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I want to play bass!

#21
norbster said:
What are the most important elements to look for when buying a first-timers bass?
Click to expand...

For someone just starting on an instrument, who has never played anything before, I'm going to go out on a limb and say forget about tone, forget about how "cool" it looks or how many controls it has and find one that feels comfortable to you when you have it on a strap around your shoulder.

Right now you're probably not going to know what tone you're after, or what style you will be most comfortable playing, but if you're not comfortable when you pick it up to play, you probably won't be playing long.

If you're small in stature you might consider a shot scale bass (the neck is shorter on them). If you have little fingers you may be more comfortable with a thin neck.

Are there any local mom-and-pop type music shops in your area? You can usually get better service and more hands on help from someplace like that rather than at a chain store like Guitar Center.

Oh, and welcome to thew world of bass!
 
#24
Your getting lots of info.
Here are my suggestions and all of them have been mentioned.

1) www.rondomusic.com or a new Squier (the new ones are quite nice) Also lots of gear in the classifieds on this forum. I always buy used basses and tend to trust the members here.
2) Get a good teacher and don't be reluctant in changing teachers. check on there background. My teachers have all had formal training and can teach theory. I find that extremely helpful.
3) Nice sounding amp makes it lots more fun. Buy used!!!!

What area are you from? Helps talkbass members know where you are from. I have seen newbie posts before and sometimes members have just what you need just laying around and will give you a good deal.
 
#27
I don't think you'll go wrong with this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-Gig-Maker-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Package-in-Red_W0QQitemZ260422848189QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3ca2694ebd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
 
#28
As most have mentioned, I agree that newer Squiers and SX basses are a great place to start. +1 on the set-up.

A recent post mentioned getting a good teacher. This can be more difficult, as a "good" teacher is one who, not only knows his/her stuff (technique, theory, etc.) but can convey that to you. One person's master teacher is another's hack! I went through about a half dozen teachers before settling on my current one. I've been studying with him for the past nine months and I wish we had made a recording of the "before-and-after". (S)he won't always be at the closest music shop, so do the best you can - even if it means a few extra miles.

One area that has only been touched on briefly here is amps. Again, +1 on avoiding Behringers. My practice amp is a Fender B-DEC 30. They go for $300+ new, but if you watch eBay and CL, you can pick one up for a lot less. I got mine for $125. It's 30 watts (plenty for practice), has a single 10" speaker, and is small enough to carry with one hand.

What I like so much about it is that it has a built-in teaching system. It won't replace your teacher by any stretch, but if you're like me, you'll have a bass in your hands even if you're not doing a "focused practice". I'll noodle around with my bass while I watch football (only 47 days until the first NFL pre-season game!), talk on the phone, or whatever.

You see, bass is largely a support instrument, meaning that it is meant to combine with the drums to form the ryhthm section for the lead instruments (voice, guitar, keys, etc.) Playing your bass (even if it's just scales and arpeggios) is so much more meaningful when you use metronome, but clicks are boring. It's those times when the B-DEC is best, because it gives you something to play along with. I like to put on a teaching loop and have the B-DEC go through one of it's loops, then change the key or the tempo (or both). It's fun and makes you want to play!!

Here's a link to check it out:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#29
Welcome, and hope these posts help. I will not contribute because there is little else to say on the matter. Having now asked thsis question, you can re use it for the rest of oyur bass playing career by simply changing the price you want to spend. Come to think of it, you can reuse all the answers too.

Have fun, this place has an awful lot of knowledge to gain. I thought I was pretty smart with music/equipment stuff until I started snooping around here.
 
#30
For your first bass, get something inexpensive. It will take a few months (minimum) of playing before you decide what kind of sound or qualities you want in a bass. In a year, you'll know exactly what you want. Wait until then to drop 500+ bucks on a bass.

Also, a teacher helps a lot in the very beginning. Even if you only go for 6 months, you'll have a foundation of musical information to build off of that will really help down the road.
 
#31
I started off with the Squire package and it suited me fine in the beginning. If you live in an area that has a small hometown music store rather than a big box type store, you may be able to find out from them when you buy it if they are willing to take it back as trade in on a better bass in a year or two if you like playing bass after that time. That is what I was able to do.
 
#32
Since your so new to this and also that you have the cash to get a good bass, my advice is that I wouldn't. You're going to get alot of great repies here, but that only thing that matters is what you prefer. ANd at this point you simply haven't the experience to know what to prefer. I would get ahold of something that's pretty cheap but decent. Maybe something that your bass teacher, if you don't have one yet get one, and not a guitard that teachs bass but a real bassist, could recommend. If your gonna soend some $$ on a bass, I feel that you should have experience with many different ones until youfind what you like. I hate for ya to buy an expensive bass only to find out that you like something else.
 
#33
Welcome Norbs.

I would also vote squier a used vintage modified jazz or classic vibe would fit the bill.

Althouth, you say you are a girly girl, if you are quite "petite" a short scale bass (Neck is a little shorter) may be for you.

All depends where in the world you are. Namaste - India?

I don't know any good bass shops in India, but i bet someone here does.

I am laughing when writing this because "norbs" mean something completely different where I come from.
 
#34
norbster said:
When I go into the music stores I get really intimidated, because I didn't grow up playing and instrument, and I'm kind of a girly girl.
Click to expand...

I'm cornfused! :confused:

I went to your profile to learn a little bit about you, and found that you haven't yet filled it in (it will improve your tone ;)). That would be a great start here on TB. That's when I noticed that the only thing it says in your profile is "male". :eyebrow:
 
#35
My advice is to be more assertive in a music store, and tell them your price range. Go when they are not busy, like early afternoon. Be yourself and tell the truth. Tell the owner you don't know squat. Ask questions. Go to many music stores and ask for advice from each. The big chain stores suck compared to a privately owned store that buys and sells allot of vintage. Ask for help. Ask them to plug you in and show you stuff, don't do this yourself until you have experience and know the owner. Don't buy the first bass you like, rather try a few, You can get a good Mexican Fender, either P or Jazz, used for under $300. Jazz has a thinner neck and smaller nut. That's a good start, and would hold it's value at $300 because they are popular. Don't discount the Chinese made Fender Classic Vibes. $300 new, and are pretty good IMO. Learn how to set it up yourself at fender.com. Any amp will make sound, but I recommend you find an old Peavey solid state head and cab, or combo with at least 150 watts and a 15" speaker. Plenty to be had, and will give you plenty of boom for the buck. Finding a teacher was good advice, as you can get help with gear knowledge. Plenty of other basses to look at, but I wouldn't recommend you buy cheapo basses unless really cheap. Some may like them, but I look at resale for everything I buy, and they are hard to pawn.
 

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