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New bass advice needed...

S

Skeedish

Jan 11, 2009
10
0
#1
I'm wanting to buy my first bass guitar, but I'm not wanting to start off with something low level that I'll have to upgrade from after a short time. I've got slightly under R10 000 (which translates to about $1000) to spend on a bass and maybe an amp (with the leftover cash), and I'm not 100% sure on what I should buy. I'm needing it to have a good sound to play with at live shows, it must be a 5-string, and I'm wanting to tune it to ADGCF.

Ideally I'd get an Ibanez K5, but I don't want a signature bass. Right now I'm thinking that an Ibanez SR505 is the next best option, and while most reviews on it are positive, some do say that it has a fret buzz, and one review said that it doesn't play well at low levels so I'm not sure if it will be able to handle the tuning.

Can anyone give me any helpful suggestions?
 
#2
Sounds pretty extreme to buy such an expensive bass when you are just starting to play bass. Have you got any experience playing string instruments? Choosing instruments is always very personal, though I would advise looking for some second hand Music Man or Lakland and buy a cheapy amp.
 
#4
I think your approach is a very good one-buying good equipment early on can save you a lot of money, If you have spent enough thaught on what exactly it is you need . or like in an instrument.
Do your research and do not hasten into it.
I am sure you can pick up a decent instrument for the money you have and possibly less.
I'd look 2nd hand.

Good luck!
 
#5
mattcampbell said:
I'm South African too
Click to expand...
Gee-wizzz, so there really are more of my types around? :hyper:

Where are you guys from (I'm from Krugersdorp).

I recently bought my SR900 from Toms in Braamfontein - they had a 50% discount on all of their basses. Not sure if it's still going. If so and you can visit them - go and try out some - they probably have the best variety to choose from in the country!
 
#6
tobie said:
Gee-wizzz, so there really are more of my types around? :hyper:

Where are you guys from (I'm from Krugersdorp).

I recently bought my SR900 from Toms in Braamfontein - they had a 50% discount on all of their basses. Not sure if it's still going. If so and you can visit them - go and try out some - they probably have the best variety to choose from in the country!
Click to expand...


Haha, well unfortunately I was only born there (Durban) and lived in Cape Town 'till I was about 6 then moved to Melbourne, Australia. I still consider myself a proud South African though :)

+1 for LDonnie's statement
 
#8
What you're explaining is the equivilent of someone buying a mercedes for their first car.

Buy something more affordable until you learn what you like, dislike or even if you continue to play bass.

Otherwise I guarantee you'll be selling that bass off for 3/4 to 1/2 of it's value once you decide you'd prefer something different.
 
#9
LDonnie - I haven't got any experience playing string instruments. I used to play clarinet and I can bash a few things off a drum kit.

mattcampbell - since I don't have any sort of bass, I don't actually *play* anything. I've been playing a bit of korn on a down-tuned classical guitar (E dropped to A :P). I play very experimental music, but want that low A (so lets settle on 'metal').

cnltb - thanks :)

tobie - thanks I'll check it out. My home is in JHB but I study at Rhodes (Grahamstown).

Basically, I need a 5-string bass that is stage-worthy and sounds good down low.
 
#12
The Ibby SR 505 basses have a skinny neck which might help a beginner. Definitely look for second hand.
Are you looking for a bass that will go lower than the standard low B? I suspect you will need pretty thick strings to hit those low notes.
 
#13
Skeedish said:
LDonnie - I haven't got any experience playing string instruments. I used to play clarinet and I can bash a few things off a drum kit.

mattcampbell - since I don't have any sort of bass, I don't actually *play* anything. I've been playing a bit of korn on a down-tuned classical guitar (E dropped to A :P). I play very experimental music, but want that low A (so lets settle on 'metal').

cnltb - thanks :)

tobie - thanks I'll check it out. My home is in JHB but I study at Rhodes (Grahamstown).

Basically, I need a 5-string bass that is stage-worthy and sounds good down low.
Click to expand...

Well, if you still are set on buying an expensive bass, get one with a tight B. You will need it because of the downtuning. I thought Laklands and Music Mans (also SUB's) have awesome B strings so that is why I supposed you could look for some of those. There are more great B's out there, but I don't really know which, probably some other people will chime in. Ofcourse, you can always use the search function :rolleyes:. Cheaper basses will probably lose character in A.
 
#17
If you are drop tuning the B string a whole step I would lead you back to the Ibanez. I was actually looking at the same model for my first 5 string.

It has a string through bidge option which keeps a little more tension on the strings. Probably something that you are going to want to cinsider no matter what you look at.
 
#20
I'd get something you're always likely to want to keep - or if you fall out of love with the bass - something you can always sell. That has to be a USA Series Jazz or Precision. It's the benchmark for everything else. They are easy to play, easy to sell.

Then buy something like a Hartke 3500 Head or an Ashdown Mag 300 Head and build a 2x12's cab with a couple of Eminence Delta 12LFA's (or a 15 and a 10). That should all be somewhere near that budget.
 

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