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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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Posts: 327
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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Posts: 383
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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Posts: 338
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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December 2003
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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Posts: 2150
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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November 2003
Posts: 11039
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
