Geezer looking for bass

[40Hz]

Welcome to TalkBass! Nice to see a new face around here.


If weight is a concern you might want to consider a Hofner Ignition. Classic sound and looks. Affordable. And it doesn’t get much lighter than one of those.

 

[sabre79]

I had a Mikro as my "cheap" bass and I really liked it. But it's gone now because I actually like my Ibanez TMB 30 a little better. About the same price as I recall. To me the biggest differences between the Mikro and the TMB30 is not the scale, but the width of the neck (TMB is like a P bass), and the overall size of the instrument.

A big plus of the Mikro is that it is small enough to play on the couch without smacking your wife/dog/kid with the headstock.

The Mikro is great and I turned it into a headless. Great for playing in my single wide trailer without banging into anything.

Just like you, I sold my Mikro and bought a TMB 30. Wonderful bass. Great neck.

 

[jimmydean]

A cheap but good sounding bass is the Squier mini bass .....I played one awhile back and they are pretty good.

 

[Auggieinks]

I'm new to the bass also and 61. I have a Squire P, an Ibanez (teledyne copy I guess) and a squire Bronco. The Bronco is short light and very easy to play for me

 

[Bassquest]

I have the Squier Mini as well. With arthritis it helps get my hands going in the morning.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

I'm a 76 yr old ex-guitarist with arthritic hands looking for a short scale bass. Just looking for something to "noodle" around with. Never played bass before but cannot play guitar anymore.
I looked at the Gretsch Junior...too heavy. Stock is low at the stores near me so I may have to purchase on line without testing first.
Any suggestions???

Well. Welcome to Geezerville.

 

[zubrycky]

My suggestion: A Danelectro longhorn bass.

 

[jmlee]

I'd recommend the Rogue violin-type bass sold by Musician's Friend. It's ridiculously good for the money (you can find it for as little as $139 on sale), quality's surprisingly great, plays easily, is light, and you can hear it fine to practice without an amp. Short scale. Put some nylon-wrapped strings on it (I use D'addario Black Tapewounds—you need Medium scale length strings, although it's a nominally short scale bass) and Bob's your uncle.

Just checked: it's $149 right now. Look here.

 

[Rnr..........4]

Geezer Butler looking for bass..

 

[smurfco]

A Hofner or Hofner-esque (Rogue, Epiphone) gets my vote too.

 

[Gizmot]

Without being directly critical of anyone, it surprises me that so many people have said that certain instruments mentioned here sound killer — even though I know that some of these basses sound and play like doggie do-do. Can this be explained by saying that if a bass functions it’s okay?

 

[relayer66]

Fender Mustang is a good way to go.

 

[Auggieinks]

I'm still trying to figure out the tones Being new to all this I'm sure what I think sounds good may be piss to experienced players

Without being directly critical of anyone, it surprises me that so many people have said that certain instruments mentioned here sound killer — even though I know that some of these basses sound and play like doggie do-do. Can this be explained by saying that if a bass functions it’s okay?

 

[A9X]

Without being directly critical of anyone, it surprises me that so many people have said that certain instruments mentioned here sound killer — even though I know that some of these basses sound and play like doggie do-do. Can this be explained by saying that if a bass functions it’s okay?

Tone for a beginner, even someone who's been playing another instrument for ages is a distraction. All that matters in this case is that the bass fits the OP physically and it's well set up and makes sound.

My suggestion would be a Link Removed short scale. I bought mine for the equivalent of $US100 from a retiring music teacher in mint condition, and it's a fine little bass. It's balance, weight, playability and neck were better than the Fender Jag I bought new so the Jag was traded on. They are less common than many others, I just mention it in case you see one so that you don't pass on it because you don't know what it is.

Best of luck, and enjoy playing bass.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Stuff over here to look at...

Rondo Music Bass Guitars

 

[mrperkolator]

Without being directly critical of anyone, it surprises me that so many people have said that certain instruments mentioned here sound killer — even though I know that some of these basses sound and play like doggie do-do. Can this be explained by saying that if a bass functions it’s okay?

I know what you mean. I had the opportunity to try a Hofner Club (the cheap one) a month or so ago, and I loved the weight, and it seemed well made. But while I was playing it I was underwhelmed. I couldn't help but think about all the changes I'd make to it electrically. Then I realized it wouldn't be worth it to me. Kinda sad. I want to like them.