Also my suggestion would be to have a friend or acquaintance who has been playing for a while, come with you to check out these basses. Someone that you trust their judgement.
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What bass for a new player?
- Thread starter Sparky1
- Start date
Yeah, actually kinda would like to support that, and I want to say "go to cool funky junky independent local music shops that specialize in used gear..." Except...
1. At least around me, there are (almost) no cool funky independent local music shops anymore. Sad emoji. Bad times.
2. Actually stupidboring GuitarCorporation stores do have bargains not-infrequently. Day before yesterday I snagged a minty like new Polytune2 for $50. Couple years ago I snagged a used-like-new Squier Strat for $50 for a gift mod-project that was an excellent deal. Sure mostly what they have are all the same old boring choices at generic corporate prices, and the used gear piles are not nearly as fun as they used to be BITD (#oldmanrant) - but they actually do have things of interest from time to time (depending on the local clientele etc.)
3. In addition - GC's pretty liberal return policy means even if you buy say the P-bass and don't like the fit or color or whatever then you can go back and change your mind...
4. Its easy for veterans to be all "dude just hit the pawnshop/etc." but that's pretty unfair to a real n00ber. I would also add CL / TalkBass Classifieds / Reverb etc. to the list of options... however for a stone-cold beginner pawn shops and any of those can be a bit intimidating and you could end up with a CL / online 'bargain' that has some significant flaw for sure. OP do you have any guitar/bass player friends who might help you look at pawn-shops etc. and help you make a choice? If not then its understandable maybe wanting a shop with employees that can help you...
What bass for a new player?
Anything you enjoy. practicing is more fun and progress comes quicker if you enjoy the instrument you play.
Anything you enjoy. practicing is more fun and progress comes quicker if you enjoy the instrument you play.
A short scale in this day and age is an oddball. Useful, cool, and different, but I would suggest going with the status quo (ie- 34" scale) until you can make a qualified opinion to join the shorties club.
Sounds like decent advice, but when you're new, you have no idea what you enjoy. It takes years to figure that out. So you might as well go with the proven thing.
7 used MM's on GC website right now. Good values most of them. Of course that goes to the n00b / can't try it first thing, however with the GC return policy... could grab one of those and if you do'nt like it... start over...
I posted this in another thread, but thought it was apropos for this as well....."
You know what? Go to a music store, try the basses they have in your price range with the amps in your price range and buy the bass and amp that make you the happiest when playing.
Don't worry if it's a "P", "J", or "P/J". Just as long as it makes you happy and fits your budget.
All that other stuff about "this is this and that is that" is just "noise" and just bogs you down in what is truly important......that is, does it make you happy when you play it and does the sound through the amp make you happy as well?
My main base is a StingRay 5, but I have an old Yamaha RBX170 that I love as well. They both make me happy and both sound great through my GK combo amp.
Advice on TB is like golf instruction.....you get two hours of instruction that you are supposed to apply in a split second swing of the club!! I'm more of the "grip it and rip it!" school.......that applies to my bass advice as well.
That's my two cents! I wish you success and joy as you journey the bass road!"
You know what? Go to a music store, try the basses they have in your price range with the amps in your price range and buy the bass and amp that make you the happiest when playing.
Don't worry if it's a "P", "J", or "P/J". Just as long as it makes you happy and fits your budget.
All that other stuff about "this is this and that is that" is just "noise" and just bogs you down in what is truly important......that is, does it make you happy when you play it and does the sound through the amp make you happy as well?
My main base is a StingRay 5, but I have an old Yamaha RBX170 that I love as well. They both make me happy and both sound great through my GK combo amp.
Advice on TB is like golf instruction.....you get two hours of instruction that you are supposed to apply in a split second swing of the club!! I'm more of the "grip it and rip it!" school.......that applies to my bass advice as well.
That's my two cents! I wish you success and joy as you journey the bass road!"
Here are some additional questions:
Do you have any shoulder or back conditions? Do you play guitar? What music do you want to play?
The P-Bass is a good default, and I'd be inclined to to favor it, but I bought a generic short-scale bass upon switching from guitar, followed by a short-scale Mustang. I now have a full-scale Ibanez RB bass, which has a Precision-style neck, as well. I have no problem playing the Ibanez, but the Mustang is still #1 for a couple few reasons. #1 it's cool, #2 my bandmates like the way it sounds, and #3, why not play a smaller, lighter bass?
If your hands and back are in good shape, I'd say go for the P-Bass. It's most versatile. It will almost always be appropriate for any music you're trying to play. That said, if you're switching from guitar, you have back or shoulder issues or (as I do) slightly arthritic hands the Mustang can also be an awesome bass. If what you want to play is classic rock, blues, indie/punk or jazz, and you're unlikely to tune lower than standard tuning, there are few downsides to a Mustang. They look good, sound good, and they're easy. It is harder to buy strings, but TB can help you.
If you want to play funk or post-70s R&B, or you think you might have to tune low to play some of the music you like, or if you just want the most iconic sound, a Precision is it. A Mustang won't always have the string tension to get the most optimal sounds in some situations. As others have pointed out, if you want a full-scale bass, but the Precision neck seems giant to you, consider an Ibanez SR series or a Jazz bass.
Do you have any shoulder or back conditions? Do you play guitar? What music do you want to play?
The P-Bass is a good default, and I'd be inclined to to favor it, but I bought a generic short-scale bass upon switching from guitar, followed by a short-scale Mustang. I now have a full-scale Ibanez RB bass, which has a Precision-style neck, as well. I have no problem playing the Ibanez, but the Mustang is still #1 for a couple few reasons. #1 it's cool, #2 my bandmates like the way it sounds, and #3, why not play a smaller, lighter bass?
If your hands and back are in good shape, I'd say go for the P-Bass. It's most versatile. It will almost always be appropriate for any music you're trying to play. That said, if you're switching from guitar, you have back or shoulder issues or (as I do) slightly arthritic hands the Mustang can also be an awesome bass. If what you want to play is classic rock, blues, indie/punk or jazz, and you're unlikely to tune lower than standard tuning, there are few downsides to a Mustang. They look good, sound good, and they're easy. It is harder to buy strings, but TB can help you.
If you want to play funk or post-70s R&B, or you think you might have to tune low to play some of the music you like, or if you just want the most iconic sound, a Precision is it. A Mustang won't always have the string tension to get the most optimal sounds in some situations. As others have pointed out, if you want a full-scale bass, but the Precision neck seems giant to you, consider an Ibanez SR series or a Jazz bass.
Fair enough.
MY very first one was a black Godin Z1.
Not the norm at all, but I liked the looks of it and that it was different to all the other basses in the shop. It happens to be a good instrument as well.
If I was starting at age sixty, I would buy the lightest-weight bass guitar I could afford.
That said, a one pickup, two-knobs, no-battery P-bass is a very practical choice
That said, a one pickup, two-knobs, no-battery P-bass is a very practical choice
I'm also a beginner at age 60. I've progressed to playing with a band in a year. Choose what feels good even though it might be hard to tell when you are a beginner. I bought a used Ibanez and loved it. I then bought a Geddy Lee jazz. I'm getting more to the point of understanding what feels good as I get better.
My first electric bass was one of these Squire classic vibe P's. I really loved it. Dunno other's thoughts on these....
Jeeze man, you guys act like 60 is one foot in the grave. Go work out or something.If I was starting at age sixty, I would buy the lightest-weight bass guitar I could afford.
That said, a one pickup, two-knobs, no-battery P-bass is a very practical choice
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Good for you, if you can wear a 10+ pound bass guitar for 40 hours a week and feel no ill effects
If I was ambidextrous and could swap it to the other shoulder every hour, then I wouldn't worry about it...
I was actually surprised nobody mentioned classic vibes yet.
