Guitar player looking to get into Bass.

[raventepes]

I get that a lot of people like P's and J's and Jag's...I do too. But really, I'd go with something like a used ESP/LTD or a Yamaha RBX of some sort, either of them come in HH or PJ configurations and can be bought for dirt cheap.

If I were going for a Fender/ Squier though, I'd find an older Squier Jazz Standard.

 

[raventepes]

Much like electric guitars, you want to avoid major problems that are visible and audible, like missing bridge parts, damaged nut/neck/fretboard/body, non-working input jack or volume/tone potentiometer. Damaged paint isn't a big deal.

I agree here! A lot of what you know about guitars and their construction are the same on bass. If you wouldn't buy it as a guitar, don't buy it as a bass.

 

[placedesjardins]

you have my blessing.

 

[David Jayne]

Well, if you are new to bass, string spacing, neck shape, pickups, string type, etc. are kind of moot. You'll conform to whatever you're playing. .

True. I only suggested a P bass because it's probably the most user-friendly option. Easy to get a fat sound out of a P at any level. Beyond that it takes time to learn to play and months or perhaps years to figure out just what kind of sound you're after.

 

[Don M]

My 2 cents would be start with a bass with a thinner neck Fender/Squier Jazz, Ibanez GSR/SR it will be closer to the guitar. But, try 'em all. You may end up liking a chunky neck. Also, for grins take a look at the Bass VI's: Fender/Squier Bass VI, Ibanez SRC6 Crossover, Schecter Ultra 6, Hellcat, Hellraiser and the Ultra Cure. Eastwood Guitars also has Bass VI, the Sidejack VI I think. If you don't want to spend a pile of money checkout Rondo music, particularly their "SX" bass line.

All this being said, I've only been playing bass year (with no other instruments growing up, I'm 42) so I still have a newbie view of some stuff. I do however like my two basses that I have now and had no complaints with my Ibanez GSR200.

 

[todd0864]

I've found an RBX 170 for under $100. I'll see if I can check that out before it's sold. If I can find another deal like that on a different bass, it might be worth getting 2 and see if I bond with one of them. And there's a shop not too far away blowing out SWR 1x15T cabs.

 

[pudgychef]

I've found an RBX 170 for under $100. I'll see if I can check that out before it's sold. If I can find another deal like that on a different bass, it might be worth getting 2 and see if I bond with one of them. And there's a shop not too far away blowing out SWR 1x15T cabs.

That would work! With a set up those are perfectly playable basses and will give you a good taste if you like it. I say skip the 2nd bass, get a new set of strings and good setup from a good tech - and grab that SVT115 if it is a good deal.

Other than this the idea of a used Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe P or J would be my vote..great solid, gig-gable basses for cheap.

For amps - heck..piles of used Peavey combos that will do the trick. For newer stuff I like the Rumbles..the used V2s are affordable - I played the heck out fo the tilt back 30..handled rehearsals no problem (guitarist on 22w tube combos) and I used a DI at clubs..wasn't ideal - but sounded very good with a Squier VM P. If you came across an Ampeg 50 or 100R in your range - GRAB IT!

my 2 cents...tons of options available

 

[Maxdusty]

Definitely check it out and try it out first. $100 is a good price for the RBX170 , a great deal if it's one of the newer exotic wood ones. The RBX170EW.
Thing to keep in mind about the bass is it's got a chunkier neck than the Jazz bass- I have small hands but still found it pretty comfortable. Weak point about the bass (well true for most budget basses) are the pickups and electronics. They're decent mind you and will work for you, but they can be upgraded later.
I only recently traded it because there was a trade offer I couldn't pass up on, but I would pick one up again if I found a good one used.
I'm not a beginner, I've been playing for over 30 years but despite the budget price of the RBX170, I love the feel of the bass (the neck even though chunky feels really good and solid-well made)- even better than some of the basses more than twice the price-again, switch the electronics and pickups later on and it'll be awesome. The P/J pickup configuration is also pretty versatile.
Another thing, the RBX170 basses all weigh differently, so find one that suits you best. My mango wood was nice and light.

 

[moody]

I've found an RBX 170 for under $100. I'll see if I can check that out before it's sold. If I can find another deal like that on a different bass, it might be worth getting 2 and see if I bond with one of them. And there's a shop not too far away blowing out SWR 1x15T cabs.

Just leave it at one bass for the moment. Nothing wrong with yamaha. I've had an RBX 755a as my main bass for years.

 

[todd0864]

Yes, those new exotic wood versions look nice. This one is blue. And I just realized that I could play it through my POD HD500 with headphones until I get a cab. I don't mind chunky necks, it's the really thin necks I don't like, so middle of the road to a little chunky could work. Looks like I have lots to pick from locally, so I'll keep ya posted. I should have something by the end of the weekend.

 

[placedesjardins]

True. I only suggested a P bass because it's probably the most user-friendly option. Easy to get a fat sound out of a P at any level. Beyond that it takes time to learn to play and months or perhaps years to figure out just what kind of sound you're after.

P bass is fine. I started on a Cort P-bass copy. User-friendly as in set volume to 10 or 0.

 

[Robus]

I'd much prefer one $200 bass to two $100 ones. Kick in a third hundred and you could be shopping for a used Mexican Fender or a CV Squier. Just saying, why begin your bass adventure by fighting with a bottom-of-the-barrel instrument?

 

[kenneffdupriest]

stay away from bass guitars with pointy headstocks and red bass guitars, trust me

 

[todd0864]

I'd much prefer one $200 bass to two $100 ones. Kick in a third hundred and you could be shopping for a used Mexican Fender or a CV Squier. Just saying, why begin your bass adventure by fighting with a bottom-of-the-barrel instrument?

Is an Ibanez GSR250 considered bottom of the barrel?

Another thing I forgot to ask is, Maple vs Rosewood fingerboards. Is maple more snappy? Would that be good for slap bass?

 

[Fingerpickingood]

Is an Ibanez GSR250 considered bottom of the barrel?

Another thing I forgot to ask is, Maple vs Rosewood fingerboards. Is maple more snappy? Would that be good for slap bass?

Again, I'm fairly new to this, but I had one of the GSR series to begin with, and I didn't like it one bit. I think the SR300 is a fine bass for the money. You can get one for about $400 brand new, or even cheaper used.

 

[Maxdusty]

Is an Ibanez GSR250 considered bottom of the barrel?

Another thing I forgot to ask is, Maple vs Rosewood fingerboards. Is maple more snappy? Would that be good for slap bass?

Only thing is you mentioned that you're not into thin necks, the Ibanez SR series basses have some of the thinnest necks around so they may not suit you. Still worth a try though but something to keep in mind. Regarding the kind of wood for the fretboard, to be honest with you, I have basses with both kinds of fretboards and slap on both- I don't see any advantages one has over the other- the difference has much more to do with the action and string height.

 

[Djadja]

I'd agree with those who are pushing you up in price a bit for the bass. A better instrument is always more inspiring to play which means you get better faster and have more fun doing so. Wattage for the amp is a little different though depending on whether you plan to jam with friends or play out... in which case more is better. Adding a zero as was said here is a good start.

I am another guitarist (over 50 years) who dabbled at bass off and on through the years and then about 3 years ago, our church band lost its bass player and I slid into the spot. I would underscore the earlier comment that bass and guitar are completely different instruments and as you intuited, the role is very different in the mix of things. As you get going, I'd recommend following some of the bass lessons on youtube, especially Scott's Bass Lessons but there are others too. Practice with a metronome or a drum track as much as you can. And do plan to find a band to join. Playing with other people is always a good way to improve. If you don't have a couple of friends who play to start a band, try a church band. They are often looking for bass players.
Have fun!

 

[ggunn]

How's everyone doing? Great I hope.
Anyway, just found this forum today and I'm doing a little digging around on the web about bass guitars in general. I'm a 6 string electric guitar player, off and on for almost 30 years and I'm thinking about trying out the bass finally. I'm not great at the guitar but know enough to jam with friends and played on stage at a bar with a friends band once. I've played my friends basses here and there just messing around but never thought about getting one.

Now, as I'm getting older (42) I'm finding that I really enjoy listening to the beat more and cool bass lines and how they work together instead of just crushing guitar riffs and blistering guitar solos. So I'm thinking, hey, I have some spare cash to try something else and the bass popped into my head, why not give it a shot. I've been watching some vids on youtube about bass reviews, lessons, tips, and buying advice and I thought I'd ask you all as well.

I was thinking about 4 and 5 strings, had settled on 4, then no it should be a 5, then back to 4 again. LOL.
I've been looking online locally at the music stores and CL for good used deals. I figure I want to spend between 100 and 250 dollars on a used bass and probably the same or less on a 30w amp, give or take on the watts though I'm guessing I probably don't want to go lower than 30 watts. Like entry level stuff here just in case I don't fall in love with it. Just something that is decently made and with a good setup will play nice and allow me to progress and jam to some classic rock, old school metal, maybe funk and 70's pop.

I'm not looking for clear answers around bass brand names because I know that can be subjective, but maybe some tips on pickup configurations for those styles I listed, advice on number of strings, what kind of amp is good to start with, which string spacing should I start with (hands are probably normal size, finger tips are on the beefy side) and what should I look at when buying used like action height or neck cracks.
Thanks!

I started playing guitar at 14, bass at 53. It's a whole 'nother world and I am really enjoying it. My advice is not to decide on a bass on the basis (no pun intended) of how easy the transition would be due to neck width, string spacing, scale, etc. Embrace the differences! And play finger style at least at first so that you won't so much sound like a guitarist playing bass. You will, of course, somewhat, in the beginning, but you'll get through it.

As to 4 vs. 5 strings, I started on a 4 banger but got my first 5er after less than a year and never looked back, YMMV, of course. And none of my 3 basses is a Fender.

 

[todd0864]

I did just looking at the local shop tonight. Looked at new and used. Different sized necks. Maple and rosewood. They had a good mix of basses. Going to sleep on it but I'm leaning towards a Yamaha TRBX174. The next one I liked was a G&L JB2 I think? But it was $450.

 

[Maxdusty]

I did just looking at the local shop tonight. Looked at new and used. Different sized necks. Maple and rosewood. They had a good mix of basses. Going to sleep on it but I'm leaning towards a Yamaha TRBX174. The next one I liked was a G&L JB2 I think? But it was $450.

You probably know already, but if the store's Guitar Center, I always ask if they have a discount promo currently taking place. In all cases (or through sheer dumb luck), there was always one going on and saved me some money.