Choosing a first bass?

My fiance wants to learn the bass, I play bass a bit and can teach her the basics but I don't know what I should look at for getting her. I have an amp and cables she can use, but I don't know what bass to get. Obviously a trip to the local music shops in order, but what would you recommend? Shes got the curse too, she looked at what she liked the most online, 8 out of 10 were classic Fenders. :mrgreen:

Ibanez makes great entry level basses. My first bass was an Ibanez, and I still use it as my main 4 string. I guess one thing to look for is the neck width, considering girls usually have smaller hands. The Ibanez necks are fairly thin, whereas the Fenders are a bit thicker and also wider at the nut. Another decent brand to look at is Washburn. Then when she gets really good you can spoil her with a Vic Wooten Fodera.

RONDO

Look like classic Fenders and with a good setup they play about as good.

IMHO, of course.

:grin:

www.rondomusic.com

I started on a cheap Yamaha. I was surprised what a solid instrument it was. Many years later I picked up an '80s MIJ Precision and sold the Yamaha to a friend. We sat and played em side by side and swapped out. They sounded and played identical.
She needs to sample some in a brick and mortar. Let her decide.

It also depends on the style of music she'll be playing. I noticed it's more difficult for me to slap on a Fender because the strings come too close the body/pickguard. I have more space on my Ibanez to dig in with the fingers. If she wants that classic muffly bass sound then a passive bass like a Fender Precision may be the way to go. Look into Squier, they're just cheaper Fenders.

Ya those Rondo SX bass guitars are a killer deal for $110 with a simple setup they play and sound just about as good as the most expensive ones.

I was really impressed with one I bought for a friend who cleans my house she loves it.

My 1st bass was a Rickenbacker. Not being rich, that made me all the more motivated. I'm haven't become great, but did my share of gigging, and still enjoy it 31 years later. A good investment. Invest in her playing. Get a decent bass that she'll treasure always, be proud to play, and strive to become worthy of. A Fender would be a super choice, especially since they caught her eye first.

By the way, have you shown her this? Very light, easy to play, and sounds good practicing without an amp.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-HOF-ICONBB-LIST?SRC=D0407FG0HAMS0000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&

Might look at a used G&L Tribute; SB-2 or JB-2. Both have the slim J-width neck.

Go with the SB-2 for the P sound, with the addition of the single coil bridge pickup.

Go with the JB-2 for the J Bass sound.

Careful shopping can get you a used one for around $300.

They are around $699 new.


Or if its gotta be a Fender, new Squire, or used MIM.

Enjoy the shopping experience.

Jamie

There's the neck size thing: neck width and neck contour as already mentioned, as well as scale length. Fender P basses set the standard long scale at 34", but you can find med (32") and short scale (30") basses. She should try them out for comfort. I believe double basses have a scale of 43", and I've seen women playing them well, so I'm not going to make any assumptions.

You can't go wrong with a MIM P or J bass... my first bass was a MIM J bass that I bought for $250.

Give the Gretsch G2202 Electromatic Jr Jet Bass a test drive. Guitar Center usually has 1 on the floor -- they're short scale, play well, and sound great. TV Jones-designed pickup. They also go on sale a lot.

My bass player doesn't use his Ric bass anymore -- he got one of these Gretsches and loves it. So do I!

I don't think anybody mentioned it but for girls.....it's different. Get her one that is comfortable. They have different....uh.....parts than we do and stuff needs to fit them or they will just walk away. I wouldn't worry so much about brand as comfort both sitting and standing.

id go with something short scale... much easier to fret and get a feel for the size of the strings etc.

a fender precision, always feels like a monster to me... especially the length of the neck.

rand z

Shes got her heart set on a J-bass. I'm looking at the SX's. Size isn't a problem for her, shes 5'9" and has longer fingers than I do. Thanks for all the input, and with any luck we'll have a new member soon. (shes been playing my brothers S-101 J-bass and loves it)

Shes got her heart set on a J-bass. I'm looking at the SX's. Size isn't a problem for her, shes 5'9" and has longer fingers than I do. Thanks for all the input, and with any luck we'll have a new member soon. (shes been playing my brothers S-101 J-bass and loves it)


Good choice, she's a keeper.:wink:

Now about which bass to buy ( har har ):
I believe you can't go wrong with a Rondo. ( and I'm not affiliated in any way ).
I bought a Rondo 3/4 CAR JB for my 10yr old son.
I find myself messing around with it a lot. Action wasn't great outta da box but a few twists with the hex key and all was forgiven. The price is right.

She like the J?

Then might I suggest a Squier Vintage Modified 70's Jazz Bass? http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639

All the other suggestions are good as well though.

She like the J?

Then might I suggest a Squier Vintage Modified 70's Jazz Bass? http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639

All the other suggestions are good as well though.

I have one of those basses. I like it and it sounds good to my ears. However, it weighs a ton. Easily over 10 lbs, probably closer to 11 or 12. Seriously.

I'm a decent sized guy, 5'10 200 lbs, and after a few hours with that bass on my shoulder I can feel it.

Could be a concern.

I have one of those basses. I like it and it sounds good to my ears. However, it weighs a ton. Easily over 10 lbs, probably closer to 11 or 12. Seriously.

I'm a decent sized guy, 5'10 200 lbs, and after a few hours with that bass on my shoulder I can feel it.

Could be a concern.

It's my understanding that most basses are a little on the heavy side... I don't find mine that heavy, but then again, weight doesn't bother me...

Agreed, most basses are heavy and, for me, I like a heavy bass. They sound more solid to me.

However, my friend Lauren doesn't like to play my Squier VM Jazz because it's so heavy. She's on the small side and slender. She doesn't mind playing my Squier P Bass Special, as it doesn't weigh as much as the VM Jazz for some reason.

When Bass Player magazine reviewed the three VM basses in the series, the VM Jazz was easily the heaviest of the three.

The Squier VM Jazz is an excellent bass, I like mine a lot. However, since the question in regards to a bass for a lady, I added that cautionary statement about weight.

Have a good one.

I don't think anybody mentioned it but for girls.....it's different. Get her one that is comfortable. They have different....uh.....parts than we do and stuff needs to fit them or they will just walk away. I wouldn't worry so much about brand as comfort both sitting and standing.

damn, this like twice in amonth we've agreed on something :mrgreen:

the more comfortable she is and the easier the bass is to play, the faster she'll take to it... I wouldn't ignore the smaller Fenders. Bronco's Music master's and Mustangs... A stock Mustang is an awfully good sounding bass...

I started out cheepo lotus that was terrible. I upgraded to a new york pro p-bass copy that better but still had issues. I just recently bought a peavey cirrus that I love. A friend also has one of peavey's lower end models that is a pretty good bass.

32329

damn, this like twice in amonth we've agreed on something :mrgreen:

the more comfortable she is and the easier the bass is to play, the faster she'll take to it... I wouldn't ignore the smaller Fenders. Bronco's Music master's and Mustangs... A stock Mustang is an awfully good sounding bass...


Don't worry, it probably won't last. That's what I keep telling my 4th wife, too.

If you haven't already, you should scope the Little Charlie & The Nightcats tune 'My next ex-wife'. It's actually a Rick Estrin song as he is the writer but it's best known under the 'Little Charlie' band... He is a funny, funny writer.

hi I'm the one were talking about here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mrgreen:

Welcome, bass chick.

Welcome, bass chick.

What he said. :wink:

YAY ME!!!!!! :mrgreen:

You can't go wrong with a MIM Jazz bass, they're a decent bass and not very expensive.