As someone who’s played guitar for many years, I’m now looking to get a bass to try out, but I don’t want to spend too much money. I have a few options in mind: Donner DBC-100, Harley Benton JB-40, and STRICH SPB-S10. Right now, I’m leaning towards STRICH because the package includes a lot of accessories, which seems like great value. I'm curious to know what others think about these options and how they would choose.
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How to Choose a Bass Guitar on a Budget
- Thread starter SIMONl1989
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Beginner packs are pretty much always a bad deal. They're propping up a really cheap instrument with cheap accessories and hoping newbies won't know the difference.
If you're in a place with music stores and/or online marketplace options like FB Marketplace or Craigslist, you'll probably get WAY more bass for your money by looking at the local used market.
It's counterintuitive, but a cheap bass and a good amp will get you farther than a good bass and a cheap amp. Cheap basses are usually pretty good these days, some pros even use them for their working gear. Cheap amps are still... cheap. The better ones are good for quiet practice but not necessarily for playing with anyone else.
One of the advantages of buying in-person at a store is that you can negotiate with the store over some of the accessories when you're buying a (relatively) big-ticket item like a bass or amp. Some stores might even include a couple free lessons to get you started. You'll probably still spend more than you would online but you'll be getting more in support and assistance.
One of the advantages of buying in-person at a store is that you can negotiate with the store over some of the accessories when you're buying a (relatively) big-ticket item like a bass or amp. Some stores might even include a couple free lessons to get you started. You'll probably still spend more than you would online but you'll be getting more in support and assistance.
I second the notion of buying used. And take your time to find the bass that feels good to you.
Find a used Yamaha TBRX-174 (low cost), TBRX-304 (medium cost) or Yamaha bb734a (higher cost, but still worth it) and count your blessings that we live in an age of such well-made affordable instruments literally everywhere.
Hell, you can even buy NEW of those models, call it a day, and have an exceptional instrument in your hands no matter which you pick.
Hell, you can even buy NEW of those models, call it a day, and have an exceptional instrument in your hands no matter which you pick.
Hard to say what type will be good for you. That's something that you will learn (eventually).
There are LOTS of inexpensive Basses that work just fine these days.
Just keep in mind, if the 'quality' of the bass is 'cheap'/poor, then that in itself may turn you away from bass right from the start.
(As a guitarist, I'm assuming you already know this).
I agree with others to buy used (best bang for buck).
If you can, try before you buy, or at least buy from a place with a good return policy, JIC it isn't what you thought. GC has a good return policy, free shipping to a GC near you, and free return (within 30 days, I believe), and of course, a HUGE selection to choose from. (I do not work for GC, honest).
Also, how much money are ya looking to spend? This will help people suggest a particular bass(es) in your range.
T$
If you're talking about one of these Harley Benton basses, you'll be ordering from Thomann?
Other than that, forget about Donner and Stricth...never even heard of them.
Go with something with a good track history...maybe a Squier Sonic Precision bass. Very nice for $250.
Maybe an Epiphone Embassy.
If you've played guitar for a long time...buying a bass is going to be close to exactly the same thing (just with fewer options)
As a guitar player you are familiar with the ease of playing difference between a cheap guitar and a better guitar, the same holds true for basses. Don’t make a mistake and select a bass that’s painful to play! My first bass was a Squier Vintage Modified 70’s Jazz bass. It sounded great and played well. Best wishes in your search for your first bass!
What is your budget? What you can get as far as quality is determined by your budget. Generally, a used instrument in good condition of a reputable manufacturer, foreign or domestic, will be a better value than a new "student pak." Whatever your budget is, a good rule of thumb starting out is to spend about half on the bass and half on a small but reliable practice amp. If you actually purchase the bass at a brick-and-mortar store, the store, as a new customer, will either throw in or give you a deal on the basic (pun intended) accessories you will need to start: cord, case (if not already with the bass), neck strap, picks if you are going that direction, strings, tuner. That's the advice I was given over fifty years ago when I was a middle school student starting out, and it still holds true. Later on, if you stick with it, you can upgrade and/or expand your options from there.
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Squier or Epiphone. You'll get a decent (likely more than decent) instrument that holds value and you can easily upgrade later if you want to, say, swap in a better pickup.
Also, you'll save if you buy used. Then you can afford a better amp.
Also, you'll save if you buy used. Then you can afford a better amp.
Can't comment on Donner or Strich. I've only seen these brands sell cheap pedals that were okay'ish, but low quality.
The Harley Benton, however, is surprisingly good. I would not have expected a decent instrument that is absolutely playable right out of the box for that kind of money, but the one I checked out, someone I know bought one and I headed over to set it up, came with D'addario strings and even had proper intonation and decent action.
The Harley Benton, however, is surprisingly good. I would not have expected a decent instrument that is absolutely playable right out of the box for that kind of money, but the one I checked out, someone I know bought one and I headed over to set it up, came with D'addario strings and even had proper intonation and decent action.
You've played guitar for a while, so the strap and cable in the package are meaningless - you have those already. The amp; that's not going to be useful to someone who's played guitar - your expectations are undoubtedly well beyond that that thing can do. You also have a tuner, I'd bet. So, the package is a bass and some stuff you can't really use, or at the very least, the things that might be useful, you will have to replace in short order. The fact that they are throwing in all that stuff means they have had to cut corners on.....the bass - the one thing you probably want to keep, but it's almost certainly substandard.
The best value is NOT a package - it's a good bass that you will use for a good, long while. Even if you don't end up staying with bass, the resale on a decent bass will be far better than on.. this thing. The "buy once, cry once" edict is really strong here. You can get a decent bass nowadays for very little money. But a "package" is a poor deal in almost all situations.
The best value is NOT a package - it's a good bass that you will use for a good, long while. Even if you don't end up staying with bass, the resale on a decent bass will be far better than on.. this thing. The "buy once, cry once" edict is really strong here. You can get a decent bass nowadays for very little money. But a "package" is a poor deal in almost all situations.
I've seen Donner around as a Chinese effects company, digital effects for very low money, probably not named after a famous disaster, The Donner Party (look it up) but I can't help thinking about it whenever I read the name. Personally I would avoid a bass of that name, but as a punk band name, maybe.
Try as many Squier Sonic Precision basses as you can and pick the one that has no quality issues and sounds great. You really can’t go wrong with this one.
Okay, lots of great advise on the bass above. I see you are in LA. You should have great access to all sorts of new and used market basses to try. If you have a Music Go Round or the like, that is a really good place to start.
As for the amp (per package looking enticing), don't skip and buy a combo practice amp. They don't have the volume to play with others and the sound is less than appealing. So, if you don't have the volume to play with others, you are better off with a good set of headphones and a headphone amp. You can get a Vox headphone amp and solid headphones for under $100 that will sound way better than any sub50-watt practice amp. Plus, those around you will thank you.
Then, when you are ready to jam with others, buy the right amp or DI box (you may not have ANY need for an actual amp) for the situation.
As for the amp (per package looking enticing), don't skip and buy a combo practice amp. They don't have the volume to play with others and the sound is less than appealing. So, if you don't have the volume to play with others, you are better off with a good set of headphones and a headphone amp. You can get a Vox headphone amp and solid headphones for under $100 that will sound way better than any sub50-watt practice amp. Plus, those around you will thank you.
Then, when you are ready to jam with others, buy the right amp or DI box (you may not have ANY need for an actual amp) for the situation.
That’s great insight.
Also: you can slowly improve a cheap bass over time with upgrades. But you can’t do that with an amp.
And on the subject of amps: the Fender Rumble series gives you really good tone for a bargain.
I agree about not getting a package. Select individual items, only the ones you need, and buy quality wherever you can afford to get it. Cheap cables will go bad before you even unwrap the packaging. Cheap straps will feel like you hung the bass around your neck with bailing wire. If you have to go cheap on the bass itself, go for a Squier, you can upgrade it later. I would say go used on the bass but you might lack the knowledge to spot a lemon, so I'd say look for a deal from a reputable dealer (ha, that's a good one, better post in the joke forum?).
No comment on the amp. If you have headphones, you could get by for awhile with a plug-in headphone amp, until you decide what your needs are.
No comment on the amp. If you have headphones, you could get by for awhile with a plug-in headphone amp, until you decide what your needs are.
Given that you mentioned Harley Benton I assume Thomann delivers to you so I went ahead and but together a list of what I would buy instead of that ready made set fom an unknown brand.
www.thomann.de
Ibanez is a well respected company with a proven track record of quality products much like the other brands on the list.
"Beginner bass set" – Thomann International
Browse Ibanez GSR180-BS, Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass, Cordial EI 3 PR elements, Thomann Nylonstrap, Korg GA-2 Guitar / Bass Tuner
www.thomann.de
Ibanez is a well respected company with a proven track record of quality products much like the other brands on the list.
