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Thoughts and opinions please

#42
That was Up on Amazon and I looked up the bass that I recommended and 1000 or more reviews all look pretty good. Here's the AI blurb:

Customer reviews​

4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5
1,774 global ratings

Customers say​

Customers find this bass guitar to be a top-notch instrument with incredible build quality and exceptional value for money. They appreciate its appearance, with one customer highlighting the gunmetal finish of the tuning pegs, and its playability, with one noting it's ready to play right out of the box. Customers praise its sound quality, with one mentioning it performs like a $800-$1000 bass, and its versatility, offering great tone variety and being suitable for beginners. The adjustment capability receives mixed feedback, with several customers noting the neck needs adjustment.

(NOTE)
Neck adjustment is routine maintenance. And in some regions of high humidity is needed ~ 2x per year. It really depends on how stable or conditioned the air is where the instument is used.
 
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#43
As others have said, go to GC and play a bunch of basses. QC and consistency is much better nowadays than it was when I started playing in the 80s before CNC machining really existed in the MI space outside of maybe Warwick. Find what you like, then come back and look for it used. Talk Bass classifieds are a great resource because we do a decent job of weeding out scammers (though nothing is 100%), but using PayPal Goods and Services gives you some peace of mind. Buying through Reverb or GC's used section on their website is also an option. I particularly like the GC used gear because it has a generous return policy. Lastly, don't feel like you need to be tied down to a P bass or a Jazz bass. Play everything. You might find a non FSO body shape to be more comfortable for you. Once you buy, make sure you get a good setup, and remember to leave money in your budget for an amp, cables, a strap, and strings. Good luck! The beginning of any journey is the most frustrating but also the most fun and the most rewarding!
 
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#45
Best answer...go to a few stores and try out as many basses as possible.
Some will look good, some will feel good, and some will sound good.
Try enough basses and you'll find one that does all three.
(I've seen quite a few bassists give up in frustration because someone recommended the wrong bass....nothing is more important than finding a bass you can really bond with.)

Other than that, Squier Crafted In China Classic Vibe...I've always liked the 60s model more. One of the best CVs ever made...new ones just aren't quite the same.
photostudio_1710636664359.png
 
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#46
tinymike66 said:
Great Advice from everyone. Definitely eases the mind on my search. I got a bit of info from every response and very helpful.
will absolutely get back to here when I decide what to go with.
again, thank you and much appreciated!!!

Mike.
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What city do you live in ?

Your local facebook should have a musical instruments for sale group, or more than one.

As far as Guitar Center, look at their used basses. If your local GC is like mine, you'll be lucky to find a new instrument that is anywhere near set up properly.
 
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#47
So much good advice on this thread! I, especially, dig the "try as many as possible" suggestions. Speaking as someone in healthcare, everyone is built a little different. What works in my hands might not be what works for you, so experiment as much as possible. Who knows? What's right for you might just fall into your lap.

I will pass on a couple of notions that are, admittedly, a bit subjective, but they might be of some help.
  1. When I bought my first bass, I took it in for a setup. The guy at the shop suggested I start off with slightly thinner, .100 to .045-gauge flatwound strings. (re: most standard strings have a .105-gauge) He said they'd be kinder to my fingers at the onset, and that I could always change them up later. He was correct. Funny enough, not only has that become my preferred string thickness, but I just transitioned that first bass back to a similar set of flats.
  2. Some people are perfectly happy with a single pickup system. Personally, I've learned I prefer the extra versatility of basses with two pickups. Eventually, you may need to figure out which you prefer, so see which sound really speaks to you.
tinymike66 said:
Thank you...other than to hold and get a feel, I wouldn't have any idea on sound or capabilities. This a completely start from scratch, im 51 so slow learner ha ha
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Don't worry about when you start. I pulled the trigger (re: bought a bass) for the very first time as a present to myself when I turned forty.
 
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#49
so I was able to go to a store, I live In Ontario Canada, basically in and around Toronto.
the big music store in the area is Long & McQuade.
I handled a Squier CV 60's and a Yamaha trbx304. I found the Squier to be heavier and the neck felt thicker. I have big palms and very short fingers. Also my wrists have very poor flexibility, so I have a lot of work to do to.
The Yamaha was bit lighter and the neck was Narrower. I'm undecided and will go back tomorrow again to handle them. in Canada the prices are more. The Squier cv 60s is $659 plus 13% sales tax and the Yamaha is $499 plus 13% sales tax.
the Yamaha is an Active Bass, my research finds that a passive bass is recommended for a beginner, any thoughts on that? do love the traditional look of the squier but seems the Yamaha fits well. decisions, decisions. As for the used market, saving a couple hundred to buy used but them requiring set up and anything else can end up costing the same or more in the long run. Long and McQuade does a basic set up out of box and offers one free set up in the first year plus price of strings if needed.
 
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#50
It's harder to screw up your sound with a passive bass. Plus passives can sound amazing. (That said, for its price point Yamaha will probably have better quality control on its bass than an equivalent Indonesian or Mexican Fender.)

When I originally replied to this thread I didn't make a specific bass recommendation but I did say to decide what sound you wanted after you solidified on a budget.

Squire 60s CV could be a Jazz or Precision bass, you don't say which. But they have different strengths and sounds, and they're both different from Yamaha's active sound.

So again, I'll say that once you have a budget decide on the sound, and look at the songs you want to play and see what instruments were used for them. Once you decide P or J or H, active or passive... then you can look at appropriate instruments, or the decision will become crystal clear.
 
#51
FretRiff said:
It's harder to screw up your sound with a passive bass. Plus passives can sound amazing. (That said, for its price point Yamaha will probably have better quality control on its bass than an equivalent Indonesian or Mexican Fender.)

When I originally replied to this thread I didn't make a specific bass recommendation but I did say to decide what sound you wanted after you solidified on a budget.

Squire 60s CV could be a Jazz or Precision bass, you don't say which. But they have different strengths and sounds, and they're both different from Yamaha's active sound.

So again, I'll say that once you have a budget decide on the sound, and look at the songs you want to play and see what instruments were used for them. Once you decide P or J or H, active or passive... then you can look at appropriate instruments, or the decision will become crystal clear.
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I do enjoy a variety of styles. I listen to mostly Rock. Love a lot of the bass I hear in Tool's music, Red hot Chili Peppers, Pink Floyd and even the Beatles, But then I also like the Jazz style too. I do know I want a Jazz Bass for its versatility, as for budget either one I can do, although price varies, but don't wanna spend less for the sake of saving money and end up just settling. I do intend on keeping the bass as it will be my first and just sentimental reasons, and I'm Positive that if it ends up being a love for me there will be added basses to the equation. I see a lot of Ibenez and Epiphone models also on display, Jackson S Spectra etc etc. I am open to all opinions or suggestions. Having zero experience or real knowledge, the two I narrowed my decision to are solely off reading reviews and research.
 
#52
Again, a P has a different sound from a J, which will sound different from a TRBX304.

As I often want to yell when on the highway, PICK A LANE, BUDDY.

If you are looking at a Fender CV Jazz if anything you ought to consider a Sire V3P (passive Jazz bass) or a Yamaha TRBX174 (passive P/J bass - and the least expensive of all the choices you were considering). Those options yield quality builds and very good quality control. At the low end, Fender QC tends to be more... varied.

But seriously, I think it's a mistake to say you'd be happy with any of those basses. Pick a sound / pickup-type, and look at options within your budget.
 
#53
tinymike66 said:
The Yamaha was bit lighter and the neck was Narrower. I'm undecided and will go back tomorrow again to handle them. in Canada the prices are more. The Squier cv 60s is $659 plus 13% sales tax and the Yamaha is $499 plus 13% sales tax.
the Yamaha is an Active Bass, my research finds that a passive bass is recommended for a beginner, any thoughts on that? do love the traditional look of the squier but seems the Yamaha fits well. decisions, decisions.
Click to expand...

as suggested by some other, if you liked the trbx304, check also the trbx174 and be not confused by the low price. However, the neck is slightly larger, so first try it. If not, I would not consider the active feature an hard stop for a beginner. You have only to remember to unplug it when not playing (battery is switched off that way).
I am more lending towards those telling you that the first bass should just be a bass you are comfortable with, then you will know which sound do you like and the second bass will be the right one (but then G.A.S. starts and never ends...).
 
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#55
I watched a few videos on the TRXB 174 PJ
And read a rew reviews.
On video it actually sounds very good and seems a quality build for the super low price.
Tomorrow when I go back ill size one up.
I been getting overwhelmed and realized, like some have said here. Just get a bass and be sure it feels right and its something I look at and want to play. I know nothing else other than to hold the instrument lol
When I start to learn more I can start my collection
 
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#56
tinymike66 said:
so I was able to go to a store, I live In Ontario Canada, basically in and around Toronto.
the big music store in the area is Long & McQuade.
I handled a Squier CV 60's and a Yamaha trbx304. I found the Squier to be heavier and the neck felt thicker. I have big palms and very short fingers. Also my wrists have very poor flexibility, so I have a lot of work to do to.
The Yamaha was bit lighter and the neck was Narrower. I'm undecided and will go back tomorrow again to handle them. in Canada the prices are more. The Squier cv 60s is $659 plus 13% sales tax and the Yamaha is $499 plus 13% sales tax.
the Yamaha is an Active Bass, my research finds that a passive bass is recommended for a beginner, any thoughts on that? do love the traditional look of the squier but seems the Yamaha fits well. decisions, decisions. As for the used market, saving a couple hundred to buy used but them requiring set up and anything else can end up costing the same or more in the long run. Long and McQuade does a basic set up out of box and offers one free set up in the first year plus price of strings if needed.
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  1. The #1 thing for a beginner is you have to like the bass. If you like the bass you'll want to play it more. That's crucial.
  2. Between these two basses, they're both fine.
  3. I prefer lighter weight basses. but, I stalked Sweetwater and got a 60's CV that's around 8 lbs. But i think the Yammies run lighter than that. You should check.
  4. If you can swing a TRBX 504 or 604, check those out. Higher end with better everything. I had a TRBX 505 and loved it. Only reason I sold it was I got out of 5 strings. I'd play a 504 or 604 in a heartbeat.
  5. On the Yamaha 5 and 6 series the active electronics can be defeated.
  6. Ibanez is awesome, irrespective of the price. They're just solid basses.
  7. Get it in your hands and play it. I assume you can return it.
  8. Amplifiers are a big part of the sound. Fender Rumble are great, reasonably priced. Like the bass, if the amp sounds like c#@p you won't play it. Used Rumble 112 or 115 combos should be reasonably priced and work great as a starter amp
  9. Good luck!
 
#57
One last thing about the TRBX 304, they have a baked in active tone that can't be defeated. That's maybe why people warn you toward passive basses. As I said, the TRBX 5 and 6 series have switchable electronics to active or passive, so you get flexibility.
 
#58
When I was looking at basses in that price range I decided against the TRBX partly because I wasn't sure I needed active electronics, partly because I'd seen people griping about that model's active electronics and the relatively confusing knobs/switches, and partly because I didn't need 24 frets and the BB series 21 frets was fine for the rock I wanted to play.

I thought this video was pretty good in comparing the 'gimmick switches' of the TRBX and the SR300E. I though his criticisms were well-considered.

 
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#59
FretRiff said:
...decided against the TRBX partly because I wasn't sure I needed active electronics, partly because I'd seen people griping about that model's active electronics and the relatively confusing knobs/switches...
Click to expand...
You make a really good argument for the 174 because it doesn't have those issues. Its electronics are passive, and the knobs are Volume Volume Tone.
 

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