Where to (re)start?

[somebrains]

Id go look at this for giggles: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I would buy this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
A cheap 810 or 610 will do you fine.

If you have to have a 4 string: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You can get a neck and electronics to suit you.
Learning to do your own setups is a good idea, beaters are easy to turn into players cheap....just not as cheap as that weird Frankenstein’s P5.

That has all the indicators of something I’d consider fun.

 

[Bassbubble11]

I didn’t read the whole thread to see if you posted about price range or not so I will talk about Squiers. The CV’s are great but are at the highest price range for Squiers. VM’s are great instrument too and are a little less. What I found surprising are how good the Affinity’s are and how inexpensive they are. My girlfriend bought one about 2 years ago (a jazz bass) and it is actually really nice. They are certainly a lot better instruments than the one produced 30 years ago. A lot better.

 

[Gizmot]

Inexpensive basses have gotten much better over the past few decades thanks to modern manufacturing technologies. They’re simply a lot more consistent than they used to be.

I also agree with others that you should play instruments in person and do some comparison shopping. Don’t get locked into Squire, Fender or any other brand - let your fingers and ears tell you what’s best for you. Try Ibanez, Yamaha, Sire, G&L and others.

 

[tpaul]

It would really help if the OP would give us a little more information: what did you dislike about the Squier neck you mentioned? What is your budget? Does your budget need to cover an amp too? What kind of music do you want to play on bass?

In general I would encourage you to consider buying used, you'll get a lot more bass for your buck. Other than that, I can't help without more information.

 

[Mister Boh]

Grab yourself a used MIM

 

[Old Blastard]

The options and choices are so much better than 70s or 80s. Just bout a $200 Ibanez Talman 100 and it sounds and plays great.

It's not in the same league as my custom made basses but I never expected it to be. And it's entirely giggable.

Low budget Ibanez, Squier, Yamaha are easy to find in local stores and play well. It's worth another $35 to get it properly set up, though. I'm a tooltard and am lucky to have a talented guitar mechanic nearby.

 

[maplenecked]

Squire VM and chill

 

[mbelue]

How you hold an instrument is just as important as what instrument.

No body wants to be the old guy who takes lessons but.....
Maybe a lesson or two where they correct your posture and wrist position would go a long ways towards getting you comfortable with any bass.

That being said maybe look into a short scale as well as a thin neck.

Maybe an Ibanez Talman?

 

[dragon2knight]

How you hold an instrument is just as important as what instrument.

No body wants to be the old guy who takes lessons but.....
Maybe a lesson or two where they correct your posture and wrist position would go a long ways towards getting you comfortable with any bass.

That being said maybe look into a short scale as well as a thin neck.

Maybe an Ibanez Talman?

You just nailed my situation to a tee...I'm the--ahem--"old guy" that's going for a few lessons to get me sorted and then I'll be fine on my own. Nothing to be ashamed of, it's just being smart about it. I'm short scale because of injuries, but there are a ton of great SS basses out there that are better than good. As the man said, it depends on your personal situation, only you know what you need.

 

[bassliner50]

30 years back. The neck was terrible? Did you do a proper truss rod adjustment and subsequent setup?????

 

[Skybone]

You're never too old to learn.

A couple of lessons from a teacher would be ideal.

If there's no bass teacher local to you, or even anyone you know who plays, then take a look at some of the online learning resources, like Scotts Bass Lessons and others. Yes, they do loads of advanced stuff, but they also cover the absolute basics.

Stick with it, enjoy it, take your time. It takes work, and you will get frustrated.

Don't play for too long, as your body isn't used to it, like exercise, you need to work up to it.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Coming from a guy who owns everything from a Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar to a Fender Custom Shop P, Squier’s are worth their weigh in gold these days. They require a little extra setup when you get them. But, they play and sound wonderful with a little TLC.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Squier certainly has upped their game. I wouldn't go Affinity, but once you get to the Vintage Modified, they make some nice instruments. As to necks, everyone has a different take. I prefer P-width necks, but I've been playing them for about 35 years.

Best bet, pick a budget, and start trying out instruments til you find one you like.

 

[matty1039]

Welcome to TB. As many others here have suggested, try as many basses in person as you can. There may be a model that you aren't aware of that'd be perfect for you. You'll never know if you don't play it. If you do decide to buy online, make sure the return policy won't come back to haunt you. No advice on Squiers. Have a great night.

This! Get as many basses in your hands as possible. I went in to buy a bass and was looking around and tried a brand I'd never thought about but loved how it felt. I bought it and still love it to this day.

 

[TheReceder]

I'm primarily a jazz bass player, but really fell in love with the neck on the old peavey foundations. A much lighter bass, and in my opinion they have really versatile tone. If you shop you can find one for under $200. They usually need a little adjustment. But what better way to learn than on an inexpensive bass.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Good evening everyone,
I had a Squier P-bass nearly 30 years ago and quite honestly, while I loved playing bass, the instrument SUCKED. Specifically, the neck was terrible. I ended up getting rid of the bass after about a year and never got another. Now, I'm feeling the need to get back into bass. I'm feeling the low end calling. Because of the price, I'm thinking of giving Squier another try, however, I'm also thinking buying a used bass might not be a bad way to go. Further, I'm curious as to whether a Jazz bass is easier to play, since the neck is a bit narrower. Thoughts? Prayers? All-out wars on this topic?

you got a squier bass 30 years ago....you thought it sucked..unloaded it..and took 30 years off..and now you are thinking about maybe getting another squier..?..man..you must have done some real "hard" time over that 30 years..dont go for another stretch..you may not survive it..

 

[Gaolee]

You might be correct about that. I was still playing Hoshino Gakki products (Ibanez) back then, and am basing my recollections on a particular friend's Squier Bullet bass that had a nasty twisted neck. That might've been a Korean-made Squier.

Those are actually pretty good if you get one with a good neck. Likewise, just about any instrument can develop problems if it's the wrong instrument in the wrong atmosphere. I would't tar all of them because of one bad neck. If you want to say 1980s Squire Bullet pickups and electronics were awful, then I will completely agree with you. They were.

 

[Greg Waldon]

I'm primarily a jazz bass player, but really fell in love with the neck on the old peavey foundations. A much lighter bass, and in my opinion they have really versatile tone. If you shop you can find one for under $200. They usually need a little adjustment. But what better way to learn than on an inexpensive bass.

Fine basses. Sound and play outstanding. Built like tanks. Had one for over 20 years. Regent getting rid of it.

 

[ZAR14]

I picked up a New Squier Active Deluxe Jazz 5 string a few months ago. Worth every penny...

 

[Blue Dragon]

A couple years ago I got a 5 string Affinity Jazz to dip my foot in the water. Of course, switching to 5 took some doing, and I know Affinitys are their bottom-of-the-line. If I had it to do over, I'd probably go the Vintage Modified route, but even my cheap-ass Affinity sounds pretty darn good to me and is my main bass now. (I've a Precision MIM, and an Ibanez - both I'll never part with but I'm a 5 string guy now.) I play a 5-string Ibanez occasionally that I do like, but I honestly prefer a thicker neck. One day I'll up my game to a better Squier I suspect, but I'm pretty darned happy with this cheap-ass bass and I don't have to panic if someone knocks it over!