What bass to buy

rockcrawler321

Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Location
Winston-Salem/El Paso
Well, I've decided I am going to buy a bass and thought that I would ask around here and see what would be the best to buy for the money. I have been looking at an Ibanez.

My limit is $200 because I've never played one and have spent way too much money in the past couple of weeks. :rolleyes: But I figured there would be a few people on here that know how to play...
 
I had 2 Washburns'. I sold them both to a friend after he sold his Ibanez, go figure.
 
Just starting out...just pick one you think looks cool in that price range...they'll all be find...

I've played for about 11 years now...I play a Fender American Deluxe 'Zone' as my primary and have a few other...6string...fretless...and even those I pretty much bought because...well...they looked cool...and felt nice in my hands...

So yeah...for 200 bucks just snag one that looks cool...and I'd buy a new one for that money as well...cheap guitars/basses tend to be in the hands of those who really don't care about their instruments and tend to get thrown around and neglected...I know I did bad things to my cheaper basses...so stay away from the pawn shop in that price range...

Oh...and don't get all hyped up on amps and shit...get something with a 12" or 15" single cabnet and amp combo and call her good...I've yet to understand why people get the huge stacks just to have to lug them around...especially when they suck at their instrument anyway...
 
Will@Rockbottom4x4.com said:
Just starting out...just pick one you think looks cool in that price range...they'll all be find...

I've played for about 11 years now...I play a Fender American Deluxe 'Zone' as my primary and have a few other...6string...fretless...and even those I pretty much bought because...well...they looked cool...and felt nice in my hands...

So yeah...for 200 bucks just snag one that looks cool...and I'd buy a new one for that money as well...cheap guitars/basses tend to be in the hands of those who really don't care about their instruments and tend to get thrown around and neglected...I know I did bad things to my cheaper basses...so stay away from the pawn shop in that price range...

Oh...and don't get all hyped up on amps and shit...get something with a 12" or 15" single cabnet and amp combo and call her good...I've yet to understand why people get the huge stacks just to have to lug them around...especially when they suck at their instrument anyway...
Click to expand...

So my next question would be then...

Do I want a 4 string or a 5 string?
 
I'd just get a 4 string... that bottom string in a bluegrass group almost sounds 'rude' at times...you can really notice it's not the normal range...

...but...

If you want to play any popular rock - hardrock of the last two decades...then you'll want that bottom string...

So...maybe go ahead and get the 5...just mind that bottom string in your bluegrass group (but that's just my opinion)...

Oh yeah...when I say 'bottom string' i'm refering to the lower pitched one...no the one on the bottom if you were holding the bass...
 
Should work fine for you...

Go to your local guitar store and purchase...it'll prolly be 20 bucks more...but get 'em to throw in that guitar cord you'll need anyway and you'll come out even and support the local guy...
 
What music store did you go to in Winston? My Dad actually works in the music business and knows most of the local guys. I will ask him what store he recommends going to.
 
My first bass I got back in the day was an Aria Pro II...not sure if they even make that any more, but it's held up great - that's my rockin' bass...
about 11 years ago I got an Epiphone acoustic/electric 5 string, which is great if you are into more jam type stuff - the 5th string offers you a lot of flexibility, and you can rock out for 2 octaves up the neck...
but really, get something halfway decent and play for a while, then once you like it you'll figure out more of what you need...
the only other thing I'd suggest is playing it in the store first - see how you like the feel of it...some fit/feel differently than others...
here's my dream bass:
rickenbacker4003.jpg

awesome growly sound...
and of course the bass I wanted in high school, because as you can see, it rocks without even playing it:
acachepe.samedaymusic.com_media_quality_85_brand_sameday_Bronza5424a09949e280a5e529e67559ee479.jpg
 
That Ibanez should be fine to start out with. They have pretty narrow necks that should make it a little easier for you
 
03TJX said:
What music store did you go to in Winston? My Dad actually works in the music business and knows most of the local guys. I will ask him what store he recommends going to.
Click to expand...
Well right now I'm in E l Paso so I figured my best bet would be to just go to guitar center..and on the plus side they have the one I want.
TeamSpatula said:
My first bass I got back in the day was an Aria Pro II...not sure if they even make that any more, but it's held up great - that's my rockin' bass...
about 11 years ago I got an Epiphone acoustic/electric 5 string, which is great if you are into more jam type stuff - the 5th string offers you a lot of flexibility, and you can rock out for 2 octaves up the neck...
but really, get something halfway decent and play for a while, then once you like it you'll figure out more of what you need...
the only other thing I'd suggest is playing it in the store first - see how you like the feel of it...some fit/feel differently than others...
here's my dream bass:
rickenbacker4003.jpg

awesome growly sound...
and of course the bass I wanted in high school, because as you can see, it rocks without even playing it:
acachepe.samedaymusic.com_media_quality_85_brand_sameday_Bronza5424a09949e280a5e529e67559ee479.jpg
Click to expand...
Yeah that BC Rich ir really nice, I have a friend that has one and its freakin awesome.
cj777 said:
That Ibanez should be fine to start out with. They have pretty narrow necks that should make it a little easier for you
Click to expand...
That is the main reason I want an Ibanez. And the fact that it looks really cool...
 
I have a white Peavey Foundation 5 string with a hard shell case and locking straps I'll let go for $150.

Only drawback is the case that came with it was for a 4 string bass. It pushed against the tuner key a little bit and it has a slight neck bow. I played it for a long time like that. It may be possible to straigten it out by adjusting the truss rod. I'm in Winston Salem if you're interested.
 
they are all the same. the bass player is usually the goofy guy in the back that nobody really hears anyway. i have 10 six string guitars, but suck at playing guitar. should have played bass. many bands need bass player, too many guitar players out there. cool bass is a stienberger headless. a little more than $200. try www.musiciansfriend.com
great deals fast delivery. it will save you $$$
 
thecarman said:
These are less than $25.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Big-Mouth-B...oryZ3898QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Mouth_Billy_Bass
And easy to play - you just push a button.
:lol:
Click to expand...


haha I didnt get it at first. If you could spend about $100 more, a Fender Precision Bass might be decent. My sister has one, you can always get a P-Bass pack. It comes with a Squier P-Bass, an amp, HEADPHONES lol, and an extra set of strings. Thats how I got my first strat.
 
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