Recomendation For beginner bass..electric..

Well, I think there is a better place for this thread, but I'm gonna go ahead an answer.

First, check out the bass guitar classifieds.

For a few hundred, you wont get a good B. The lowest priced good B is the BTB series from ibanez (IMO) and thats around 350 used (i think) SO maybe it's doable, because that actually is a few hundred lol.

Then think about his this 11 year old hand is gonna handle a bass, especially with a low B , and probably at your price range, a longer scale.

Chad

 

You'll get lots of input at the bass guitar forum, linked below.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8

Good luck

 

I completely agree that a 5 string may be a bit of a hindrance for an 11 year old, and indeed for anyone at a beginner stage.

I'd go with a 4 string and keep it with a fairly small body - it can be hard for a kid to just reach over the top, and heavy when strapped on.

 

If he's a somewhat experienced player (like I was at his age) a decent little 5 string from Rondo Music would be a nice gift. Like this one:

$179.99 and this is a very nice model, I've played earlier versions. The 5 piece neck feels great and the quality of the components are substantial.

Here's another, for $169.99 that I personally don't like as much as that first one, but you might:


If he's never played anything before he's better off with something like this:

$119.95 + shipping. Option for a few different colors. If this is his first bass, he's going to need a tuner, a strap, cable, and a practice amp also.

A practice amp like this:

is also available at Rondo; $119.95 for enough volume to practice with a drummer who plays quiet or plays with practice stick bundles.

A starter kit with a strap, cable, and picks is here:


I couldn't find a tuner on the Rondo site, but I'll bet there is one if you call them and ask, and you can find one at a local shop.... I sound like an ad for Rondo Music, I know. I've been to their store and have had very good experience, and they are a local music store with a web presence, not a massive megacorporation, which is why I like them.

Speaking of which.... If you have a local music store, check for their "bass packs". Others here may disagree with me but I feel that any of the starer packs from Ibanez, Squier, Peavey, Hartke, and others are just fine IMO.

 

I agree with the above comments. If he's only 11, a 5er is going to be quite the stretch for him.

That said, Rondomusic.net is widely recognized (on these boards) as the best source for quality low-price basses. You really can't go too wrong with anything you find there.

 

BTW it's going to be an ultra-cool gift for the little punk!