For $2000 you could get two nice used basses that are very different and maybe have money left for any needed fretwork, upgrades, etc.
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Thinking about getting a "good" bass
- Thread starter handsinpocket
- Start date
I think your budget enables you to satisfy your requirements and then some. Quite a bit more than "then some". So, for what you want to do, I'd suggest considering that pretty much every bass player ends up wanting and then owning more than just one bass. So my advice is: don't commit all your resources to what's going to end up being your first bass. My opinion and my advice. Good luck.
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A Precision bass is a great allrounder and an excellent choice for what you need.
The American Pro II Precision is a very good instrument and will serve you well, although you may find basses that are better VALUE at that price. You tend to pay a little extra for the Fender logo on the headstock.
I disagree with everyone saying you should get a cheaper bass. Cheap basses can be very good instruments but they often need a bit of work to get the best out of them: Fret levelling/crowning, setup and maybe even things like upgrading the pickups. The problem is that many beginners don't even realise this and may struggle for years on instruments that could have been made better after 1-2 hours with a luthier or a professional guitar tech.
There's also the fact that cheap basses can vary a lot in quality, even within the same model and a beginner won't be able to tell the good ones from the bad ones. Ironically, finding a really great, cheap "beginners" bass requires an experienced player.
If you have the money to buy a good quality instrument like a Fender Pro your learning will be easier, more inspiring and you will know that the quality of your instrument isn't holding you back.
I never understood the argument that beginners should start out on cheap basses in case they give up playing. Sure, a lot of beginners WILL give up playing bass but maybe they give up precisely because they are struggling with a poor instrument? If you can't afford an expensive instrument, sure, get whatever is within your budget but always get the best instrument you can afford. Resale value will generally be good for more expensive instruments (at least if you buy a classic model such a a Fender P) so even if you end up selling it you won't lose all your money.
Having said that, if I had the choice between cheap bass+expensive amp and expensive bass+cheap amp I would spend the most money on the amp. Cheap amps/cabs are often rubbish while cheap basses can often be very good, or at least made into something good after a professional setup/fret levelling, etc.
The American Pro II Precision is a very good instrument and will serve you well, although you may find basses that are better VALUE at that price. You tend to pay a little extra for the Fender logo on the headstock.
I disagree with everyone saying you should get a cheaper bass. Cheap basses can be very good instruments but they often need a bit of work to get the best out of them: Fret levelling/crowning, setup and maybe even things like upgrading the pickups. The problem is that many beginners don't even realise this and may struggle for years on instruments that could have been made better after 1-2 hours with a luthier or a professional guitar tech.
There's also the fact that cheap basses can vary a lot in quality, even within the same model and a beginner won't be able to tell the good ones from the bad ones. Ironically, finding a really great, cheap "beginners" bass requires an experienced player.
If you have the money to buy a good quality instrument like a Fender Pro your learning will be easier, more inspiring and you will know that the quality of your instrument isn't holding you back.
I never understood the argument that beginners should start out on cheap basses in case they give up playing. Sure, a lot of beginners WILL give up playing bass but maybe they give up precisely because they are struggling with a poor instrument? If you can't afford an expensive instrument, sure, get whatever is within your budget but always get the best instrument you can afford. Resale value will generally be good for more expensive instruments (at least if you buy a classic model such a a Fender P) so even if you end up selling it you won't lose all your money.
Having said that, if I had the choice between cheap bass+expensive amp and expensive bass+cheap amp I would spend the most money on the amp. Cheap amps/cabs are often rubbish while cheap basses can often be very good, or at least made into something good after a professional setup/fret levelling, etc.
Just my opinion.... If I were in your shoes, based on what you wrote, I would buy a Squier Classic Vibe P. These are fantastic basses for the money. They look good and sound good. Then you still have $1500 in your pocket for an amp, pedals, tuner, cables, etc. Then take time to suss out what you really like.
Later I might look at a Jazz or Music Man style bass. G&L Tribute P and Jazz basses are also very nice.
For me, based on my preferences, I would get a Sterling by Music Man Ray (4, 24, or 34), or a used Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray
Later I might look at a Jazz or Music Man style bass. G&L Tribute P and Jazz basses are also very nice.
For me, based on my preferences, I would get a Sterling by Music Man Ray (4, 24, or 34), or a used Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray
Fender P is a good instrument but a little single sounding. Either Tone high or tone low. Consider a active EQ bass with humbuckers. This will give you a more broad range of tones without having to walk back to your amp to adjust for each song.
Took me about 15 years that the cheapo Cort I started on would crap all over many basses easily up to 10 times it's price.
It's all a sliding scale with so many different things to look at.
I have many basses ranging for 150 dollars to 1000 dollars and the best 2 of my herd are the 150 dollar one and a 500 dollar middle of the pack
It's all a sliding scale with so many different things to look at.
I have many basses ranging for 150 dollars to 1000 dollars and the best 2 of my herd are the 150 dollar one and a 500 dollar middle of the pack
Unfortunately, no one on here will be able to tell you exactly what is going to work for you. If you've made it this far, you probably have an idea about what the "safe" choices are for your style of music.
It took me until my 5th bass before I was confident I had a "good" one and one that I knew was a keeper. It cost me $750. It was not a P or a J or any of the usual suspects.
Good luck with the search!
It took me until my 5th bass before I was confident I had a "good" one and one that I knew was a keeper. It cost me $750. It was not a P or a J or any of the usual suspects.
Good luck with the search!
Get exactly what you want from the beginning - brand, style, color, etc. You’ll eventually get it anyway and if having what you want motivates or inspires you, it’s worth the price.
Play all the basses you can get your hands on . Make sure you try out some Sire Basses awesome quality, sound and playabillity for short money
It's unlikely that this will be the last bass you buy. All good advice here, but you may not know yet what bass your hands are built for. So all the testing in the world right now will come from a position of inexperience.
Either precision or jazz bass is a sure thing to get your playing going. I like both, but an hour into playing, my hands would prefer the jazz. This is very individual.
I own but don't play fender anymore, but you can't go wrong getting an American pro.
Life is too short, get good stuff. I have bought cheapies, and love them but I knew what I was looking for. Quell your gas and play with quality.
Either precision or jazz bass is a sure thing to get your playing going. I like both, but an hour into playing, my hands would prefer the jazz. This is very individual.
I own but don't play fender anymore, but you can't go wrong getting an American pro.
Life is too short, get good stuff. I have bought cheapies, and love them but I knew what I was looking for. Quell your gas and play with quality.
For me, that would be a Squier Precision, a Squier Jazz, a Yamaha BB, and an Indonesian-made Ray.
For me, that would be a Squier Precision, a Squier Jazz, a Yamaha BB, and an Indonesian-made Ray.
A good bass?
Why not simply buy a great bass?
You can't just "drop 'n' run". What is that?
I have both a Fender Performer II P bass and Squier 60s P bass. The former has labella flats and the latter has the original Fender rounds.
They both play great. The neck is easier on the Fender but the Labellas pigeonhole the style. The Squier has more ability to cover more due to rounds and by turning the tone knob.
That is all my opinion.
I know this is sacrilege but I play the Squier more than the Fender. I can't talk about how good the neck on the new Fender Performer series is, though, but I have four basses and all the necks are different so I just play what I'm holding.
If it feels good and sounds good, get it. Name plate and cost doesn't matter.
They both play great. The neck is easier on the Fender but the Labellas pigeonhole the style. The Squier has more ability to cover more due to rounds and by turning the tone knob.
That is all my opinion.
I know this is sacrilege but I play the Squier more than the Fender. I can't talk about how good the neck on the new Fender Performer series is, though, but I have four basses and all the necks are different so I just play what I'm holding.
If it feels good and sounds good, get it. Name plate and cost doesn't matter.
