Members Fuzzball24 Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 I'm a keyboardist, I don't know anything about bass.. Anyways, my younger brother really wants to play the bass so my dad and I are going to get him one. I've kinda of researched online and I really don't know what basses are good. Also, we need an amp, so if anybody can help with that.. We have $300. Not a ton, but at the same time, I don't want buy a crap bass that he won't play because it doesn't sound decent. We also have no problem buying used. He basically will want to play indie rock/pop and some metal. So, shoot with some answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DevilRaysFan Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Used Ibanez Soundgear SR-400 Series and up (eBay or Pawn Shop), is a good middle-ground area to start, having a little bit of everything tone-wise and the best necks for n00b bassplayers. The 400 Series as a Minimum as they tend to get crappier the lower the series number (the higher the Series number they turn into some very well made instruments) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W33nie Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Check craigslist too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sub5ound Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Ibanez GR200..versatile, good sound, easy neck and value for the money. Ibanez is very consistent with their production and they have more winners than duds. They surpass Squire in their price category, IMO. If you want something a little nicer, the Squire Classic Vibe series are excelent basses for the money. Don't forget the other expenses: Amp (just starting out in the bedroom, 15-30 watts should suffice), cable (10ft), strap (2-5$), and last but not least.......a tuner (25-40$). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JovialEvil Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RIC N BACKER Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 for the amount of money you want to spend theres not a lot of choices. Epiphone Thunderbird is probably the best value for its price. Its a great playing, great sounding Bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretless Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-CLASSIC-VIBE-Jazz-60s-Bass-Guitar-?sku=519578 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members s4001 Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-CLASSIC-VIBE-Jazz-60s-Bass-Guitar-?sku=519578 My vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RIC N BACKER Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 These get rave reviews around here http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639 I have one of these http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb75.html I like it for what it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W33nie Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Ibanez GR200..versatile, good sound, easy neck and value for the money. Ibanez is very consistent with their production and they have more winners than duds. They surpass Squire in their price category, IMO. If you want something a little nicer, the Squire Classic Vibe series are excelent basses for the money. Don't forget the other expenses: Amp (just starting out in the bedroom, 15-30 watts should suffice), cable (10ft), strap (2-5$), and last but not least.......a tuner (25-40$). If you can, get one of those tuner/metronomes, they're very useful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-CLASSIC-VIBE-Jazz-60s-Bass-Guitar-?sku=519578 I played a used one of those at the local GC the other day, and it was pretty good - good fretwork, played and sounded well, and was a solid instrument... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 These get rave reviews around herehttp://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639 I have one of those, and like it alot... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Only thing Id concider for $300 and under (internet store prices not list) is ESP Ltd and Ibanez. The epi thunderbird bass isnt good choice for several reasons imo: Cant upgrade pups if wanting to. Very limited sound wise. Very awkward bass which feels like neck is much further out then it is distance reach wise. (Ive owned real gibson thunderbird and epis copy of so. My first single neck bass was gibson thunderbird back in 76. So is from direct experience with them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 I am selling this for my Friend if you're interested... SRX 390... $280 + shipping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fuzzball24 Posted July 11, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions. I'm probably gonna look for both of those Squier's used. What about buying a pack? Are those good? If not, what should I do for an amp? Any sugesstions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 I am selling this for my Friend if you're interested... SRX 390... $280 + shipping I thought that looked pretty good last time you posted it - looks like a winner in that price range... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 I am selling this for my Friend if you're interested... SRX 390... $280 + shipping This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions. I'm probably gonna look for both of those Squier's used. What about buying a pack? Are those good?If not, what should I do for an amp? Any sugesstions? Those squires are relatively new models so you won't find many, and they usually aren't that much cheaper than buying them new. Just a heads up so you don't waste time looking for something that may be there. They are nice basses though, so don't shy away from grabbing one new if that's what you're set on. Also no, the packs are not good. They come with worthless 5w amps that sound like a can of bees, and are typically the lowest end bass that the manufacturer makes. You're better off buying a nice used bass and a cheap $100 25w-50w combo amp off craigslist (peavey, crate, ashdown). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Those squires are relatively new models so you won't find many, and they usually aren't that much cheaper than buying them new. Just a heads up so you don't waste time looking for something that may be there. They are nice basses though, so don't shy away from grabbing one new if that's what you're set on.Also no, the packs are not good. They come with worthless 5w amps that sound like a can of bees, and are typically the lowest end bass that the manufacturer makes. You're better off buying a nice used bass and a cheap $100 25w-50w combo amp off craigslist (peavey, crate, ashdown). Agreed on all counts... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fuzzball24 Posted July 11, 2009 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 Those squires are relatively new models so you won't find many, and they usually aren't that much cheaper than buying them new. Just a heads up so you don't waste time looking for something that may be there. They are nice basses though, so don't shy away from grabbing one new if that's what you're set on.Also no, the packs are not good. They come with worthless 5w amps that sound like a can of bees, and are typically the lowest end bass that the manufacturer makes. You're better off buying a nice used bass and a cheap $100 25w-50w combo amp off craigslist (peavey, crate, ashdown). Alright. Well, just in case, is there anything else that is as good or nearly as good as the Squire's in that price range? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretless Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 what about the A2 fellas ? http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMRBX4A2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted July 11, 2009 Members Share Posted July 11, 2009 what about the A2 fellas ? http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMRBX4A2 Good call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Death Hands Posted July 12, 2009 Members Share Posted July 12, 2009 Well, the real question is are you will to forgo a quality instrument to have some sort of amplification. Because 300 bucks is a tight budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted July 12, 2009 Members Share Posted July 12, 2009 For $300 TOTAL, I'd suggest the Danelectro '63 and a used Peavey 15" combo from Craigslist or a pawn shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted July 12, 2009 Members Share Posted July 12, 2009 Way better then the fender squire, better bridge, better pups, better necks, better fretwork, 6 in stead of 4 bolt neck for added sustain and tone. Excellent build qaulity overall. ESP LTD B50: http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-B50-Bass?sku=512723 Pups are aqllmost identical to dimarzio pj set, marginal difference found when swapped the stock ones for dimarzios years ago when had one. Only $239 at MF new. Add their deluxe gigbag and new spare set of strings plus some picks and a strap and cost is still under or barely at $300 complete. Add small bass combo amp by Acoustic or Peavey along with instrument cord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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