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Need some information on this Bass before buying.
- Thread starter Prototype00
- Start date
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE | TalkBass.com
A couple more links I like:
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE | TalkBass.com
Bass Setup Guide | Bass Gear | StudyBass
The Gary Willis site is specific to that bass, but most of the contents apply generally, and I found it particularly well presented, clear and easy to understand.
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Understood, and I do respect the posters opinion, but I vehemently disagree with him.
No way in the world the LTD line of ESP bass guitars are on the same level as Rondo instruments.
Maybe he was exaggerating, or maybe he had a bad experience with one, but I thought it was just mean...
Anyway, to each his own....
One does need to be careful about one's biases though - after some bad experiences decades ago, I wrongly still considered Squier to be total crap long after at least some of them had become pretty good for the $.Understood, and I do respect the posters opinion, but I vehemently disagree with him.
No way in the world the LTD line of ESP bass guitars are on the same level as Rondo instruments.
Maybe he was exaggerating, or maybe he had a bad experience with one, but I thought it was just mean...
Anyway, to each his own....
Welcome to TB. You'll find no shortage of opinions and advice here, that's for sure. When starting out, you're better off buying used and inexpensive equipment. It's likely that you'll want to upgrade in the future. This involves selling or trading and you won't lose much if you didn't spend too much in the first place. Don't buy an instrument based on looks alone. Go for comfort and playability. Make sure the neck is the right size and shape for your hands. Even the sound can be changed with modifications. It's too bad you don't have someone who knows basses who could go shopping with you to troubleshoot. Look for threads here on TB regarding what to look for in a bass as a second choice to that. Buying new isn't always the answer, either. In many cases the original owner may have fixed any problems a bass had, then sells it in better shape than he bought it in. For less than he paid. Try the classifieds and the used rack of your local music shop. Play every bass you can, this will narrow down what you're looking for. Best of luck and I hope this helps.
Get whatever moves you because if you're new to bass, chances are you won't be sticking with whatever bass you choose forever or for all that long necessarily. Especially if you hang out here for any significant amount of time.
Welcome to here.
Welcome to here.
I purchased my whole setup from a kid on Craigslist, like three years ago. Dean 4 string with roland amp. Paid $100.00 for everything. I brought it to the local music store and had them go through it. In the meantime I have been saving for some higher end gear. I am almost too the point where I can get what I wish now. Don`t get frustrated at first, it can be. Just have fun. Welcome. P.S don`t save the password if its a shared computer. Someone in my house thought it would be funny to delete all my stuff, even though I have not been here long I`m like starting over.
On the other hand, lots of older farts here will tell you we sold off our first instruments only to sorely regret it (and replace it) later.
And yes, OP: welcome!
On the other hand, lots of older farts here will tell you we sold off our first instruments only to sorely regret it (and replace it) later.
And yes, OP: welcome!
True but I won`t, Although i will give mine to my eight year old niece who has already expressed interest to get funky! Wish I would have started that young!
Yamaha is a great company to go with as well, you should be able to find something in the same price range as that LTD you are looking at (Yamaha makes everything from $300 instruments up to $2500 - $3000.) But like a lot of others who have posted here, I would strongly suggest that you consider going used for your first bass. For every person who stuck with learning/playing their instrument, there are ten who gave it up pretty quick...if you fall into the latter group, then you won't have spent as much money...
P.S. Where do you live? You say there is a Long & McQuade somewhere nearby? Any other music shops? If you are dead set on buying new, you should try a few different shops if there are any around and do a bit of comparison shopping.
P.S.2. Playability should be the most important aspect of whichever bass you choose to go with, ESPECIALLY as a beginner. You may like the looks of that LTD, but even if it has a decent setup, if the neck shape/radius and/or scale length aren't comfortable for you, you may end up with cramping issues, if not something more serious like tendonitis. I owned a Rickenbacker bass that I sold in 2010 when I finally admitted that it wasn't - and never had been - for me. That was a bass that I bought largely because some of my heroes played it and also, yes, because I liked the looks of it, but it caused me nothing but issues. I know that as a beginner you may be a little reticent about going into music stores to try out several different basses, but it really is the best (and only?) way for you to get a feel for what will work for you.
P.S. Where do you live? You say there is a Long & McQuade somewhere nearby? Any other music shops? If you are dead set on buying new, you should try a few different shops if there are any around and do a bit of comparison shopping.
P.S.2. Playability should be the most important aspect of whichever bass you choose to go with, ESPECIALLY as a beginner. You may like the looks of that LTD, but even if it has a decent setup, if the neck shape/radius and/or scale length aren't comfortable for you, you may end up with cramping issues, if not something more serious like tendonitis. I owned a Rickenbacker bass that I sold in 2010 when I finally admitted that it wasn't - and never had been - for me. That was a bass that I bought largely because some of my heroes played it and also, yes, because I liked the looks of it, but it caused me nothing but issues. I know that as a beginner you may be a little reticent about going into music stores to try out several different basses, but it really is the best (and only?) way for you to get a feel for what will work for you.
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Buy used. Then if your going to stick with it buy something better.
Yeah, I was wondering about that. I've never played an ESP, but that particular instrument the OP was looking at is rated 5 stars at Musicians Friend with 57 reviews. Seems like the folks that own them are very happy with them!
I was (maybe a little sleepy) inferring since his budget is limited that he start with a reasonable bass And amp (see previous post for context).Understood, and I do respect the posters opinion, but I vehemently disagree with him.
No way in the world the LTD line of ESP bass guitars are on the same level as Rondo instruments.
Maybe he was exaggerating, or maybe he had a bad experience with one, but I thought it was just mean...
Anyway, to each his own....
I've owned an ESP or 2 they're OK but. meh.
But bang for buck? Resale? F104's are 100 to 150 used all the time. Point was spend money wisely.
Nothing wrong with an ESP. Just not the only consideration is was making there.
Definitely! It may not be set up right, as in the case with mine. So if you find a used bass on CL, their is a good chance the person lost interest and its been laying around. Take to a shop and have them go through it. Nothing more frustrating than starting out, and its not setup properly.
Hey OP you say the store closest to you is L&M so you are in Canada.... what city? If you are close to Toronto or Vancouver I can recommend some other stores to check out and some good places to get lessons. If not it may be worth a trip to one of the larger cities to try out a variety of basses. I'm sure there are some TB'rs on here that would meet up with you to walk you through it. No matter what bass you end up buying it's important that it feels right in your hands so that you don't get discouraged early and bail. Also all the comments about amps on here are spot on don't forget to set aside funds for a decent one!
I'd second others who recommend you buy secondhand. If you can find something like this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] go for it. In other words, used US Peaveys, older Japanese Yamahas and Ibanezes are most excellent and will set you back as much as a new entry level bass. Then again, technological improvements raised the quality standards on cheaper basses. I can't stop drooling over my 70s VM Squier Jazz.
Welcome to TalkBass!
Nothing wrong with starting with an instrument that doesn't look like one you'd want to have onstage. With that said...nothing wrong with having visual preferences, either. There's a risk in entry level instruments that focus a lot on the appearance, though, that they do so at the expense of build quality and components...so it may be that your very first one should be mainly for playability and sound, and then your second one a cooler look. (Traben, for example Home - Traben Basses )
Ibanez has a million, bajillion basses. The GSR200 is affordable even new, and I bet there's a used one or a variant around you for even less. Simple, versatile, and easy to play. That's just one of many possibilities out there.
Now that you've joined TB, you can also search the forums here for player reviews of and experiences with nearly any bass under the sun. We're a bunch of bass nerds (well, I'm cool, but these guys are a bunch of nerds
). Best bet is to try searching first, then if nothing comes up, feel free to ask!
Nothing wrong with starting with an instrument that doesn't look like one you'd want to have onstage. With that said...nothing wrong with having visual preferences, either. There's a risk in entry level instruments that focus a lot on the appearance, though, that they do so at the expense of build quality and components...so it may be that your very first one should be mainly for playability and sound, and then your second one a cooler look. (Traben, for example Home - Traben Basses )
Ibanez has a million, bajillion basses. The GSR200 is affordable even new, and I bet there's a used one or a variant around you for even less. Simple, versatile, and easy to play. That's just one of many possibilities out there.
Now that you've joined TB, you can also search the forums here for player reviews of and experiences with nearly any bass under the sun. We're a bunch of bass nerds (well, I'm cool, but these guys are a bunch of nerds
). Best bet is to try searching first, then if nothing comes up, feel free to ask!
If I were in Seattle I'd be all over that T-40. Only concern is that they've obviously been dinking with the truss rod.
As regards the LTD - I haven't played their basses but I do have a EC-256 Les Paul-a-like. Sounds good, plays better than some Gibsons I've tried, and the fit and finish is impeccable for the price range. If their basses are anything like their guitars, I'd give it a thumbs-up.
I have two Fenders and recently bought a LTD B-4E. The very thin neck instantly made me a better player. I have hardly played the Fenders since I got the B-4E.
Besides that, I love the way it looks.
Besides that, I love the way it looks.
