cheap bass...

[bigwillz24]

Ok first let me start off by saying I know nothing about a bass guitar, how to play one let alone the differance between a good one or a bad one; however, I plan on getting one for christmas.

I'm not even sure if I'll go anywhere with it.

So will any old cheap bass do?

What should I be looking for (besides a tutor) ?

[Dogman]

Originally Posted by bigwillz24

Ok first let me start off by saying I know nothing about a bass guitar, how to play one let alone the differance between a good one or a bad one; however, I plan on getting one for christmas.

I'm not even sure if I'll go anywhere with it.

So will any old cheap bass do?

What should I be looking for (besides a tutor) ?

How much you looking to spend? I've seen some very cheap ones that don't sound bad, and my wife just bought me a good 5 string for $600. When we looked, there was an Ibanez 4 string for $250, that actually played very well also. Not much for an opinion, but that's what i saw at the local music store here. I'd say, one of the things is, how does it fit your hands? Does it stay in tune? (kind of hard to tell with a short look, but...)

[bigwillz24]

Well considering I'm not buying it I better stick around 200 bucks if I plan getting anything at all.

[Dogman]

Originally Posted by bigwillz24

Well considering I'm not buying it I better stick around 200 bucks if I plan getting anything at all.

I saw some in the store that would probably work. Can't remember exact prices, but there was a few form Ibanez, and a few Peavy's for around $200. I've got a real cheap Applause that I paid $200 for with an amp, about 20 years ago. It actually did me pretty well, and stays in tune. Do you have an amp, will you get one, or are you going to just record direct? Would you rather buy it at a store, or online? Here's a link to bass's at sameday music, just so you can see some of them.
http://www.samedaymusic.com/prodsear...Filter+Results
A few from Ibanez, and a few from ESP, and Yamaha look decent. Should at least get the job done.
Ed

[punkin]

I've got a cheapie that I've actually been pretty happy with...the Ibanez GSR 200. Plays nice with a decent PUP arrangement. The first one had some action issues so I took it back...the replacement has held up nicely for about 2 years now. It lives in the studio for project stuff only.

[lbanks]

http://www.rondomusic.net/bassguitars4.html
These DO NOT SUCK!! I've owned a couple and was quite suprised. Better than Galveston, equal to a Squire, not as good a MIM.




Damn! This looks nice...

[jeffree]

Big, see the "I need a bass" thread just below, and try a search for a lot more feedback on this frequent question.

J.

[bigwillz24]

Originally Posted by jeffree

Big, see the "I need a bass" thread just below, and try a search for a lot more feedback on this frequent question.

J.

Thanks J. I'll give that a shot...

I noticed that my options have narrowed down quite a bit considering I'm left handed.

[Dogman]

Originally Posted by bigwillz24

Thanks J. I'll give that a shot...

I noticed that my options have narrowed down quite a bit considering I'm left handed.

You could always restring it backwards, if necessary. This shouldn't be a problem, unless you want to play past the 12th fret.

[sixways]

Check out the OLP Stingray style basses. The actually sounds good.

6

[mtjames]

I'm quite partial to my 80's ibanez road-star bass. it's a p-bass copy that just rips. nice full round vintage-y sound, not a ton of bite but i can dial it in if i need to. i picked it up in a pawn shop for 180 bucks, too.

[JazzMasterWil]

Originally Posted by lbanks

http://www.rondomusic.net/bassguitars4.html
These DO NOT SUCK!! I've owned a couple and was quite suprised. Better than Galveston, equal to a Squire, not as good a MIM.

I respectfully disagree. I had a horrible experience with the SX guitar I bought. The fret end were so sharp that they actually cut me when I went to get the guitar out of the box..... The guitar wasn't even finished and they shipped it out......

I think you could do a lot better with a pawnshop bass for 50 bucks than a new SX for 100......

Just my opinion...

[mick maggot]

ibanez usually has the most bang for the buck. and the thin necks are awsome.

[lbanks]

There's thread at Talkbass with more info on SX's than anyone would want.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...ighlight=essex