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What does "beginner's bass" mean?

#62
A Beginner's Bass is simply an entry level affordable Bass to hedge against that prospective player changing his/her mind and not sticking with it. Thus, being a waste of the initial investors money. I.E. a Parent. Beginner (affordable) Basses being made today are much better than when I started playing.
 
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#63
Aras said:
yeah, thats what i'm talking about - ligth weight, short scale and other that type of things - this is what i can understand as "beginner's" stuff. Thing that made to just show the point for those who just whant to see. Like you know - plastic swords
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Yeah, but here's the nit. There are a few guys that like to play shorties and like lightweight basses. For example, Birdsong basses are not beginner's basses. There is another company that makes quality shorties too, Landon? Lansdowne? Something like that. Me, my RA has made strapping on my 10# pbass a real bear even to practice. In fact I sold off all but one bass last year with the notion that I was done playing. Then I got a SS Jag and the new Ibanez Talman shorty. I've found that the difference between a MiM pbass and an Indo Squier to be not tremendous. In fact, my RA pain aside, I find playing the Talman incredibly fun and it has tone for days. Now, I will never say that these basses are pro level. But, I would not be surprised to see a gigging player with one of these in their hand, especially at a sports bar with no room between them and the crowd. They sound good, play fine, and if you have to use it to secure the perimeter for your chesty lead singer you are not out any real money.

Not really an answer to your original question, I know, but trying to make the case for shorties beyond the 12yo girl learning her scales mindset.

The one thing I can say that divides a "beginner" bass from the rest is hardware and electronics. Machine heads, bridges, plates, pots and wiring are all just barely passable in these cases. But the few models I've tried have decent pups for the most part. Talman pups are really good. SS Jag pbass pup is good while the jazz is an insult. The emo sparkle mustang with the humbucker actually has a usable tone. The Gretsch Jr Jet is phenomenal for that thumpy old Motown and Dub Reggae tone. But in every case the bass is improved by switching out the hardware and rewiring the thing with decent pots. Not really the case with MiM and above. Its more of a personal choice to switch out hardware and electronics at that level.
 
#64
I think it's kinda like what they used to call (don't know if they still do) a "starter home": a house purchased by a first-time homeowner because it is affordable -- first-time buyers tend to be younger and have less money than people buying a second or third home -- and under the assumption that some day they will grow out of it and "upgrade" to something bigger and better when they can afford it.
 
#67
phillybass101 said:
A Beginner's Bass is simply an entry level affordable Bass to hedge against that prospective player changing his/her mind and not sticking with it. Thus, being a waste of the initial investors money. I.E. a Parent. Beginner (affordable) Basses being made today are much better than when I started playing.
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I would completely agree with this ... I think it's about price point not necessarily type or quality ... some folks really need "nice and new" ... but I often try to talk youth/parents or newb into buying an old MIA Peavey to fit this criteria. I've bought T40's for a long time to goto a new player ... but they jumped too high in price recently ... so I have now moved onto foundations. These are easy to re-sell if they don't stick with it, and if they do stick with it, they come to realize a good t40 or Foundation can take you a LONG WAY. I have much more "expensive" basses now ... but probably non "better" for me than my 1st T40 or current back-up foundation 5.
 
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#70
Plucky The Bassist said:
What someone's definition of that is, REALLY boils down to who is saying/insinuating it. I've had some basses labeled "Beginner basses" that were fantastic instruments. Ibanez SRX series was pretty much the same across the board, but lookie who was playing one (not taking about Gene, please forgive his playing lol)




Also sounds pretty sweet to be honest. Obviously a Starcaster bought from Wal-Mart will typically be regarded as a beginner bass, but it kinda rustles my jimmies when people call the Squier VM and CV, Ibanez SR and SRX, or Yamaha basses "Beginner Basses".
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Nice I just last night watched a documentry about the Wrecking Crew... great musicians she was 1 of the members
 
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#71
bassstrangler said:
I recently purchased an unused but used starter pack "Stop dreaming, Start playing" from a dude on CL. They retail for $300 new. The pack includes a 15 watt Fender Rumble amp and a Squier Affinity Jazz. This is a beginner set as it has all you need to get started. Funny thing is it's not cheap in any way and the bass is of really good quality and the amp is a Fender. Beginner material yes, junk...NO!

The $89-$129 stuff on Amazon is most likely junk and I wouldn't want any one to begin on that stuff.
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Yeah, I agree... of course the term "beginner's bass" can mean different things to different people, but I picture a $94 or $119 bass like a Davidson or something that you'd get on Amazon or at a Walmart. I think of those as instrument Rorschach Tests-- if you look at them and see a future for yourself involving music, then you are a player, not a quitter. Then you get a legit bass.

Not sure if the word "Sire" has come up in this thread yet, or not. :) They are not truly "cheap" at $300-$500, but represent a really great instrument for someone starting out-- affordable and high-quality. That said, most $300 basses today are WAY better than what I had to play starting out 30 years ago. A good quality bass can be had for not much $-- great news for today's "beginners".
 
#72
Plutonium244 said:
Yeah, I agree... of course the term "beginner's bass" can mean different things to different people, but I picture a $94 or $119 bass like a Davidson or something that you'd get on Amazon or at a Walmart. I think of those as instrument Rorschach Tests-- if you look at them and see a future for yourself involving music, then you are a player, not a quitter. Then you get a legit bass.

Not sure if the word "Sire" has come up in this thread yet, or not. :) They are not truly "cheap" at $300-$500, but represent a really great instrument for someone starting out-- affordable and high-quality. That said, most $300 basses today are WAY better than what I had to play starting out 30 years ago. A good quality bass can be had for not much $-- great news for today's "beginners".
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My first bass 30 years ago was $150 and was a Yamaha BB something and was okay for a starter but it wasn't the quality of a new $180 Squier Affinity. In fact it was the buzziest and cheapest quality one could get. I remember learning how to intonate and adjust a bass' neck and bridge with that thing more than playing it. It never stayed straight or in tune for more than a week. Funny thing was is I sold it two years into it for $125. I got a G&L 5 string in '89 and was never satisfied with it either until I switched to Fender and Squier way back in the '90s after my years of attempting to be a guitarist.
 
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#73
Used basses usually make for excellent beginner basses as long as they're in good/great condition. Reason being if you decide later you hate playing the bass (why? I don't know), you can resell it for the same price you paid for it.
Also, you can get a better quality bass for the money. Used MIM Fender basses can go for as low as $200-250. I was able to buy a MIM Jazz bass for $160 not too long ago, a MIM P bass for $200 (with Badass II bridge and SD pickup installed on it too!). It depends where you live of course, and if you buy it before anyone else does.
 
#74
As others have mentioned, it is a bass relatively cheaper than the others that are similar. If it meets your criteria, then it is a legit bass that you can play professionally imo.
 
#75
It's actually a benchmark on ability...as in, the bass is good enough, right up until that point where your ability improves enough to warrant a pricier instrument, and then the instrument in question self-destructs...

Which is commentary on why so many here swear on their SX's for years and years. ;) WINK
 
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#77
i think back in the 40's/50's , they where called 'student' models .. ( versus Professional models )

saving parents a few bucks if the kids gave up on whatever instrument .. ! just being a Cheaper entry-level price point ... my very first guitar was a 1957 ES225T ... a student model then , ... rather cool and pricey now .. !?
 
#79
Maxdusty said:
Used basses usually make for excellent beginner basses as long as they're in good/great condition. Reason being if you decide later you hate playing the bass (why? I don't know), you can resell it for the same price you paid for it.
Also, you can get a better quality bass for the money. Used MIM Fender basses can go for as low as $200-250. I was able to buy a MIM Jazz bass for $160 not too long ago, a MIM P bass for $200 (with Badass II bridge and SD pickup installed on it too!). It depends where you live of course, and if you buy it before anyone else does.
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Point of question is not in searching , but in meaning of "beginner's" marker. But thanks for ideas, mate
 

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