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Looking for a good bass guitar, and bass amp.
thecakeizalie
Seattle, WaRegistered User regular
Seattle, WaRegistered User regular
Got any suggestions on a good one?
Also!:
I was looking at a Squire precision bass. It looks pretty good but I'm not that savvy with brands.
Also!:
I was looking at a Squire precision bass. It looks pretty good but I'm not that savvy with brands.
thecakeizalie on
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But if you want any sort of advice on this board I think you're gonna need to at least establish a price range. For good amps I'd say you can't go wrong with a markbass, but it's not exactly an entry-level price if that's what you're looking for.
I only ask because if you already know how to play a little (meaning you can actually strum a few songs, not just make chords) then you might want to look into a nicer setup, but if you've never played a stringed instrument in your life, I advise getting the cheapest Fender Bass + Amp kit you can find and start there... (this will cost you roughly $250) They retain pretty decent resale value down the road if you want to upgrade, or since they're so cheap, hang onto it as an extra if you want to jam with some friends.
(Do the kids today still say "jam with some friends"?)
The main reason I suggest this is because the amps that come with those kits are absolute garbage. Yes, sound comes out of them, but that's about all they are good for. You will never be able to use them in any playing situation, and the tone they produce is so awful that they in no way approximate what playing the instrument should "really" feel like. I've had dozens, if not hundreds, of students over the years who improve every week, but their tone is always terrible, because they don't have gear that allows them to notice how changes in their technique produce a better sound.
Like I said earlier, the Squier instruments (or any other brand's starter line) can be pretty decent, but the amps in the starter packs are invariably crap. Part of the reason I think you'll want to take someone with you who knows how to play bass is so that they can help you find an amp in your price range that makes your bass sound like a bass, as opposed to a tin can.
When it comes to amps Peavey is not a bad choice to start with. The sound quality is decent and they're built like tanks. Gallien-Krueger is another option but I've read mixed reviews about their entry-level models.
Pawn shops are worth checking out for inexpensive gear - equip yourself on the shattered dreams of other musicians. Craigslist also. Used stuff has already lost most of the value that it's going to, so you'll get the best deals.
Are they awesome instruments? No, they aren't, but they'll work as far as getting you started and familiar with the instrument. If you find out that you truly like playing bass, then you'll upgrade later on. If you find out that you absolutely hate it - or want to switch to a different instrument - then you won't be as deep financially as you would be if you started with something nicer and more expensive.
Of course it all depends on your budget and how serious you are about this. If you've got cash to blow and KNOW that you are dedicated then spoil yourself and get a low end Fender jazz bass and an Ampeg practice amp.
In 8 years of selling instruments I've had tons of people sell back an expensive guitar/bass/ukulele a couple of months after purchasing it because they found that they just weren't into it.
They have much more flexiblility than a P-bass (you can even more or less get that fat p-bass tone with them)
As for brands, as mentioned, Squire is hit and miss- they make some really great guitars and some not so great guitars.
I'm personally a fan of Scheter brand guitars- they are often a lot of bang for the buck and well made. I'm less familiar with their bass guitars, however... but they should be worth looking into.
A good friend of mine plays a 5-String Schecter (not sure what the specific model is). It's a solid bass: nice tone, good construction, and aesthetically pleasing even with 5 strings. Not to mention a great deal at ~$350.
But like most posters are saying, purchasing an instrument isn't just about naming a model and saying "looks good, I'll buy it!". If OP has any stores in the area, whether a larger chain like Guitar Center or smaller vendor of used instruments, walk in and test out some goods.
Ran, you said they sound horrible and you can't use them to play for someone, but if the OP has no skill with the instrument they're only going to be playing for themselves in the beginning anyway.
Also, just for personal anecdote, the little 5W amp that came with my starter electric has a cool blues-y feel to it. I wouldn't use it to perform or anything just because it doesn't provide enough of a sound quality (and I play really, really badly : ) ), but a friend had a lot of success using it behind a screened wall mic setup for this background riff that sounded really good. Even the cheap stuff has a use at some point.
As for resale value, I mean you're not going to get the full $250 back for it, but that kit can easily sell for around $150 when you're ready to upgrade, and those kits are usually on sale at every big box retail chain after Christmas for like half price. I've gotten starter electric and bass kits from a Sears or a JC Penny after Christmas for around $80 bucks because they were clearance, and I've done that more than once.
Again though, that's just my opinion, the posters who have offered better amp solutions are dead on about the quality, especially with Peavey. I'm also a fan of the Line 6 Spider series for starting out.
As for the experience I can play a few songs and I have actually written a few of my own. I've just been using my friends Lyon bass for awhile and he wants it back soon, which is why I have to look for a new one.
My buddy Steven and all of his metal head friends say it all the time.
Mine was $500 AU in Oz, which probably makes it about $150 US considering how much we get gouged over here for stuff.