Hey... I am a new member (circa 5 minutes ago) I know nothing about bass except that i want to learn and buy one to learn on... I want an electric but do not want to spend more than $150 - $300 on it... I would rather by used than new to save money... I have no idea what to buy or where to start so any knowledge / good deals on something good for a beginner would be much appreciated... Thanks to all...
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Help a new player
- Thread starter MattJohnPaul
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Welcome to TB! Seriously, this is a great forum for finding equipment reviews, sharing stories, and getting info. Try out the search tool. There are a ton of suggestions for what you're looking for. You may find some good info with the search button, but, the best way to find a good, used bass is to go down to your local store and try them out.
It is really wise to consider the used market. Sometimes you find something that is a great bass that has some nasty ding that brings it right into your price range. Like the 1973 P I picked up in a pawn shop in 1975. I still have it. I don't even know which dings are early and which ones are late, but it's a great looking and sounding bass now, just like it was then.
Not that you should limit your shopping to Fenders in pawn shops, but there are a lot, and I mean millions of decent instruments, that will fit your budget and serve you well for many years. That said, if you don't know much about it, take a friend or teacher shopping with you. Look at a lot of basses until you do know something about them. Also, read some of the threads and browse here for a while. It should give you some ideas. Listen to some sound files and see if you can tell the difference between the three most common EBG sound palates. This will help narrow the field for you. The Fender P is a single coil sound with a kind of central pick-up. There are many imitations of this configuration and most have the same character of sound. This is the finger style rock-n-roll bass. The Jazz Fender has a bridge and neck pickup and these are single coil on the early models. The bridge pickup gives the bass more tonal possibilities and this is the "funk" bass type of sound. The Rickenbacker sound is very different from these and is more cutting and has a very edgy tone that is like almost nothing else. It has two pickups like the Jazz, but the body is maple with a neck through design. Geddy Lee and Chris Squire made this sound their own although many pro players over the years used the Rick. MusicMan or Ernie Ball basses introduced the humbucker sound with active electronics. That is another different kind of kick altogether. Almost every other bass designed is some kind of variant of those four types. Try to figure out before you buy which type of sound it is that you want to make. Check out the equipment that the players you listen to use and make some notes. Primarily the sound will come from how you hit the string, but after that, it is the bass.
Resist impulse buying. Shop a whole bunch with no intention of buying, just learning what is out there. Once you have a pretty good handle on it and know what's available, come back and post again some specific instruments that you have seen and that look / sound interesting, and you'll get more useful feedback. Good luck finding your first instrument and welcome to TB.
Not that you should limit your shopping to Fenders in pawn shops, but there are a lot, and I mean millions of decent instruments, that will fit your budget and serve you well for many years. That said, if you don't know much about it, take a friend or teacher shopping with you. Look at a lot of basses until you do know something about them. Also, read some of the threads and browse here for a while. It should give you some ideas. Listen to some sound files and see if you can tell the difference between the three most common EBG sound palates. This will help narrow the field for you. The Fender P is a single coil sound with a kind of central pick-up. There are many imitations of this configuration and most have the same character of sound. This is the finger style rock-n-roll bass. The Jazz Fender has a bridge and neck pickup and these are single coil on the early models. The bridge pickup gives the bass more tonal possibilities and this is the "funk" bass type of sound. The Rickenbacker sound is very different from these and is more cutting and has a very edgy tone that is like almost nothing else. It has two pickups like the Jazz, but the body is maple with a neck through design. Geddy Lee and Chris Squire made this sound their own although many pro players over the years used the Rick. MusicMan or Ernie Ball basses introduced the humbucker sound with active electronics. That is another different kind of kick altogether. Almost every other bass designed is some kind of variant of those four types. Try to figure out before you buy which type of sound it is that you want to make. Check out the equipment that the players you listen to use and make some notes. Primarily the sound will come from how you hit the string, but after that, it is the bass.
Resist impulse buying. Shop a whole bunch with no intention of buying, just learning what is out there. Once you have a pretty good handle on it and know what's available, come back and post again some specific instruments that you have seen and that look / sound interesting, and you'll get more useful feedback. Good luck finding your first instrument and welcome to TB.
Welcome to TB! You'll find a treasure trove of information here. Silversorcerer has given you a great introductory post. But make sure to spend plenty of time searching and reading, then you'll be able to post more-targeted questions.
Two things I'd recommend off the bat:
1. Scan the Newbie Links post at the top of this page and read the ones that interest you ("advice on buying a bass", etc.).
2. Search the Basses forum using the word "beginner"--you'll find TONS of threads with plenty of advice. Good luck in your search.
Two words: Fender and Squier Vintage. I belong to the "If you can only own one bass, make it a Fender" school. And those Squier Vintage model basses are awesome for the money.
However, that isn't to say that Fender is the only bass out there. Ibanez, Yamaha, Schecter, Dean, and tons of other smaller companies make terrific basses in that range. But you can play a Fender on any gig in the world.
However, that isn't to say that Fender is the only bass out there. Ibanez, Yamaha, Schecter, Dean, and tons of other smaller companies make terrific basses in that range. But you can play a Fender on any gig in the world.
used MIM fender, squier vintage and SX should be at the top of oyur list in that price range.
you might be able to find a nice used dean, spector, ibanez or mtd kingston for around 300 as welll.
you might be able to find a nice used dean, spector, ibanez or mtd kingston for around 300 as welll.
Thanks for all the help and support guys!!! I just came back from guitar center trying out a selection... The Fenders seem really cool but expensive... I looked at the Squire too (but aren't they fenders as well? what is the difference?) The two of them seemed to be my favorite... Does anyone have an extra used one out there they are willing to sell to a new forum member?
I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend against testing the used market for your first instrument - unless you have help from someone who knows what to look for and avoid in a used bass.
Considering that you probably have no preconceptions about what tone you want, what style of instrument appeals to you, pickup configuration options, etc., I think you cannot go wrong with an entry level Ibanez or Yamaha. Both have very consistent build quality and sound great for the money.
I do recommend that you do not buy your first bass from Guitar Center or a similar nationwide chain. The prices there are excellent, but most of the basses, especially the entry level ones, are heavily played - and therefore often have poor setups, very dead strings, and other effects that will make them poor representations of their make and model. You can probably find an independent dealer in your area who also carries low-priced instruments and who takes better care of them on the floor.
Welcome to the community. Bass is an instrument that takes a day to learn and a lifetime to master. You will enjoy it, and we will enjoy having you as a compatriot.
Considering that you probably have no preconceptions about what tone you want, what style of instrument appeals to you, pickup configuration options, etc., I think you cannot go wrong with an entry level Ibanez or Yamaha. Both have very consistent build quality and sound great for the money.
I do recommend that you do not buy your first bass from Guitar Center or a similar nationwide chain. The prices there are excellent, but most of the basses, especially the entry level ones, are heavily played - and therefore often have poor setups, very dead strings, and other effects that will make them poor representations of their make and model. You can probably find an independent dealer in your area who also carries low-priced instruments and who takes better care of them on the floor.
Welcome to the community. Bass is an instrument that takes a day to learn and a lifetime to master. You will enjoy it, and we will enjoy having you as a compatriot.
The Squiers are budget Fenders made in Korea. There are some differences in workmanship and quality of parts, but essentially they're about the same. Don't know about used ones, but in your price range, they're about as good as it gets unless you find a used Mexican Fender.
There are many forum members who would be happy to sell you an instrument - and this is definitely the place to look first!
If you become a supporting member, you get access to the classified postings here and you will be able to shop what other TB'ers have for sale.
I am not affilitated with TB other than also being a supporting member - so this is no sales-pitch - just an unsolicited public service announcement.
Otherwise - have a look at your local craigslist ( http://www.craigslist.org - choose your region and start browsing) - you should be able to find someone who is selling a reasonable instrument - a Mexican or other non-American made Fender - Squires, etc... that are within your price range.
If you find one that is interesting to you and want to know more, come back here and post a link to the ad and ask for opinions.
Squier is a company now owned by Fender. Previously Squier was the only company ever licensed to make exact copies of Fender bodies and headstocks. The components are not as high of quality as the MIJ, MIM, or USA Fenders, but you are essentially getting a bread and butter version of the Fender design when you get a Squier. Most of the ones I have heard sound fine. Things like the tuners, frets, bridge components, and pickups might not last as long or deliver like the more expensive Fenders, but the design is the most important determinant of the sound, and you tried them side by side so you know the difference. The bridge will be just as adjustable as a Fender, the neck can be adjusted with a truss rod, and the playability can be as good as any Fender style bass out there. Beginners are really lucky these days. Back in the 70's Squiers were more expensive than they are now! And the quality is better now, too. I think the body wood may also be different (poplar I think), but what you hear is largely the same. Poplar is not as heavy nor as hard as Ash or Alder. Cosmetically, you need to be more careful because bumping a poplar instrument could go past the paint into the wood pretty easily. Ash or Alder is much, much harder to do severe damage to. But this is a musical instrument and you need to be careful handling it anyway. Sound-wise, there might be some slight differences in these woods, but poplar has been used in many musical instruments historically and is a good body wood, even if it is not as durable and dense as Ash or Alder. If you are a little patient and look in the classifieds there will be something used. Squier is not a bad choice at all, IMO.
[Edit: I would not recommend against the Yamahas or Ibanez basses either. These are well made instruments also. Unfortunately what was posted about GC is apparently all too true. But at least they will let you play the instruments. Make it a point to visit as many dealers as there are in your area. Remember to shop often and buy only once. ]
[Edit: I would not recommend against the Yamahas or Ibanez basses either. These are well made instruments also. Unfortunately what was posted about GC is apparently all too true. But at least they will let you play the instruments. Make it a point to visit as many dealers as there are in your area. Remember to shop often and buy only once. ]
I'd get either a Squier, an SX or a Jay Turser. All are good beginner basses and still are good after awhile.
For amp wise, an SWR combo would be good or a Peavey amp. Happy playing!
For amp wise, an SWR combo would be good or a Peavey amp. Happy playing!
Hey guys! I found one i think i want to get as a starter
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326525
what do you think? (I need advice)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326525
what do you think? (I need advice)
