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I'm new here...

W

Wgtroutman

Sep 9, 2011
12
0
#1
And I'm just saying hey I guess. I am a guitarist, and want to start playing bass. I have a little experience with upright, and want to Learn to play electric proficiently.

My first stop, I guess, is buying a bass. I want something cheap, that I can mod to make better. I set up and install the pickups in all my guitars, so that won't be a problem.

With a bugdget of, let's say, $300, what is the best I can do? We'll worry about an amp later.

Thank you all in advance for sharing your wealth of knowledge with me. Peace!
 
#2
I'd start with aused upmarket MIM Fender or a Squier VM, and don't bother swapping out the PUPs yet. That's a guitarist thing...

You might not end up sticking with this bass, but at least you can't go very far wrong, until your ear for the instrument develops, along with your preferences vis a vis playability, etc.

Welcome to the basement and all that stuff.

Worry about an amp NOW. Start panicking, in fact, when you realize how much more power and speakerage you'll need to get the job done, heh, heh.
 
#3
Yeah I'd start with a used Fender or a Squier VM as well...

Next thing you have to decide if you want a Precision, a Jazz, or a Precision/Jazz... That's personal preference and you'll only know that after you play them. They all sound very different from each other though, so you should really find out for yourself.
 
#5
Don't limit yourself to just Fender products. There are many good basses to be had in that price range. I am not gonna say you should buy this bass or that bass. That is your choice. All I will say is check your local pawn shops and Craigslist and even eBay. Buy used as you will get much more for the money. Welcome to the low end and I am happy another guitard has converted.
 
#6
jackajesusfreak said:
rondomusic.com is a great place to start.
Click to expand...

+1 to getting an SX from Rondo. Normally I would recommend them with the caveat that they need a professional setup and all that, which a lot of new players aren't aware of or used to, but if you're already thinking in terms of modding the bass anyway they're great cheap modding platforms. If you weren't going to mod it, then at $300 your best bet for a new instrument is a Vintage Modified Squier.
 
#7
metlman72 said:
Don't limit yourself to just Fender products. There are many good basses to be had in that price range.
Click to expand...

While that's true, the OP did mention modding and you can't beat a Fender-type bass for that.

My advice is to the OP is to first realize that a bass is not just a bigger, lower voiced guitar. Not in the way it's played, nor in the physics of the instrument.

Because the neck is longer, it structurally becomes the weak point as to carrying the tension of the strings. Therefore, the stiffness and density of the neck can determine how many harmonic overtones the instrument can produce in the first place. As suggested above, pickups are a secondary factor in determining tone.

So either buy a bass with a damn good neck ($$$$) or buy a squier or cheap fender and think about replacement necks from Warmoth, Moses, Status, USGW etc... (especially if you are used to thinner necks, you will need the graphite or metal stiffening rods)

Also you need at least 3 times the amp power as your loudest guitarist and forget everything you thought you knew about speakers. Bass is about moving lots of air and there's a whole lot of science on that subject you may soon learn.
 
#9
Welcome to talkbass! +1 for getting out there and trying out a bunch of used stuff. You get more bang for your buck, and it helps you find out for yourself what you do and don't like. Find what suits you ergonomically and tonally, and you're well on your way.
What ever you decide to get, have fun with it!
 
#11
metlman72 said:
Don't limit yourself to just Fender products. There are many good basses to be had in that price range. I am not gonna say you should buy this bass or that bass. That is your choice. All I will say is check your local pawn shops and Craigslist and even eBay. Buy used as you will get much more for the money. Welcome to the low end and I am happy another guitard has converted.
Click to expand...

yeah, that's true. and my advice is the same as others here, in that you really should buy used and get as much as you can for your money...

but, having said that, i believe every serious bass player needs at least one fender. either jazz or precision (although my personal preference is for Jazz's). if you go used and get a reasonably good instrument, you are well on your way.... no problems... if you are serious about bass- PRACTICE.

you will be surpirised at how fast you improve if you put in a couple hours a day.

davesignatureII.gif
 
#13
I'm going to go against the grain here and recomend a Gretsch. This was my first bass and the one I still play most of the time. It's a 30" scale so would make coming from guitar a breeze. The pickup is absolutely wonderful (NO upgrade to that needed!) Will come in right at your budget, too. I've had Fenders and a few others since, but I will never let the Gretsch go. Read the reviews on here and others for the love that this bass gets. I don't think you could go wrong with it. Good luck finding your new bass and welcome!
Here's a link: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#15
metlman72 said:
Don't limit yourself to just Fender products. There are many good basses to be had in that price range...
Click to expand...

I agree. These days there are so many choices.

Personally, I am a fan of semi-hollow body bass guitars. I am also a fan of buying a good used instrument. If you are willing to shop around, you can get more instrument for the buck.

As a guitarist you probably know some luthiers that you trust. If you buy used, purchase on the condition that you have the right to take your purchase to a your luthier for an independent opinion and the right to return for a full refund within a certain period, say perhaps 15 days.
 
#16
Wow, great advice guys.

I bought a white p bass copy from rondo. I will continue to scour the classifieds, but I need something to learn on right now.

Thanks for all of the great advice, and I can't wait to learn. When my new bass comes in, I will be asking many, many more questions, so be ready I guess. Looks like the amp is the next stop...
 
#17
my amp recommendations as far as as good as it gets for cheap:

Practice amp: Acoustic B20. Awesome for practicing, very durable and not too "farty" for a 12" driver

Bigger amp: Peavey TNT combos are cheap, reliable, available on any Craigslist just about anywhere and virtually indestructible. As far as head definitely check out anything Hartke. Killer amps, wont break the bank. And LH1000 (what I have) only costs 499.99 brand spanking new and it KICKS.

In my opinion, the amp is going to be more important that the actual bass. a Good bass still sound like garbage through a crap amp. A good amp can make a garbage bass sound at least passable

Good luck! Let us know wha happens. :bassist:
 

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