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It's a "help me pick a first bass" thread, but maybe with some interesting angles
- Thread starter Horseflesh
- Start date
I’ll +1 going out to try them. Even if you can’t play a note, you can feel the neck in your hands. You can get a sense of the weight and how it balances on a strap (an important thing to try.) hold 10 Basses, and eventually 1 or 2 will start to feel right.
of the list, Ibanez has excellent quality control at this price point. I started on some version of a GSR bass (can’t remember which!) and it was great.
Squier Basses are great for modding as the parts are more universal (usually accepts fender parts.) but I wouldn’t plan on modding a first bass, more of a third or fourth bass. If you do look at squiers, look for a used vintage modified or classic vibe; they’re a leg up on the affinity and Could easily make a “forever” bass. Keep an eye out for a vintage modified short scale jaguar, they are exceptional and I’ve seen em locally for $200
Buying used shouldn’t scare you. Buying from a shop is the best bet. But even on classifieds, like anything, you can tell a lot from pictures, descriptions, and general communication with a seller. You can tell if an item has been cared for or not. I’ve bought a bunch of basses by local classifieds and haven’t been burned yet.
Precision or Jazz is a subtle difference IMHO. For a beginner it really doesn’t matter, you can have fun with any of them. That said, A PJ (like those Ibanez listed) is a very versatile and usable pickup configuration.
I used to run my passive basses direct to the board for rehearsals and they sounded great. So I wouldn’t pay too much mind to that.
SS is a real personal preference, a lot of guitar players like SS, so If you’re gonna switch back and forth it might feel more comfortable. OTOH- (I don’t own a SS But) I can switch between 34” bass, double bass, guitar and uke with no issue. I wouldn’t call SS “easier,” it’s just different and you learn to adapt.
good luck!
of the list, Ibanez has excellent quality control at this price point. I started on some version of a GSR bass (can’t remember which!) and it was great.
Squier Basses are great for modding as the parts are more universal (usually accepts fender parts.) but I wouldn’t plan on modding a first bass, more of a third or fourth bass. If you do look at squiers, look for a used vintage modified or classic vibe; they’re a leg up on the affinity and Could easily make a “forever” bass. Keep an eye out for a vintage modified short scale jaguar, they are exceptional and I’ve seen em locally for $200
Buying used shouldn’t scare you. Buying from a shop is the best bet. But even on classifieds, like anything, you can tell a lot from pictures, descriptions, and general communication with a seller. You can tell if an item has been cared for or not. I’ve bought a bunch of basses by local classifieds and haven’t been burned yet.
Precision or Jazz is a subtle difference IMHO. For a beginner it really doesn’t matter, you can have fun with any of them. That said, A PJ (like those Ibanez listed) is a very versatile and usable pickup configuration.
I used to run my passive basses direct to the board for rehearsals and they sounded great. So I wouldn’t pay too much mind to that.
SS is a real personal preference, a lot of guitar players like SS, so If you’re gonna switch back and forth it might feel more comfortable. OTOH- (I don’t own a SS But) I can switch between 34” bass, double bass, guitar and uke with no issue. I wouldn’t call SS “easier,” it’s just different and you learn to adapt.
good luck!
The problem with picking a 1st bass is that if you obsess over it and read up, you are information rich and knowledge poor. You will not really know what serves you best until you play for a while. Reasons that sound logical a priori may prove misleading. For example, when I bought my 1st bass, I decided (against good advice I got from close guitar playing friends) to buy an acoustic bass guitar, my rationale being that it would allow me to avoid spending part of my initial budget on an amp....hence I could get a better instrument. I didn't realize how much more ergonomically difficult the ABG was to play and learn on than an electric bass......I traded it for an electric after a month. The good advice I had gotten and ignored is the best advice I can give you: your best bet is to buy a used Fender 4 string Jazz or P bass and have it properly set up with new strings by someone who is capable. Although it will be over your budget, it will hold its' value very well, sound great, and you will likely always have a use for it, even if you decide your main axe will be another. Happy thumpin' and welcome to the low end.
you'd have more to spend on instruments if you cut out the DI purchase (at least for now, in the beginning!). you say you have a "decent" mixer with multiple inputs = you're all set to play at lower volumes on the PA you described in your other thread. you don't need a DI to get started with your duet. if your mixer has 1/4" inputs (i.e., for instruments) it is a DI!
if you've never held an electric bass before: playing "a bunch of them" won't mean much to you. but since 34" scale is more abundant out in the world = choices will be greater for those. and if you choose a fender-like instrument = interchangeability of parts will be easier, if necessary/desired, down the road. start with passive electronics (no batteries).
a P-bass style ax is not a bad suggestion to get started: just because it's simple and to the point. any EB with two pickups will be more versatile re: sounds and tones, but none of that will make any difference on 'day one'.
sounds like you and yours are getting ready to have some fun --- i applaud your quest and wish you luck!
if you've never held an electric bass before: playing "a bunch of them" won't mean much to you. but since 34" scale is more abundant out in the world = choices will be greater for those. and if you choose a fender-like instrument = interchangeability of parts will be easier, if necessary/desired, down the road. start with passive electronics (no batteries).
a P-bass style ax is not a bad suggestion to get started: just because it's simple and to the point. any EB with two pickups will be more versatile re: sounds and tones, but none of that will make any difference on 'day one'.
sounds like you and yours are getting ready to have some fun --- i applaud your quest and wish you luck!
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I came back to bass after more than 30 years off, and I'm a professional musician on a different instrument...so not exactly a beginner like you, but physically it felt very strange when I started again.
If you don't know about product reviews on the NY Times Wirecutter site, they are great. They did one a couple of years ago for beginner bass guitars. The article is no longer available, but there are still a couple of related youtube videos up:
I kinda hate the way these videos sound - lots of fret buzz on all 3 basses, new zingy strings that need playing in. My Yamaha sounds much better than that.
Their pick is the Yamaha TRBX 174. The Ibanez GSR 200 is 2nd place, and the Mikro is the pick for short scale.
The first bass I got myself when I started again was a Yamaha RBX 170 - essentially the same thing. The P pickup sounds like a P. The J pickup sounds like a bridge J - if you dial off the tone you get that Jaco thing. Put them together and you get a big sound with lots of overtones. I found it used locally for $60.
Most importantly for a beginner though, the neck is REALLY comfortable. Narrow side-to-side like a Jazz, thinner front-to-back than the Jazz I bought since. Nice matte finish on the back of the neck. It's really easy to set up the neck and make adjustments - again, easier than my Jazz.
I find a Precision-style neck quite uncomfortable to play. Short-scale is nice, but I prefer the sound of long-scale, and as long as the neck contours are friendly it's not harder to play.
I like the sound of my Fender Jazz more than the Yamaha, generally speaking. But I love playing that Yamaha - it's light, easy on my body, and I love the sound of the P pickup. At some point I'll take out all the electronics and put some shielding tape in to try to tame the interference buzzing, but it's a great little bass to practice and learn on.
If you don't know about product reviews on the NY Times Wirecutter site, they are great. They did one a couple of years ago for beginner bass guitars. The article is no longer available, but there are still a couple of related youtube videos up:
I kinda hate the way these videos sound - lots of fret buzz on all 3 basses, new zingy strings that need playing in. My Yamaha sounds much better than that.
Their pick is the Yamaha TRBX 174. The Ibanez GSR 200 is 2nd place, and the Mikro is the pick for short scale.
The first bass I got myself when I started again was a Yamaha RBX 170 - essentially the same thing. The P pickup sounds like a P. The J pickup sounds like a bridge J - if you dial off the tone you get that Jaco thing. Put them together and you get a big sound with lots of overtones. I found it used locally for $60.
Most importantly for a beginner though, the neck is REALLY comfortable. Narrow side-to-side like a Jazz, thinner front-to-back than the Jazz I bought since. Nice matte finish on the back of the neck. It's really easy to set up the neck and make adjustments - again, easier than my Jazz.
I find a Precision-style neck quite uncomfortable to play. Short-scale is nice, but I prefer the sound of long-scale, and as long as the neck contours are friendly it's not harder to play.
I like the sound of my Fender Jazz more than the Yamaha, generally speaking. But I love playing that Yamaha - it's light, easy on my body, and I love the sound of the P pickup. At some point I'll take out all the electronics and put some shielding tape in to try to tame the interference buzzing, but it's a great little bass to practice and learn on.
For three hundred dollars you can get a Squier VM or used MIM Fender. Don't go cheap, it's no fun to play a crappy bass.
S..Q..U..I..E..R
Affordable, serviceable....P or J
I see nice used ones for sub $200 in the classifieds all the time.
Affordable, serviceable....P or J
I see nice used ones for sub $200 in the classifieds all the time.
When I first decided to try my hand at learning bass (in my early 40s btw) I wanted to try it for awhile to see if it stuck before investing any money into it -- other than some instructional books and videos. So, I borrowed a bass from a friend for the first few months, and only then went shopping.
I'd recommend doing the same if you know anybody who can lend you a bass for a while. If you decide to stick with it, you'll still have the 300 bucks that you didn't spend on a starter bass to put towards something better -- and by then you'll have a better idea of what you want based on what you did and didn't like about the loaner.
I'd recommend doing the same if you know anybody who can lend you a bass for a while. If you decide to stick with it, you'll still have the 300 bucks that you didn't spend on a starter bass to put towards something better -- and by then you'll have a better idea of what you want based on what you did and didn't like about the loaner.
I might have some experience that is unique and relevant.
I started playing 32 years ago. At the time I was looking at guitar and bass too, and felt drawn to the bass. My advice to you: go with that feeling. At the time, I bought a used G&L L-2000, without having any idea how good a bass it was. Players far better than me were envious of it and I was clueless of its value/quality at the time I bought it. However, that happy accident gave me a very good instrument to learn on, and removed any artificial barriers to my progress that a cheaper bass might have imposed. Eventually I replaced it (a move I regret to this day) but I replaced it because I was looking for a particular instrument and the only way I could afford it was to sell the G&L, not because the G&L wasn't good enough for my skills.
If you are drawn to the bass, I would also just go with the standard 34" scale. You can switch to a shorter scale or longer scale later as you develop your technique.
If I were to recommend an instrument in your price range, I'd look at a used Made in Mexico Fender Jazz, pretty much any G&L Tribute series bass, etc. The Fender Jazz is as ubiquitous an instrument as you can find, is a good value for the money, can be upgraded significantly if you want to later on. The G&L Tributes are also good, though not as upgradeable--but usually players like those the way they are. Look on the used market--the instruments are still quite good quality and you'll get a better instrument for your money. If later you decide the bass isn't for you, you won't take as big a hit financially either--usually just the price of shipping--and you can think of that as a rental fee, and a low one at that if you hold on to the instrument for more than a couple of months.
I started playing 32 years ago. At the time I was looking at guitar and bass too, and felt drawn to the bass. My advice to you: go with that feeling. At the time, I bought a used G&L L-2000, without having any idea how good a bass it was. Players far better than me were envious of it and I was clueless of its value/quality at the time I bought it. However, that happy accident gave me a very good instrument to learn on, and removed any artificial barriers to my progress that a cheaper bass might have imposed. Eventually I replaced it (a move I regret to this day) but I replaced it because I was looking for a particular instrument and the only way I could afford it was to sell the G&L, not because the G&L wasn't good enough for my skills.
If you are drawn to the bass, I would also just go with the standard 34" scale. You can switch to a shorter scale or longer scale later as you develop your technique.
If I were to recommend an instrument in your price range, I'd look at a used Made in Mexico Fender Jazz, pretty much any G&L Tribute series bass, etc. The Fender Jazz is as ubiquitous an instrument as you can find, is a good value for the money, can be upgraded significantly if you want to later on. The G&L Tributes are also good, though not as upgradeable--but usually players like those the way they are. Look on the used market--the instruments are still quite good quality and you'll get a better instrument for your money. If later you decide the bass isn't for you, you won't take as big a hit financially either--usually just the price of shipping--and you can think of that as a rental fee, and a low one at that if you hold on to the instrument for more than a couple of months.
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,942
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
Ahhh, that explains why Ibanez always has such a big bass selection at NAMM...it's for the guitarists. And all of these Ibanez club pages in here...it's full of guitarists and not bass players.
As I loook at my 4 Ibanez basses, I guess I need to let people know that I'm not a bass player anymore, I'm a guitar player.
OP, ignore this dude's strange gatekeeping on who does or does not play certain brands. His personal experience shouldn't limit your quest.
Thanks for all these thoughtful replies. This is a lot to think about. A couple of things stuck out.
I know exactly what you mean. Pretty much all of my hobbies are gear-driven, and detail matters. When I get in to something new, there is no amount of research that guarantees I'm going to like how the gear performs once I have it. All you can do is increase the odds of success.
Unfortunately I don't have any friends or family to help out so if I want to handle anything, I'll have to hit stores.
In picking this instrument, I would love to hit a home run, but I will settle for getting on base. (I went down this road with scuba gear a long time ago and found I absolutely hated using the "smart choice" I had made... Strikeout. I had to sell half the stuff. In my homebrewing rig though, I hit a triple.)
All that said I will try not to overthink it.
Hol' up. Let me make sure I have this right. I think I just had a revelation.
Guitars with passive pickups require a high-Z input. An active pickup allows you to plug the instrument into a mic input instead. So when people say "active pickups are better for PAs," they mean PAs without high-Z inputs. Did I get that right? If so that is great news. My PA has a high-z input (and mic/line input, and an onboard mixer). My standalone mixer doesn't have high-z jacks, but I can add a DI box later if I need one.
I had been confused by some "active pickups work/sound 'better' with PAs" comments I read early on... didn't exactly make sense to me and I think I see why now.
(@RickyT I double checked that Ibanez full size bass and you are right, it is passive. I guess active versions were also out there at some point and that was what I read about first... but that is not how it is listed now. And fortunately now I think I can eliminate active pickups from the wish list.)
I know exactly what you mean. Pretty much all of my hobbies are gear-driven, and detail matters. When I get in to something new, there is no amount of research that guarantees I'm going to like how the gear performs once I have it. All you can do is increase the odds of success.
Unfortunately I don't have any friends or family to help out so if I want to handle anything, I'll have to hit stores.
In picking this instrument, I would love to hit a home run, but I will settle for getting on base. (I went down this road with scuba gear a long time ago and found I absolutely hated using the "smart choice" I had made... Strikeout. I had to sell half the stuff. In my homebrewing rig though, I hit a triple.)
All that said I will try not to overthink it.
Hol' up. Let me make sure I have this right. I think I just had a revelation.
Guitars with passive pickups require a high-Z input. An active pickup allows you to plug the instrument into a mic input instead. So when people say "active pickups are better for PAs," they mean PAs without high-Z inputs. Did I get that right? If so that is great news. My PA has a high-z input (and mic/line input, and an onboard mixer). My standalone mixer doesn't have high-z jacks, but I can add a DI box later if I need one.
I had been confused by some "active pickups work/sound 'better' with PAs" comments I read early on... didn't exactly make sense to me and I think I see why now.
(@RickyT I double checked that Ibanez full size bass and you are right, it is passive. I guess active versions were also out there at some point and that was what I read about first... but that is not how it is listed now. And fortunately now I think I can eliminate active pickups from the wish list.)
@Horseflesh, you'll hear all the time that Ibanez basses have skinny necks. While that's true of their wildly popular SR (formerly Soundgear) line, Ibanez is the Toyota of instrument manufacturers (i.e. they make some version of everything) and they don't all have skinny necks. The Talmans and the ATKs have substantial necks (which I learned to love on the ATK I have had since shortly after I started playing as a teenager). @Doctor Morbius has a solid recommendation here, but it does not have the "Ibanez skinny neck;" tons of Ibanez instruments don't have them. Welcome to the world of gross generalizations about instrument manufacturers! I encourage you to take them all with heaping helpings of salt.
Skinnier necks and shorter scales aren't necessarily easier to play for everybody; everything feels really squished together on guitars to me (not to mention ukuleles or mandolins!); I love the space on a bass fingerboard.
What a fun thing to get into with your wife. While it comes in handier for spotting each other tee shirts than for playing instruments, I too know the joy of having similar dimensions to one's wife, haha.
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A person who has never played bass, generally does NOT know what feels good,
so the “Go Play As Many As You Can”, advice is generally useless.
So far, I agree with @JRA the most.
A PBass is the simplest because you don’t have to be concerned about tone styling at this point,
but the neck is generally wider than a JBASS.
A good neck on a bass is very important, that’s my criteria, whereas others say don’t cheap out.
That can be confusing, because expensive basses can be uncomfortable too.
I swear by my modded Affinity PBASS as being one of the best basses I own, and I own 11.
I’ve posted many times here about this, and other AFN owners have said the same thing.
However, I’m sure that people who have had bad experiences with them are not making it up,
so my point is, it depends on the bass, not necessarily the price.
I don’t own Ibanez but people here that do, love them, so I’ll speak on what I know.
I’ve personally (knock on wood) have never owned a bad Squier, and I have four.
Two are heavily modded Broncos, which are very comfortable,
so I recommend them even with the strat PUP.
You can always mod the hell out of them pretty cheap if you please.
Search for Bronco posts here on TB.
I have a Squier VM SS Jaguar which is an excellent choice,
but my Bronco gets more playing time right now, not saying it's better though.
Mustang’s are hot right now and Squier has just release new ones.
As for long scale, I’d do a P or J Squier in that order.
The Classic Vibe and VM lines are excellent,
but I’m not afraid of the Affinity, since I’ve personally have had good luck.
As for long scale, I’d do a P or J Squier in that order.
The Classic Vibe and VM lines are excellent,
but I’m not afraid of the Affinity, since I’ve personally have had good luck.
The Long vs Short scale argument is more specific to the individual.
Some LS players hate SS, and although I own and can play both, I prefer SS because:
· That’s what I started out on when I was a beginner.
· They’re easier (for me) to play while singing.
BTW,
Welcome To TalkBass!!!
Stick around, there are a lot of good people with Tons of knowledge for you to utilize.
057912
so the “Go Play As Many As You Can”, advice is generally useless.
So far, I agree with @JRA the most.
A PBass is the simplest because you don’t have to be concerned about tone styling at this point,
but the neck is generally wider than a JBASS.
A good neck on a bass is very important, that’s my criteria, whereas others say don’t cheap out.
That can be confusing, because expensive basses can be uncomfortable too.
I swear by my modded Affinity PBASS as being one of the best basses I own, and I own 11.
I’ve posted many times here about this, and other AFN owners have said the same thing.
However, I’m sure that people who have had bad experiences with them are not making it up,
so my point is, it depends on the bass, not necessarily the price.
I don’t own Ibanez but people here that do, love them, so I’ll speak on what I know.
I’ve personally (knock on wood) have never owned a bad Squier, and I have four.
Two are heavily modded Broncos, which are very comfortable,
so I recommend them even with the strat PUP.
You can always mod the hell out of them pretty cheap if you please.
Search for Bronco posts here on TB.
I have a Squier VM SS Jaguar which is an excellent choice,
but my Bronco gets more playing time right now, not saying it's better though.
Mustang’s are hot right now and Squier has just release new ones.
As for long scale, I’d do a P or J Squier in that order.
The Classic Vibe and VM lines are excellent,
but I’m not afraid of the Affinity, since I’ve personally have had good luck.
As for long scale, I’d do a P or J Squier in that order.
The Classic Vibe and VM lines are excellent,
but I’m not afraid of the Affinity, since I’ve personally have had good luck.
The Long vs Short scale argument is more specific to the individual.
Some LS players hate SS, and although I own and can play both, I prefer SS because:
· That’s what I started out on when I was a beginner.
· They’re easier (for me) to play while singing.
BTW,
Welcome To TalkBass!!!
Stick around, there are a lot of good people with Tons of knowledge for you to utilize.
057912
I'm with @wintremute and several other knowledgeable commenters on this one; you'd be a fool to ignore Ibanez at any price range, but they absolutely clean up in your price range, especially if you consider used instruments of recent manufacturer.
I want to know where everybody's finding used Fenders for 300 USD.
FWIW, I've got a Fender, a pair of US Peaveys, a pair of Squiers, three Ibanezes, and a handful of other oddballs. You have so many great options in your price range right now. I would caution you to avoid older budget instruments (until you decide you love working on them), but other than that, just get something that feels right (if you can try before you buy) or looks cool (if you can't). It's hard to go wrong with what's available now.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Man, welcome. Enjoy your journey!
Your budget should be easy to hold. I'm sure the preferred answer is a Fender Precision, some kind of brown, tortoise shell pick guard, flat wound strings. So stick a pin in that for later.
My only advice to people I know beginning on the bass is to find one that feels good in your hands and has a straight/serviceable neck. The neck being the only thing on a guitar that you can't easily fix. If you get it from a shop or a reputable seller they'll help with this. Don't worry about the pickups at all, my opinion. If they are horrible or amazing they can be replaced for equal or better for pretty low cost.
What I like may not be what you like. Bass should balance on your leg and the neck should not dive when it's on a strap, you should not fight to balance it. But that is a common problem. Make sure the neck profile, width, curvature, depth feels manageable in your hand. I can palm a basketball so my challenge is finding one that isn't super slender. For me a classic Precision shape, classic "C" works for my meat hooks.
Even if you can't play a note, if it isn't comfortable to hold and wrap your fingers over the frets it won't get much better. Fit and feel first. Tone very distant 2nd for me, only because that is something you can modify.
If you love playing and want a different tone or more options you can trade up later.
Your budget should be easy to hold. I'm sure the preferred answer is a Fender Precision, some kind of brown, tortoise shell pick guard, flat wound strings. So stick a pin in that for later.
My only advice to people I know beginning on the bass is to find one that feels good in your hands and has a straight/serviceable neck. The neck being the only thing on a guitar that you can't easily fix. If you get it from a shop or a reputable seller they'll help with this. Don't worry about the pickups at all, my opinion. If they are horrible or amazing they can be replaced for equal or better for pretty low cost.
What I like may not be what you like. Bass should balance on your leg and the neck should not dive when it's on a strap, you should not fight to balance it. But that is a common problem. Make sure the neck profile, width, curvature, depth feels manageable in your hand. I can palm a basketball so my challenge is finding one that isn't super slender. For me a classic Precision shape, classic "C" works for my meat hooks.
Even if you can't play a note, if it isn't comfortable to hold and wrap your fingers over the frets it won't get much better. Fit and feel first. Tone very distant 2nd for me, only because that is something you can modify.
If you love playing and want a different tone or more options you can trade up later.
no. passive or active guitars and basses plug into the same 1/4" input (in your case = your mixer!). it's possible/likely that the signal going into your mixer (from the guitar/bass) would be a little 'hotter' when using an "active" guitar system compared to a passive signal. that's it! period! dot.
just use your mixer: plug the instruments into the mixer and the mixer into the PA. boom! done!
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