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Getting back into bass

J

Justin Askins

Oct 10, 2019
17
9
#1
Hello friends,

Here's the scoop. I started playing bass when I was 12 years old (I'm almost 26 now) and my first and only bass to this point has been one of those First Act ones from Walmart. Well it worked fine when I was a beginner and knew nothing about music or bass, but once I learned about setting up instruments (maybe at like 18 or 19), I found that the bass I had been using was set up terribly and couldnt be adjusted because the truss rod was rusted/broken (according to the guy at Guitar Center).

Bottom line is I sold that bass and have been aching to get back to playing. Wouldn't necessarily be in a band, but that's not ruled out. Would mostly be for noodling and writing songs at home. So my question is: what are basses I should consider to get back into it? I don't want something trash or one that needs a lot of setting up or work, but if those are the only two criteria, doesn't that make my options pretty vast? Budget isn't really an issue either, but I'd like the best value for my money. I've been researching and exploring other options, which are listed below. So if anyone could provide constructive insight, I'd appreciate it.

Ibanez GSR200
Ibanez Mezzo SRMD200
Yamaha TRBX304
Fender Player Series Precision Bass
Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
Fender American Series
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom PJ

Any other ones I should consider?

Thanks guys and rock on
 
#8
Justin Askins said:
...was set up terribly and couldnt be adjusted because the truss rod was rusted/broken (according to the guy at Guitar Center).
Click to expand...
IME, don't trust most anything those guys say..................

Justin Askins said:
I don't want something ..... that needs a lot of setting up...
Click to expand...
Most basses will need a set up to make it fit your needs. Setups on instruments from the factory are usually just an average one to make the instrument playable; you might want something different in that regard.
 
#9
Justin Askins said:
Hello friends,

Here's the scoop. I started playing bass when I was 12 years old (I'm almost 26 now) and my first and only bass to this point has been one of those First Act ones from Walmart. Well it worked fine when I was a beginner and knew nothing about music or bass, but once I learned about setting up instruments (maybe at like 18 or 19), I found that the bass I had been using was set up terribly and couldnt be adjusted because the truss rod was rusted/broken (according to the guy at Guitar Center).

Bottom line is I sold that bass and have been aching to get back to playing. Wouldn't necessarily be in a band, but that's not ruled out. Would mostly be for noodling and writing songs at home. So my question is: what are basses I should consider to get back into it? I don't want something trash or one that needs a lot of setting up or work, but if those are the only two criteria, doesn't that make my options pretty vast? Budget isn't really an issue either, but I'd like the best value for my money. I've been researching and exploring other options, which are listed below. So if anyone could provide constructive insight, I'd appreciate it.

Ibanez GSR200
Ibanez Mezzo SRMD200
Yamaha TRBX304
Fender Player Series Precision Bass
Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
Fender American Series
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom PJ

Any other ones I should consider?

Thanks guys and rock on
Click to expand...
Try out a Yamaha trbx174ew...great basses, I have the mango wood top model and it looks,sounds,and feels great.
 
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#11
Justin Askins said:
Hello friends,

Here's the scoop. I started playing bass when I was 12 years old (I'm almost 26 now) and my first and only bass to this point has been one of those First Act ones from Walmart. Well it worked fine when I was a beginner and knew nothing about music or bass, but once I learned about setting up instruments (maybe at like 18 or 19), I found that the bass I had been using was set up terribly and couldnt be adjusted because the truss rod was rusted/broken (according to the guy at Guitar Center).

Bottom line is I sold that bass and have been aching to get back to playing. Wouldn't necessarily be in a band, but that's not ruled out. Would mostly be for noodling and writing songs at home. So my question is: what are basses I should consider to get back into it? I don't want something trash or one that needs a lot of setting up or work, but if those are the only two criteria, doesn't that make my options pretty vast? Budget isn't really an issue either, but I'd like the best value for my money. I've been researching and exploring other options, which are listed below. So if anyone could provide constructive insight, I'd appreciate it.

Ibanez GSR200
Ibanez Mezzo SRMD200
Yamaha TRBX304
Fender Player Series Precision Bass
Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
Fender American Series
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom PJ

Any other ones I should consider?

Thanks guys and rock on
Click to expand...
Why not start with the best?
G&L L2000

You'll never have to buy another bass.
 
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#12
jd56hawk said:
Why not start with the best?
G&L L2000

You'll never have to buy another bass.
Click to expand...

I just bought an L2000 Tribute and it arrived Monday. I own a US L1000 CLF and had an early L1000 at an earlier part of my life. G&L's are the ticket at so many price points. You can get an JB Tribute for under $500 brand new if you buy right (Musician's Friend often runs 10% off deals and AMS and Zzounds will match or do them one better). I paid $660 for my brand new L2000. I was planning on waiting until after the holidays for a US version but couldn't resist the sunburst bass I bought. I've been playing it for hours each night since it arrived and can't get over how good it is. The range of tones you can develop from these L2000's is incredible. The quality of build for these Indonesian Tributes is also extremely high. Straight out of the box, I was comfortably playing after spending about 15 minutes adjusting string height and checking intonation.
 
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#13
TI_JB_113R04R13-front-1200.png


The Tribute JB is $500 less 10% off at Musician's Friend right now.

TI_JB2_120R40R00-front-1200.png


The JB-2 is even cheaper at MF for prices ranging from $400-$450 and they had 10% off for Rocktober. I don't know if the sale is still on.
 
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#15
I got my nephew the Ibanez when he was just starting out, and he plays it to this day. My first bass was a cheap Yamaha, and I have to agree with the guys saying those are nice. It was a really nice, though stripped down, beginner bass, and sounded really good. Even after I'd played for a while I still loved that bass. Sold it for Woodstock tickets! No, not the first one, lol.

The gentleman that said squire too, yessir. I had a squire classic vibe p bass and thought for the cash that was an amazing bass. I like maple fingerboards though, so.....
 
#16
Justin Askins said:
Hello friends,

Here's the scoop. I started playing bass when I was 12 years old (I'm almost 26 now) and my first and only bass to this point has been one of those First Act ones from Walmart. Well it worked fine when I was a beginner and knew nothing about music or bass, but once I learned about setting up instruments (maybe at like 18 or 19), I found that the bass I had been using was set up terribly and couldnt be adjusted because the truss rod was rusted/broken (according to the guy at Guitar Center).

Bottom line is I sold that bass and have been aching to get back to playing. Wouldn't necessarily be in a band, but that's not ruled out. Would mostly be for noodling and writing songs at home. So my question is: what are basses I should consider to get back into it? I don't want something trash or one that needs a lot of setting up or work, but if those are the only two criteria, doesn't that make my options pretty vast? Budget isn't really an issue either, but I'd like the best value for my money. I've been researching and exploring other options, which are listed below. So if anyone could provide constructive insight, I'd appreciate it.

Ibanez GSR200
Ibanez Mezzo SRMD200
Yamaha TRBX304
Fender Player Series Precision Bass
Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
Fender American Series
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom PJ

Any other ones I should consider?

Thanks guys and rock on
Click to expand...

Vast indeed...

Before considering hypothetical value, the most fundamental aspect of any bass I buy for myself is its fit. If it's not comfortable for me, especially on a strap, it's going to be a waste of my money. My strong recommendation is to look at any bass as having little value for you if it forces you to make too many contortions to play it or if it's too heavy or exhibits too much neck dive. Big red flags there.

So if you find a decent fit and playability with something, then there's probably some potential there.

I've been rather impressed in recent years with Lakland Skylines, Yamahas, ESP/Ltd, Peavey, and a newer label that has earned a decent reputation in a big hurry; Sire. I've found Fenders to be rather hit or miss for me - I've owned a couple, but haven't kept them (both were US made Deluxe models). The "Sterling by MusicMan" line is rather affordable compared with the US built MM's

Lots of these basses available in the used market along with several others. Warmoth is a great brand that shows up in the used market here and there for relatively low dough. They make both necks and bodies and sometimes folks use both to build a bass to their spec's. If value equals quality materials and solid craftsmanship, Warmoth can be tough to beat.

If you're into Jazz basses, one other brand to scout for is Bacchus. Their premium basses come from Japan and can easily cost more in the used market than let's say a bare-bones Mexican Fender, but they're phenomenal. A couple years ago I passed on a really nice one that was a little pricey for me at the time, but I've bought two of their basses since then - both used.

One is a Global Series, which is an import build from the Philippines - probably the best $300 bass I'll ever buy. As far as I can tell, the other is a Japanese Bacchus 24, which is more or less a Jazz on steroids. Our honeymoon is still going strong after several weeks, but this may turn out to be the best bass I ever own... and yes, it fits me grrrrreat!!
 
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#19
Justin Askins said:
I've never even heard of those. I'll check them out
Click to expand...

Welcome to Talkbass. There is a wealth of information on this site with a lot of very knowledgeable and very nice folks on here.
I will cast a vote for the LTD B-50. There is a lot of bang for the buck on it. It has one of the best playing necks that I have ever played. The B-50 is light, sounds great with the PJ pickups and you can get a lot of different tones out of it. It stays in tune extremely well and is just a blast to play. I have not regretted pulling the trigger and buying one.

Good luck on finding your next bass.
 
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