I'm just starting out as a bassist. I'm using my dad's bass guitars right now but I don't know which one would be more beneficial to use. There's a 2000 Squier P-Bass and an Ibanez SR300E. I like the sound and feel of the Ibanez, shorter scale length, feels nicer to just hold. But the Squier is what I hear nearly every single bassist uses and records with. It feels really nice but it's a lot heavier and requires more precision to play it well. Thoughts? Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What bass should I use?
- Thread starter DrBofa
- Start date
Go to a big music shop & try out a bunch of basses & see what is comfortable to you. Everyone has different hands. Don't worry about what "everyone uses", use what feels good to you. Personally I don't like fender basses much at all despite their ubiquity. Too boring. I think a bass should be exciting to the player. Find something that inspires you.
I kind of agree with @Azari, but you'll be fine getting started with that Ibanez. The time and effort you spend is more important than the tool you choose, may as well use what's comfortable.
Learn to play on the Ibanez. It's there and you like it.
I'd focus on playability when first starting, and go with the more comfortable bass. You can always go browsing for a more comfortable p bass in the future as you progress.
If you're not yet hip to "setup" look into it. It's possible the p bass just needs an adjustment.
FWIW I started on an Ibanez, and ended up preferring p bass with a Jazz neck/ p bass special. Slim neck more akin to Ibanez SR necks, but with that classic tone
If you're not yet hip to "setup" look into it. It's possible the p bass just needs an adjustment.
Here's some instructional sites to help you perform your own setup on your instrument :
support.fender.com
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Premier Guitar - Bass Setup Article | TalkBass.com
Jerzy Drozd setup guide
Some cool videos on the topic :
Lakland Bass Setup Video Part 1
Lakland Bass Setup Video Part 2
TB thread:
I need help!! 1960's fender jazz bass tug bar and ashtray hole positioning | TalkBass.com
Premier Guitar - Bass Setup Article |...
How do I set up my bass guitar properly?
FENDER® BASS ADJUSTMENT AND CAREThe following setup procedures and specifications are for you Fender bass as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the fac...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Premier Guitar - Bass Setup Article | TalkBass.com
Jerzy Drozd setup guide
Some cool videos on the topic :
Lakland Bass Setup Video Part 1
Lakland Bass Setup Video Part 2
TB thread:
I need help!! 1960's fender jazz bass tug bar and ashtray hole positioning | TalkBass.com
Premier Guitar - Bass Setup Article |...
FWIW I started on an Ibanez, and ended up preferring p bass with a Jazz neck/ p bass special. Slim neck more akin to Ibanez SR necks, but with that classic tone
Should be mandatory reading for all wannabe bassists...I'd focus on playability when first starting, and go with the more comfortable bass. You can always go browsing for a more comfortable p bass in the future as you progress.
If you're not yet hip to "setup" look into it. It's possible the p bass just needs an adjustment.
Here's some instructional sites to help you perform your own setup on your instrument :
How do I set up my bass guitar properly?
FENDER® BASS ADJUSTMENT AND CAREThe following setup procedures and specifications are for you Fender bass as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the fac...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Premier Guitar - Bass Setup Article | TalkBass.com
Jerzy Drozd setup guide
Some cool videos on the topic :
Lakland Bass Setup Video Part 1
Lakland Bass Setup Video Part 2
TB thread:
I need help!! 1960's fender jazz bass tug bar and ashtray hole positioning | TalkBass.com
Premier Guitar - Bass Setup Article |...
FWIW I started on an Ibanez, and ended up preferring p bass with a Jazz neck/ p bass special. Slim neck more akin to Ibanez SR necks, but with that classic tone
Play the bass you like and are most comfortable with. You'll play it more and learn more quickly. Time enough for adjustments later.
Like others have said, comfort and playability are king, especially when you're starting out.
As your playing and ear develop, you might find you like a different sound than you're getting from the Ibanez. You can always mod it, or check out the thousands of choices that are available out there.
It's a great time to be a bass player, there are so many basses to pick from these days!
As your playing and ear develop, you might find you like a different sound than you're getting from the Ibanez. You can always mod it, or check out the thousands of choices that are available out there.
It's a great time to be a bass player, there are so many basses to pick from these days!
The quality bang-per-buck in the "economy" side of the market is higher than ever before. It's kind of amazing, actually.
Whichever gets you the most numbers. Oh, wait, Bass players don't get numbers...
Seriously whatever feels, sounds, and looks good to you. If you the like the bass you play, you will want to play bass. Focus on playing and don't worry about gear. You'll know soon enough if bass is for you.
Seriously whatever feels, sounds, and looks good to you. If you the like the bass you play, you will want to play bass. Focus on playing and don't worry about gear. You'll know soon enough if bass is for you.
For sure! Those of us who started playing in the 60s or 70s would have been thrilled to play some of the entry level (sub $300) models that exist today. Back in the day, a lot of budget models had bad necks, terrible electronics, and couldn't be set up properly.
I have a $99 SX that blows away (in playability and sound) most of the budget instruments I played in my early days back in the late 70s and early 80s.
My wife just bought a $450 Ibanez that blows away $450 Ibanez basses from 20 years ago. The fit and finish is on par, and the pickups and preamp are better than any Ibanez from 20 years ago that I have played.
If you are hearing this here, keep in mind Talk bass is a very small % of the number of bass players out in the real word. According to TB, every one should be playing a P bass with flats. I like and own a Fender, but it's not my #1 daily driver. I agree with others. Play the Ibanez if that's what feels best to you. Or go play a bunch and see what feels good.
What are you using right now? What is your budget?
You can get short-scale basses in all types, so you don't have to limit yourself to one brand. But what is the sound you want? What do you prefer? If you want to play songs and bands you like do you want that sound? Will you get it from whatever you like right now? (You can always check YouTube to see what the bands you like are using.)
Ibanez and its active pickups has a different sound profile to J-bass or P-bass and the pickups (and pickup locations). If you are starting out with the intention to play or emulate a specific type of music, find the bass that will get you there while being comfortable to play. And again, you can get short scale J/P/MM basses at varying price points.
Always, always get the bass you like, not the bass you think you should like. You won't want to play something you don't like.
You forgot Tort. Wait Talkbass doesn't encompass EVERY bass player on the planet?
Sometimes it sounds like it does.
To add my two and a half cents, play the bass that is comfortable and sounds good to you.
Lighter weight is good too, I've spent decades looking for basses with feel, sound, looks and light weight. If you can find all of those, you'll be a happy bassist.
Lighter weight is good too, I've spent decades looking for basses with feel, sound, looks and light weight. If you can find all of those, you'll be a happy bassist.
Most of my favorite music was recorded using models of basses that I personally am not interested in playing. And the funny thing is I doubt the average listener would be able to tell the difference if most of those tracks had been recorded with a bass I have instead. Bassists, of course, probably could but there aren't enough of them to matter. 
If the Ibanez works best for you, use with it for now and when you have the opportunity to visit music stores try out the various kinds of basses there to learn more about what else there is. Be glad you found a bass you can get along with right away, a lot of times people have to buy and sell quite a few before they find something that works for them.
If the Ibanez works best for you, use with it for now and when you have the opportunity to visit music stores try out the various kinds of basses there to learn more about what else there is. Be glad you found a bass you can get along with right away, a lot of times people have to buy and sell quite a few before they find something that works for them.
The Ibanez is a better bass (unless you are a Pfanatic) with it's 2 pickups and tone controls, it's active too. They are both the same long scale, but the Ibanez's neck is narrower. Squier is an excellent entry level bass but it's a real Fender P that playes on them recordingsm not a Squier.
Producers be like:
But no, seriously, play what feels best to you.
But no, seriously, play what feels best to you.
