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Location: Upper Left USA | In an effort to provide something besides trouble to do this Summer I will be taking a trip to the Guitar Center this Saturday and my Daughter will be picking out an entry level bass combo package. Youth and commitment don't always go together - hence the entry level package.
I have been trying to bone up on P-bass, J-bass, Bronco short scale and what to look for in the "entry level" instrument.
Any comments or advice to throw at my already too full mind?
I am leaning toward this one:
Rogue $199
But this is a contender as well:
Ibanez
One day we may go shopping for a Magnum! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Ibanez is much better known brand (for later resale purposes) and has a decent reputation for bass guitars. I would go the Ibanez route. |
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Location: closely held secret | I agree. If you're have to go with a starter package, Ibanez is probably your best choice.
You might also consider putting together your own package, with this Yamaha bass. I've had one very similar to this model for 3 years, and never had an issue with it. There's lots of practice bass amps for under $100, 10-20 watts. You should be able to talk them out of a strap, gig bag and an inexpensive tuner for next to nothing.
Remember that not everything showing up on the MF site will be available ot GC. I've seen them sneer when I asked about certain new products - "We wouldn't carry that here!". Usually shows up on the floor weeks later - "Great product! Highly recommended!". |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Keep in mind that no matter how much research I do or how the statistical analisys stacks up it may still come down to "that's icky" as the major decision factor!
BTW - Got the CD Waskel - Good texture of sounds and styles! If plans work out I can sell you one from our band by fall! |
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Location: closely held secret | Thanks, Wood. I'd love to buy one!
You're right, at that price range, it's probably going to come down to the "least objectionable" style of shopping anyway. Still, sometimes you can come across a real prize at a pleasantly low price.
The fun is in the shopping!
(My wife knows that "I need some strings." may take at least an hour.) |
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Location: Tennessee | My son was in the same situation two years ago ... we ended up with an Epiphone EB-0 and it has been a trooper. 30" scale, cool body design, and no issues whatsoever.
Check it out here at MF:
Epiphone EB-0 package
BTW, we got the black color. |
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Location: closely held secret | That looks like a good choice as well.
btw, Woody - thanks for the trinkets and TRC's - very classy! |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I have a cheap Ibanez bass that I bought years ago for my home recording projects, and for the most part, I've been VERY happy with it. The thing that was the selling point for me was the neck was very thin, easy to play, and felt more like a guitar neck. Comfort is also probably a big consideration for a 'youngen' starting out. |
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Location: Tennessee | I have a nice Ibanez bass too, and it does have that really sweet thin fast neck. The problem for my son was the scale length ... at the standard 34" it was just too much for his smaller hands and arms when he was 13. Hence the 30" short scale. Of course now that he has grown, his favorite bass to play is the Viper, and the Ibanez is played a lot too. |
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Location: NJ | a cheap starter package will always be that. they have no resale value no matter what name is on the headstock except maybe Fender and not squire |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | What he said..... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | and depending on the age, a 30" neck like stony mentioned might go a long way towards user enjoyment. A standard neck might be too much to handle. |
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Location: NJ | My old bass player used to have an import Gretsch bass with a short-scale neck for gigs where we didn't have a lot of room. Said that (for the money) it really wasn't a bad bass . . . |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Cool, thanks guys.
I am considering this as a semi-disposable cash outlay. It is my hope that she enjoys this instrument and gets to the point that it needs replacing!
I may even end up playing it so that I can enjoy more variations of GAS! |
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Location: Orlando, FL | While we're on the subject...
I had a Fender Precision back in the 70's that played very nicely. Unfortunately it's long gone.
Lately I've been thinking of picking up a bass to use for recording. Something maybe in the $300 to $450 range. Not an immediate need, but it's on the list.
Any suggestions of something that would be a good instrument for the cash? |
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Location: closely held secret | Woody - this is the bass for your daughter...
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Location: closely held secret | Designzilla - you can get a Fender P-bass or J-bass, or a Yamaha BB614 for that money. All outstanding instruments. |
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| Is that a Daisy Rock? They are actually really nice guitars. Played one in the local ma & pa - 6 string electric with single coils. I sat with my back to the door so no one passing could see me. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Waskel, thanks for the input. For the Fenders, are the MIMs OK or should I try to find an American made instrument? |
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Location: closely held secret | I've played the Standards, they seem more than adequate. Americans will cost twice that much unless you're willing to get one on ebay.
Here\'s one that's at $510 with 4 hours to go. |
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Location: NJ | the mim and mij are great instruments |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Believe me, we looked at the Daisy Rock units. They are built well and its rather chique to be a chick these days. Any way to encourage.
Nancy Wilson is a major spokesplayer for the Daisy Rock movement as well. If I had it autographed I would even hang it with my O's! |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Are the US models worth the extra cash?
This is not going to be a gigging instument. Just need something that plays and sounds good and something I'll still want to keep in a year or two.
I don't mind buying used, and I've had pretty good luck (so far) on fleabay. |
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Location: closely held secret | Not if you buy new. If you can get a USA model off ebay for the price of a mim or mij, sure. Then again, if you can get a great deal on a mim or mij on ebay, go for that. No point in spending money you don't have to. I have a mexi strat and it plays just fine. |
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Location: Evansville,IN | The best bass is the one where can get the most for your money.
I played bass years ago, I spent around $1500 for the bass and amp, but I was in a band at the time. This outlay was in the mid '60's, all Vox gear. My parents like to have had a fit when they found out how much I had spent. :D
Like was said earlier, the hunt is half the fun. I know I'm picky about the way an instrument looks and plays. Besides it's only money. :D |
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Location: Orlando, FL | I think I paid $200 for my Fender Precision 1n 1976.
I used it for about a year then I loaned it to a good friend who was a bass player with no axe. He ended up trading it for an Ibanez Flying V bass. Man, was I surprised (and pissed). I let him keep it. As far as I know he still has it.
I used to have a cool Vox bass amp too. |
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Location: Evansville,IN | I wish I still had my gear. Would probably be worth more now than what I paid for it. :D You don't think about that when you're young. :rolleyes: |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Definitely go with a short scale neck. |
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Location: NJ | if you go with short scale you have to have thicker strings for it to tune correctly. If it is for a girl you may want to go with a medium scale that way you can still use a standard light gauge set of strings. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Al makes an excellent point! |
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Location: Upper Left USA | And an excellant quiche' I am sure! |
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Location: Evansville,IN | Depending on her age, this would be the deciding factor on what scale to buy.
Personally I think the smaller scales really don't get it, as later on you'll end up on a full scale anyway. I would think 13 or older should use a full scale. Most instructors will tell you this. Not trying to be a know-it-all, that's just what I've heard several of them say. :) |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I had my Daughter read through this post last night. Her eyes were lit up and she was excited that so many people were pulling for her on this subject! I could see the early signs of GAS starting.
Now if I could just get her Mother to play something! |
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Location: SoCal | Last fall I got my son an Ibanez along with a small Crate amp. He's 11 and has no problem with the long scale length. It's a decent bass and amp and ran, I think, about $450 total. I even use the amp to plug in my Guitar Formerly Known As Viper when I'm down in the family room. |
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Location: Indiana | A lotta great advice here(as usual). I agree w/Al, the MIJ & MIM Fenders are excellent value. Just check them out individually, they do differ.Another entry level bass not mentioned is the Steinberger Spirit. A lot less $$ than a graphite but still pretty decent.As far as amps go, Behringer makes some low $$ stuff.All the others mentioned (Yamaha,Ibanez etc) are excellent choices , too. But they all have they same problem, they tend to create a lot of G.A.S.
Bill |
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Location: SE Michigan | I side with the short-scale faction, unless your daughter is a 6 foot tall condor-girl. Short scale means less string tension and shorter reaches between frets. If she really gets into it, then you can throw down some large money on a full scale high end model. Sheryl Crow plays a short scale EBO style bass. I think the Fender Mustang bass is very cool, made in Japan I believe, 28" scale, decent resale value if she doesnt keep with it. I think they go for around $500 on MF and less used on Ebay.
Also, I have never heard of tuning problems on short scale basses, assuming they are decent ones and properly set up. |
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Location: Evansville,IN | Regardless of which one you, and her decide on, it should be a fun learning process.
Learning the bass is more fun than learning regular guitar, which I'm still doing, but getting better at.
I just hope she has fun with it. :) |
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Location: San Bernardino, California | One thing you should consider is the weight of the bass. If the one you get weighs a ton she'll probably have a hard time using it. |
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Location: NJ | .
Also, I have never heard of tuning problems on short scale basses, assuming they are decent ones and properly set up. [/QB] try putting a set of light gauge strings on a short scale bass. I bet the low e flops like a flounder but what the hell do I know, I am only an idiot that sells gear for a living. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I was thinking about the reach. That's why I sided with the short scale bass. If your concerned about tension, then normal scale would be correct. She has to decide if reach is an issue or string tension. Always a compromise in life, isn't it? |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | And the Winner is:
Ibanez GSR200 in translucent blue with some flmed maple underneath.
Behringer BX108 15W Thunderbird
Hal Leonard Beginners Bass w/CD/DVD
Korg Tuner, Sacred Heart Strap and a big old grin as we left the store!
Thanks all for your help! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Nice beginner's rig. Hopefully it will inspire your daughter to greater heights and a lifetime of enjoyment through music! |
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Posts: 2487
| Yep what every one else said. Looks like a slam dunk on the better name instrument. The Rouge will make a great stage SMASH guitar someday though!
It's too bad really, there are some cheaper basses (but not Rouge) are actually fairly well made!
I took a chance on a real nice looking and outrageous sounding 12 string Carlo Robeli bass in flame maple red. This Bass came with the hard case for $385.00. I could not pass it up! Now considering it has twelve, medium scale, bass strings on it I figured I would play it for an hour or so and have to crank the rods... Nada..... Still straight as an arrow and it is light and comfortable! Neck is slightly wider than your typical bass but it is quite thin and my hand fits perfectly around and over to the three strings that make up the "E" It Sounds like it's own band when you tune it to the fifths etc.! Anyway this bass will never command a high resale price but I will say it is honestly very well made for the money! Ohh yeah it has "bats" for inlays. just to funny! I do not have a song I plan to use it on either. Almost every other guitar or bass I have has a musical purpose but not this thing.
Good luck on the Bass purchase! And that GRIN...................PRICELESS...........!!!!
Randy |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Congrats on the purchase! The only thing more exciting than getting a new instrument is seeing your kid get excited about getting a new instrument.
Best of luck to your daughter! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | My son has decided he wants to play harmonica. Finally.....a cheap hobby! |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | High end harp=$70.00
Two in each key=$840.00
Harp Mic=$200.00
AMP=$100.00
Total Price=$1210.00
or One 1547-4 |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Or one Horner in the key of G = 15.00 |
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OT: Entry level Bass Questions