Yesterday a friend asked me what a good beginner bass would be

[cellardweller]

I told him I wasn't sure, but price was a concern, so I mentioned Fender. I've never heard anything too horrible about them, and I know their higher dollar stuff is at least somewhat accepted/popular...

So what is a good bass for a beginner?

 

[VOXVENDOR]

I'd say if he is at the stage where he's just trying it out, and not sure if he will stay with it, that he should pick up something used in the sub-$100 area..

a Samick, Washburn or something.

Joe

 

[stonepiano]

Fender Squier basses aren't bad. I bought one for $79 and its fine for me.

 

[Light]

You do not want to get an instrument which is too cheap, because if the instrument is too difficult to play you will never stick with it long enough to decide if you really want to do it. I would suggest something like a Mexican Fender P-bass, and then spend the $60 or so to get the instrument set up right by a good repair person. This will give you the best possible chance of seeing if you really want to play.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Gidge]

i like the budget basses by Fender, Yamaha, and Peavey......you can good good quality for less than $200......

 

[Garry Sharp]

The cheaper Washburns - XB100 or 200 - are very good value second hand and, importantly, very easy to play. The 200 with two p/u's has a good range of tone that will encourage a beginner.

IMHO they are better for this than the cheaper Yamahas (which have difficult necks) and for the same money they are much better value than Squiers.

 

[Kelly5150]

You cant beat one of these for the price $179, I bought a 5 string model for $199, They are well made with good materials, and they look beautiful....

And they play and sound good too....



http://www.americanmusical.com/item.asp?UID=2003101519072557&menu=0102&keyword=ABG11&item=PEV+MILBXP4+TBL

 

[FattMusiek]

I didn't even know that they made basses. Are they any good?

 

[Kelly5150]

I didn't even know that they made basses. Are they any good?

Peavey?

The one I bought is excellent for the price...

Great for beginners or if you just need a cheap bass for recording.... It was better than I expected....

 

[jasgav]

lets not forget about Ibanez!! Ibanez's are very easy to play more like guitar almost and sounds great. I've used my fender for years and the pick up are now dying. I thought it sounded better than the yamahas and washburns when I was looking around.

 

[mrface2112]

i've got a yamaha rx200 or (something like that) bass that i bought about 15 years ago. it's got a very round tone and is more suited for rock/metal than it would be for funk. i used it when playing in a jazz band, and it sounded fine for that as well.

i've done some mods on it, so it looks nothing like it used to--it's black, but i replaced the silver hw with brass and added a mirror-finish brass pickguard that my dad (a metalsmith) made for me. it looks a lot like a fender and a rickenbacher spawned.

it's not a bad bass......but in hindsight, i'd prolly favor a used fender or rick.


wade

 

[tf5_bassist]

for the uber-cheap yet decently useable guitars, I'd suggest the OLP guitars... i mean... c'mon... where the hell are you gonna' get a "Musicman" Stingray for this cheap? Haha...

No, seriously. Good instruments.

 

[Aaron Cheney]

I've always thought the Peaveys were a good bass for the $. A Fender jazz is never a bad choice for acommidating many different styles.

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