500 bucks to spend on a bass and an amp. Suggest away.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fojar
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Fojar

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Well, I want a nice bass guitar and a half-decent amp for 500, I can go up another 100 if need be. I plan to play mainly rock stuff, not a lot of jazz or anything like that, but I'd like a really versatile bass, because I play everything. 4 string is what I want, nothing higher.

I also need an amp, something a bit larger than a practice amp obviously. Don't know shit about bass amps but I want something fairly clean and again, versatile.

Also if there are any recommendations for strings or other accessories, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks.
 
Definitely go for a Fender Jazzbass (used) or some type of fender for versatility. They are very tweakable, and usually just sound good no matter what you do to them.

I borrow my friend's for long periods of time, and it's an amazing bass, I believe around 600 bucks. If you can find something like that for 300-400 used, it's worth it.


Ampeg and Carvin both make exellent bass amps, check them out.
 
A bass amp and guitar for $500 is going to be a hard buy, especially for rock music. Best bet is to go with used equipment. Check out your local pawn shops, alot of unfortunate musicians pawn their stuff during the holidays. I got my son a really nice Yamaha bass guitar for 200 a few years ago with active electronics and case. Then spent 150 on a Peavey 300 wt head and another 200 on a Carvin 18" bottom. Look around and you can piece it all together for the bucks ya got to spend.- Ralph
 
Fojar said:
Well, I want a nice bass guitar and a half-decent amp for 500, I can go up another 100 if need be. I plan to play mainly rock stuff, not a lot of jazz or anything like that, but I'd like a really versatile bass, because I play everything. 4 string is what I want, nothing higher.

I also need an amp, something a bit larger than a practice amp obviously. Don't know shit about bass amps but I want something fairly clean and again, versatile.

Also if there are any recommendations for strings or other accessories, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I'd look for a used Fender American P-Bass and get an amp later.
 
good ol' Gidge, always appears out of nowhere and saves asses
 
I got that Yamaha bass for $170 last week. But I am not totally satisfied with the tone. I might return it for something better...

Any further suggestions?
 
amt7565 said:
I got that Yamaha bass for $170 last week. But I am not totally satisfied with the tone. I might return it for something better...

Any further suggestions?
Click to expand...

lots of tonal combinations on that guy with the P and J pickups and ability to combine them plus tone knobs.....

what kind of tone are you looking for specifically?.......
 
I take that back. The one I got was a 170 model. Your link shows a 270 model.

But what's the difference?

For some reason I don't seem to get the tone to cut through.

I used to use a friends Fender JP which was really good.

Perhaps I can return the 170 and get the 270. If it makes a difference.

Thanks.
 
Sorry, made a mistake. The bass I got my son was an Ibanez with active electronics. MF has a Ibanez GSR 200 model for $200. About tone...the strings and the "amp" sound also have a lot ot do with tonal variations. If you can get a bass with actives you'll be happy in the long run, especially running direct for recording. I'd still stick with a good used bass, look around and play 'em.
 
Some strings do a have a bright sound, while others have a mellow sound. Roundwound Stainless steel being the brightest sound and a Flatwound being on the mellow side. Amps can make a big difference, although you can get amps these days with very different sounds due to "modeling". These amps can sound like many amps due to the electronics built in. Different basses have very different sounds due to the electronics built in to them, like pickups and varying tone control.
Best bet - go play as many different varieties as possible and look for the best buy for the money you have available. Then ask questions of the shop keepers and those of knowledge on these forums.
 
what about the amps though?

im looking for one now and im clueless about amps. i rather hate that i know so little of them. combos, heads and cabs, what should i get? im looking at backlines, they seem decent. i dont know though, im going to check around for used. any sugestions?





freak
 
Sorry, but it's going to be just about impossible for you to find a decent amp and cab that will get you over a rock drummer in that price range. Start looking for used equipment and don't blow all your money on the guitar, cause amps get really expensive.
 
I returned the cheapo bass and got an IBANEZ SDGR active bass.
This was on clearance for $500.00.
I played it and loved it the very first note I played. It really cuts through well.

It has 6 control knob and lets you sweep the frequency to your liking.

GC still have them on sale.

I highly recommend. List price more than $800.00.
 
I got my daughter a Fender Squire P and a Behrenger combo bass amp (I don't remember which one, but it has power) for about that much. Sounds suprisingly good, even in a large room.
 
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