses available for under $400 new (internet store prices not list). Try many. Decide which brands have the nicest necks for you and of those decide which you like the best sound wise. I think active eq superior to passive, and even here theres plenty of very good basses available under $400 new by ESP Ltd, Ibanez, Peavey, and even a few shecters. Id take the Ibanez gsr200 over the squire myself. Enjoy your new bass. At its low price, upgrading the pups if you decide to later on would still keep it at nice low total investment cost.
 
#11
I really wanted a Squier, but they just didn't have THE ONE, you know? This Ibanez is a good bass for what I wanted it for, which is to learn on and just noodle away. Maybe down the road I'll make a larger investment in a better bass, but I really am satisfied with this one right now.
 
#14
the Ibanez is a good choice, I haven't had any problems playing them, but the GSR200 has a bit of a reputation for failing electronics. I'm a long-term investment kind of guy, so I looked in classifieds, music stores - both new and used sections, and pawn shops for about two weeks, and believe me, it was almost impossible for my fifteen year-old self. I played every bass I could find, for sale or not, just to get an understanding of each model's ins and outs. I ended up getting a good deal on a fender that hasn't let me down yet - not that I'm trying to come off as a fender fanboy in any way.

you've already made your purchase and I respect that, but if/when you feel like another bass, for any reason, look long and hard for the long-term, you may spend some more cash now, but in the long run will be a better investment.
 
#15
I have an Ibanez GSR200, and I think it's probably on par with, if not better than some Squiers. Mine cost me £210, which is certainly not a bad price.

Enjoy the bass dude, I've just moved up from it after 1.5 years of playing it.. Still love it's ridiculously low action!

Liam
 
#16
LiamR said:
I have an Ibanez GSR200, and I think it's probably on par with, if not better than some Squiers. Mine cost me £210, which is certainly not a bad price.

Enjoy the bass dude, I've just moved up from it after 1.5 years of playing it.. Still love it's ridiculously low action!

Liam
Click to expand...

Luckily, I had some help via birthday money, so I ended up only paying $10 (US) out of pocket. The bass was $250, but there was also a 15% off special on all Ibanez basses. So, for $10, I can't say I'm upset!!!

Really, what the final decision came down to was which bass stuck out to me the most. I played some Squier P's and J's, but I kept coming back to the Ibanez. I tried out some others, but this one just felt right. And that's what you should base your decision on, right guys?
 
#18
If you'r enjoying the Ibanez right now, that's all that counts. If, at some point in the future, youre still happy playing the bass, but the Ibby just deosn't do it for you anymore, there's nothing form stopping you from getting something else. Enjoy what you have now, just have fun with it.
 
#19
kibbles0515 said:
Luckily, I had some help via birthday money, so I ended up only paying $10 (US) out of pocket. The bass was $250, but there was also a 15% off special on all Ibanez basses. So, for $10, I can't say I'm upset!!!

Really, what the final decision came down to was which bass stuck out to me the most. I played some Squier P's and J's, but I kept coming back to the Ibanez. I tried out some others, but this one just felt right. And that's what you should base your decision on, right guys?
Click to expand...

That is exactly right.
 

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