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It's a "help me pick a first bass" thread, but maybe with some interesting angles

#62
If you're in the Seattle area, definitely check out The Bass Shop in West Seattle. Their website doesn't list all their inventory, particularly their less expensive instruments. Jeff (I think that's his name) is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful, and he'll match prices (or come close). I have both a Yamaha TRBX 174 and a BB435, and agree that Yamaha makes some fine instruments in that price range.

I'll also agree with something another poster said: entry-level instruments have never been better or more affordable. When I was starting out playing guitar in the late 70s, $200 would buy you firewood strung with strings capable of sawing it. (I exaggerate only slightly. A friend's Hondo Les Paul copy has stayed in my memory as the single worse guitar I've ever played.) Nowadays? In your price range, you'll find many instruments that play and sound great.
 
#64
Tonight was the first evening with my Squier Affinity Telecaster HH, and while it was fun, I ended the session more sure than ever that I am more interested in a bass!

I also felt like a few more inches of neck on a full size bass wouldn't be a big deal so I am definitely not necessarily tied to the idea of a short scale bass. If I am switching between the two the similar size would be nice... but it doesn't feel as important any more.
 
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#65
Horseflesh said:
Let me cut my long introduction post down to the basics... I have a PA system that will work OK for guitar and bass practice, and so I got interested in getting instruments and learning to play them.

I've purchased a well regarded beginner's guitar and would like to add a bass, too. My wife and I will try to teach ourselves both, and see which instruments we may prefer. I am 98% sure I'm going to prefer the bass.

So, the question is... which bass to buy?

Here are a couple of factors that may influence the decision.

I will be playing into a PA system at first, not a bass amp, because I already have the PA. I have read that a bass with active pickups--as in, the instrument has a battery--will sound better on a PA, or on a DI box. And I do have a decent mixer, so I could run the bass into a DI into a mixer into headphones for practice, too. That is likely to happen sooner or later.

I am interested in a short bass. They are said to be somewhat easier to play, and I want every advantage there I can get. And, if we are switching frequently between guitar and bass, having a short bass is said to be helpful.

That could all be theoretical Internet BS, though. I need some ideas. Is a dynamic pickup really better? Is a short bass really easier? I don't know.

Here are some contenders that I have found. What am I overlooking?
  • long introduction post. Short bass, said to be very solid, but also everyone complains about the pickup sound quality.
  • Ibanez GSR200. That blogger sure loves it for the money, but I don't know if his opinion is meaningful. However, everyone on forums does seem to like the low end Ibanez options, saying they are quality for beginners. This GSR200 has a dynamic pickup (yay), but it is also full size (boo).
  • Invalid Link Removed. This is their beginner short bass. Supposed to be pretty good; isn't dynamic though. From what I have read, this seems like a better pick than the Bronco, for no other reason that more pickups.
A few other notes--
  • The budget is up to $300, but less is always better. (If I actually outgrow an instrument and have to buy a new one, that sounds like a colossal success, and money well spent. I'll throw a party if I outgrow a $200 bass in a year and needed to buy a $500 bass. Y'all are invited.)
  • Used is OK, I just don't know enough to evaluate a used instrument I find on Craigslist. Maybe a legit Reverb seller has a deal on a used bass, though.
  • While I am not averse to a 5 string bass, part of the appeal of 4 strings is that it should be somewhat easier to play, right?
  • The wife and I are both 5' 9" with average sized hands, so I don't think we require a short bass.
  • While I love music and enjoy musing about about sound quality, the sound quality of my future bass is far less important to me than ergonomics, staying in tune, and boring stuff like that. I have never even held a bass guitar. People say the Bronco pickups suck, but how would I tell? It's going to sound like I am electrocuting a horse anyway.
  • Jazz vs Precision: I am totally lost and open to anything.
  • Mods: New pickups etc sound like fun, but ability to be easily modified is a bonus, not a requirement.
Many many thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
Click to expand...

Horse,
My daughter also lives in Seattle-ish (Pierce County), so I'm in and out from time to time.
I don't know what direction you are from Pikes Place Market but this looks like a good deal: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And BTW buy this one and hold it for me until I get there: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

057912
 
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#67
This "help me pick a first bass" thread is officially OVER... I gave that Jag a new home. Thanks again @ejaggers!

jag1.jpg
 
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#68
Sweet! You are going to have a lot of fun with that, those are great little basses. If you are serious about this whole bass business, teach yourself to set it up too, you'll save a lot of money in the long run. There are 1k setup videos on YT, but this 4 part series is Luthier Approved here on TB. All you need is a capo, some feeler guages, the hex keys for truss rod and bridge, and a 6" ruler graduated in 1/64" increments. Follow the steps exactly in order, and you'll have a perfectly set up bass.
 
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#71
I could be wrong but I believe this particular bass has an active bass boost. My Squier Troy Sanders jag has the same setup.
If that's the case remember to unplug the bass when not in use to avoided draining the battery. You may or may not be aware of this.
Enjoy! Those are fine basses!
 
#72
@ruju you are right, it is active and fortunately I saw that before I killed the first battery.

There’s a mod to disable the preamp and eliminate the boost circuit entirely, and it seems as if some people like the sound better that way. Down the road, I am thinking about installing a switch so I can choose active or passive mode... but, I should learn to play at least a little bit first!
 
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#73
Horseflesh said:
@ruju you are right, it is active and fortunately I saw that before I killed the first battery.

There’s a mod to disable the preamp and eliminate the boost circuit entirely, and it seems as if some people like the sound better that way. Down the road, I am thinking about installing a switch so I can choose active or passive mode... but, I should learn to play at least a little bit first!
Click to expand...
True. I wouldn't worry about that at all. I have a bass with an active passive knob and rarely ever play in passive mode.
I do enjoy my passive basses occasionally but overall I prefer active 3 band EQ. Don't change my tone drastically but it's nice to be able to make small adjustments on the fly as needed.
I'd recommend putting any next money towards a metronome or looper. Not glamours tools, but your progression will make leaps and bounds if you're not practicing with a drummer.
Time to hit the shed.
 

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