First Starter Bass

[forte]

Hi!

I'm getting a bass very soon, and like everyone else I just want the best bass for my money. I've been researching for a few weeks now (I'm like that, I have to know everything). I'm only looking to spend up to three or four hundred Canadian on my first bass. I was looking into 5 strings, but I realize that chances are I'm not going to get a nice phat sounding B string for the little I'm spending. I wouldn't want a useless b string. I'd be fine with a 4 and tune BEAD if I ever need to. I don't even know if I'll need B.

I really want something versatile. I want a bass that can compliment any sound. I think I'll be doing a good deal of slapping. And you know, I've heard of some bass guitars being harder to slap on, which I really don't understand right now. I've also heard of some bass guitars being more geared towards certain types of music.

Some influences on me are Rage Against the Machine, Korn, Deftones, Pixies, Gorillaz. In the near future I'll probably be playing rock and punk, maybe even ska. But I'd like to join a rap rock band.

If any of that helps, is there a specific bass you guys could recommend for me? A bass or a starter pack. Or should I get a bass and amp seperate? All opinions on these forums would mean a lot to me. By the way, I probably won't be able to buy online for discounts (like musiciansfriend.com) because I'll have to pay an extra... one hundred, maybe even two hundred dollar fee just because it goes past the border.

Rock on!

 

[Oliver]

hey mate, have a look at a yamaha or ibanez or esp...all good gear

i think of 4 and 5 string this way, its better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it,
i say go for 5, as i said above if you ever need it its there. good luck mate

 

[Oliver]

and welcome to the forum!

 

[Libertad]

I am also a huge RATM fan and just started playing about 7 months ago. I purchased an Ibanez GSR 200. I have been very happy with its all around playability and different tone capabilities that it has. It has P and J pick ups and I was able to find out that I love the Jazz tone much more than the P. So I will be buying a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass this week (cant wait). Anyways back to the Ibanez it has been a great bass and I do plan on keeping it. It only cost me $180 brand new.

 

[srxplayer]

The Ibanez GSR 200 is a great starter bass. My daughter started on that 3 years ago and she still uses it. Sounds great for the money and the build quality is good.

 

[Libertad]

SRX, I actually bought my Ibanez at the Guitar Center in Berdoo.

 

[Stadic]

I think if you wanna start out with a bass... Squire is the way to go.

 

[forte]

Thanks! Really helpful.

GSR200 sounds like a winner with the P and J pickups.

How are the Squiers? I've heard pretty good things about them too, but I've also heard people just right out bash their quality.

 

[KarateKid25]

My squire was the devil!! To keep things simple I'll just say that there was an earthing problem that make loud cracks and pops when I touched the strings. Also had a weak neck that needed frequent adjusting. Eventually maxed out the truss rod and had to live with like inch high action. It was good at the start...all Down hill from there. SX over squire ANY DAY!!!

 

[forte]

What did you do to your Squier?

Is there anything else anyone could tell me about the Squiers?

 

[Stadic]

I still have my Squire. After like 2 years of having it still works pretty good. A few problem here and there but not that bad.

 

[forte]

Would the Affinity series Squiers be the crap ones I hear about?

 

[reptilia]

SX
www.rondomusic.net
best bass you can get for the money.
I started out with an ibanez srp 400, not sure if they still produce though, but it wasnt too expensive and great for the money.

 

[forte]

Yo I saw SX basses at a hock shop. A big franchise of used **** in Canada. But they had a ton of these SX basses, new. And I assumed they were just cheap ****.

So... can anyone tell me about the SX basses? The prices are nice.

 

[Theonestarchild]

Look for a Used Peavey Fury. Sick nasty bass. SX is nice too. Just remember that your first bass needs to be something special. I will never sell my first bass. There are tons of people on this forum today who regret selling their first basses. Even if they're POS, they're still your first bass.

 

[wtf_is_a_bass]

Yo I saw SX basses at a hock shop. A big franchise of used **** in Canada. But they had a ton of these SX basses, new. And I assumed they were just cheap ****.

So... can anyone tell me about the SX basses? The prices are nice.

SX is what i recommend to all beginners as their first bass. Theyre extremely cheap but they are as good if not better than some MIM Fenders. Heaps of guys here ive seen swear by SX as a starter bass, some of them even gig with and SX. Your main choices are replicas of a fender p bass and j bass however there are others. The j bass would be the way to go if you want tonal versatality and a good slap sound but both basses can fit into nearly all music styles. Try them both out and see what you think

 

[Mattmedia]

My first bass (and only at the moment....) was a Epiphone Embassy Special 4, but from memory the standard 4 which was a jazz, wasnt much more expensive (yeah i think the special was used as a derogitory term..) and it has a brighter tone then my mates ibanez 100gsr, but it is quite heavier. other than that, a 'crapish' sounding bass can be the best for a starter, because if you can make it sound good, you'll be able to do that for any bass... well thats what i reckon.....

mattmedia

 

[Labi]

Carefull with the Squiers, they're all so different. Avoid the Affinity though. Try hunting a used MIJ Squier. You should also consider OLP. I have an MM3 5 string and so far it's brilliant.

 

[Earwigger]

I have been relatively impressed with OLPs I've played at GC. Better then Squiers IMO.

 

[lateralus423]

Schecter, peavey make good entry level basses particularly the schecter omen-4 and peavey millenium bxp 5.