Recommend me a beginner's bass.

[coolcool23]

I figured a four string is enough to start out with, can any REAL bass players out there that can recommend me a great beginners bass that can work for me for a while?

Note that price is not the #1 issue here, I am loking for performance, feel and of course, sound.

That being said, I'm not spending much more than $150-200 for the Bass alone, so consider that a semi-final price point but feel free to recommend something a little better if you really think it's worth it.

Thanks for the help.

[madcow36]

Target sells a black Washburn brand bass guitar. I got mine for 150. but it is amazing bass, no problems at all. I got it 3 years ago, and just 2 weeks ago i had to replace the ORIGINAL strings. everything about it is great.

Tuning pegs/hardware dont rattle or come loose
1/4 jack doesn't come unscrewed
the soapbar pickups are of really good quality
the neck does NOT warp or anything
it stays in tune very well

ill try to find a link for a picture.


Fellow bassist, :D
Jeremy

[Chief Stubbs]

Ibanez. I don't know the model name, but it was the only left-handed bass within the $200-300 price range I could find. She plays like a beautiful beast.

[madcow36]

Dean also makes really cool looking basses for 199...

such as a flying V or an explorer

[JukeBoxHero]

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Dean-Edge-09-Bass-and-Amp-Pack-103944997-i1147588.gc

Bass and amp comes at $199, although from I've seen, it's not that great.

http://www.moellermusiconline.com/pc-1054-21-guitar-electric.aspx

In my opinion it's a great bass for start out with. I have a squier fender but if I had the chance, I get this one.

[coolcool23]

Dean also makes really cool looking basses for 199...

such as a flying V or an explorer

Eh, asthetics aren't really big on this one. I would prefer a more traditional bass anyways. I don't think I need the "hardcore" or "metal" look enough to justify getting a bass just for the shape... :p

[coolcool23]

Sorry for the bump, but I was wondering if anyone else had any opinions:

I saw these three that look awesome and all have good reviews:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-J-Bass?sku=519631 (Yes, I am a crazy Rush fan.)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-RBX170-Bass?sku=511081 (For quality)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Edge-10a-4String-Electric-Bass-with-Active-Electronics?sku=512156 (Best value)

If anyone has any ideas they can post, otherwise I've pretty much narrowed it down.

[JukeBoxHero]

That squier is the exact same bass I have(right down to knobs). I enjoy playing, it's not too bad for starting out. The Yamaha might be alright. Although I think I have tried out blue Yamaha bass(around the same price) that had a weak response.(I could hear the metallic strings more than I could hear the bass coming from the amp). I haven't tried a Dean Edge bass so I don't really know how it plays.

[LZ_69]

I told the same thing to another member with a similar thread. Get out there and try out as many basses as you can. Find one that feels right to you. Everyones anatomy is different, so what a given model can be good for someone else doesn't mean it's right for you.

I started out with a Fender Squire 4 string, it had horrible tight action, but that kinda worked to my advantage because it helped strengthen my fingers, so by the time I got my Ernie Ball musicman, it felt like I was playing with strings made of butter and my playing improved dramatically.

[garionoldwolf1]

here's what I bought, I'm in the process of learning to play so I'm not an experienced Bassist yet:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Jazz-Bass-V-5String?sku=512619

And just a note here:
This is a 5-string bass, as my friend/bass teacher told me to get a 5-String to learn on.

[BigMonkE]

Try looking on craigslist. I was looking at some near my area, and I might have to pick one up sometime.