• Beginning Bass
    12 replies, posted
Right now I am in the process of teaching my self bass. Currently I am using the E A D G strings on an acoustic guitar to get a feeling where the notes are on a bass, but I want to star using the real thing. How much would I expect to spend on a beginner's bass?
Well on my first bass I spent $100 on the bass and $50 on the amp so anywhere from $100-300
I never recommend bottom-of-the-barrel instruments to beginners, and here's my argument: [list] [*] Cheap basses use poor components which over time, slip, making the setup worse as time goes on, if you don't know how to set your instrument up (as you won't, you are a beginner) this IS a problem. [*] SHARP FRETS, I have seen countless instruments with shoddy fret work [*] Resale value, Buy a used, Quality, Medium-Range instrument. Look after it and you can get almost the same back as what you paid for it [/list] I'm not saying go out and buy an American Fender Jazz or a Musicman, Rickenbacker or Lakland. I am saying consider finding somewhere that deals used instruments and look for something around the £200 mark that catches your fancy. Amplifiers, Buy a nice used combo with about 25-50 watts; My personal favorites are the Roland cube series and the Gallien Krueger MB or Backline series - all good value for money. Of course if you really can't afford to do it right the first time then go buy the cheapest thing you see and suffer it.
Play me, So What by Miles Davis. After that you are set.
If you get a bass, try to get a $200 Epiphone Eb0 or Eb3, you won't regret it.
[QUOTE=Trial By Fire;24225724]If you get a bass, try to get a $200 Epiphone Eb0 or Eb3, you won't regret it.[/QUOTE] This or a Squier Classic Vibe Jazz or P Bass.
Get a lesson at some point to make sure your technique is right.
My brother is doing the same thing as you, but I'm teaching him a few scales and the notes of the fret board. You should look up some scales online to improve your finger work and then you will have the basis for riffs and groovy basslines.
I started out with an Ibanez IJXB190 starter pack. I know that they aren't the best choice, since they're pretty cheap, but since then, I've installed new pickups to get a cleaner tone from it. But anyways, pertaining to your question, I would say look out for a used, yet quality Ibanez. They are very flexible when it comes to playing styles.
Don't even bother buying shitty beginner gear. [url]http://www.activebass.com/item--MF.514310[/url] [url]http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-LowDown-LD15-Modeling-Bass-Combo-Amp-104986252-i1427363.gc[/url] This is what I bought when I started and I still have it after almost 2 years and I'm really happy with it.
I suggest you get a Squier. Don't get the shitty ones from best buy/Wal-mart though. Go to an actual guitar store and buy one. I have somthing very close to this and I'm happy with it. [url]http://www.amazon.com/Squier-Fender-Standard-4-String-Fretboard/dp/B0002H0DBM[/url] I recommend it because it has a Jazz and a Precision pickup.
[QUOTE=TheEconomy;24281901]I suggest you get a Squier. Don't get the shitty ones from best buy/Wal-mart though. Go to an actual guitar store and buy one. I have somthing very close to this and I'm happy with it. [url]http://www.amazon.com/Squier-Fender-Standard-4-String-Fretboard/dp/B0002H0DBM[/url] I recommend it because it has a Jazz and a Precision pickup.[/QUOTE] Personally my favorite Squiers are the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series ones. The other ones just don't compare in sound or feel. Also, avoid the Squier Affinity series. They are not even worth trying.
I started off with a shitty Squier P-Bass that started falling apart on me halfway through a year, I managed to get a lucky deal on an Epihpone Thunderbird that was custom built by a local fellow that died. I'm still working on the basics I suggest getting Mel Bay's Complete Electric Bass Method if you want a lesson book, also get mid quality gear to start you won't regret it. Stick to it and you'll enjoy Bass it's fun and you can do some funky groves on it.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.