New bass player

[brap8]

Am wanting to learn how to play bass. What is a good bass guitar to start out with I live in Canada. Also should I go 5 or 4 string. To start

 

[waleross]

A 4 string to start . Fender Squire or a Dean bass new or used is a great place to start...................Also starter practice amps are about $99( US) good luck , have fun....

 

[J-B'ass]

Out of a 4 or 5 string, use whichever you prefer from the start. You don't see guitarists starting with 4 strings and working up to 6.
Squire and Dean are indeed fine makes, I would recommend a 'jazz bass' style instrument as they tend to be versatile in the tones they can produce, which is means you'll be able to sound reasonably authentic in any genres you start to learn.

 

[klejst]

Being a Fender player I too would pitch getting a Fender Squier bass. Now whether that Squier bass is a Precision, Jazz or Special model is up to you just as much as whether to get a four or five string is.

 

[Roy Vogt]

I might be inclined to get a 4 string at first, simply because most beginning bass methods and instructional material (including my own course) are designed for four strings. There are a lot of good suggestions as far as instruments already listed-you might want to find a "gently used" Squier, Dean, Peavey, etc. to start since that will be less expensive as an initial investment. When you decide that bass is for you, you can always upgrade and either sell your first bass or keep it as a backup.
Happy thumping (and plucking, picking, tapping, slapping)!

 

[user3653753]

Start out with what feels right to you. Go to a music store and try a bunch of things. You're going to know what feels good and what doesn't. Look at people around you that you admire. Figure out what they're doing, and try to emulate that in the beginning while you're finding your way.

It's not a big deal. Get something cheap, get something that feels good, and figure out what you want to do with it. Listen to music that inspires you, and try to emulate what you hear on records. People have been doing that for decades and have done really well.

Good luck,

Janek

 

[Moofknock]

Ibanez makes GREAT starter Basses too. Try the SR300

 

[collins81]

I started on a 5 string. Go to a music store and play a couple different 4 strings and a couple different 5ers. Get whatever feels the best to you.

 

[dllcalli]

Well as for me I'm a drummer and my 7 yr daughter picked up a 5 string and doesn't like her 4 string. She says it messes her up when she plays the 4 string for a while then picks up her 5 string. Either will work and work well. Just remember if u learn on a 4 you half to do some adjusting if u go to a 5 string later. Good luck

 

[MostlyBass]

+1 Ibanez. That's what I recommend to my students. However, one student came to a lesson with a Cort which turned out to be a nice beginner instrument.

 

[Robertjoel]

Squier is better than ever, and best priced for quality.
Second best and even cheaper recommendation is SX

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