Beginner Bass

[buck78]

I a recently purchased a Boss BR-532 to record my guitar and mandolin playing (Taylor 414k / Tacoma M3). I was thinking about purchasing a cheaper (<$400) electric bass to round out my line up.

As a guitar player, I figure I should be able to flounder my way around the instrument. I suspect it might ever make me a better guitar player. It's easy to tell a nice instrument from a poorly constructed one, but I am still concerned about buying something I know nothing about.

The Fender Standard basses obviously fall into this category. I also seem to like the Yamaha BB-404 (natural finish). Keep in mind that this is primarily a secondary instrument and will most likely be the only bass I'll ever buy.

I am open to anything within reason (under $400). Your help would be appreciated.

Charlie

 

[johndavidstuts]

I was in your same situation. Just needed something to record with. I bought a Squire P-bass and works fine for me. It was $179. It has a good enough sound for me and left some cash for other outboard equipment and mics.

 

[Disco_Dave]

Another vote here for a Squier P Bass, well made, decent to play and reasonably cheap. Play it first though and try any others they have in the shop that are in your price range, but for a budget bass i don't the squier can be beaten.

 

[Speeddemon]

OLP!!!!!!!!!!!

Ernie Ball has this new range of cheap Musicman Stingrays under the name "OLP" =Officialy Licensed Product.
These are very well built, good sounding basses, nearing the original Stingrays, but these go for around $300-$350. Test one, buy one, you won't regret it.
I have this $800 Cort NA-4 bass, with neck-thru, Bartolini MKII active pick-ups, wenge/flamed maple body, and I get in doubt when I play on a OLP.

Check the "EQing metal music-thread" for more info.

REally. I'm A friggin' serious. Hell, my teach (a famous dutch bassplayer, who has a couple original Stingrays =$2000 a piece) bought one, and sold 15 of them to my classmates=guitarists, singers, even a rapper who never played an instrument before (beside his voice, yeah...yeah...)
My teach said: "For this kinda money, I think Musicman is gonna lose some original Stingray-sales, it's almost as good!"

 

[buck78]

Affinity or Standard P Bass?

 

[AlexHerd]

If you have 400 I would get a fender Jazz bass. I love mine!

 

[DaveO]

I haven't played a recent Squier (love my 1983 Squier Strat!) but I've heard the current are pretty good buys. Probably worth checking out.

However, if you can spend up to $400, you really can't go wrong with a MIM Jazz or Precision. Play as many as you can and pick the one that grabs you. If you're lucky you might even be able to get a hard shell case for with it and still be in the $400 range.

Or you could try buying used. You'd probably get more bass for your money, which might be worth it if this one will be you're one and only.

 

[gbondo9]

Another option

I havnt done this myself, but Ive read great reviews on the Carvin "build it yourself" model bases.
http://www.carvin.com/cgi-bin/Isearch.exe?CFG=2&P2=BK4&P1=BKT

On top of the fact that thier prices are halved by lack of retail middle man, the price is halved again by the do it yourself option. Ive played one of their custom models and I was very very impressed.
Fender is a well known stable option, and the stingrays are amazing, but this would definatly be be on my list of options if I were in the market.

Good luck

 

[buck78]

The Carvin kit is an interesting idea. At $350 or so it falls into the budget. It would be cool to put everything together myself. I am assuming that I would have to wire and solder the connections myself (only thing I worry about). If I really botch the final setup I could just take it in and pay someone to get the action right.

Has anyone ever done a Carvin or similar kit? How are the assembly instructions? Any feedback here would be great.

Charlie

 

[CrippledYak]

Danelectro

I went out looking for a bass for pretty much the same reason, fill that low end void in my recordings (I used to have a Fender Squire, which I massacred with hopes of refinishing -- it has since turned into house fixture). I was more than happy to settle for a new Danelectro (model???) for $150 CAD (what's that, like $20 US???). Once I got over the cheap look, I though it was pretty unbelievable for the price; the playability is unreal, and the sound it produces is nothing to bark at. Beats the hell outta that Fender Squire I'm using as a closet hanger *fangs* ; ).

 

[battleminnow]

I have heard nothing but raves about the Squier P-bass. I have the Affinity, and my only beef with it is that the electronics are a little messy on the inside, regarding the 1/4" jack and stuff. If you re-sodder it, it is just fine.

Pete