What's a good bass to start off with?

[xXMoonichoXx]

I'm getting myself a bass for Christmas, and I've been trying the best one to start off with that's inexpensive and easy to learn. I was thinking about getting this Davison bass ( Link below) off amazon, but I don't know if it's a legit good bass.

Amazon.com: Full Size Electric Bass Guitar Starter Beginner Pack with Amp Case Strap Black Package: Musical Instruments

 

[Bassmaticmatt]

I would go with something a little more common. You can get a Squire starter pack for around $200. Or Ibanez starter packs in the same range.

 

[drummer5359]

Ibanez is where I would start.

 

[BassLover668]

Squier affinity selected by a pro ot a vinatge modified

 

[two fingers]

Ibanez is where I would start.

This or Yamaha. Every single one will feel the same. The necks will be a little smaller and more comfortable as well. The starter packs usually have fine basses and crappy amps, but they are enough to get started. If you are tech savvy you will figure out an inexpensive way to practice with headphones so that may not matter much anyway.

Glad you're here! There's lots of information you can search through or just fire away with questions.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Hit up local pawn shops - bound to be filled with Squier Affinities for about $99. Take it to get it set up properly, and you likely will have a better bass than what you showed.

Same with amps - pick up something cheap and used to start.

 

[AndreasR]

Try a bunch of squier, sterling and Ibanez basses. Pick whichever feels nice.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I'm getting myself a bass for Christmas, and I've been trying the best one to start off with that's inexpensive and easy to learn. I was thinking about getting this Davison bass ( Link below) off amazon, but I don't know if it's a legit good bass.

Amazon.com: Full Size Electric Bass Guitar Starter Beginner Pack with Amp Case Strap Black Package: Musical Instruments

Don't buy that. At $129 you will get what you are paying for.

You would be better off buying either a Squier or Ibanez starter kit or buying a Link Removedand either a 25W-50W pawnshop amp for $100-$150 or a new one in the same price range. You will probably get more bang for the buck used.. but compare the used prices to the new ones on the same amp. Do some homework..take your time. It is easy to throw good money after bad with this starting out so you did the right thing by coming here first.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Daisy Rock Candy Bass!

 

[hrodbert696]

NO...!!!!!!!! do NOT buy cheap no-name instruments off Amazon. You'll get crap electronics, probably a plywood body, and general unplayability all the way round. It's what they call a CMBSO ("Chinese-Made Bass-Shaped Object"), not a proper bass. If that's your budget, assuming you're in the US (you linked to American Amazon), go to www.rondomusic.com and buy a bass there that appeals to you. The SX basses at Rondo could use good strings and a setup (a guitar store will do that for you for another $50 or so), but they're real wood and real components and make very passable instruments. Rondo will throw in a little bedroom amp for $40 or something.

 

[walldaja]

Ibanez starter package!

 

[ZenG]

Lots of decent starter basses around. (And amps).

Problem is :- which is good for you?

Nut width, shape of neck and weight of bass can be a big factor...longscale? shortscale?

Go down to your music store and try a few out so you know what you do and don't like...if you possibly can.

 

[electracoyote]

What's your budget?

 

[DwaynieAD]

Squier affinity precision bass.

Seriously crazy good.

 

[Solarmist]

I would go with something a little more common. You can get a Squire starter pack for around $200. Or Ibanez starter packs in the same range.

Squire & Ibanez SR are very different basses, and you can go to just about any GC and try them out. If you go Ibanez - I wouldn't go any lower than an SR300.

 

[jd56hawk]

Squier affinity precision bass.

Seriously crazy good.

Exactly. I played a Squier Affinity PJ not too long ago and was surprised by how good it sounded.
Some people will tell you they're no good, of course, and I have to wonder if that's based on what the Affinity line used to be instead of what it is now.
Sure, if you have more money go for a used Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe bass, but believe me, I would've bought that Affinity without a second thought if it'd only had a matching headstock...yeah, might sound weird but hey, I already had a CV Jazz with a matching headstock and I simply wanted a P bass with one, too.
Anyway, I did finally buy this.

And that's after buying a USA-made G&L SB-2!
If that doesn't tell you something about Squier...

 

[ShadowImage]

For something inexpensive you can do no better than to start with Link Removed.

 

[Aidenn7]

P bass or J bass play both and choose the one you like.

 

[xXMoonichoXx]

What's your budget?

About 150 dollars

 

[Tommyc]

• This I think is true of all instruments; "get the best instrument you can afford." The thinking that says, "I'm only a beginner" or 'I don't know if my kid will stick with it" are the wrong ways to go. And yet one hears that all the time with children. Why should it be different with adults? You wouldn't buy a pair of ill fitting shoes just because they're inexpensive. Ultimately you won't wear them in short order. An instrument whose sound you like, that is kind to your hands is ultimately one you'll want to play. The one you actually play is always the one that's inexpensive in the long run. That said, it's hard to go wrong with a Yamaha.