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Newbie to bass looking for a solid beginner bass

U

Umm179

Dec 13, 2009
5
0
#1
Well i'm new here obviously, hi everyone. Anyway I've played guitar for a year and I still like it i'm not quitting, but bass has always been what i've wanted to play and i'm not sure why i chose guitar last year. Anyway, i decided i want to learn bass and i have about 225 dollars in hannakah money. I'd like to learn how to slap since i really like some old school funk like parliament and sly and the family stone (and i'm also a big fan of flea), but there is still a lot of other music i like, so i guess versatility might be something i want. Anyway, I was looking at maybe getting a squier 70s Vintage modified jazz bass on ebay and I even was able to find some MIM Fender jazz basses in my price range. From what i've seen jazz is more suited for slapping, but any sort of recommendations would be helpful. I'm comfortable with either buying used or new, but obviously used would have to be like new. Thanks for the help and sorry for the wall of text lol.
 
#3
Wouldn't hurt to check out pawn shops. I bought a fairly old Carvin bass that is top quality through and through. It's a heavy bass, but it plays great, real dark ebony fingerboard, active pickups.

Yamaha BB1000/2000 series can be found for low prices.

You can also check out some of the Japanese knockoffs from the 70'80s. Aria made some very nice basses. Tokai is another cool brand... Ibanez, etc.
 
#5
eddievanbassman said:
Go on Craigslist there's always good deals on there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did, unfortunately nothing good is close. I found the squier VM one for 200 with a hard case which would be perfect but it's an hour away and my parents were not willing to drive me that far (i'm 16, but no license yet). Oh also, how much of a difference would i notice between an affinity jazz and the Vintage Modified? I mean, i'm not gonna lie, most of the reason why i like the vintage modified is because i saw it at the music store and it looked really sexy lol.
 
#8
oh, and a few more questions. I found one listing on ebay of the 70s VM that seems like it will end at my price range but the headstock doesn't have the squier logo. It does have the squier logo on that square metal piece on the back holding the body and the neck together. Can i be certain this is still a legit bass? I don't care too much about logos, i just don't want a fake. Oh, and am i risking anything by playing a bass through a small guitar practice amp (not turned up too loud, my mom has like super sensitive hearing apparently).
 
#12
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#13
It's important to play before you buy. Especially important with used basses, but cheap new basses sometimes have quality control issues - one may be fine while the next one off the line has a problem. If you do get one online, be sure the return policy is good and that the cost for shipping will not cost you half the price of the bass. Ebay is ALWAYS a gamble.

Playing through a guitar combo ("combo" means amplifier and speaker all in one box) amp could work at very low volumes, but too loud will ruin the speaker. If the amp has a headphone jack you could use headphones.

A starter pack might be a good idea. If you like playing you will probably want something better sooner or later though. If you have a guitar store nearby, look for used Peavey basses. Very good for the money. The Peavey Foundation is a great bass, often under $150, but they are old and would not look like new. On the other hand, they were simple but excellent American basses, made as well as any US Fender bass that costs well over $1000 today.
 
#14
Umm179 said:
well, i got outbid on the MIM jazz, but i might bid on the squier 70s vm. the listing is here http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Squier-V...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item2ea999b6e1 Am I risking anything by buying it even though the logo is missing on the headstock? It still has the same pickups and the squire logo on the back (if you look in the questions the guy added more pics)
Click to expand...

Looks legit to me, he just stripped the head of all logos.

It's getting a tad expensive. Too bad you're so far away, my local dealer has this bass brand new for just a hair over $200.

I agree that you should try out your bass before buying it if possible.
 
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#20
Tremendous bass, usually can be found for under $200 - look for the old "Made in Japan" ones, though the "Made in Taiwan" ones are nice as well :


YAMMIESMALL.jpg




YAMMIEHEAD.jpg
 

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