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Should I get this Fender?

C

combee

Oct 31, 2009
12
0
Sydney, Australia
#1
I'm a complete newbie who would like to learn bass. I'm making my way through the info on the TalkBass forums, but I'm in over my head I think, and I'm a little scared to post here because I'm so completely new, but here goes.

I'm looking to acquire my first bass guitar. My background is classical piano, so in terms of theory I at least have a step in the right direction. As far as I can tell there isn't any reason for me to look at a 5- or 6-string bass yet, so for now I'm looking for a standard 4-string electric bass guitar. I'm right handed, and I'm a girl but my hands are reasonably big I think (my fingers are certainly chunky...).

In terms of music I'm fairly eclectic but the majority I would narrow down to rock, pop-rock, indie and metal. Music I enjoy includes Björk, No Doubt, Eskimo Joe, Garbage, Death Cab for Cutie, Weezer, Queen, Sarah Blasko, Little Birdy, The Offspring, Muse, Metallica and Franz Ferdinand, and Dethklok. In terms of particular bassists I admire, I've been listening to Talking Heads a bit and I like Tina Weymouth's style, I think. Also enjoyed Cliff Burton's Metallica work. I'd most likely be starting with covers.

I'm looking to acquire something at least decent. I'm in Sydney, Australia and price-wise we tend to get the short end of the stick. Billy Hyde Music (link above) tends to stick to RRP if you want to compare prices. I'm looking to spend probably under AU$500 on the bass guitar alone because I do realise that it's fairly likely that I'll either [a] get sick of my first bass as I get into playing, or give up in frustration and never touch the bass again.

I haven't popped into a music to try to pick any basses up in person yet, however, I have found a Fender Standard Jazz Bass on eBay starting bids at AU$600 (I'm guessing linking to specific auctions isn't kosher so I won't link it for now). The RRP here is AU$1100 I believe. The auction is ending in less than a day and I'd have to move cash out of my savings, so I probably won't go for this one unless it's relisted.

However, I've been reading around TB and some other forums, and I believe a Jazz Bass would be suitable for me due to its versatile sound and slightly more slender neck. Also, it looks like Fender is a pretty reliable brand. Am I on the right track? Should I go hard for this Fender on eBay or keep looking around? Should I look for something else?

Thanks in advance for any advice and help given.
 
#3
It sounds like you have done your homework. I have a Jazz bass and like it a lot.
You can get a very good bass without spending a ton of cash. I have a MIM (Made in Mexico) jazz as well as an American Standard jazz. The quality of the MIM is very good and I would pick it in a heartbeat to play at any gig.

If possible, look into the used market. I don't know what it is like in Australia, but here in the US, you get get a lot for your money.

It would be to your advantage, especially if purchasing used, if you had a bassist to help you check out possible purchases.

Good luck with your purchase and bass career.
 
#4
I'd say have a look at Squire and SX basses. I played a squire vintage modified 70s jazz and in terms tone and playability this thing provides more than you'd expact for under 300€ ...atleast in my opinion :D
Beside the "vintage modified" line, the "classic vibe series" aswell as SX basses get alot of love.

Check out:

This is how the Squire basses can sound... of course only if they are played as they're being played ;)
 
#6
Not sure about the current conversion rate, but you can find a really good bass for $500 U.S. these days. A lot better then in the last 20 years...better if you look on the local used scene.

I'd advise going into a music store and sitting down and trying a few basses out. Listen to the tones from the different types. Play a few different body types and see which feels most comfortable for you to play. Try different strap positions as far as comfortability, some like to play low, some high.

Feel the difference between different styles of necks. Some people like thin necks, some like beefy necks.

It all comes down to what your ears tell you and what your hands tell you.

When you pick up the right bass, you'll know it.

peace

~r~
 
#9
I also would say go for the Fender. I started off with cheap basses, and while there was nothing wrong with them, you will probably (if your like me) always be wanting something with a better name.

So it actually can work out cheaper to go for the Fender, I went through several cheap basses before being satisfied with the Fender I then got. While some of this is probably the Fender logo speaking to me, I cant fault mine.

If you decide to go for something different Ibanez may be worth a look based on the music your into.

If you get the Jazz you may never need another bass, I would advise buying used if you are worried about not getting on with bass and selling it. Then you wont lose anything :).
 
#11
Fender is a great brand, but there's no reason to go paying more than you need to for your first bass (especially when it's for a name). SX and Squier get plenty of love on here. As a matter of fact, I was recently considering an SX for myself, and my main two basses are American Fenders.

www.rondomusic.com

On the basses page, there are plenty of great basses to start on. Honestly, I've been gigging them for years and years, and have never had a problem. They're worth a lot more than they're charging for them.
 
#13
superfunk47 said:
www.rondomusic.com

On the basses page, there are plenty of great basses to start on. Honestly, I've been gigging them for years and years, and have never had a problem. They're worth a lot more than they're charging for them.
Click to expand...
True dat. Sometimes you get a really awful one though, and have to send it back. But it is a really cheap way to get the Fender sound. Someone recently posted soundclips comparing SX to Fender and most of us couldn't tell which was which- they sound very good.
 
#14
cmon sx guys. i am cool with too each your own but you know how much setup can be involved in a new sx bass. he new to bass, so setting up truss rod, and bridge and heaven forbid wonky frets is something he should not have the pleasure of fighting against right off the bat.plus youre suggesting his FIRST bass be one he has never felt nor heard?!? sx may be a great second bass and third and fourth and fifth but i disagree with a first.

i say fender is a perfect option. i would buy one used and buy one locally . you really ought to buy your first bass in person with someone knowledgable and unbiased there..ie a sales person who actually plays the instrument, so even if you cant paly all over it at first he can show you its sonic capabilities. i would pick models that appeal to you both in sight and in feel and then turn him (or her) loose on it.

for your first bass id also stick to used so you dont lose a buttwad of money if you simply dont dig it. but as for what you have stated stylisticly that you want to play i say a Jazz is a great option.

good luck. let us see your end results
 
#16
your idol said:
cmon sx guys. i am cool with too each your own but you know how much setup can be involved in a new sx bass. he new to bass, so setting up truss rod, and bridge and heaven forbid wonky frets is something he should not have the pleasure of fighting against right off the bat.plus youre suggesting his FIRST bass be one he has never felt nor heard?!? sx may be a great second bass and third and fourth and fifth but i disagree with a first.

i say fender is a perfect option. i would buy one used and buy one locally . you really ought to buy your first bass in person with someone knowledgable and unbiased there..ie a sales person who actually plays the instrument, so even if you cant paly all over it at first he can show you its sonic capabilities. i would pick models that appeal to you both in sight and in feel and then turn him (or her) loose on it.

for your first bass id also stick to used so you dont lose a buttwad of money if you simply dont dig it. but as for what you have stated stylisticly that you want to play i say a Jazz is a great option.

good luck. let us see your end results
Click to expand...

I am with you...
At first you don't realize what you are missing with cheaper basses, but then you start to get bit of skill and you outgrow it very quickly.

A used bass made with better parts is the way to go IMHO. The nice thing with used is that with some of the used stuff I have purchased I ended up selling for a few shekels more than I originally bought it for. So its the safer may to go, I think. If he starts really getting good on the bass and wants to invest in something better, he will lose little, if any, money.
 
#17
PasdaBeer said:
And saying a fender is going to come in perfectly set up? Cmon fender guys, get a grip


No matter what bass you buy, 99% of the time its going to need a set up. Thats part of buying a new bass.
Click to expand...

no but i am telling him to go to a store where it can try MANY basses,receive a proper set up (sometimes for free with purchase) and recieve propper feedback and have someone go through proper runs on the bass since he isnt a bassist yet. not mail order where what you get is what you get and THEN have to go to the store where you could have just bought a bass in the first place for a setup.

its not about the perfect factory setups. its about the OP getting the right bass the right way the first time.
 
#18
I know she's a little bit different from the bands you listed, but have you heard of Tal Wilkenfeld? She's pretty cool and also from Australia. (Unlike others, I actually read your post and know that you're a girl from Australia - cool!) Tal could be an inspiration to you. Here's her website:

http://www.talwilkenfeld.com/

Also, I'm not reallly a fan of Fender's myself, but you really can't go wrong with one for your first bass.

Good luck to you! Let us know how everything works out.
 
#20
First things first. As a pianist, you'll already be able to read bass clef, right? So look at some of the simpler double bass tutor books. Yorke Studies, Double Bass solo 1, etc. That will give you a good idea of fingering and what you can play were, also giving you a good startup technique. You'll easily be able to move from there to more complicated electric bass publications. It's good to start with a DB book as the electric bass is derived from the double and all the fingering is exactly the same.

Yes, the basic Fenders are all pretty good these days. Also check out the Squier Classic Vibe Jazz. They're the white/tortoise shell ones. Very good value and better than some lower end Fenders.

Most of all, have fun!
 

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