I want to start playing bass, advice???

Probably not. Try and get a Squier or something, preferably something you can go try out before you buy.

 

You won't go far with £80... Even second-hand. Try to expand that budget to £150...

 

I recommend an sx bass. Great starter bases.

 

I want to start playing bass, advice???

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get a bass, an amp and lessons ... then find some mates to jam with ...

 

A bass that is super cheap with issues will make you think you're worse than you really are. If it has a twisted neck or bad fretting, even after adjustments you won't want to play it. If you can score one that is playable for that price, I wouldn't worry too much about the brand label that's on it. If it's playable, buy it.

I don't know what basses are readily available in your area for a good price, but a decent squire, Ibanez SR, or Musicman SUB can be had for not too much money. There are a bunch of knock-off brands that don't have the name recognition that would do you well. Even an old Samick, Dean, LTD or even an Epiphone EB-0 would be worth giving a spin.

 

well, you'll probably suck at first and then get progresively better if you practice and take it seriously. I'd say that happens with everything in life.

On topic, I'd expand your budget to somewhere around 150-200.

I've heard good things about the toby deluxe from epiphone. Maybe try out a Jay turser bass or a cheap Ibanez (are really good for their price).

http://www.jayturser.com/products/bass/

 

Try looking for a Squire Affinity bass they are a little over your budget but no by much. Its almost like there made for a beginner

 

It's one of the niches it fills. Also, a lot of people use them as platforms for doing modifications down the road. Y'know, so they don't hack their way into a $1000+ bass just to later say, "Well, that was a waste of time and money!"

A Squier Affinity would be a great starting point, as long as you don't get a lemon. You might want to keep some pocket change handy for a proper set-up to check it out, make sure it's playable and is in good working order. A badly set-up or neglected bass can frustrate a beginner to no-end, especially if it's not comfortable to play.

What kind of music interests you? What you like can determine whether you should look at getting a Precision or Jazz bass. P's are very simple and straightforward, the work-horse and go-to bass for decades. Jazzes have a noticeably different sound and have a bit more complexity, tone-wise.

 

Thats to low a budget unless you get might lucky with a nice bass being sold super cheap. Save up at least double that to have good chance for good used bass. You will enjoy it more which benefits playing developement. And if you end up trying to sell it you'll have better luck then with a super cheapee you found for 80 quid.

 

How will you know if it is in good condition? Can you tell by looking if the neck is reasonably true? If the action can be set properly?

I'm not saying you can't find a playable 80 pound bass, but if you double your budget, and buy used, you greatly increase your chances. And you can sell it used within a year for the same price you bought it at, provided there is nothing wrong with it.

If you can a friend who has been playing for a while to check it out for you that would be a big help.

 

Don't. It will ruin your life.

 

QFT

 

Try to get hold of an SX bass, those are some of cheapest basses around and they can defnitely hang w the big boys

 

I started out on an Ibanez starter pack, which had an Ibanez gsr190, a small amp and a tuner, a jack, a strap and some picks, oh and a gigbag. I recently found the receipt and it was 280euros or so. You can probably find those used for a lot less than that, the bass alone maybe even at your budget.
Its an ok bass, i gigged and recorded with it, but it had fret buzz issues.

I'd recommend a squier classic vibe jazz bass, theyre fabulous beginner basses which you'll keep using even when you advance in skill.

However, your budget is what it is, so it doesnt really matter i think. Just try to find the least damaged and closest to the above-mentioned brands bass you can find!

 

If you truly are serious about picking up bass, then be serious about it. Don't half-ass it from the get go...you'll only be setting yourself up for failure. Get the best bass you can afford, and approach it with the mentality that you will do the best you possibly can. If you go into it thinking you'll just suck then it's not worth your time. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Besides, you won't know if you're good at it or not until you have at least 2 years under your belt. Why not put your best foot forward and approach it thinking you CAN do it rather than worrying that you may fail. You get out of life what you put in, and the same goes for bass. Put in the time and investment and set yourself up for success.

 

My apologies if that seems a little harsh. I'd just hate to see you waste your money on a piece of junk and then toss it aside a couple months later thinking you're no good at bass. God knows we need more bass players in the world!

*edit*
When you buy used, there is a good chance you'll get most of your money back if you decide that bass isn't for you and you want to sell. Instruments have a fairly stable resale value, especially if you buy used. So even if you spend a little more and get something usable, you'd likely see most of your investment back regardless of what you buy.