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Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I know nothing about electric basses and have never played one. I have a friend who has sked me to help her find one for her son. The budget is $400 max. What recommendations do you all have?
Edited by Patch 2013-02-18 12:43 PM
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Used
What type of music?
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Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Used is good, but I don't know what he plays. Just need a good catch all instrument. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Short scale for a kid. Fender, Ibanez and others make 'em for under $200 |
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Location: cincinnati, ohio | Here's a link to Guitar Center's bass page. Lots of good stuff under $400.00, and they're new. Dean (who makes decent low end acoustics) has basses for $199.00. There's a Squier (I think that's Fender low end, maybe?) for $379.00.The other thing is - if he's just starting out, will he stay with it?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/electric-bass
We lucked out years ago and got a Fender Mustang bass in mint condition with a case at a yard sale for $20.00(!). Still have it...
Edited by rick endres 2013-02-18 3:23 PM
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Location: Jet City | If you're open to used, Peavey is good to look at. I have a Fury from the mid 80s I paid $100 for. If he's young, look at a short scale T20. The T40 is awesome, but it's heavy too. He'll need a strong back. After those initial T40s, the weight was reduced dramatically, but I know people that swear up and down by those old heavy slabs.
GC usually has a few, just try to stay away from the cheap Peavey imports. |
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Location: cincinnati, ohio | Agreed - Peavey makes good stuff. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I like Ibanez basses the best. Lighter weight and slimmer necks. Peavey would be a close second. Do not, I repeat do NOT get a Squier! About one out of every ten they make is OK, but most of them need the neck adjusted every couple of days. I won't even allow one in my shop anymore. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Thanks guys, I'm tying to avoid the cheaply made beaters. Kind of like when we tell a newbie to get a used Balladeer or Legend instead of an Applause. I'll have to ask her son's age, but the T-40 sounds promising. What's a fair price for those? Used is probably the way to go; more guitar for the money.
Still open to any other ideas as well. There's no real time crunch. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | A cheap bass and a cheap setup will kill any desire to play bass. Fat and high strings will be difficult to play and put blisters on the kid fast. Avoid Cort, Dean, etc unless you want to spend some time getting them to ply decent.
Used Ibanez are decent along with possibly a used MIM P-bass or Jazz. |
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Location: Jet City | patchmcg - 2013-02-18 1:48 PM Thanks guys, I'm tying to avoid the cheaply made beaters. Kind of like when we tell a newbie to get a used Balladeer or Legend instead of an Applause. I'll have to ask her son's age, but the T-40 sounds promising. What's a fair price for those? Used is probably the way to go; more guitar for the money. Still open to any other ideas as well. There's no real time crunch. Usually 250-400 range for the T40. Designed by Chip Todd, a guy who revolutionized the guitar building industry and a good friend. Chip designed the T60 (guitar) as well... these are the guitars that inspired Kaman's PF-22 prototypes. Don't discount the later 80s and early 90s models either. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Interesting thread and good timing. I recently had my bass stolen and have been looking at the 80's USA Peaveys on ebay. The T40 sounds like what I'm looking for. I'm also looking at the Ibanez basses from the same time period. |
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Location: Indiana | I'm also a fan of Ibanez basses. |
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Location: Tennessee | Good suggestions all around. The age of the kid will have a lot to do with it. I picked up a short scale (30") for one of my boys when he wanted a go at bass. It was a Korean-made Epiphone EB-0 in black ... it's an SG body style. Worked perfect all the way around and it's still here and still very playable. i have an Ibanez which I really like, but it was way too long for him at the time.
Edited by stonebobbo 2013-02-19 12:50 PM
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Picture an abashed grin on my face.....
I didn't think to ask about the age until you all brought it up.
He's 25. 
I'll pass everything along and see what kind of feedback I get.
Thanks everyone! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | on a slightly self serving note..........
I have a Fender American Made 60th anniversary precision bass that is the cat's ***.....
Plays and sounds fantastic but it is part of my downsizing of my way to large bass collection.
Mint condition/Sunburst....asking $1200 and if anyone is interested they can email/pm me for pics.
I will probably post it up in the for sale section in another week or so. |
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Location: NW of Philadelphia | I have a Squire Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS (shortscale). It plays easy, sounds great. And the shortscale means no killing yourself in reaching the head stock. |
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Need advice about a budget electric bass
