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First Post

R

rwe416

Mar 2, 2009
31
0
South Central Indiana
#1
I would like to start by saying I have enjoyed reading and learning from this forum.
I am new to playing bass and want to learn all I can. I have always wanted to learn but have never taken the time. My son heads to college in Aug. and my daughter is now 16 with a car. This leaves me with alot of time to start a hobby.
My son plays guitar and he is helping me learn.
I have read all the threads on the SX basses. They seem to be a good bass for the money. So here comes the newbie questions.
Do I look for a P or J style bass? Short scale? I like the looks of the ones with the chrome hardware over the pickups. Does this make it hard to change strings?
I listen to a variety of music so I would want a bass that is veratile.
I look forward to learning and hearing from you guys.
I have an opportunity to buy a LTD B254 in black for $200. So the SX or the LTD?
 
#4
Welcome to the forums! about your question of the SX basses, you can't really go wrong with the PJ setup like this one here
Link Removed
my friend actually just bought this exact same one and I got to play it last Thursday in a studio session of all things ;)

It's a great bass for the price, may need a decent setup by a tech and some new strings. The pickups aren't anything to write home about, but it's a great looking/playing/sounding bass for half the price of what you'd pay for something at Guitar Center that probably 2x crappier.

Definitely playable basses out of the box (as was the one I played last week, ie no setup, stock strings, pups, etc). I don't personally own one, but am looking at the fretless versions right now. Good luck! And now that you're on here, don't forget to keep playing and less reading LOL. :bassist:
 
#5
rwe416 said:
I would like to start by saying I have enjoyed reading and learning from this forum.
I am new to playing bass and want to learn all I can. I have always wanted to learn but have never taken the time. My son heads to college in Aug. and my daughter is now 16 with a car. This leaves me with alot of time to start a hobby.
My son plays guitar and he is helping me learn.
I have read all the threads on the SX basses. They seem to be a good bass for the money. So here comes the newbie questions.
Do I look for a P or J style bass? Short scale? I like the looks of the ones with the chrome hardware over the pickups. Does this make it hard to change strings?
I listen to a variety of music so I would want a bass that is veratile.
I look forward to learning and hearing from you guys.
I have an opportunity to buy a LTD B254 in black for $200. So the SX or the LTD?
Click to expand...

Welcome to TB!

I started on a P-bass. Which I have now modded to have the Ashtrays (or, chrome over the pickups) and it looks good.
You DO have to take them off to change strings though.

What are some bands you're into so we can get an idea the sound you're going for?
 
#6
I listen to mostly contemporary christian. I have a wide range that I listen to. Chris Tomlin to Skillet.
Is it worth the price for the more expensive ones? Here are a few that I have had my eye on:
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DECISIONS DECISIONS!
 
#7
rwe416 said:
I have read other forums they seem to shun the newbie. It does not seem to be that way here.
Click to expand...

Welcome!

TB does not shun newbies at all. We might verbally abuse you for stupid questions from time to time though. I kid. We love to help each other out around here!

SX seems to be a pretty good bass for the money. And you really can't go wrong with a P-Bass or Jazz (or a similar copy) for a first bass. It is rather traditional and uncomplicated and they've been the "standard" forever. You can also find used MIM (just means they were Made in Mexico) Fender P-Basses and Jazz's fairly cheap, that can be every bit as good as those made in America (MIA). They usually run around $250-$350.

If you look at the top of every forum, you'll see a lot of threads that are called STICKY. Read those. There is a ton of important information gathered from many oft-repeated questions about everything BASS related.

Also, there is a "Search" function (up near the top of the page) where you can find threads on any subject you can think of asking a question about. Go to the "Advanced" search function and you'll get lots of your questions answered in the threads that come up.

Don't be afraid to ask anything at all, no matter how silly it seems. We've all been there. Oh, and don't take any offense to those who scream at you to do a SEARCH first. They're the ones who like to read more than help anyway.

Welcome aboard.

Now go do a SEARCH for cryin' out loud! ;) :D
 
#9
rwe416 said:
I listen to mostly contemporary christian. I have a wide range that I listen to. Chris Tomlin to Skillet.
Is it worth the price for the more expensive ones? Here are a few that I have had my eye on:
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
DECISIONS DECISIONS!
Click to expand...

Out of sheer curiosity (and a little boredom) I listened to Chris Tomlin and Skillet on good ol Youtube. Skillet sounds like the Christian version of Orgy! :hiding:

I'll go on record as in favor of this kind of configuration, which I actually just ordered: Link Removed

You'll be able to get a lot of common tones out of it, which means it'll be satisfying to play while you're still developing your own tastes.
 
#10
Skillet is an AWESOME band. I read the sticky for newbs and it looks like I need a small neck. I am only 5'8" and I have small hands. (you know what they say about guys with small hands: we wear small gloves):D
Any thoughts on the LTD B254? It is the one with the black finish.
 
#13
rwe416 said:
Skillet is an AWESOME band. I read the sticky for newbs and it looks like I need a small neck. I am only 5'8" and I have small hands. (you know what they say about guys with small hands: we wear small gloves):D
Any thoughts on the LTD B254? It is the one with the black finish.
Click to expand...

I dont know about the LTD, but the other SX's you have listed have very fat necks. I played both a J & P SX this weekend and they had the exact same necks. Thick like a P bass neck.
 
#16
If I were in your shoes (and I'd like to be,you're buying gear!),I would go buying the "good,used bass route".You mentioned your son is a player,have him help you buy a really good used bass.Look at it from an economic standpoint:I would much rather buy a nice,barely used bass and get more.

Or,you can go buy a brand new bass for the same money and get less (in most cases).That's just me.I'd rather buy used ANY DAY as opposed to buying new.Unless you are getting something made custom;to your specs.

Bottom line:You get more for your money,buying used.Just stay away from "scammer guy" on E-Bay selling the 1960 Jazz Bass with 3 knobs.Oh,my bad......He says he does not sell fakes.
 
#19
rwe416 said:
Do I look for a P or J style bass?
Click to expand...
Depends - you can't really go wrong with either.
rwe416 said:
I listen to a variety of music so I would want a bass that is veratile.
Click to expand...
Okay - Get a "J" style bass. (or, even better yet IMO - a P&J)
rwe416 said:
Short scale?
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Only of you're a short scale person... and by that, I mean child or medical dwarf. I think that all adults can handle a full sized bass.
rwe416 said:
I like the looks of the ones with the chrome hardware over the pickups. Does this make it hard to change strings?
Click to expand...
I like that look too. I don't own one, and never will, but I realize it looks cool. Yes - The covers will make it hard to change strings AND hard to play... then again some folks aren't bothered by them, so maybe you won't be. They can be removed, so I guess there's no reason to shy away from a bass with covers... you can just take them off if you hate them.
rwe416 said:
I have an opportunity to buy a LTD B254 in black for $200. So the SX or the LTD?
Click to expand...
I have no idea - I'm not familiar with LTD and not very familiar with SX.

Good luck!
 

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