WHAT BASS I SHOULD GET

Welcome to Talkbass,

You're going to get way more help than you can handle.
You say you're a guitarist but sounds like you're looking for a long scale bass.

If so, I have a Squire Affinity that has served me well, enough to mod the crap outta it.
Some here have had bad luck with Affinity and I have no reason to doubt them, but I haven't.
Maybe because I generally don't buy on-line.

If you're looking for a short scale try a Bronco.

Have you tried Craigslist?
Have you tried Talkbass classified?

I've also heard good things about Glarry and SX but I'm never had one.

057912

 

First, welcome to TalkBass!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid your budget is just not realistic. The quality of "inexpensive" basses has increased dramatically in recent years, but "inexpensive" is still considerably more than $150. You can get a lot more bang-for-your-buck by buying used, but unless you can buy locally the shipping cost alone is likely to be at least half of your budget. Plus, you'll need a bass amp: Have you figured that into your plan?

 

You can check out guitar center's used section on their website. They have some Squier Jazz basses for around $150 and you can always return it.

 

I disagree, I've bought 5 basses for under $150.
There are 5 on my CL right now $150 and under.

 

In that price range, there is NO contest. Ibanez GSR PJ. I don’t remember exactly what the model number is, just look for the Cheap Ibanez PJ. Even so, you’ll need to find a used one but they are VERY common at pawn shops, even in smallish towns

I would not bother with any other babies under $200... Hell I would not suggest any other base under $300 compared to this one. I think they are genuinely great instruments, the neck is slim and easy to play, they really sound better than thru have any right to, and the biggest drawback is the cheaper hardware etc, but your budget is what it is.

I would not buy any other bass in that price range.. I would ABSOLUTELY not suggest anything cheaper- you may some very cheap Basses For like $100 at pawn shops that look similar to the Ibanez in that range; they are GARBAGE, you should wait for a good deal or sell some lemonade.

I would also absolutely not suggest a Squier. I LOVE a diamond in the rough, dark horse, secret weapon magically amazing Mexican Fender, as some of them are simply unbelievably good instruments. This magic RARELY extends down to squiers, and the QC and parts for these are just awful.


These are my thoughts, I’ll happily defend them, and I will close by reemphasizing that the GSR whatever Ibanez aren’t just ‘not bad, and pretty cheap,’ I genuinely think they punch above their weight class, such that, while owning a Roscoe and a few other nice Basses, I have repurchased a GSR just to own one again (it was my first instrument), bought 2 others to use the necks for projects where I built or modded a body, and also bought a MIKRO 5’er, which is very much the same instrument at an insanely short 28” scale for another project.


The only downside is that they look quite plain.. either let your music speak for you, or get creative and paint it or something..
i’ve run across a few threads with guys refinishing these Basses, because they’re nice enough to keep around

Edit 1: it’s an Ibanez GSR 200.. $200 new, as low as $99 used.

edit 2: regarding jaco: with this as my only bass in middle and high school, LEARNED how to play bass from-and-because-of Jaco and Vic Wooten. This bass VERY much does a good burpy bridge-only Jazz bass sound.. i’ve actually done some study and wrote many comments about how this family of Ibanez Basses has perhaps the best sounding pickup placement of any PJ Basses I’ve heard, excluding the requirement of a 10000% authentic Pbass placement (it still does ok there, though)

have I sung its praises enough?

 

Jesus Christ did I really just write all that for a thread about a cheap starter bass? I really like those Ibanez GSR’s lol

 

I also suggest that you search used basses online at Guitar Center, and used on eBay also. In your price range, you can get a better bass for that amount of money used, than you will new.

 

A Jazz bass is a safe bet anyway, and if you already know you like the tone, it’s a slam dunk.

I wouldn’t be totally afraid of the Affinity line- IF you can try them in person. As a guitarist you should be able to verify it’s not a lemon. My main bass is made up of a few affinity parts (body and pickup) and I’ve played a few Affinity jazz basses that rival the Mexican fenders

As far as the “nicer” squiers- Vintage Modified (discontinued) and Classic Vibe (Made in China- discontinued; Made in Indonesia- current) are the most common. You might see a “Standard” or “Fender Squier Series.” Basically if they print “Jazz Bass” (instead of “J bass”) on the headstock, it’s a better squier. I’d expect to pay $150-300 used.

Also, don’t discount non-Fenders. SX, Peavey, and Dean make decent Jazz-clones.

Good luck!

 

No they charge for shipping. You do get a full refund though. Maybe craigslist would be the best option.

 

IMO, your best bet is to look on Craigs List for a Squier, Ibanez or Yamaha. Your an experienced guitarist, so you know enough to avoid a bass with a bad neck, tuners, electronics, etc. I wouldn't be afraid to look at other brands like SX or some of the no-names. A passive bass is not rocket science. They either play and sound good or they don't. As long as you can check them out, make your own judgement on them.

 

I've no experience of Squier Affinity, but I have a Squier VM jazz and it's great. I would also echo the recommendation for Ibanez GSRs, we have a GSR180 (Jazz pickup configuration, passive) in the house, it was cheap SH and it's really nice to play.

 

You might have to double that budget for a new inexpensive budget model bass. Yamaha makes great budget model basses.

Check out the BB234, TRBX174 and TBRX304 models. You might be able to find one used within your budget, especially the TRBX174 or a similar model (maybe a little older).

I have a BB235 and it is good value for the money.

 

If you like Jazz basses, you should consider buying a Harley Benton JB-20. It is a Jazz Bass I got for £96 (which would work out at approximately 121 USD), from Thomann. For the price, you may be like "it's pretty cheap so im not sure if it will be good quility wise". But trust me, for the price, they are good. It has two single coil J bass pickups, a volume control knob for each pickup and a master tone knob. It is a really simple bass for a first bass and you should consider it for your budget.

Thanks for reading, Daniel

 

Earlier I suggested that you get a used bass. But, if you search TalkBass, you will find that there are many, many people who use a Glarry bass. It’s probably the cheapest new bass you can find, but a lot of people seem to love them. There is even a Glarry club on TB. I suggest you read their comments. They make a Jazz Bass style. Usually $99 new.

 

For $150, you are rolling the dice hoping the used instrument you get isn't a total turd. For $300, you might find a Squier VM Jazz. Check the classified here.

 

Under $150? Craigslist trash missing hardware.

 

Glarry