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I'm about to learn how to play bass.
- Thread starter I Want To Bass
- Start date
Depends on your budget. Try to pick up a Squier Vintage Modified jazz bass on the used market or maybe a used Fender MIM jazz; great bang for the buck, and a tone you'll immediately feel familiar with. 34" scale, 4 strings.
More important than the bass itself, though (IMO) is the setup. Find out what gauge strings you like (when I just started, I had no idea how much better I'd like light gauge strings than heavy) and what action you like (again, most basses in Guitar Center or wherever are usually set with ridiculously high, almost unplayable action, and it can change the feel of the bass completely).
More important than the bass itself, though (IMO) is the setup. Find out what gauge strings you like (when I just started, I had no idea how much better I'd like light gauge strings than heavy) and what action you like (again, most basses in Guitar Center or wherever are usually set with ridiculously high, almost unplayable action, and it can change the feel of the bass completely).
+1000 Very important to have a proper setup. Worth the money.
And yes, I would also recommend SX basses (www.rondomusic.net).
Good luck, and make sure to visit this forum often. Lots of knowledgeable people here.
The thing i regret is buying a little practice amp with only a 8 inch speaker and 15w. I wish i had spent double and got something decent, Instead of having to pay double now anyhow and still having this one.
I don't have much in my budget, and I think I found a bass guitar that might be good for me, but I honestly have no clue. An Ibanez SR300DX Soundgear Bass Guitar Invalid Link Removed (link to it)
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
For a beginner there are two basic bass "sounds". There's the Fender Precision (aka P-Bass) and Jazz basses (J-Bass). The P bass has a "slightly" bigger/thicker neck and a "mellower" sound while the J-Bass has a smaller/thinner neck and a bit more aggressive sound. By aggressive, don't think "heavy metal distortion" as those sounds are due to effects.
Fender makes the entry P/J basses in Mexico (Made In Mexico, aka the MIM-P and MIM-J). They're good quality, inexpensive and a great place to start your career. Also, you're guaranteed to find them at your local guitar shop.
Here's what I did, I personally knew nobody that played bass or guitar, so I went down to a local independent guitar shop that sold basses (not Guitar Center), and found a salesman and explained exactly what I wanted to do, "I want to learn to play the bass, and am interested in the P & J MIM basses." I asked the salesguy to play two of the basses (one P and one J) playing simple scales, I didn't want to hear how good this guy could play, but just wanted to hear what the two basses sounded like. I personally liked the sound of the P-bass, and then he showed me how to hold it so I could get a feel for comparing the neck of the P vs J. I have small hands and it didn't make much of a difference to me.
Instead of buying one of the "starter packs" I built my own for less $$: I took my MIM P-bass and bought a entry level practice amp (Peavy something...). This is pretty much what is in the starter packs (an entry level bass and a practice amp). I got a 15' cable and a soft gigbag (a bag for your bass with a pouch you can put some sheet music and other small items).
Lastly, I had the salesguy set up the bass for me (strings 'not too high, not too low') as I needed somewhere to start. Down the road, you'll determine if you like higher or lower string height.
One other thing: Get lessons. If the shop is good they'll be able to recommend a couple of teachers (or there are teachers associated with the shop). Find a teacher that plays bass as their primary instrument and hopefully has similar interests in music to you. On your first lesson, bring a list of songs that you want to be able to play. Even something easy like Queen's "Another one bites the dust" or Pink Floyd's Money are good places to start. The more you help your teacher, the more he/she can help you.
Lastly: Be patient, practice and have fun.
Fender makes the entry P/J basses in Mexico (Made In Mexico, aka the MIM-P and MIM-J). They're good quality, inexpensive and a great place to start your career. Also, you're guaranteed to find them at your local guitar shop.
Here's what I did, I personally knew nobody that played bass or guitar, so I went down to a local independent guitar shop that sold basses (not Guitar Center), and found a salesman and explained exactly what I wanted to do, "I want to learn to play the bass, and am interested in the P & J MIM basses." I asked the salesguy to play two of the basses (one P and one J) playing simple scales, I didn't want to hear how good this guy could play, but just wanted to hear what the two basses sounded like. I personally liked the sound of the P-bass, and then he showed me how to hold it so I could get a feel for comparing the neck of the P vs J. I have small hands and it didn't make much of a difference to me.
Instead of buying one of the "starter packs" I built my own for less $$: I took my MIM P-bass and bought a entry level practice amp (Peavy something...). This is pretty much what is in the starter packs (an entry level bass and a practice amp). I got a 15' cable and a soft gigbag (a bag for your bass with a pouch you can put some sheet music and other small items).
Lastly, I had the salesguy set up the bass for me (strings 'not too high, not too low') as I needed somewhere to start. Down the road, you'll determine if you like higher or lower string height.
One other thing: Get lessons. If the shop is good they'll be able to recommend a couple of teachers (or there are teachers associated with the shop). Find a teacher that plays bass as their primary instrument and hopefully has similar interests in music to you. On your first lesson, bring a list of songs that you want to be able to play. Even something easy like Queen's "Another one bites the dust" or Pink Floyd's Money are good places to start. The more you help your teacher, the more he/she can help you.
Lastly: Be patient, practice and have fun.
im pretty sure i have a bass that is the exact same model as that, and its great for a beginner, its what i learnt on
avoid being cheap and buying something rubbish off ebay like i did, it can kill the spark that makes you want to play since you find it uncomfortable to play and boring to listen to
also try before you buy ALWAYS, basses are like shoes, theres a bunch of different sizes and you have to try them to see if they fit, different people wear different sizes
avoid being cheap and buying something rubbish off ebay like i did, it can kill the spark that makes you want to play since you find it uncomfortable to play and boring to listen to
also try before you buy ALWAYS, basses are like shoes, theres a bunch of different sizes and you have to try them to see if they fit, different people wear different sizes
If you can afford to spent $280 for your first bass, I'd suggest getting a used MIM (made in Mexico) Fender Precision or Jazz instead. You shouldn't have much trouble finding one for that price. Don't forget to allow enough money to get an amp as well.
