Yet another 'Help out a newbie' post.
Question:
I agree whole heartedly with all who recommend you spend as much as possible on the bass. Although falling into the love ‘em or hate ‘em category, the old Kramer aluminum neck basses are STILL way undervalued. Many are solid maple or walnut ( or combinations thereof ) bodies, Schaller or Dimarzio pickups, Schaller hardware, some are active, etc. etc. Selling on eBay for $200 & up, so local deals should be better. They are definitely worth a consideration. They have a ringing, piano like sound that is unique because of the metal neck. But they play nice and are of very good quality. If you see one in a music store, take it for a drive. [Name of your favorite smokin' bassist] would probably have a little trouble with a cheap ‘beginner’ bass. Why would anybody expect a beginner to be able to play one??!! Regards, Bob Kos – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hello all. > I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these > all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. > Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally > made me decide to take up the bass. > I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one > that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my > learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone > have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while > keeping me in budget? > Replies on the group or in private are welcome and appreciated. > Thank you, > Jason Rollison
Response:
> Hello all. > I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these > all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. > Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally > made me decide to take up the bass. > I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one > that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my > learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone > have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while > keeping me in budget?
I’ll throw out another option, not since it’s necessarily the best, but because it is, indeed, another option. Get a cheapish bass (I have a Cort C4 I paid $179 for) and a Korg Bass Pandora PX3B used (~$125 on eBay.) The Pandora will allow you to play through headphones, will allow you to patch in a CD player and play along with it, has a built in drum machine and a tuner. The good thing about this option is that you can keep and continue to use the Pandora as you progress in skill. A cheapo bass amp is rarely a keeper.
Response:
> Hello all. > I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these > all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. > Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally > made me decide to take up the bass. > I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one > that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my > learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone > have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while > keeping me in budget?
For that budget, go used. Find an old Peavey T40 or Foundation. Then find an old Peavey Minx or Fender BXR25 amp. — /" ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H / | http://www.toddh.net/ X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/ / http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice."
Response:
> >Again, I’d find the best bass you can for $300.00 and go from there. >You could find a pretty nice used Ibanez in a pawnshop for that if if >you hard enough. > I definitely agree with you about spending the money on a decent bass, as it > will certainly make learning a more enjoyable experience.
I went from a $200-ish Ibanez (GSR-200) to a "low-end high-end" bass at $1000, and could immediately play better, and for a longer period of time, because the action was so much lower. I’d say get your teacher to help you shop for a used one, and then get a pro setup. -Donna
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello all. >I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these >all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. >Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally >made me decide to take up the bass. >I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one >that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my >learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone >have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while >keeping me in budget? > Jason, welcome. I know this may not sit well with everybody but I’d > consider spending the majority of the money, i.e., a couple of hundred > bucks on the bass itself… maybe even more, then use whatever is left > to get an amp if you can afford one (scan google.com newsgroup search > for other ideas). Reason why is I think the bass is more important > than the amp is that it’s a far more pleasurable learning experience > to learn on an instrument that feels good than just looks good. > You’ll actually learn more on a bass with decent action because, > well… you’ll want to pick it up again and again and again. > Worst case scenario, you play acoustically without an amp for a month > or two until you can afford to amplify what you’re doing for the > neighbors. Heck, I never plug in unless I’m rehearsing, playing along > with the radio/cd, recording, gigging, or trying to dial in some > equipment or something like that. Judging by your post it will be a > little while before you’ll really *need* to do any of that.
You can even plug into your stereo with an adapter, but be careful not to play too loud or you’ll blow your speakers. Suitable for playing by yourself but not for jamming with others. Of course then you can’t play along with it unless you have another system/radio or other music source. I agree, try to get at least a halfway decent instrument to start on. One thing to consider is scale length. Depending on your hand size, a full-scale bass (34" scale length) might be difficult. I started on a short-scale (30") bass and switched to a full-scale bass a couple of years later. It could be frustrating to struggle with the reach while you’re trying to learn the other basics. But of course play a bass first and check it out to see if this might be a problem or not. – Gary Rosen
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>Again, I’d find the best bass you can for $300.00 and go from there. >You could find a pretty nice used Ibanez in a pawnshop for that if if >you hard enough.
I definitely agree with you about spending the money on a decent bass, as it will certainly make learning a more enjoyable experience. I would just qualify your advice to go to a pawnshop (or get a used instrument). I think that beginners in general don’t necessarily have the background knowledge to know when they’re getting a good deal on a used instrument, or overpaying for a piece of junk with a warped neck. When I started out, I had experienced players go shopping with me to help me avoid that particular pitfall. In the end, it is about what bass feels comfortable and sounds good to you, but it helps to have one that will stay in tune! : ) Maureen
Response:
>Hello all. >I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these >all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. >Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally >made me decide to take up the bass. >I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one >that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my >learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone >have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while >keeping me in budget?
Jason, welcome. I know this may not sit well with everybody but I’d consider spending the majority of the money, i.e., a couple of hundred bucks on the bass itself… maybe even more, then use whatever is left to get an amp if you can afford one (scan google.com newsgroup search for other ideas). Reason why is I think the bass is more important than the amp is that it’s a far more pleasurable learning experience to learn on an instrument that feels good than just looks good. You’ll actually learn more on a bass with decent action because, well… you’ll want to pick it up again and again and again. Worst case scenario, you play acoustically without an amp for a month or two until you can afford to amplify what you’re doing for the neighbors. Heck, I never plug in unless I’m rehearsing, playing along with the radio/cd, recording, gigging, or trying to dial in some equipment or something like that. Judging by your post it will be a little while before you’ll really *need* to do any of that. Again, I’d find the best bass you can for $300.00 and go from there. You could find a pretty nice used Ibanez in a pawnshop for that if if you hard enough. Either way, welcome to the NG and let us know how it goes 
Response:
Will do! And thanks for the help! I’ve actually considering going towards the path you’re mentioning, that is getting a better guitar and worrying about the amp second. It’s gonna be awhile before I can seriously play a gig, or, hopefully, become proficient at it. What you’re saying makes a heck of a lot of sense because I’d like this bass to be one that I can be satisfied with for a long time. I plan to be in it for the long haul! ;) Thanks again! I’m going hunting on Tuesday. I’ll give everyone an update. Thanks again Jason
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello all. >I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these >all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. >Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally >made me decide to take up the bass. >I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one >that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my >learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone >have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while >keeping me in budget? > Jason, welcome. I know this may not sit well with everybody but I’d > consider spending the majority of the money, i.e., a couple of hundred > bucks on the bass itself… maybe even more, then use whatever is left > to get an amp if you can afford one (scan google.com newsgroup search > for other ideas). Reason why is I think the bass is more important > than the amp is that it’s a far more pleasurable learning experience > to learn on an instrument that feels good than just looks good. > You’ll actually learn more on a bass with decent action because, > well… you’ll want to pick it up again and again and again. > Worst case scenario, you play acoustically without an amp for a month > or two until you can afford to amplify what you’re doing for the > neighbors. Heck, I never plug in unless I’m rehearsing, playing along > with the radio/cd, recording, gigging, or trying to dial in some > equipment or something like that. Judging by your post it will be a > little while before you’ll really *need* to do any of that. > Again, I’d find the best bass you can for $300.00 and go from there. > You could find a pretty nice used Ibanez in a pawnshop for that if if > you hard enough. Either way, welcome to the NG and let us know how it > goes
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all. > I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these > all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. > Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally > made me decide to take up the bass. > I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one > that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my > learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone > have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while > keeping me in budget? > Replies on the group or in private are welcome and appreciated. > Thank you, > Jason Rollison
some of the best advice I got and will pass on is that if you are just starting, don’t even look at the name on the headstock Brand is not important. I JUST (as in yesterday) picked up my bass and amp, and that’s the advice I followed. I bought a tradition bass ($150.00, used) and I had a bit more money than I thought I would for the amp and I was able to buy a Peavey TKO 115 amp for $389. The bass is comfortable, looks brand new and sounds REALLY nice. in looking for my setup, I didn’t see much that you could pick up for $300 total. You’d probably do best looking in the used section or store. Just ask someone to play the bass for you if you don’t feel comfortable in the store (although you will have to put your hands on it to see how it feels to you regardless of whether you plug into the amp or not) but make SURE that it is plugged it into an amp to make sure all the pickups work (there were a couple of bass guitars that I tried that the sound cut out on). Also, remember that you do not have to buy the bass and amp at the same place. My amp I bought new at a different store, but if you do this you may want to wait until you can bring the bass with you to hear how the amps sound with your exact bass. bottom line is, try out all the ones in your price range, ignore the brand name until you are ready to upgrade after you’ve gotten some playing time in.
Response:
To start off…. Guitar Center and other Music stores have a bass package where you get a bass, amp, chord, strap, video and book. Its a phenomenal deal that I would recomend to all beginners. The two company’s I like best are Ibanez and Squire for these packages They run about 200-250 dollars (american) anyway, best of luck and welcome to AGB PYKE
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all. > I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get > these > all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. > Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally > made me decide to take up the bass. > I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, > one > that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my > learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone > have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while > keeping me in budget? > Replies on the group or in private are welcome and appreciated. > Thank you, > Jason Rollison > some of the best advice I got and will pass on is that if you are just > starting, don’t even look at the name on the headstock Brand is not > important. I JUST (as in yesterday) picked up my bass and amp, and that’s > the advice I followed. I bought a tradition bass ($150.00, used) and I had > a bit more money than I thought I would for the amp and I was able to buy a > Peavey TKO 115 amp for $389. > The bass is comfortable, looks brand new and sounds REALLY nice. in looking > for my setup, I didn’t see much that you could pick up for $300 total. > You’d probably do best looking in the used section or store. Just ask > someone to play the bass for you if you don’t feel comfortable in the store > (although you will have to put your hands on it to see how it feels to you > regardless of whether you plug into the amp or not) but make SURE that it is > plugged it into an amp to make sure all the pickups work (there were a > couple of bass guitars that I tried that the sound cut out on). > Also, remember that you do not have to buy the bass and amp at the same > place. My amp I bought new at a different store, but if you do this you may > want to wait until you can bring the bass with you to hear how the amps > sound with your exact bass. > bottom line is, try out all the ones in your price range, ignore the brand > name until you are ready to upgrade after you’ve gotten some playing time > in.
Response:
Hello all. I’m just basically asking for recommendations. I’m sure you guys get these all the time, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Basically, listening to Geddy Lee and John Entwistle for years has finally made me decide to take up the bass. I’m asking for recommendations as to a great starter bass. Preferrably, one that can last me for a good while after I get a little further in my learning. I have about $300 to spend on both bass and amp. Does anyone have any really good suggestions that can get me off to a good start while keeping me in budget? Replies on the group or in private are welcome and appreciated. Thank you, Jason Rollison
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