Good Bass for Starting Out On?

[pm12]

Re: Good Bass for Starting Out On?

im even shorter than you by a few im 5'3 and ive been told i look a little strange with my jazz bass ive had it since i was even shorter. ive been told i have long fingers but i still wonder on the short scale basses. never a complaint on the sound of the jazz if you go fo a combo go as high wattage as the money takes you if not a mini stack would work great in band situation and recording

 

[strat_master]

Re: Good Bass for Starting Out On?

ANyone try the fender classic series of basses?

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0131702340

I really like that color for some reason, and im all for the maple fretbaord.

 

[Baltar]

Re: Good Bass for Starting Out On?

i started - just to give it a try - with a very cheap squier jazzbass.
it's durable and doesn't sound bad for the money.
i went upset with the pots, which are replaced cheap and easy.
i still use it for practice

 

[Johnny Sapient]

Re: Good Bass for Starting Out On?

I started on a Squier that I still play today. The problem with Squier is that the pickups and electronics suck, so you'll almost immediately want to mod it. I did and it worked out fine, but without a new set of Duncans, they sound pretty weak.

Ya' can't beat the value of a MIM P or J bass....sounds great initially & very easy to mod or upgrade.

A used one can usually be found pretty cheap :bigthumb:

I agree. A MIM Fender is probably your best bet. MIM Fenders sound great out of the box, but you can easily update it should you decide to.

As for the short-scale option... I never liked short-scales. The strings don't feel right and I can never get the tonal definition or girth that I can with full-scales. Then again, that's just my .02. Try for yourself and see.

Ibanez are a good option, but only if thin necks and smooth playability are your top priority. If tone and build quality are your top priority, you may want to look elsewhere.

 

[jdm61]

Re: Good Bass for Starting Out On?

I think of short scale basses as more of a poor substitute for a baritone guitar...lol. Can't go wrong with the Mexi-Fenders. I have two guitars and they react real well to having high grade parts grafted to them. The basic chassis is pretty high quality.