ian1642605905 Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 What would be a decent quality bass for a beginner that is moderately priced?I want something I can plug directly into my mixer.Active or Passive???I know this is a moronic question but I'd appreciate some help! thanx ian* ian* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfunku Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 CARVIN LB20 FENDER MEX. JAZZ/PRECISION YAMAHA PEAVY I SUGGEST LOOKIN FOR THESE IN A PAWN SHOP FOR EVEN A BETTER PRICE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzzzz Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 I'd go with the MIM Jazz bass.I went to a local music store recently and was quite surprised with its playability and tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Wise Man Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 Get something used. Bring an experienced bass player with you. Avoid active electronics in cheap basses, as they tend to be cheap active electronics. Guild Pilots are terrific, cheap, and plentiful used, as are Japanese basses from the 80's (Aria, Vantage, etc). Some of the 80's pointy headstock metal basses are also pretty good instruments for next to nothing, if you can get past the looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 Good advice here. My two cents additional: I like Fernandes basses, also, they make some good stuff cheap. Plus, take along an experienced bass player if you possibly can when trying out beginner basses. An experienced player can sort the wheat from the chaff quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 you don't even need a fender. get a squier P-bass. phenomenal tone and playability. it will get you started, and you'll always come back to it, even after you've bought a much more expensive instrument. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimT Posted July 13, 2001 Share Posted July 13, 2001 Let me echo pfunku's recommendation of the Carvin LB20. I got one used on ebay for about $300 - that was a steal! Check out the paper, too. I got my first bass there, an old Ibanez ATK. It did a fine job. SlimT It's all about the rumble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanajoycekscable.com Posted July 14, 2001 Share Posted July 14, 2001 several months ago i bought a mexi-precision that's just outstanding! perfect intonation, low action, loud output.... there was a sticker of an eyeball at the top of the headstock. when i finally peeled it off, it said 'squier series' underneath it! since i got the bass for $100 i didn't feel cheated- but i am a little mystified! when did fender make squiers, called fenders, in mexico? it has a 3 ply pickguard, one piece body, sheilded cavity... anyway, the point is you can get excellent basses for under $300! the mtd 'kingston' is a bass i really want to try firsthand too- when i saw the picture in the 'bass player' review, i thought it was a great looking bass, and i was blown away when i read the glowing review and saw the price! for basses i've personally played, the mexi-squier-fender i have is the best bass i own, hands down. i have an american jazz too, but the 'p' i the first one i grab for hitting the stage. i also have a $100 ibanez bass (the standard ibanez shape, with one p-pickup) that's a blast to play too- if you want to play 'lead' bass it's great due to the extra frets. sounds fine, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H. Posted July 28, 2001 Share Posted July 28, 2001 The Peavey Milestone III is a great bass for a beginner. It has 2 jazz style pickups in it, and a fantastic tone. Better than any Mexican Fender. They sell for right around $300 new. Plus they feel and play great. http://www.identity5.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjunkie Posted August 4, 2001 Share Posted August 4, 2001 guitar center has those fender squiers on sale for $150. a good starter bass. the sheilding is horrible though- take the pickguard off and line the control cavity with tin foil, or even pay someone to rewire it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilan Posted August 4, 2001 Share Posted August 4, 2001 Ian - it all depends on how you define "moderately priced". When I used to give lessons, I used to recommend buying a good bass. If you can spend $600 on a first bass, then do (and maybe compromise the amp). I feel that a quality-made first bass is important for building proper technique and developing a good musical ear. Think how much money people spend on a "beginner piano". I wish I had a US-made Fender (or Ric) as a first bass, and not the little Hofner 500/1 that I had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Starr Posted August 4, 2001 Share Posted August 4, 2001 G&L such as the SB1 or SB2. They are very reasonable new (talk to Bass NW) and really inexpensive used, and they are great simple basses that will continue to be useful. Aloha, JOnathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakland_5 Posted August 7, 2001 Share Posted August 7, 2001 I recently recommended the MTD Kingston to a friend and beginning bassist. All the reviews rated the Kingston highly as great quality for a decent price. But when we went to try one, we discovered that the Kingston does not have any inlayed position markers on the fretboard surface. My friend was intimitated by a "blank" fretboard, but ultimately decided to buy the Kingston. Anyway, this got me thinking about the value of position markers on the fretboard. Some high-end luthiers don't use any inlays in order to give the fretboard a "clean" appearance. But I've discovered that when I'm learning to play a new piece, I'm constantly looking at the position dots! I just never realized I was so dependent on them as a crutch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted August 7, 2001 Share Posted August 7, 2001 Lakland, the MTD Beast and Grendel are that way too, with markers along the edge but not on the fretboard. I hardly noticed when I switched to a Beast as my first-choice bass but I agree it might be tough for a beginner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Griffith Posted August 9, 2001 Share Posted August 9, 2001 Ian*, I'm going to toss in my recommendation for the Fender standard series, the made-in-Mexico things. I have two, one each Jazz and Precision, and I couldn't be happier. For the money you'd invest ($300-$350) they're great. Solid contruction, good fretwork, decent electronics, and a great, classic sound. They're true workhorses & won't fall apart on you. Out of the two, I'd suggest the Jazz first, as it's more versatile, but it really depends on what you're playing & what tone you're after. You can approxomate a p-bass tone with a jazz by turning down the bridge pickup & things like that, but I assume you won't be dorking with the tone too much right off the bat. You can certainly get better quality instruments than the MIM Fenders, and as much as I love Fender, I won't say that there aren't better basses out there too (as in "boutique" basses). But they'll cost you alot more than I bet you want to spend right now. And if, down the road, you decide that you want to improve what you have, then that's no problem, since there's no shortage of aftermarket parts & electronics for Fenders too. If you're so inclined, you can eventually slap a better bridge & pickups on it & you're good to go. You really can't go wrong with a Fender. At least that's my 2¢... Regards, ~Griff Regards, ~Griff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted August 9, 2001 Share Posted August 9, 2001 Musician's Friend just came out with a special on DeArmond Pilot Plus 5 strings, in white and transparent red only, for $170. I haven't played one of these, but I did play the higher-priced $600 neck-through Pilot and was impressed at the price. Might be worth checking out. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/shop/home/010809054445198115160190251671?pid=510831 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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