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My first bass

Hank-0119

Hank-0119

Jul 22, 2025
1
5
#1
Hello everyone, this is my first post. I have a question and would greatly appreciate your guidance.

Previously, I only played upright bass in my school’s wind ensemble. When certain pieces required electric bass, I grabbed a no-name bass from a second-hand shop near campus and made do for a while. The string action and intonation past the 12th fret were simply unbearable. Now I’m ready to invest in a proper-brand bass, with a budget of up to 1500 . Below are the models I’m considering, along with my impressions after listening to demo clips. My goal is to focus on jazz—my favorite players include Jaco Pastorius, Anthony Jackson, and Tatsuo Sakurai. Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

## 1. Ibanez SR605E

## 2. Yamaha Trbx605FM

## 3. Yamaha BB735A

- This one impressed me most of all. The overtones are beautiful, the low end is thick and solid, and the J-style pickups keep things from getting too harsh while still providing plenty of punch.

- At its price point, it feels like a serious value.

## 4. Sadowsky Metro Express Vintage (hybrid)

- A Japanese-made Sadowsky would be ideal (but I’m a broke college student 😂), so I’m unsure about the build quality of the China-made versions.

And I heard some people said that metro express qualitiy is unwell, I just wondering it worthy than same price Fender player series.

Thanks in advance for any insights or recommendations!

(sorry for my poor english)
 
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#3
The no name bass that you played most likely could have been much improved with a good setup.

Being new to the instrument, you’re not in a great position to know what you’ll like in the long haul. So don’t spend a lot of money now. Almost any bass made these days will do the job with a good setup unless there’s something seriously wrong with it. Don’t sweat the “this bass is superior to that bass” trap. Buy the one that feels best and even looks best to you. After you’ve got some experience playing electric bass, you’ll be in a much better position to buy another one that perhaps suits you better.

Buy used.

4 or 5 string? Were I starting out from scratch, I think I’d get a 5. You don’t “need” a five, but there’s nothing that a five can’t do that a 4 can. That being said, I could not transition to a 5 because I just never spent enough time with one. But I’ve played 4 strings for decades and I’m old and lazy.
 
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#6
A broke college student with a $1500 bass budget? Now I've seen everything. :laugh:

Anyway, I'm going to echo Father Gino's suggestion to buy used. Look around, get your hands on a bunch of different basses, and find one that feels good to you. You might want something different/more expensive/prettier once you've been playing for a few months anyway.

As already mentioned, even lower priced instruments will play well with a good setup. I'd focus on getting a decent bass for 1/3 of your budget, and remember there are always amps, tuners, cables, cases, lessons, etc. to buy at some point.

Regarding the basses you already mentioned, I don't think you can go wrong with either of the Yamahas or the Ibanez. As a fan of the SR series, I would pick the Ibby, but I'm biased.
 
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#7
Like Father Gino's said, setup is THE key to playability. Some basses, though cheap, will set up well and play awesome.

If I were you, I'd hire a bass technician to see if the cheapo bass you have can be set up and intonated. You'd be surprised how many great players play cheapo basses.

If you buy, buy used. I have bought a used bass for half the price ($1,800) of the new version. It looks new and after the set up it feels great in my hands. Some brands like G&L and Warwick, for example, don't have a good resale value, though, they are very good brands.

As you get into the electric more, and your preferences crystallize, you will know exactly what you want and you'll be glad to have the money to get it. You may also realize that the no name is a keeper.

Having said all that, your choices are pretty good regarding the Ibanez, Yamaha and Sadowsky basses.
 
#8
That’s a great short list, hard to go wrong. Plan A is go out and try em yourself, since you have a little playing experience. Plan B is order from a retailer with a good return policy in case you don’t bond. (If I had to pick one to start with I’d probably go Yamaha BB but that’s just my personal preference.)
 
#9
ghostdog93 said:
A broke college student with a $1500 bass budget? Now I've seen everything. :laugh:
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly ^

OP, since you aren't very far into your bass journey (and the "What's going to work long-term" point is a valid one) I would go with something generic and used in case you need to sell it for something else later on. I'd grab a used Squier Classic Vibe Jazz or Precision bass, for the following reasons:

- Pretty easy to come by and they are good value for what you get
- Very common design or oft replicated, so if that bass style is all you can get your hands on at a gig you're fine
- Simple electronics, most shops or amateurs like me can repair these with relative ease
- How to set them up for optimal action or playability is very well-documented
- A lot of aftermarket parts (pickups, bridges, etc.) are modeled after their dimensions...so easier if you wanna do upgrades
- Sound Techs feel much more comfortable mixing with a common bass like those
- Easy to resell, it's a pretty stable market since they are very modable or great if someone wants a basic Jazz/Precision without paying too much


I'd do that and spend the rest on a good amp or preamp with a headphone out. Just my $0.02, but even if you want a better bass later on you'll always have that one as a backup. There's plenty of folks who use these basses are their main axes, or like to mod them (I do). Give them a try in person if you can, but I'd say $1500 is way past the mark to spend on just a bass at this point.
 
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#10
I've seen the TRBX605 used by jazz and fusion players.

FYI in this (goofy but useful) video the reviewer loved everything about it, except for his finding it was "subdued and lackluster" in a live band mix. (He fixed it with a change of cabinet IR, but doesn't like to be tied to one.)

 
#11
Try not to sweat what others say is good or bad and go with your gut. Like others have said, you can’t really go wrong with any of your choices, so try to pick something that feels and looks the best to you. Especially in your first instrument, looks matter more than you would think. If it plays and looks good, you’re going to pick it up more, plain and simple!

That being said, I would recommend the BB735a. Insane value, and a serious player of an instrument!
 
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#12
If you like Jaco, I would recommend checking out Japanese used Fender Jazz Bass. They’re very good for the money (1K), and you’ll get a real Jaco vibe with Rotosound 66 strings.
If you’re short, give a Sire basses a try. Amazing playability for the price, and great sound.

The other basses you mentioned are all great mid range basses, great to learn the instrument. You can’t go wrong. But never forget to try a bass without purchasing one. Don’t pick a bass if you’re not comfortable playing on it. It must be smooth. Sometimes it needs a setup, but sometimes it is crap .So don’t buy a bass that feels bad only because it looks cool.
 
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#14
+1 to a good setup
With a $1500 budget I would suggest a $1300 bass and a $200 setup
My impulse would also be to suggest a Squire Classic Vibe P or J as well, but you don't mention those.
Yamaha and Ibanez both have good reps around here.

Assuming your goal is to play in an ensemble,
I would not place much stock in isolated 'bedroom tone' sound demos
What is does in the mix is where it counts
 
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#16
You have a pretty wide range of very different but all high quality basses there. I own 2 Ibanez SR series, one is bottom line fretless, the other premium level 4 string. What you get with Ibanez is a lightweight and ergonomic instrument with a narrow and very fast playing neck, but not necessarily the best tones for jazz playing. You get a much more substantial bass with either of the Yamahas, but again, not sure either of those give you the tones you might want. Probably the TRB605 is closer to your desired tone than the BB735, but both are fine basses. Personally, I'd be happy to own either of those basses. I would broaden your list to look at the Sire Jazz basses, either the 4 or 5 string version. You'd save some money and still get an outstanding neck and excellent jazz tone, in a lighter weight package. For me, weight means a lot. I don't care for anything over 8.5 lbs. I think you'd find the neck on the Sire to be superior to the Squires, better edges, roasted maple, etc. Squires however make excellent platform if you want to modify the bass, change pickups, bridges, etc. I have a Sire P5R (P-bass) and that is not the best for playing your selections, but it is competitive with P-basses costing twice as much. If you can, get your hands on a couple of your prospects before you buy, one may speak to you. Good hunting! Welcome to the electric bass club.
 
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#17
Go browse the TB classifieds for those models and get an idea of how much further your budget will go buying used.

There are dozens of great YouTube videos on how to do set ups. Dingwall has a step by step series. It’s not rocket voodoo, just a few basic tools and patience. Set up depends on your playing style and string choices. Coming from upright bass, you may be a bit heavy handed. The set up that works for you now will evolve as you play more electric. String choices will evolve as well.

Buying used, your $1500 should bring home the full set up: bass, amp, and a multi fx that can serve as a headphone practice set up.

Forty some years in, I’ve never once bought a new bass. They come and they go.

Good luck
 
#18
Not sure where you're located, but if there is a used market I'd second (or third or fourth) that, one thing you can do is use reverb.com, the for sale talkbass pages, or even do an advanced google search to see what people are asking for a particular model instruement.

I also agree about either learning how to do a setup, or getting one done.
 
#19
I have an old TRB-6 that I bought in the mid-90's. Incredible instrument. Also have a couple of Ibby's (a BTB-845V and SR2605) which are also both fantastic.

As far as setup on an electric goes, there are so many threads on that here with links to great videos and it's very straightforward.
Setting up an upright is more alchemy and incantations, isn't it???
 
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#20
KevInDaBassment said:
My thoughts exactly ^

OP, since you aren't very far into your bass journey (and the "What's going to work long-term" point is a valid one) I would go with something generic and used in case you need to sell it for something else later on. I'd grab a used Squier Classic Vibe Jazz or Precision bass, for the following reasons:

- Pretty easy to come by and they are good value for what you get
- Very common design or oft replicated, so if that bass style is all you can get your hands on at a gig you're fine
- Simple electronics, most shops or amateurs like me can repair these with relative ease
- How to set them up for optimal action or playability is very well-documented
- A lot of aftermarket parts (pickups, bridges, etc.) are modeled after their dimensions...so easier if you wanna do upgrades
- Sound Techs feel much more comfortable mixing with a common bass like those
- Easy to resell, it's a pretty stable market since they are very modable or great if someone wants a basic Jazz/Precision without paying too much


I'd do that and spend the rest on a good amp or preamp with a headphone out. Just my $0.02, but even if you want a better bass later on you'll always have that one as a backup. There's plenty of folks who use these basses are their main axes, or like to mod them (I do). Give them a try in person if you can, but I'd say $1500 is way past the mark to spend on just a bass at this point.
Click to expand...
I remember getting a used Music Man Sterling (made in USA) kind, black with maple fingerboard & came with a black & white perloid pickguard for $800 on E-Bay - it was in great condition too. I ended up selling it for a profit after a year or so with the bass but to your point, there are plenty of used, excellent value basses out there.
 

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