• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Reasonably priced indie bass...

N

NATO_9

Jan 19, 2011
7
0
#1
I've just recently started playing and i've been dipping into different genre's of music, and so far i really enjoy the indie and pop punk style of playing. I currently play an ESP LTD B-50, which i've heard is a metal bass, but its was free, so i can't complain. Im looking for future replacements, such as the Fender Precision, and Rickenbacker 4003, but they all seem to be way outside my price range (the 4003 being more than $2000!). I guess where im going with this is, does anyone know of any indie or punk style basses for $100 to about $250 that are good quality for the price?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
#6
NATO_9 said:
I heard that the Squier was not very good. Although as a beginner im not gonna get something top of the line. No one gets a Ferrari as a first car.
Click to expand...

Maybe the Affinity line do need some work before playing, but the Classic Vibe basses are terrific. I just got the white Jazz yesterday, and it feels and plays amazing for $350, however there is a...strange smell from the stock strings.

Vintage Modified too so I hear, but I didn't have a very good experience with it.
 
#7
I don't think that any one bass is really made for any one style of music. There are metal players (and punk players, and indie players, etc) using precisions and metal players using jazzes and everything else -- it's much more a matter of the individual's style, not the genre of music. Some people prefer thick chunky necks and some people prefer slim necks, some people prefer fat thumpy tone and other prefer growly trebly tone.

The two brands you'll probably hear most about in response to this question are Squier and SX. I haven't played Squiers because I heard the same thing you had, but that's really the Affinity models and the VMs and CVs have gotten good reviews. I do have an SX jazz and I have to say I've been quite pleased by it.

The main drawbacks about SX is later resale value if you decide to move on - non-bass-players haven't heard of them - and the fact that you have to order them online from rondomusic.com, you can't try one out in a store. Some of them are very good and some are not so good, rondo is supposed to be very good about returns (I haven't had to do it myself) but that is a pain compared to knowing you like the bass before you buy.

Squiers hang in music stores by the dozen and you can see how you like them before you buy. On the other hand, you can literally get two SXs for the price of one VM Squier, so if you want both a jazz and a precision in your arsenal, that would be an option. Have fun shopping!
 
#12
NATO_9 said:
I heard that the Squier was not very good. Although as a beginner im not gonna get something top of the line. No one gets a Ferrari as a first car.
Click to expand...

Trust me, the CV line I can vouch for. It is beyond great. It kills most MIM Fenders and EVEN some MIA Fenders.
With a few upgrades (even though they're really not necessary) it can get on par with any MIA Fender. Even now, after playing that thing, people confuse it for Fender.
Whatever they got in that China factory, they got it right!
 
#13
So i guess it is better to talk to some people who actually know their facts. Haha. Thanks everyone. One thing that has always caused me to avoid Fender guitars is the headstock. There's something about it that just bugs me. Are there any brands that offer roughly the same instrument, but a different style?
 
#14
Ibanez Jet King bass

48770_l.jpg
 
#15
Jeez, people say that indie bands are all about non-conformity, but it must be the RIGHT kind of non-conformity. It's all about the hipster image.

That said, the majority (~60%) of indie/alternative bassists (if the band even has one, which says smomething about it) use a Fender Precision bass or Jazz bass. Next in line is a Rickenbacker 4001 or 4003. The other probably 5% is miscellaneous and vintage basses such as Mosrite, Kay, Fender Mustang/Jaguar, MusicMan Stingray, and the Epiphone Jack Casady sig has become popular among some players.

And there's the occasional Fender P/J used by Two-Tone Tommy of My Morning Jacket. Needless to say, Fender and Rickenbacker have that market tapped.

As for you, if you're a beginning player, probably go with a Squier by Fender Precision Bass or Jazz bass either in the Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe line of instruments. They're not bad instruments, especially for the price. I think they get a bad rep in some places because they're not "real" Fenders. Also, music store salesmen want to convince you that getting an MIM Fender for $200 more is "so much!" better, which it's not, really. The average (because of quality control) Squier VM or CV can definitely hold it's own against an average MIM.
 
#17
It is crazy to want a bass dependant on the image and the sound.

Indie bass is always pretty formulaic anyway, you could get that tone from any bass. Just go to your local pawnshop and by the craziest looking bass on there. Indie is all about worn out instruments not shiney new ones. You might have a couple of Neil Young albums floating around on your Ipod, and he plays banged up old guitars. If you dont have any Neil Young then get some! You are in peril of becoming the laughing stock of all your indie friends who atleast pretend to listen to him!
 
#18
Whats wrong with the B-50... lol. Priorities dude. That bass will sound like whatever you need, so will the Squier Vintage Modified (if a little better). You obviously dont want sound, but image. sad face. get an Ibanez ATK or something.
 
#20
Just go with a Squier Precision VM with the maple neck. If you can get 50 more bucks go with a CV 50s or 60s P bass. They come in a very indie color and have the best tone for under 300. Hell I'll even say they beat the Mexican fenders.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back