Looking to buy first bass(repost)

I have a MIM Jazz I play all the time. It's fine. Play as many basses as you can. Friends, stores etc. did one in your price range you like they way it plays and sounds. If what it looks like is really important, then that will come into play too.

If you find a $100 pawn shop or garage sale bass that you like, that's great. Go for it. An inexpensive bass doesn't mean a bad bass. Cheaper basses may be less likely to be real winners, but the can be just fine.

Play all you can in your price range and get what you like best. If you just hate the way something looks, play it anyway to get a better feel for what basses you like the feel And sound of. Don't buy the first bass you try.

Post back with your progress.

 

Squiers are great basses, you should look for one

 

Schecter is a decent brand. I have an older Schecter bass that plays great.

An Omen new runs about $400, so $250 for a clean used one sounds fair to me. You want to keep the price under $400. Buying a clean used bass in the $250 range makes a lot of sense to me. Better yet, buy a clean used bass in that price range and pay to have new strings and a professional setup done on it. (New strings and a setup can be had usually in the $60-$75 range depending on where you live.) You'll still be well under $400 and a well setup bass will make all the difference in the world as far as ease of playing.

Good luck.

 

I agree with drummer. Buy a used bass and use the saves money to get new strings and a setup.

Less expensive basses tend to, in my opinion, need a little more work out of the box to be set up well. So even new you might need a set up. You really get more for your money used.

 

No need to repost. Just ask new questions in the same thread you started

Personally, besides the roadworn series, I don't care for MIM Fenders in the slightest. I find the Squiers to be better basses. Also, don't be turned off by the idea of playing a Squier. The only people who'd judge you for using one are those who don't no what they're talking about. Keep the option open. Trust me.

As for Shecters, meh. I haven't played one that felt right or sounded exceptionally good in my hands. They're very middle of the road basses. Not bad, but compared to other options in the same price range you can do better.

 

As for your body styles question, in my experiences, yes there are. Slab bodies (90 degree angle cuts on the sides) are extremely rough on your wrists. Fortunately, you're probably not going to find a bass like that in your price range. Rickenbackers also are difficult for me, though they're fine for others. You just need to try everything that you can out to see what works best for you

 

Look at the new Sub 4 by Music Man, they are great basses and you can get them new for that price. Sometimes if you order from Guitar Center on-line you can get a discount. Then take it to your local guitar shop and get them to set it up for you.

 

If you have access to music stores go play as many different basses as you can. Find what sounds good and feels good to you. Everybody has their own likes and dislikes. You just have to find what you like.

 

Ibanez Sr300. Esp Ltd B & F series 154dx basses, and the used schecter you mentioned would be excellent choices in that price range imo.

 

I'm not as much a fan of the gsr series or any below SR300. I like sound, shape of body, and necks of the SR's better to me. Some might however like that gsr the same or better. Depending on personal feeling and sound pref. Ibanez does make some high dollar models. But their mid line is more my fave of theirs. I'd actually take a SR500 and swap pups and preamp. Rather then get some of their high end much more excpensive ones. The GSR200 uses ibanez J and P pups. I've never heard any stock ibanez j or p pups I thought sounded decent. That includes going all the way back to when mid line sr basses had ibanez J & P pups. They just sounded bad to me. Some like them though. Let your ears rather then someone elses be the choice for your own preferances.

If you can. Go browse a local guitar store or two to see what they have in your price range new and used. Hands on to see which you lke the most. The latter is very important for neck feel and overall fit for both the neck and body. Couple other brands where great deals on nice used midline basses can be had is washburn, aria and cort.

 

Very, but they're outside your price range unless you go for a low end one that's MIM. At that price point you are, again, much better off going with the Squier.

The low end Ibanez basses are alright, but they aren't basses you can really grow with (nor would want to). Personally, they've always felt plastic-y in my hands, and their tuners leave a lot to be desired.

Is there a reason why you're not considering Squiers? This is the one I own and it's fantastic. Compared to my 2010 US made Fender Precision bass, I'd go with the Squier every time. It's that good.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass...azz-bass-60s-bass-guitar?tandt_rdir=1&aR=true