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Used basses for new players - good or bad idea?

Batmensch

Batmensch

Jul 4, 2010
7,247
1,204
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Media, PA.
#1
Something I've been thinking about for a little while. Whenever a person utterly new to basses in particular and any kind of musical instrument in general posts a request for advice on buying an instrument, an inevitable answer is to "buy used". On the face of it, that's a good idea, but I'm thinkng that for the absolute newbie, this may not be good and practical advice. As their knowledge as to what constitutes a genuine or quality instrument is at best very limited, I think that the newbie is a prime target for either getting a "lemon" or even worse, getting ripped off paying too much for a fake. What do you think?
 
#2
used is ALWAYS a good idea. The problem you'd face, as a noob, is that you don't know what you're looking at. If you are indeed a noob, you have a teacher. Have your teacher help you, even if you're buying new.

Pick a budget, and stick to the budget. Don't judge an instrument based on appearance; how it plays is the most critical thing, particularly for a new player. Sound? well, you'll sound bad for a while no matter what, so don't worry about tone/sound/etc. Get one that PLAYS well and you'll have a good start.
 
#3
I've been playing for a little while but still consider myself a complete noob in some ways. The bass I'm currently playing is a used Ibanez SR500 I picked up at Guitar Center for $250 during one of their used instrument clearance sales. I played a ton of new and used basses and could have spent a lot more money if I had wanted to. The Ibanez just felt right in my hands and around my neck. Also, this website was a great resource for finding out as much as I could about that particular bass before buying it. Since then I've played a bunch of different basses but the mid-level, inexpensive, used Ibanez still feels right to me.

Look around and see what's out there, do a little research on them, and then try to get out and play them. One will stick out as feeling right. Hopefully it's also one that you like the sound of too.
 
#4
I've found that buying from fellow TB'ers is a pretty safe bet. Look for someone who has a history of positive feedbacks and/or whose posts show more experience, brains, and maturity than posts that only ask things like "Yo dawgz, I'm tHe mOst BruAl fReakin' baZz plaYer on thIs p*Ssy weB site. WhAt's tHe moSt bad-freakin'-aZz bAss for mEtaL?!?!" If you can buy a bass from someone whose posts clearly show they have pride in themselves, their craft, their gear, and their reputation, you'll usually make out *very* well buying from the For Sale forum.

Also, it's a good idea to spend some time in a store just trying out everything you can that's a little above your price range (remember, you're buying used so it's OK to aim higher up the food chain). It won't take too long to start getting a feel for the kinds of tones you like, what kind of necks and bodies feel best to you, does scale length matter to you, do you have a preference for active or passive basses, is there a particular look you want to go for (or avoid), etc. With those kinds of questions answered you can make a pretty safe and reasonable decision. Plus, if you find out that bass really doesn't work for you, you can sell it here for what you paid for it or, better still, trade it for something else on your list.

Believe me, I know it's awkward going into the stores as a beginner. I did the same thing when I started many years ago (at age 37!). However, I told sales people that I'm just starting out and I want to try things out just to learn before I buy. Most were happy to leave me alone to do my own research and were also happy to help when I did go to them with questions. It should be easy to tell if the salesperson is really trying to help you or just push you into SOME kind of purchase just to get a commission. If you feel pressured or feel like you're being fed a bunch of BS, either go to another store or go back to this one another time and try to find a different salesperson.
 
#7
Slowgypsy said:
True. As a novice, it is easier for someone to pull a "fast one" on you. But, if you buy from a reputable store... and... you make sure you get that instrument properly set up from the get go... you might not get a huge bargain, but you'll probably get a very playable instrument at a fair price.
Click to expand...
I bought my first bass from Mars Music when they were on the way out. I picked out a Yamaha that felt good to me, but what did I know? I looked around a found a guy checking out basses that obviously knew what he was doing, and I handed him the Yammy and asked him what he thought. He played around on it a bit and told me that his first bass was the same model. "A good one" he said as he handed it back to me. He was right.
 
#8
Just like a car, I would not buy a used bass with out someone who knew what to look for with me. An example is my friend bought three trucks so far, the first two he got rid of within a year of the buy, the third one he got witht he program and asked for his brother to come with him, he still uses that truck. But thats just me.
 
#10
I will admit it's a little easier these days with the internet and foums like TB. A noob can find all the info he/she needs to make a better informed judgement on gear purchases, if they know where to look. When I started some 40+ years ago,there was only one or two monthly magazines (Guitar Player comes to mind) and musician friends who maybe didn't know all that much more than you did. The only things we knew was Fender/Gibson/Ampeg/Acoustic/Ludwig were the shiz, and Peavey sucked.
 
#13
C.Linton,

This website is an absolute gold mine of information. I have been playing bass for 6 years and in the few months I have been a member of this website, I have learnt so much. Have a look at the second hand models you see, note the price, check out the general condition of the instrument and get back to us, we may have advice on what may be a good deal and what to avoid. FWIW, my recommendation would be a brand new Rockbass Corvette or Streamer for a first bass. For what is considered a 'budget' bass, they look good, sound better and can hold up to most situations come the days you wish to play in a band.
Also, if you are going to a fairly large music shop with a decent amount of employees, ask for the bass guitar specialist. If he is anything like the multitude of people on TB, he will be more willing to help you out with your first instrument than trying to make as most bucks as possible. The attitude and ethics of bass players makes us generally good people :)

Oh, and kinda off subject, a certain nickname you will need to learn if you are going to start frequenting this website - Guitards. :hiding:

Cheers,
Jordan
 
#14
Quality Used from a reputable guy.

I'd pop the extra 5-7% for a TB bass (better quality than pawnshops or ebay)

The issue commonly is stores rarely have quality bass gear.. most are commodities.. very few are setup well.

IF you choose a USA Peavey, I can help guide you through a selection of your choice -- then drop ship it here for a free setup. Unfortunately this is the only brand I've owned at least 10 of every model and varient they've put out.... otether wise I'd be posting goofy "I love my XYZ OR Buy a pbass" .. most times these replies are silly and pointless.

Buying turd basses sucks.
 
#15
BigOldHarry said:
used is ALWAYS a good idea. The problem you'd face, as a noob, is that you don't know what you're looking at. If you are indeed a noob, you have a teacher. Have your teacher help you, even if you're buying new.

Pick a budget, and stick to the budget. Don't judge an instrument based on appearance; how it plays is the most critical thing, particularly for a new player. Sound? well, you'll sound bad for a while no matter what, so don't worry about tone/sound/etc. Get one that PLAYS well and you'll have a good start.
Click to expand...

+1.
 
#17
+ 1 on buy used, I recommend to do a resarch on line for reviews if you are not sure about the bass, harmonny central is a great place. I buy almost all my gear here in the classified section, never had have a problem, everybody has been honest responding all my questions.
 
#19
My first bass was a used Peavey T-40 and had a used Fender Bassman 2x12 amp back in 1980. As an 11 year old kid at the time, it was what my parents could afford. That being said....3 years later, I purchased my very first NEW Musicman Sabre (which took 6 months to get in after I ordered it) and a Yamaha B100-115E amp with money I had earned over the course of 3 summers working on my Uncle's hog farm.

I think if you are an adult...Buy What You Want.

If you are buying for a kid... Get them something to start with and let them work for the upgrade.
 

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