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New, saying hello!

Sumosized

Sumosized

Learning to lay down a cool groove!!!
Nov 24, 2006
66
1
SW PA
#1
Hello everyone! I'm new to the site and the bass world. I played Baratone in high school about 16 years ago and tried my hand at guitar--without much luck. So at the age of 33, I decided to trade in my cheapo guitars and buy a bass.

As with every other newbie, I have a limited budget. I want to stay under $300--bass and amp. But I think I can do that with the SX basses that everyone seems so high on. I thought about a bass package, but that's how I got started when I wanted to play the guitar and it turned out to be a flop. I also bought an inexpensive Hamer electric guitar that had the frets pop within the first year! So I've experienced that cheap quality thing first hand.

I thought about the Squir, then I read a lot of the bad press here. It seems the Ibanez have few friends, the Yamaha has a good bit of recomendation, but those SX seem to get the most positive feedback.

So, I think I may go with an SX and am looking for recomendations on AMPS. The lower priced I go the better--that will keep my wife happy!

Now, my big question is--which SX? I'm mostly into classic rock and dance music. Maybe a little country.

I would just like to say thanks for any help in advance! :help:

By the way, I have fairly small hands for a 6', 345lb man. Medium sized gloves fit great in the fingers, but I need a large to fit my palm--does this come into play with the SX Bass?
 
#2
First of all, welcome to Talk Bass! The best bass community on the net!

SX would be an excellent beginner decision. They are certainly great value for what you get. Many people who have been playing for years use them. As for an amp, just try looking around in the used shops around your area and look for something that has decent EQ features and if you plan to play with other people -- especially a drummer, look for something atleast 100 watts. It really doesn't matter what brand it is as long as it sounds good to you and fits your budget. As far as type of bass. For any beginner, or for anyone who wants a bass to fit many styles of music; a jazz style bass would be a great choice. SX makes great jazz style basses. You can't go wrong with jazz configuration. It also won't be a problem with your hand size. Jazz style necks are actually rather slim and fast so it should work just fine for you.

I hope this helps! Stick with it, and most of all, enjoy!
 
#4
Try and check out as many of the bass's as you can, its amazing how suttle differences in design can effect how a bass feels in your hands, what ever you pick make sure make sure it feels good in your fretting hand as far as string spacing and neck thickness is concerned. You probably want to listen to them also as different pickups, wood and design all contribute to different tones. I think the sound is important to how well you enjoy your practice time.

For Amps don't waist your money on any 15 amp or you'll just want a better one, I settled on a 75 watt G/K Backline 110, its not the best but it sounds good. I don't crank it up a lot, I would rather have a little more power than is really needed so ya don't over work the thing, that way it should last.
 
#5
Welcome and congratulations on your dive into the deep end! I tried guitar as well, but it wasn't my thing - bass sure is!

It's going to be tough to find any kind of bass/amp combo under $300 that's worth owning - mainly because of the amp. Amplifying bass is different than guitar because it takes more power to make the low notes audible. For a bass player to compete with drums and a guitarist playing through a 75w guitar amp you really need a 300w+ bass amp. If all you want to do is practice in your living room then a 15w amp might cut it, but you'd be better off buying a headphone amp. If you want to play with others it's hard to do with less than 75w, and even then it's hard to be heard.

An SX bass is a good way to go for a beginner bass. I'd probably go with one of these two:

sjb62bk1.jpg
spjsb1.jpg


The one on the left is a Jazz Bass type and the one on the right is a Precision Deluxe type. Most guys will tell you to go with the Jazz type because of the versatility of the two pickups and that classic Jazz Bass sound. The P/J will give you that classic Precision Bass sound and adds a Jazz pickup in the bridge position for more tonal variety. Both would be great ways to go.

For an amp, you might want to go with this one:

BXL1800_big-3be976a2995049e8fef921cf953507bd.jpg


Invalid Link Removed.

I've got a Behringer 300w amp and it's great!
 
#7
Sumosized said:
Thanks for the info folks. I've been looking at the SX's on Rondo's page, but being very new to this, I was wondering what you folks think of this:

http://www.rondomusic.net/spb62k.html

Thanks!
Click to expand...
That'd be fine if all you want to do is play at home. It comes with a 15w amp that won't give much volume.

It would be fine for starting, though. If bass isn't really you then you're not out much money.

What's your budget? If you've got $300 to spend I'd go with this set:

Ibanez Jump Start Pack.

SX's are decent basses, but they often need extra setup work and sometimes need new wiring to make them work really well. This Ibanez bass will be good playing with only a little work, and should sound pretty good.
 
#8
For now I'm only going to be playing at home--since I've never played before. However, IF I like playing, I would like to play in a band or at church. I'm really getting confused with the options out there.

I'm thinking I would like to get a bass that would be ok for a gig (doesn't have to be the best) and an amp that I can practice with (upgrade if I do like playing and join/start a band).
 
#9
Sumosized said:
For now I'm only going to be playing at home--since I've never played before. However, IF I like playing, I would like to play in a band or at church. I'm really getting confused with the options out there.

I'm thinking I would like to get a bass that would be ok for a gig (doesn't have to be the best) and an amp that I can practice with (upgrade if I do like playing and join/start a band).
Click to expand...
What's your budget? I can help you come up with a plan when I know that.
 
#10
I think fourstringbliss netted it out nicely for you.
For your budget, an SX and a Behringer combo will take you far.

2 pieces of advice:

- Save a few dollars for a good setup on the SX. It will make a big difference.

- *Burn in* your amp by pushing it hard when you get it. The idea is that if it is going to fail, you want it to fail inside of the exchange period. If it doesn't fail inside the exchange period, you are likely to have something that will last a long time.
 
#11
I'd like to stay under $300. $250 would even be better!! :help:

I do have some things I could trade in-- A Hamer Slamer, a Fender Practice amp (guitar), and an Ibanez beginner accustic. But I dont think I would get much for them. Thought about using that money for the amp.

Thanks Fourstring, I appriciate your help!
 
#14
Sumosized said:
I'd like to stay under $300. $250 would even be better!! :help:

I do have some things I could trade in-- A Hamer Slamer, a Fender Practice amp (guitar), and an Ibanez beginner accustic. But I dont think I would get much for them. Thought about using that money for the amp.

Thanks Fourstring, I appriciate your help!
Click to expand...

Option one: Invalid Link Removed

Option two: Invalid Link Removed

Option three: SX Jazz, Peavey Rage 15w amp, Tuner, Gig Bag, Cable, Strap.

Options one and two will serve you best as a beginner, though.
 
#15
Hello and welcome ... +1 on the Jazz neck sizing ... and you cant go wrong with a used Peavey combo amp for learning/practicing ... I picked up a used Peavey Minx locally for 75 bucks, and it sounds great, and is bullet proof ... good luck !!
 

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