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Points: 16952 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bass Guitar Suggestions
    Posted: March 25 2011 at 21:40
Hi, i'm looking into buying my first bass guitar and begin to learn how to play.
Problem is i have no idea what to look for at all..
 
I know i want it 4-stringed and my price range is around 300$ at the maximum.
From talking to friends, they have said that Ibanez and Squier are what i should look into. Is this good advice?
 
Any suggestions on brand, model, amp etc would be greatly appreciated.
 
 
 
 
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Points: 1882 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:06

For 300 thats probably good advice... I would however suggest saving up some and look into getting somthing a bit better
who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob
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Points: 16952 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:09
How much more? I could invest alot more money, i just didnt want to spend too much on my first bass guitar. Ermm
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Points: 1882 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:20
A reasonable amount to spend on a nice (not great) guitar or bass is usually about 1000... however if you are a smart shopper and search out deals (check music stores going out of buisness and big chains with "blowout" sales you might be able to find a Schecter or somthing for around 5/600)
who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob
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Points: 1882 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:24
If it does come down to Ibanez and Squire I would reccomend Ibanez. Squire is notorious for having electrical issues, ive never known a friend to be satisfied with one and Ibanez seems to be better about it, of course Ibanez has a gibson sound and Squire has a Fender sound.
who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob
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Points: 16952 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:44
Ok thanks.
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Points: 16122 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 25 2011 at 22:50

Nah, I kid.  An Ibanez SR300 would definitely be your best bet for the price range you specified.  They play very nicely, have good necks and good QC.  You can find them at pretty much any Guitar Center or online here.

If you think you can crank out a bit more money than that though I'd recommend a Schecter Stiletto entry model bass.  I've seen them new for about $400, used for about $350.
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Points: 635 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 26 2011 at 08:54
For your budget I would go for an Ibanez as well, or maybe a Cort Curbow or Cort Retro 4 they are good for the money, of course it depends on the "look" you would like as well. Good luck and congrats when you get one, let us know what you get. 
Tony C.
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Points: 32524 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 26 2011 at 09:08
I've gone through a few basses (just sold my Spector Legend 5 a couple of days ago).

I frequently play my Ibanez SR200 that I got for $199.  However, there's a catch: While the music store where I got this instrument had several of these models on the wall, only this particular one played amazingly.  So even a cheap instrument can sound and play great if it is set up properly.  I've had to adjust the truss rod since moving from FL to NC (humidity difference), but it has a lovely punch and growl and is a breeze to play.

The moral of this story is this: Go to your music store and play several inexpensive basses.

Dean also makes basses starting at $125 new (such as the Zone XM and the Edge). You could also check out the Rogue LX200 B Series II for a mere $119.99.  I've never played any of these, but if you're just beginning, it's not a bad idea to start cheap.  For one, if you don't practice and eventually give up, you won't have lost much money.  In the second place, you will still have money left over to save for a much nicer bass down the road if you really take to it.

Good luck!
https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays
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Points: 13382 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 26 2011 at 09:12
Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

I've gone through a few basses (just sold my Spector Legend 5 a couple of days ago).

I frequently play my Ibanez SR200 that I got for $199.  However, there's a catch: While the music store where I got this instrument had several of these models on the wall, only this particular one played amazingly.  So even a cheap instrument can sound and play great if it is set up properly.  I've had to adjust the truss rod since moving from FL to NC (humidity difference), but it has a lovely punch and growl and is a breeze to play.

The moral of this story is this: Go to your music store and play several inexpensive basses.

Dean also makes basses starting at $125 new (such as the Zone XM and the Edge). You could also check out the Rogue LX200 B Series II for a mere $119.99.  I've never played any of these, but if you're just beginning, it's not a bad idea to start cheap.  For one, if you don't practice and eventually give up, you won't have lost much money.  In the second place, you will still have money left over to save for a much nicer bass down the road if you really take to it.

Good luck!

Wise words. 
New album!
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385
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Points: 16952 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 26 2011 at 12:39

I'll keep my eye on Ibanez.

The SR300 is my favorite at the moment.
 
Thank you for the suggestions and input.Thumbs Up
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Points: 223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 17 2011 at 19:25
Get a Squier (high end). Get it set up properly and replace the tuning keys and pickups after you can tell the difference and you'll be happy. Anything over $200 for a beginner is a waste. You can trade up later.

Avoid anything with active pickups, they may sound better (to some ears) but they will give a beginner a headache. 
It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen.
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Points: 5012 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 17 2011 at 22:30
I think you can get Epiphone Firebirds around $400 but I'm not entirely sure. Also I do agree with getting a high end Squier for sure.
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Points: 34055 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 18 2011 at 12:14
Epiphone is good, yes, i tryed one last week at a guitar shop it have a nice attack and growls a litle, 
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Points: 223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 18 2011 at 15:49
I have an Epiphone SG Bass and it has it's pros and cons. The neck is nice and small, the pickup is okay. But the low E has never quite reacted like the other strings. Great starter though.

 Anyone interested? haha
It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen.
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Points: 34055 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 18 2011 at 15:51
what type of bass does John Wetton use that is not a Rickenbacher, he used Rick with KC but on the ASIA live album i have seen it is not that but looks like Epiphone or Warwick what is it. couse it have a nice growl, attack and deep sound.
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Points: 5012 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 19 2011 at 00:16
Originally posted by aginor aginor wrote:

what type of bass does John Wetton use that is not a Rickenbacher, he used Rick with KC but on the ASIA live album i have seen it is not that but looks like Epiphone or Warwick what is it. couse it have a nice growl, attack and deep sound.

I think he also used a Fender Precision Bass. You can see it on some concert footage from 1973-1974. I don't if he used it in the studio as well though. I didn't even know he used Rickenbackers to be quite honest. Did he use them on Larks, Starless and Red?



Edited by Fox On The Rocks - November 19 2011 at 00:20
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Points: 7264 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2011 at 21:09
Originally posted by Fox On The Rocks Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Originally posted by aginor aginor wrote:

what type of bass does John Wetton use that is not a Rickenbacher, he used Rick with KC but on the ASIA live album i have seen it is not that but looks like Epiphone or Warwick what is it. couse it have a nice growl, attack and deep sound.

I think he also used a Fender Precision Bass. You can see it on some concert footage from 1973-1974. I don't if he used it in the studio as well though. I didn't even know he used Rickenbackers to be quite honest. Did he use them on Larks, Starless and Red?

I saw Wetton onstage during the LTIA tour, and he used his trusty Fender Precision bass.  He used the same bass (or similar) for UK, and I believe for Asia's first tour.  I was never aware that he used Rick basses. 

Just ask a Tech Geek!!  


.......here's the scoop on Wetton's gear for live performances during his 1972-1974 stint with King Crimson, which some here may find interesting:


1. Two different Fender Precision basses (pre-1974, a tan model, likely pre-CBS; 1974: a white model)


2. Rotosound Roundwound strings


3. HiWatt amplifiers, as noted above


4. HiWatt cabinets, pre-1974; 1974: Cerwin-Vega bass Reflex cabinet (no other information).


5. Electro-Voice speakers


6. Effects pedal: Jen Double Sound (fuzz/wah)


Most of the above information comes from the horse's mouth. A friend of mine attended a KC Night Watch CD signing on my behalf in 1997. In addition to getting a signed CD for me, I asked my friend to query Wetton about his equipment in those days. Wetton graciously wrote it all out on a slip of paper, which my friend sent to me, and which I seem to have lost during one of my many moves.
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Points: 635 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2011 at 00:23
He has used a Zon, a Gibson Victory bass and he is/was endorsing Fernandes basses. His Precision was made in 1961, a good year! (I was born that year) LOL I can't recall any other basses right now, i'm pretty sure he has not used a Rickenbacker Question


Edited by clarkpegasus4001 - November 21 2011 at 00:24
Tony C.
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Points: 10185 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2011 at 05:55
Get a SX or a used Squier (preferably at a local store. Ignore the models with pine bodies as they're too soft and chip easily; you're going to want maple or alder). Try some basses until you find one that feels right and doesn't feel cheap and if you like it take it to a luthier for a setup. You can get a very sweet bass for less than a hundred bucks; save the rest of your money for an amp.



If I needed a new bass, I'd get a used alder bodied SX Precision and mod it with a Status graphite neck, Delano pickups, brass hardware, a Hipshot Drop D-tuner and tune it as CGDA. Better than a deluxe American Fender with the specs I want for less than 600 dollars.



If you need more help, try the Talkbass forum. Plenty of useful information and experienced people over there.
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