Entry level bass advice needed

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dad_of_four
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Dad_of_four

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Appreciate any and all comments

I want to lay down some bass tracks, but I don't own a bass (have borrowed one occassionally). I want to make the jump, but since I primarily play guitar (note: I am not a "guitar player"), what is a relatively inexpensive, and worth the money out the gate.

I've done my research, mostly MF and GC (and my local shop). Everyone has the same Squire, Ibanez, Epiphone packages (bass, 10w or 15 w amp, some have tuner, some don't). The music I play most: blues and country (with some occasional folk/pop hootie/barenakedladies/tonic).

Ordering online scares me (hate to buy without seeing/playing it). What should I look for, out of the starter packages, is there one that plays/sounds better than the other? Personal preferences? Thanks for your time.

Patrick
 
I understand your concern when ordering online. However, I found most guitars and basses in music stores need setups anyway. Rarely do you find one that is setup perfect to your liking.

I have heard many good reviews of these basses:

http://www.rondomusic.net/bassguitars4.html

I also read they have excellent customer service and returns policies.
 
Check out Yamaha and Ibanez. They make some pretty good inexpensive basses. I wouldn't worry about buying on-line from a reputable source. I have bought from zZounds and Musician's Friend with no horror stories to relate.
 
this question pops up every month or so....

One of the most recommended cheap basses is the Ibanez GSR200. It's around $200, the neck is a little bit thinner than most - great for guitar players, and, on top of that, it actually sounds decent.

I've got one myself and like it. As for amps....I don't know what to tell you there....but I'm sure some of the other geniuses here have some advice.

Good luck.
 
I would stay away from those 10 watt bass amps; they sound like crap and aren't loud enough to play with anyone else. If all you want to do with bass is record, you don't need an amp at all, and if you are looking for a good deal on a small bass amp, check out the Ashdown line.
 
my first bass was an ibanez, i would not hesitate to recommend one to anyone. ibanez basses do have fairly thin necks , so i would say they are probably the most guitarist friendly basses around.

as far as recording , why not just d.i it. playing live you will definately need somthing with more wattage ( bass requires around 3 times the wattage of a guitar, so ive read) i have a carvin 300watt head and somtimes i still struggle to cut through the guitars and drums, without blowing speakers. i would say a minimum of 100 watts. behringer makes some inexpensive combos you could check out.(please no neg rep for this comment)

http://www.behringer.com/BX1200/index.cfm?lang=ENG

i think this one is 299.00
 
Patrick, after my own recent search that included playing different models, I can recommend the Yamaha rbx 170. Use the search function here to find many reviews of it, including my own. By the way, I liked the Ibanez 200 as well, but its lower action, nice as it was, meant too much fret buzz for my recording work. In general, though, I was really surprised by the decent playability and sound of both of these sub-$200 models. No Silvertones nor Kays here. Try to play these and other models in a store since tastes differ, and do remember that cheaper guitars typically have more variation in craftsmanship. In particular, listen for buzzing up and down the neck, and check the neck for things like straightness and consistent fret edges.

Good luck,
J.
 
( bass requires around 3 times the wattage of a guitar, so ive read) i have a carvin 300watt head and somtimes i still struggle to cut through the guitars and drums, without blowing speakers.
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I'm not sure if I agree on that. I only got a 120W combo and a 80W combo, and I can handle two guitarists and drums easy with the old Laney-120W?..
If it gets noisier the drums sink.. Poor guitarists are struggling with Line6 Flextones, which start to make odd "barking" if turned alltheway up.

But bassgear tends to have more wattage, generally, that's true.
 
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