Looking for a good bass to start with

R

Reaper666

New member
Hi, I'm not exactly a beginner, as I've been playing guitar for years. I play lead guitar in a heavy metal band, and occasionally pick up the bass when we're screwing around. I have decided I'd like to play bass as well. Here are some of the things I'd like:

-I'd like to avoid the cheaper squires, because if I decide I don't want to continue playing bass, I'd like to get a decent amount of money back.

-something used would probably only benefit me, because I know, like with guitars, you tend to get a better price:value ratio- The used guitars that I've purchased have turned out to be better than the new ones I've purchased, compared to the price payed.

-I NEED tight string spacing- as a guitarist, when I pick up a bass with wide string spacing, I am unable to fret it properly.

-I played a Gibson USA SG standard Bass earlier in the week, and liked the string spacing, so anything close in comparison I'd like.

-I'd like to spend around $200, $300 tops, and I'm comfortable doing work to get it playing properly. I know how to do guitar set ups, fret leveling, pickup installation, etc, and I imagine it's not much different when working on a bass.

-I've been recommended the Squire Vintage Modified Jazz bass (the more expensive model with the block inlays), and I'm considering this:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/msg/4755239102.html as I like buying instruments made by odd-ball companies (I've got an old 80's samick only released in Europe, great guitar)

-As far as amps, I'm thinking the Ampeg BA108 25w 1x8.

What would you guys recommend?
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

I was in the same boat a few months back.
Ended up with a regular Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass, and a Fender Rumble 40 V3.
I like it a lot. I played it head to head with 4 other squiers, and a MIM P Bass, and Sterling SUB bass, a yamaha rbx, a Soundgear (the soundgear felt very good!) and a MIA Jazz Bass. I was quite satisfied with the squier Jazz Bass and still am.

As far as setup, all I had to do was tweak the action, truss rod, and pickup height a bit.

I hear the newer ampeg combos are real junk, not very well made, and that they have very little to do with the old ampeg designs. Everyone usually says "steer clear".

The Fender Rumble V3 series (I have the 40W, 1x10) is really really lightweight and has a good range of sounds. Overdrive may not be the best or anything but the clean sounds are loud enough for a coffee shop for sure, and so far I have not been mad at it.

Good luck on your search!
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

The entire Squier VM series is pretty darn good - regardless of price. Choosing a less obvious model might land you a bargain. The Jaguar Bass model combines most of the best aspects of the P and J designs. The Cabronita P may prove to be short-lived. Scarcity should ensure its resale value.

For narrow string spacing, consider the Epiphone Thunderbird - ideally, the self-styled Pro variant. Buying pre-owned will help you to keep to your budget.

Yamaha make some excellent low to mid priced instruments. The Ibanez Soundgear SR/SRX ranges are worth looking into. The Sterling-By-Musicman S.U.B. 'Ray 4 has a narrow string spacing. In my opinion, the bridge, pickups and electronics on these warrant upgrading pretty swiftly.

The craigslist Aria in your opening post will soon disappoint. Only buy if it is dirt cheap.

For a completely outta leftfield suggestion, check out the Squier VM Bass VI. This is really better deployed as a baritone instrument but the string spacing is tighter than a duck's ventral sphincter. Worst case scenario, with noise-cancelling replacement pickups, you could use it for down-tuned Metal.
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

If you get a used Squier Vintage Modified bass in good shape, it will hold its value (as long as you don't mess it up, of course).
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

The Squier VM bass suggestion was a good one. They're really decent instruments, and they pop up used for very reasonable prices.
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

If you are looking for a short scale bass, there seem to be slim pickings. You are in the same boat I was. However, I was able to pick up this bass in black:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass...ied-jaguar-bass-special-ss-short-scale?pfm=sp

I really dig the SS Squier PJ Jaguar bass. I was looking for a PJ bass in particular, so I was happy to find this. It's definitely in your price range, so that's a plus. Even though it's a Squier, it really plays nice. It's also really lightweight, but balances nicely. I'm very happy with mine.

Good luck in your search, and if you get something, please post pictures.
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

Another Ibanez SR series vote here

Not the GSR series

I tried the top of the GSR and the bottom of the SR and the SR neck felt more finished and slimmer

I ended up with a 500 for the bartolini pickups
My buddy liked mine so much he got the 505
And the nut on the.five strong and the four string are almost the same

Also look at Schector
They make a nice Stileto ( I think I spelled that right)

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

Well, I wound up buying a MIA Peavey Fury in White with a black pickguard, and maple fretboard. Payed $USD150 for it. I should have pictures up tomorrow.
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

Well, picked it up today, came in its original hardshell case. There a few problems with it though. Guitar Center (it was shipped from the Huntsville Alabama Guitar Center) Claimed it was in "excellent condition". Lets just say, that is certainly not the case, and I have requested a price adjustment. Problems: Massive amounts of damage to the lower side/back (see pictures). A string tuning key buzzes, but i figured out that the key has just separated from the machine head- nothing a bit of solder can't fix. I've got a small strip of duct tape on it for now, until the price adjustment is made, so they can't accuse me of tampering with it.

Now onto the good. The original pickup has been swapped out with a set of duncans. Not sure what model though. All I know is they are pre-duncan basslines. It says Seymour Duncan on the high end coil, instead of basslines, and its not the Steve Harris set. I'd take the pickguard off to check it out and see what model it is, but I don't have a set of extra strings at the moment.

Pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/nuWWQ
 
Re: Looking for a good bass to start with

Funkfingers said:
The pickup in your bass guitar is a Quarter Pound for Precision Bass.

Long ago, in a galaxy far away, some SD bass pickups had either an SD pad printed logo or a raised logo moulded into the plastic (Active EQ series). Most had no logo at all.

When you first mentioned the Peavey Fury, I assumed that this meant the original natural finish model with the early Peavey headstock outline and that unique, slanted pickup.

Somewhere along the line, the item that you received has been "relic-ed". Make sure that they don't try to charge you extra for that.
Click to expand...

From what I could tell, one could say it's been "naturally relic-ed" and not done by some idiot in a garage with a hammer and sand paper, since it's been yellowed (its not perfect white like it is in the picture) and the finish is level with most of the chips to bare wood, which would mean they've been worn in. Besides, if somebody has tried to relic it, wouldn't they have screwed with the front of the bass as well?

Even still, I'm going to make sure I get a reasonable amount of money back.
 
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