I want to pick up base over the summer. Suggestions for a guitar? - General

I have a question for bass players. So I want to learn how to play bass guitar. I've done a little research into it and have learned about some good starter models like the Yamaha RBX74 or the Epiphone Les Paul. But I trust people's personal experience with electronics better then online descriptions of it. Specifically I want something that is durable and can withstand good abuse with okay electronics. I will pay up to $300 for one. Can anyone throw me some suggestions? Thank you.

What do you want, a bass or a guitar? The Epiphone Les paul is a guitar :v:

Bass. My mistake I was referring to this one. [URL]http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Les-Paul-Special-Bass-Guitar-103997094-i1169267.gc?CJAID=10449560&CJPID=1759905[/URL]

Can't be assed giving specific what-bass-to-buy advice right now, but: If you're willing to spend the double price you can get a really amazing piece of instrument that will keep you satisfied for a couple of years, instead of some mediocre bass you'll get tired of in no time. And this might just be my personal preference, but I wouldn't look into cheap yamaha basses. Not only are they cheap, they sound cheap too, which really isn't what you want.

Oh. Well, all I know is, don't buy a starter pack. And Epiphone generally make quality instrument, got a Epiphone Les Paul myself.

If you have the money, buy a decent quality amp and bass. If you are struggling for cash then get a starter kit.

No, don't get a starter kit, the only reason why anyone should buy a starter kit is if they aren't sure about whether they want to play or not. Don't bother buying a quality amp before you're going to play with other people. You won't need it when you're playing alone and it'll be a waste of money.

He is going to start, like you said he might not like it. And he might not even be able to afford a decent bass. Then hes going to need an amp. Thats why I suggested a starter kit as not everyone here can shit money out of our ass. But if he can shit money out of his ass he might as well buy decent everything.

epiphone les paul basses are really awesome, especially for the money. i bought one over christmas cause i love les paul shapes. really all you need to do to it to make it a professional quality bass is upgrade the electronics and get a new bridge. get the les paul bass and a cheap 10w amp. you can always sell the bass for a decent amount of money but it's a pain in the fucking ass selling amps.

I am selling a Fender Standard Precision Bass. They cost $550 at guitarcenter, so I would sell it to you for around $350. [URL="http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Standard-Precision-Bass-Guitar-105294763-i1434653.gc"]http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Standard-Precision-Bass-Guitar-105294763-i1434653.gc[/URL] Mine is black and has a rosewood fretboard. It is in great condition, and plays very well. If are interested, just ask. Also, depending on if you live in the states or not, I would be able to ship it to you for free, or for very cheap. Just saying. I think I may make a thread of this.

[QUOTE=toddisgay;22010852]I am selling a Fender Standard Precision Bass. They cost $550 at guitarcenter, so I would sell it to you for around $350. [URL="http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Standard-Precision-Bass-Guitar-105294763-i1434653.gc"]http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Standard-Precision-Bass-Guitar-105294763-i1434653.gc[/URL] Mine is black and has a rosewood fretboard. It is in great condition, and plays very well. If are interested, just ask. Also, depending on if you live in the states or not, I would be able to ship it to you for free, or for very cheap. Just saying.[/QUOTE] Hahaha, I have a replica that is almost precise to the one you posted. :v: Shame it probably doesn't sound as good as a Fender. :frown: Also OP: What I did was buy a second hand bass in fairly good quality and practiced on that, Once I settled on whether it was a 9-day-wonder or for real, I now have three bass guitars. I wouldn't blow too much money just yet, Because you might not like it. (I bought a £30 Acoustic guitar and hated learning + Playing guitar) So I explored a little to find an instrument to suit me.

[QUOTE=Bl4ckDmon;22011080]Hahaha, I have a replica that is almost precise to the one you posted. :v: Shame it probably doesn't sound as good as a Fender. :frown: Also OP: What I did was buy a second hand bass in fairly good quality and practiced on that, Once I settled on whether it was a 9-day-wonder or for real, I now have three bass guitars. I wouldn't blow too much money just yet, Because you might not like it. (I bought a £30 Acoustic guitar and hated learning + Playing guitar) So I explored a little to find an instrument to suit me.[/QUOTE] It is a fender... just made in Mexico. It says fender on the headstock.

[QUOTE=toddisgay;22011159]It is a fender... just made in Mexico. It says fender on the headstock.[/QUOTE] I was referring to my replica, not the Fender you posted. lol

[QUOTE=Bl4ckDmon;22011183]I was referring to my replica, not the Fender you posted. lol[/QUOTE] Oh sorry. My shitty reading.

It's more important to get a quality amp than bass. A bad bass in a kickass amp will still sound good, but even the best bass in the shittiest amp will sound like shit.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;22029945]It's more important to get a quality amp than bass. A bad bass in a kickass amp will still sound good, but even the best bass in the shittiest amp will sound like shit.[/QUOTE] this is true. but still don't be cheap on the bass. cheap shitty ones will be riddled with things that make them bad to play. you may not notice them at first but as you get better you'll notice it and only end up upgrading anyway. go to a shop and try out basses and amps in your price range and find a combo you like best. also, in my experience, music shops will throw in extras and stuff. guess it's their way of staying afloat in a world of cheap instruments being sold online.

I own one of these, and I love it, fast playability and great sound. [url]http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass-103726584-i1166457.gc[/url] This is the tone you would get out of this one. (starts around 1:02) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvW-fn8m2WA[/media] Wanted to buy one of these, played one in store and regret not getting it. [url]http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-EB-3-SG-Bass-101514834-i1167495.gc[/url] you will get this tone out of it... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyxzINl_FKU&feature=related[/media]

[QUOTE=yawmwen;22029945]It's more important to get a quality amp than bass. A bad bass in a kickass amp will still sound good, but even the best bass in the shittiest amp will sound like shit.[/QUOTE] When your practicing and just getting started, spending money on an amp is just waste, seeing as you won't need it as long as you're playing on your own, which is why I'd suggest to not buying an amp when you're getting started. Spend money on the bass, and then when you get the hang of it and are ready to play with others, buy the amp. It'll give you time to save money for the bass, and then time to save money for the amp, so you'll end up with a quality bass and a quality amp, ding ding ding.

The next bass I'm getting is the EB-0, putting some flatwound chrome (d'addario chromes) and putting the seymour duncan replacement pickup in it. it'll sound awesome

Mmm Flatwound :buddy: Are they much better than round wound? Do they sound different? I played for 10 seconds on my mate's round wound bass (I play electric guitar) And it felt weird.. haha

nothing is inherently better or worse then anything else. flatwounds feel very smooth and are comfortable to play. BUT, they are very smooth, mellow, and warm sounding. in order to get back a little of the bite some companies make stainless steel/nickel plated strings that are very high tension (like the d'addario chromes) some basses sound awesome with flatwounds, some basses sound awesome with roundwounds. i'm mostly a roundwound player because I like harsh aggressive biting tones, but I need a groove bass, and the EB-0 is very warm and mellow. I think the chromes will be awesome on that EB-0.

[QUOTE=SaWAH;22049582]When your practicing and just getting started, spending money on an amp is just waste, seeing as you won't need it as long as you're playing on your own, which is why I'd suggest to not buying an amp when you're getting started. Spend money on the bass, and then when you get the hang of it and are ready to play with others, buy the amp. It'll give you time to save money for the bass, and then time to save money for the amp, so you'll end up with a quality bass and a quality amp, ding ding ding.[/QUOTE] Bad idea, playing an electric instrument, particularly the bass which can have a lot of string noise will lead to inherent flaws in your technique because you will not be able to hear such problems through an amp, compared to if you plugged into an amp and were able to identify weaknesses in your technique. In short, an amp should be equally as essential when learning an electric instrument as the instrument itself

[QUOTE=SickJits;22049762]The next bass I'm getting is the EB-0, putting some flatwound chrome (d'addario chromes) and putting the seymour duncan replacement pickup in it. it'll sound awesome[/QUOTE] What i would do is drill a hole near the bridge and put the pickup there. I always wanted 2 neck pickups on an eb3, not a neck and bridge.

[QUOTE=Siminov;22068856]What i would do is drill a hole near the bridge and put the pickup there. I always wanted 2 neck pickups on an eb3, not a neck and bridge.[/QUOTE] i just like to plug and play man, one pickup is good enough for me.

well, true.