bass guitar (1 Viewer)

[mmm_sofay]

i need help getting a bass guitar. im getting one for my birthday. whats a good one to start out with?
i havent really played bass for a few years, i used to play it in music in high school and got good marks for it, and now i want to continue playing. ive wanted one for a few years, but have never gotten one, but am getting one in the next month or so.
im not sure of my price limit, but any suggestions would be great.
thanks

 

[Danoz The Great]

I'm saving up for a bass guitar! So yes any suggestions would be appreciated by both of us.

 

[absolution*]

Gah. Learn how to player a normal 6-string guitar. Bass is boring.

 

[mmm_sofay]

i already got an acoustic 6string
im learning grinspoon and hole on it.
im pretty sucky at it.

and i got better marks for bass then guitar in music.

 

[absolution*]

Music is about expression, not marks.

Grinspoon? You might be the new Vai..?!

 

[mmm_sofay]

expression - id rather express myself over a bass guitar.
and i got better marks as i expressed myself better on the bass then on lead

 

[ddm]

bass guitars.........

Basically with guitars (bass and six string) the more you pay the better quality parts you get. In my opinion the best brands are Fender, Ibanez, Gibson etc.

Since your only starting ur probably not gonna want to fork out over 1200 for quality new bass. So id recommened looking at 2nd hand guitars. The best place to get them is guitar places that know their stuff.

A few things to know:

Hold the bass upright and look along the neck if it appears warped, its a dud. (will cost cashhhh to repair)

ALWAYs ask to play in the shop, if you hear a lot of crakcling it may be costly to repair the connections or buy new pickups.

Research bass brands, pickups etc and have a basic idead at least. (so u dont get ripped off)

Auctions are really good if you know what to look for. I'd only recommened for more experienced peoples. If you know things about the bass and you know its a bargain its good but (Once my dad was at a auction....other people bidding for a digital camera.. some guy wins and he turns to my dad and says " i wonder how good it is?" RIPPPPPPPPPEDDD OFFFFF.)

-Its probably better NOT to buy package deals ie. bass and amp. usually theyre not great but if your only begging....(they wont feel as nice...peoples who play guitar will know what i mean)

Anyway thats my advice

Ps.mmm_sofay can you play already? am looking for someone to jam with....or start band.....

 

[ddm]

http://www.venuemusic.com.au/Products.asp?ProdID=5649
Looks like an alright bass for a begginner.


http://www.venuemusic.com.au/Products.asp?ProdID=3185
$200 more but better value..........

Yeah and also music shops.
If you pay cash you may be able to haggle them down to a lower prices

 

[freakcore]

well i personally recomend ibanez as the best beginners bass. mainly cos they've got it all. they've solid pickups in terms of decent at high volumes yet still with good clarity of sound and the same at low volumes. Generally they are of good construction, solid neck joining, and good bridge/machine heads/fret height etc...and even if you get a little more serious they're still all good(so to speak)

ddm's right though it's almost always better to go second hand when buying instruments unless you really have no idea what you are looking at. and do try to avoid bass packs if you can. the amp speakers are, generally speaking, crap. and the pickups in the bass are quite often worse than using a cup of water to pick up and amplify vibration.

and personally i recomend that unless you're in a hurry you don't buy from venue they are generally quite expensive. If you have access to a credit card order from www.musicianswarehouse.com.au it may take longer to get to you but sometimes the savings are worth it. it's where i get everything i need.

however the above is all just my experience and personal opinions what matters is that you find an instrument that is right for you...disregard my advice if you will.
Good luck with you're hunting.

 

[FlawlessBassist]

I suppose it depends on how serious you are about playing the instrument and wheter you want to play gigs with it and whatever else.

As Freakcore said Ibanez are good quality basses for beginners that are made from quality parts and a nice tone. You can pick up cheaper models of more expensive bassess such as Ernie Ball Music Man SUBS (Which I Have, the best wuality bass going around atm but it did set me back $1500)

You have to decide what you are looking for and a price range to work with, that way you will be able to narrow it down and make your selection more easier

 

[freakcore]

does anyone know where i might get a decent double bass?
no one seems to want to touch them where i live. Probably not a huge market share going into that endeavour.

 

[mmm_sofay]

Ps.mmm_sofay can you play already? am looking for someone to jam with....or start band.....

i like to think i can play. im pretty good.
and yeah, i wanna start a band.

 

[ddm]

i like to think i can play. im pretty good.
and yeah, i wanna start a band.

What area do u live?

 

[mmm_sofay]

north wollongong

 

[withoutaface]

Yamaha RBX170 is pretty awesome to start on if you can find it, otherwise go with the RBX270.

 

[ddm]

O...well that ideas fucked. I live Ryde.
By the way, are u a chick or a guy....ur profile says both?

 

[mmm_sofay]

i am female.

 

[withoutaface]

Oh and if you really wanted good advice on this sort of thing www.musicianforums.com is a good place to start...