• Good Bass guitar for beginners
    26 replies, posted
I'm considering learning to play the bass guitar, however to do this I obviously need a bass and an amp at the minimum. I don't have any experience in buying a bass, and I only really have internet reviews to go on, so i thought i'd ask. Since I don't know if i'll be any good, I want to get something that is "beginner grade". IE. something not terrible, but not hugely expensive so it isn't a huge loss if i turn out to suck or not like it. My budget for the guitar is around £100, and buying used would not be a problem provided it isn't fucked up. Bass would need to be full length too (I think this is 24 frets correct). Also because I am a beginner it would need to be a 4 string bass. I looked around and found one bass which had fairly good reviews (though some bad ones too) called a Stagg BC300 Fusion Bass. I found one used for under £100: [url]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/stagg-bc-300-fusion-bass/9915[/url] Also i guess I need an amp, and I have even less of a clue what to buy there. I would be looking for a cheap one to practice with, nothing performance grade. Anyone got any suggestions as to what to get or where to look?
Try [url=http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-Bass-Amp-Pack-889579-i1475158.gc]this[/url].
[QUOTE=JoeyZ;22394601]Try [url=http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-Bass-Amp-Pack-889579-i1475158.gc]this[/url].[/QUOTE] He's in the UK. Try looking on Gumtree or on ad boards in your local stores. Chances are you'll get a much better bass for your money if you go used, as long as you don't make the rookie mistake of buying one that looks cool.
[QUOTE=Dopey Trout;22394626]He's in the UK. Try looking on Gumtree or on ad boards in your local stores. Chances are you'll get a much better bass for your money if you go used, as long as you don't make the rookie mistake of buying one that looks cool.[/QUOTE] Do they not have Guitar Center in the UK? I learn something new every day.
Only got 1 results that fit your budget: [URL="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/browse-product/?category_id=28fac6aba215488665223a1728472a7b&filter_manufacturer_id"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/9791-vision-b-11-electric-bass-guitar.html [/URL]
[QUOTE=Kris2456;22394241]I'm considering learning to play the bass guitar, however to do this I obviously need a bass and an amp at the minimum. I don't have any experience in buying a bass, and I only really have internet reviews to go on, so i thought i'd ask. Since I don't know if i'll be any good, I want to get something that is "beginner grade". IE. something not terrible, but not hugely expensive so it isn't a huge loss if i turn out to suck or not like it. My budget for the guitar is around £100, and buying used would not be a problem provided it isn't fucked up. Bass would need to be full length too (I think this is 24 frets correct). Also because I am a beginner it would need to be a 4 string bass. I looked around and found one bass which had fairly good reviews (though some bad ones too) called a Stagg BC300 Fusion Bass. I found one used for under £100: [url]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/stagg-bc-300-fusion-bass/9915[/url] Also i guess I need an amp, and I have even less of a clue what to buy there. I would be looking for a cheap one to practice with, nothing performance grade. Anyone got any suggestions as to what to get or where to look?[/QUOTE] Full length isn't measured in frets. It's measured in the scale, which would be from the nut to the bridge. If you're starting, I'd suggest a smaller scale than 34" like a medium or even a shortscale.
[QUOTE=nardix;22395664]Full length isn't measured in frets. It's measured in the scale, which would be from the nut to the bridge. If you're starting, I'd suggest a smaller scale than 34" like a medium or even a shortscale.[/QUOTE] I see. I wasn't aware. I was under the assumption that the size of the bass you use is based on your physical size. Back when I played the violin, i started on 3/4 then moved to full sized.
You used to play violin and now you want to play bass? Haha, no one can resist the power of the lower tones! Anywho, the best way to find out what bass suits you most is to go to the local music store and ask if you can try a shortscale and a longscale bass.
You should try to find one of [url=http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-IJXB190]these[/url]. Yeah, you're in the UK, but music shops should be able to get it for you. If you're just starting, it saves you cash. I'm learning bass as well and started with that.
Contains everything you will need and a nice tutor leaflet, I have one of these and they're pretty good. [url]http://www.musiccorner.co.uk/Bass-Guitar-Shop-Bass-Guitar-Package/c5083_4708/p101428/Tanglewood-Rebel-4-Bass-Guitar-Package-Deal-Black/product_info.html[/url]
Some of these sound like good suggestions. Anyone know what I should look for in a used bass?
[QUOTE=Kris2456;22397656]Some of these sound like good suggestions. Anyone know what I should look for in a used bass?[/QUOTE] Used is a bad idea unless you can play it before you buy it.
Dude, you're in the UK? Do what I did. Harley Benton kit from [url]http://thomann.de[/url] I got this for £130 [url]http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbpbset1_ebassset.htm[/url] but there are quite a lot of packs you can get [url]http://www.thomann.de/gb/bass_sets.html?sid=818d8ecb5ea6a01acbf5fbfc8227dc12[/url] Ignore the people saying that you shouldn't buy packs, these are good shit. Shipping is good, and I live on an offshore UK island and it got here in a week. The only bad thing was that I had to buy a Euro -> UK plug adapter for the amp, as it is a German plug. Only £6 or something, so don't worry about that.
[QUOTE=dcalde78;22399649]Dude, you're in the UK? Do what I did. Harley Benton kit from [url]http://thomann.de[/url] I got this for £130 [url]http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbpbset1_ebassset.htm[/url] but there are quite a lot of packs you can get [url]http://www.thomann.de/gb/bass_sets.html?sid=818d8ecb5ea6a01acbf5fbfc8227dc12[/url] Ignore the people saying that you shouldn't buy packs, these are good shit. Shipping is good, and I live on an offshore UK island and it got here in a week. The only bad thing was that I had to buy a Euro -> UK plug adapter for the amp, as it is a German plug. Only £6 or something, so don't worry about that.[/QUOTE] Lol that is quite interesting as I am currently in Germany. EDIT: [url]http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_bassset_b15.htm[/url] This looks quite nice. I just realised that I hadn't looked closely at the differences between J and P basses. Can anyone advise me on this? The music I would like to play is mostly rock if that's relevant.
[QUOTE=Kris2456;22400600]Lol that is quite interesting as I am currently in Germany. EDIT: [URL]http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_bassset_b15.htm[/URL] This looks quite nice. I just realised that I hadn't looked closely at the differences between J and P basses. Can anyone advise me on this? The music I would like to play is mostly rock if that's relevant.[/QUOTE] This is a jazz bass used in this song I believe: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqRzjWwY48o[/media] Has more vibe to it. And if you're focusing on rock stuff then go for a precision bass.
I'd go for the P/J bass, they're the most versatile.
Yes I think I will do this. As for the amp, will the one included in that pack I mentioned be OK? No idea how good a 20W amp is, though there is the option for a 40W one, would it be worth the £25 upgrade.
If you're just starting out, 20W should be enough to fill your room as you practice.
Just be wary of the cords that come with some of the bass packs. A lot of them are really shitty and will die on you. Spend some extra money and buy a different cable.
I think you should get a used Epiphone EB-0
[QUOTE=Banned?;22423206]Just be wary of the cords that come with some of the bass packs. A lot of them are really shitty and will die on you. Spend some extra money and buy a different cable.[/QUOTE] What this guys said. When I got my bass pack, the cable broke in less than a month.
The Sssnake cable you get with the pack is pretty good, I'm gonna be buying another, longer one soon.
Look on Nevada music, they have many start kits and they'll deliver.
[QUOTE=Kris2456;22416355]Yes I think I will do this. As for the amp, will the one included in that pack I mentioned be OK? No idea how good a 20W amp is, though there is the option for a 40W one, would it be worth the £25 upgrade.[/QUOTE] If you're just beginning, and just practicing, I doubt you need a 20W. I have a 10W amp by Acoustic and it's amazing, even for small gigs.
Get at least 30W, anything else below that just doesn't really catch the bass-ey sound.
Try to get something used, you can get something better used in most cases with a bunch of features insead of getting a new bass with no features.
[QUOTE=Trial By Fire;22465771]Try to get something used, you can get something better used in most cases with a bunch of features insead of getting a new bass with no features.[/QUOTE] Seeing as he's new to Bass, he won't know what's bad in a used bass that could annoy him later.
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