Good point. Kid might be more interested in shredding on a Jackson than plunking on a Yammie.
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What's a good $1,000 starter pack?
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
Good point. Kid might be more interested in shredding on a Jackson than plunking on a Yammie.
Used Fender Aerodyne and any used practice amp from a local shop
I’d buy a used Fender P bass a buy a used Fender Rumble 500 combo. I started with the “starter” pack which was a Squier affinity P and a super small peavey amp, maybe 25 watts. I’ll tell you this much, if they end up latching onto it, starting out with a small amp like that is an immediate draw back if they want to start playing with other people.
If they got a grand to drop, spend it on a suitable amp to play with other people. I was grateful for my parents to get me a bass and an amp for Christmas, but I was in a band before Christmas break was over with some of my friends from school and it was literally impossible to make that amp keep up, I pretty much mimed playing bass in a band until I got a bigger amp the following Christmas. Basses are made even better nowadays and honestly they probably will be happy with even a Squier Classic vibe for years to come. They are far more likely to outgrow the amp before the bass.
If they got a grand to drop, spend it on a suitable amp to play with other people. I was grateful for my parents to get me a bass and an amp for Christmas, but I was in a band before Christmas break was over with some of my friends from school and it was literally impossible to make that amp keep up, I pretty much mimed playing bass in a band until I got a bigger amp the following Christmas. Basses are made even better nowadays and honestly they probably will be happy with even a Squier Classic vibe for years to come. They are far more likely to outgrow the amp before the bass.
Tell your friend to do his son a favour, and take him to a shop to try out a bunch of different basses within budget and choose one for himself.
With a $1000 budget, my vote would actually be to go heavier on the amp so that they can play with others in a band if they want, and spend less on the bass itself. You can get a decent playable bass for not too much these days.
Yamaha BB234 4-string Bass Guitar - Vintage White ($359)
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-210 2x10" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp ($499 B-stock)
which leaves about $140 for tuner, cables, strap, stand, case, whatever.
Yamaha BB234 4-string Bass Guitar - Vintage White ($359)
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-210 2x10" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp ($499 B-stock)
which leaves about $140 for tuner, cables, strap, stand, case, whatever.
Just make sure it's a shop where they actually make an attempt to do a basic setup on their basses. Having a bass catch your eye at GC and pull it off the rack just to find out you could do the limbo under the strings is a waste of time. A Sire P5, 10ft cable and a Fender Rumble 40 will keep you in the $1000 range. The Yamaha BB434 is a damn nice option as well
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
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While I love a good Tele bass ( I own two from the 70s and two Vinterea) I think a Precision or Jazz is the way to go, these two designs whether by Fender or others still command over 80% of bass sales. Fender P or J is always a good starting point for a new player, I say this being a diehard Thunderbird guy.
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May I respectfully suggest that beginners dont understand what tone they need. ie, my "tone" is dry, flat, and utterly boring but cuts thru the band like a sidewinder. Tone comes later with experience. The important thing is a bass that.... 'feels good and is easy to play'. Id also forget the pack thing and just get any Squire bass and a Rumble 100 amp for cheap and learn how to adjust the neck/string height. Plenty there in that package to enthuse the new player.
I agree with buying used. If there's a rental option, maybe try that for a month or two before committing to a purchase.
If new is an absolute requirement with a $1k price limit, I'd personally look at a Squier J and an Ampeg or Orange 1x12 combo. Bonus - the Orange has a built in tuner. So all you'd need is a cable - a 10' cheap cable will do for a beginner.
If new is an absolute requirement with a $1k price limit, I'd personally look at a Squier J and an Ampeg or Orange 1x12 combo. Bonus - the Orange has a built in tuner. So all you'd need is a cable - a 10' cheap cable will do for a beginner.
Normally I recommend used gear, but that means the buyer(s) have to know something about what they are getting for their money. Which is why my first bass and amp were poor choices but I didn't know that until I was ready to buy my next bass and amp…which I got used.
They can walk into any GC and get a CV Squier bass (take your pick) and a Rumble 100 and you're out the door for way under $1000 and it’s decent gear. Would some Yamaha or Ibanez or Schecter or Epiphone, etc. be a better choice…maybe...but they won’t be able to make that decision themselves.
Greenman 72,
If you are willing to help with shopping then the used market is available…local stores (if any), local want ads like Craigslist, even local pickup offers at Reverb. That allows you and your friend’s son to try before they buy and get better gear .
They can walk into any GC and get a CV Squier bass (take your pick) and a Rumble 100 and you're out the door for way under $1000 and it’s decent gear. Would some Yamaha or Ibanez or Schecter or Epiphone, etc. be a better choice…maybe...but they won’t be able to make that decision themselves.
Greenman 72,
If you are willing to help with shopping then the used market is available…local stores (if any), local want ads like Craigslist, even local pickup offers at Reverb. That allows you and your friend’s son to try before they buy and get better gear .
Craigslist if not already said. I had a good friend ask about a bass for his daughter years ago. I found him a Modulus Genesis under $1K on CL. She doesn't play anymore to my knowledge but he kept it ! Amazing finds on CL.
That could be a bonus - a "Crash Course" in why a good set-up is important?
I didn't mention it, but as @brianrost adds, have someone that knows about Basses & Amps go shopping with him.
If he's young and thinks it's going to stick, chances are he is going to want an amp that will keep up with a drummer and electric guitar in about three weeks 
I'd for sure skip the baby practice amps ppl are recommending
I'd for sure skip the baby practice amps ppl are recommending
Just highlighting that, like some others earlier in the thread, this line caused me to raise an eyebrow.
That was certainly my experience when I started. I ditched the baby amps within a year and went for 300w Road amp with 18" speaker cab (a monster rig at the time, 1973). Young drummers can be pretty loud, and you need to be heard by your band members, or it doesn't matter what you are playing.If he's young and thinks it's going to stick, chances are he is going to want an amp that will keep up with a drummer and electric guitar in about three weeks
Remember, if you can't play better, play louder!
This would be my recommendation (also based on what I actually use now as a retired player):
Total: 901.94 (free FedEx shipping)
Total: 901.94 (free FedEx shipping)
If they’re inclined to research and shop around:
-An appealing (to the new player) bass in the ~$500 range. Used MIM Fender, G&L tribute, new Squier, Yamaha or Ibanez. Maybe a Peavey.
-~100w amp with a 12 or 15.
-any well rated tuner you like.
If they want a specific short list:
-Squier CV p bass
-rumble 100. Or Ampeg rb112
-fenders rechargeable clip on.
And a cable of course!
Plus whatever a setup costs these days. ($100? Haven’t paid for one in a long time!)
-An appealing (to the new player) bass in the ~$500 range. Used MIM Fender, G&L tribute, new Squier, Yamaha or Ibanez. Maybe a Peavey.
-~100w amp with a 12 or 15.
-any well rated tuner you like.
If they want a specific short list:
-Squier CV p bass
-rumble 100. Or Ampeg rb112
-fenders rechargeable clip on.
And a cable of course!
Plus whatever a setup costs these days. ($100? Haven’t paid for one in a long time!)
Well, I say that because personally, I'm a "simpler is better" kind of guy. And I think that most beginners (me included) need to spend less time fiddling with knobs and more time practicing.
I'm not saying that you should never ever ever ever use the J pickup. I'm saying that for a beginner, just stick with one volume knob and one tone knob until you figure out what you're doing.
Deals are to be found on the used market, but some people don’t like buying used because it could be a dud. If they want new and are looking to spend a grand:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassCV70Nat--squier-classic-vibe-70s-jazz-bass-natural
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Rum200C--fender-rumble-200-1x15-inch-200-watt-bass-combo
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassCV70Nat--squier-classic-vibe-70s-jazz-bass-natural
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Rum200C--fender-rumble-200-1x15-inch-200-watt-bass-combo
