What Bass to buy?

Okay guys a little story before we get going here. I've been playing the git-tar for about 5 or 6 years. I've never owned a bass, but I've played other people's for considerable amounts of time (in 2 hour stretches) without any cramps or pain in my left hand. I've got a good deal of rhythm (I can keep a tempo steady without a drum machine or metronome) for a white guy, as well as musical knowhow. I expect to be getting some professional work as a bassist almost immediately, so I can expect to be giggin'.

As far as the music I'll play, maybe some soft and southern rock, but for the most part, country and rockabilly.

I'd like to keep my cost WAY low from maybe 100-200 dollars. (250 max!) I'd like to keep in the Fenderish style so probably a Squier or maybe a RONDO! Or if you guys have anything better, please suggest it.

When I click 'Submit New Thread' that's your signal for GO! okay 1, 2, 3...

You really can't go wrong with a P-bass for those styles. Its the bass that the bulk of those styles have been recorded on and so you can get that thump in the chest feel from the standard split-P pickup. The SX basses are great players and have excellent build quality for the price. The only benefit of the Squier models is that the Vintage Modified P has a satin neck, which might be a bit smoother feeling for you. (also only comes in white) The natural 70's style Jazz bass from the same series is nice as well - my dad has one. Bear in mind that with a maple body it gets great tone but is heavy as all hell.

The only benefit of the Squier models is that the Vintage Modified P has a satin neck, which might be a bit smoother feeling for you. Bear in mind that with a maple body it gets great tone but is heavy as all hell.

I don't mind thinly finished neck at all! I don't my Lite Ash Tele even has finished on it. :razz:

Lucky for me is that I'm still young and can probably handle most heavy weights.

ooooh this is looking good

The cheapest Yamaha you'll find in the stores is about $180, and it's remarkable. I got lucky, picked up one for $100. Put Ernie Ball flatwounds on it, and it became a real player.

It has one P pickup and one J pickup. The best part is, it REALLY puts out the lows -- rich and deep.

There is a lot of good stuff coming out of Korea. Cort, Samick have very respectable entries in that end of the market. I'm experimenting with a Samick Royale hollowbody at the moment and it's a much better instrument than it's $250 price tag (used) would have indicated...

I would look at one of those - in spite of the non-Fender headstock - way before I would look at a Squire. There are older Squires worth looking at but some of the recent Squire stuff is really sketchy with what seems like green wood. The Vintage Modified series seems OK - the guys I know that have taken that plunge have spent big time in the upgrades department though.

At the top end of your budget you can look at Fender MIM used.

Specifically for you, a P, J or PJ strung with rounds would do ya fine. If it was me, I would buy the best instrument available in your price range regardless of pickup configuration. Samick, Cort, Yamaha, Fender MIM - and I'd buy it used ... you'll find that rounds are somewhat more versatile than flat's. I addore flat's and about 50% of my stable is strung that way. Rounds get the call more often than not though. I'd save the flat's experience for bass #2.

Based on an admittedly small sample size of just one, I'd go Rondo, and budget for a better pickup...

Cheers, Tim

I got nothing against Squiers (my current bass is a Squier MB-5), but the Rondo stuff looks better to me all the time. Their basses, in particular, get raves. A J-style bass is very flexible, but it's hard to beat a P-bass! The PJ-style is the result of bizarre cross-breeding experiments done by Fender. People like them, as well.

My first bass was a P with flats (great THUMP!). My current has J-style pickups and five roundwound strings. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of the P.

+1. I picked up a new Jazz style for $165 a few years back. Still trucking strong.