Hi there, this is my first post on TalkBass, I've been playing bass for 2 months or so now, I've got my own 15 watt practice amp already, but I've been using a friend's squire and I'm gonna have to give it back to him soon. Basically I need to buy a bass, but I haven't got all that much to shell out, what's a decent bass between $200 and $300. Thanks a ton in advance
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Newbie bass player
- Thread starter GabyJ
- Start date
With that price range you're pretty limited. I have ran into a few squire basses that have been set up real nice right out of the factory. Other than that..I know Ibanez makes a few basses in your price range. If you save up a few hundred more dollars you options will greatly increase.
You could also find a nice used Squier Classic Vibe. They are fantastic basses.
If you saved up a bit more scratch, you can get into a used G&L Tribute or Mexican Fender in the $400 to $500 range.
If you saved up a bit more scratch, you can get into a used G&L Tribute or Mexican Fender in the $400 to $500 range.
I'd jump all over this one!
It would run you just about $311 with shipping, but comes with a hardshell case.
It would run you just about $311 with shipping, but comes with a hardshell case.
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Thanks a lot I really appreciate it, I'll probably end up picking the Vintage Modified Squire, I've played one at a local store and it's selling for 280 bucks, it felt nice and the price is doable. I was also wondering, how many of you self taught the bass to yourselves. And if so how'd you go about doing it?
Welcome to TalkBass. So far, not a single person in this thread has spelled Squier correctly, so let's step off on the right foot. The Squier Vintage Modified Jazz would be a good choice. The Classic Vibe Jazz also would be good.
I just started learning bass. I swapped a guitar for an Ibanez SR-750, used (selling price $650) - it's a really nice instrument with active preamp and passive Bartolini pickups.
I then talked with a friend who has small hands, as do I. I went looking at short scale basses. The local GC didn't have any Squires with short scale, so I wound up with an Epiphone Viola for $299. Twin mini-humbuckers and very simple controls.
I like them both, but my hands can tell the difference - the higher price bass feels better. My ear hasn't gotten so picky.
I then talked with a friend who has small hands, as do I. I went looking at short scale basses. The local GC didn't have any Squires with short scale, so I wound up with an Epiphone Viola for $299. Twin mini-humbuckers and very simple controls.
I like them both, but my hands can tell the difference - the higher price bass feels better. My ear hasn't gotten so picky.
Sorry, Munjibunga. Squier is written really really small on mine and I can't see it from here.
as far as being self taught. I bought a couple of instructional videos back in the day, and I spent a lot of time learning Scales, Patterns and (dun dun dun) Modes. It's always fun to learn to play songs, just remember to learn some of the theory behind as you practice.
as far as being self taught. I bought a couple of instructional videos back in the day, and I spent a lot of time learning Scales, Patterns and (dun dun dun) Modes. It's always fun to learn to play songs, just remember to learn some of the theory behind as you practice.
I'm self-taught, but I had been a musician for over 20 years when I started playing bass, so I already knew a fair amount of theory. One of the most important things to me is being able to sing the bass part. Then knowing patterns of different intervals and scales on the fretboard. Also, for good fingering technique, watch videos of players like Nathan East.
Welcome Gaby, I'm a noob too but with a whooping 5 months down and dirty. The following is simply what I've learned, you of course are your own person and have to make your own choices. Use the money and take weekly lessons. Most places have basses for lessons so you won't have to buy one yet. Then, based upon the style of music you want to play, ask your instructor what they'd recommend in regard to basses. I've had luck with craigslist but that has it's own inherant issues. Anyway, to answer your question the squires are ok as are a couple of ibanez. JMHO. Good luck.
I'm self taught, I learnt through following Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com , I've played recorder in school so I could read music but didn't know any theory before hand.
I spelt it exactly the same as you
I spelt it exactly the same as you
I almost suggested this but didn't know how comfortable he'd be with the headstock. I didn't like the new headstock until I found a "used" one of their ash bodied jazzes with the blocked rosewood necks. I played it and that was it! Mine plays as nicely as any Jazz I've ever played and sounds great. I have only replaced the bridge and put a set of D'Addario Chromes on there. Everything else is staying. I had even thought about replacing the pickups but it sounds great as is. The neck profile is really nice as well.
I think we're all primarily self-taught - at least to begin with. IMHO, It would be a waste of money to pay for lessons when you're starting out because bass is a pretty easy instrument to begin. You're mostly playing individual notes so it's all about learning the names of the notes below the 12th fret and getting your hand strength up. Cyberfretbass.com would be a good place to start, as well as Studybass.com.
Do you know anybody who plays bass? Have them teach you the basics. Definitely learn the "floating thumb technique" as well.
Great! Welcome mate-how about a cort corbow 4, plenty on E bay, make sure you have the Bart pick up tho, it sound better?
I recently picked up a used 2006 MIM Fender Jazz Bass (the ash-body natural finish Fender Special Release) in pretty good condition off Craigslist for $200. I'll defer to the more experienced players here, but if you want the best bang for your buck, check out used instruments.
