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Posts: 13996
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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Posts: 13303
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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Posts: 13996
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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Posts: 8307
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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Posts: 623
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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Posts: 8307
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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Posts: 14842
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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Posts: 13996
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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Posts: 4413
| 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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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | the mim and mij are great instruments |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
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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December 2004
Posts: 2150
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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Posts: 11840
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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Posts: 327
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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OT: Entry level Bass Questions
