I'm a pianist/ guitarist and i wanna pick up bass. However, i've got a budget of like $350 so i was wondering what bass to get. Can anyone suggest some good basses for around that price. And what is the difference between a cheap bass and an expensive one? btw is ESP good? Cos i hardly see anyone talk about them here. Thanks!
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New bass on budget
- Thread starter LuckySeven77
- Start date
Do you have bass amp already?
Makes a huge difference in how much you can spend on the bass and on what the recommendations will be.
Do you want a four-string, or a five? What kind of music do you expect to play?
Primary instrument, or just an afterthought?
Makes a huge difference in how much you can spend on the bass and on what the recommendations will be.
Do you want a four-string, or a five? What kind of music do you expect to play?
Primary instrument, or just an afterthought?
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...-guitar-value-packages?N=100001+200996+306318
I've been really impressed with the Yamaha line. Have played some RBX170's at local stores and haven't found a dud in the bunch. Don't know anything about the amp being offered.
A decent keyboard amp would work nicely.
I've been really impressed with the Yamaha line. Have played some RBX170's at local stores and haven't found a dud in the bunch. Don't know anything about the amp being offered.
A decent keyboard amp would work nicely.
Peavey Grind is about as good and cheap as a beginner could want.
Neck through so it has nice fret access, (as you are just starting you have no idea what kind of music you will be playing so get full 2 octive, 24 frets if you can).
Nice mono rail bridges that allow string through bridge or string through body, for different tones.
Also 2 passive soap bar style pickups that are very easily replaced if you find your in need of something more down the line.
I have a 6 string grind and I love it, even with much higher end instruments to play I find myself playing the grind a lot, I'm sure you will too.
The difference between cheap and expensive basses varies so much its irrelevant.
I like many here I'm sure have played some Squires that were better then some Fenders. Pretty much polar opposites on price but almost identical on features hardware etc.
This is no knock on Fender by the way, just a good example for how price is irrelevant. The days of getting what you pay for are for the most part gone.
ESP's are grand basses, make sure you look at the LTD versions as well.
Try everything you can, even if its out of your budget. You will be amazed how little price has to do with quality.
Pick something that feels comfortable (ignore and brands or prices) and you won't regret it.
Neck through so it has nice fret access, (as you are just starting you have no idea what kind of music you will be playing so get full 2 octive, 24 frets if you can).
Nice mono rail bridges that allow string through bridge or string through body, for different tones.
Also 2 passive soap bar style pickups that are very easily replaced if you find your in need of something more down the line.
I have a 6 string grind and I love it, even with much higher end instruments to play I find myself playing the grind a lot, I'm sure you will too.
The difference between cheap and expensive basses varies so much its irrelevant.
I like many here I'm sure have played some Squires that were better then some Fenders. Pretty much polar opposites on price but almost identical on features hardware etc.
This is no knock on Fender by the way, just a good example for how price is irrelevant. The days of getting what you pay for are for the most part gone.
ESP's are grand basses, make sure you look at the LTD versions as well.
Try everything you can, even if its out of your budget. You will be amazed how little price has to do with quality.
Pick something that feels comfortable (ignore and brands or prices) and you won't regret it.
Thanks. I think i wil play mostly rock or jazz or somethin, so i think i need something that can play a wide range of styles. and i don't have an amp yet. Is it worth it to buy a starter pack, like is it alot worse than if you buy a guitar on its own in terms of quality?
Any of the Squire CV series basses are an awesome buy for the dough, or a used Musicman SUB.........
+1. Saw a used CV P on Boston CL this morning for $175*. Can't beat that.
*Not mine! I got no skin in the game -- just reporting.
For my personal tastes, the BC Rich's are a little impractical...when I am practicing by my self or just noodling around, I tend to be sitting...and some of their body styles don't accommodate that so well...the only body style I'd consider of theirs is the Mockingbird...but I think you are over $350 at that point....
For $350 you could get this bass, which I have heard are great quality for the price:
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Then you have a little bit left for a decent practice amp....something like this:
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For $350 you could get this bass, which I have heard are great quality for the price:
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Then you have a little bit left for a decent practice amp....something like this:
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^^^ Most Ibbys are good values, some are outstanding for the money. There are PLENTY of them floating around in the used market; there's no need to buy new. I bet you could troll CL and pretty quickly find a used Ibby or Squier bass and a used Peavey or Fender amp and get good quality in your budget.
You have LOTS of choices! Good luck!
You have LOTS of choices! Good luck!
Go with a Yamaha or Ibanez, they're really great basses for the money and if possible buy used - you will (in most cases) get a much nicer bass for what you spend. There are plenty of great basses on this site up for sale all the time. And check your local craigslist.
You can probably find a used Ibanez SR500 for around that price or a Yamaha BB414, both outstanding basses for the money (new and used).
You can also get one of the Yamaha RB basses or Ibby SR300 new for about $240 - $300. Fender's Squier line has also been getting rave reviews and you can pick one up for around the same price.
Whatever you do, don't buy a starter pack - the amps are pretty worthless and the basses are about as low as you can go as far as quality - you're better off spending $250 for a used bass and putting the $100 towards an amp. If you have a powerful enough guitar or keyboard amp, you can still practice on lower volumes until you get a decent amp.
You can probably find a used Ibanez SR500 for around that price or a Yamaha BB414, both outstanding basses for the money (new and used).
You can also get one of the Yamaha RB basses or Ibby SR300 new for about $240 - $300. Fender's Squier line has also been getting rave reviews and you can pick one up for around the same price.
Whatever you do, don't buy a starter pack - the amps are pretty worthless and the basses are about as low as you can go as far as quality - you're better off spending $250 for a used bass and putting the $100 towards an amp. If you have a powerful enough guitar or keyboard amp, you can still practice on lower volumes until you get a decent amp.
Can't beat SX for the price. You could drop about 150 for an SX bass and have 200$ left over toward a small or used amp.
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Yeah I was thinking an SX P bass or J bass. Drop $150 on the SX, $20-$30 on new strings and then the rest on a used Peavey head and cab or combo. Some of the Acoustic stuff looks decent on Musicians Friend as well.
THanks for the advice. how bout LTDs? And i dont think i can get used guitars cos i'm getting mine from a shop.
All of these are good suggestions, but everyone has their own bias and brand loyalties. The best thing is to go down to the music store and play for a while. Find out what feels right and sounds right to you, thats the important thing. It's all in the ears and the hands.
