need guidance on BASS purchace!!!!!

well as you all no I play 6 string guitar I have 2 tele and 1 L.P. Agile copy which I love but I would like to play Bass at home for my hown pleasure but I have no idea wath to buy or look for, do I need a 4 or 5 string Bass and wich brand should I look for, I want some thing that plays decent but not to expensive if it excise fender old peavey you get the idea, and what's a good and inexpensive amp to go with I play country and 60's R&R
any Idea is welcome:wink:

You can't go wrong with a used MIM P-bass or Jazz Bass. You can find them all the time for $200-300. For an inexpensive but still giggable amp look into the Ampeg BA series combos or the Acoustic (brand) amps.

Can't go wrong with a Squier Jazz Bass. The recent quality of Squier is top notch and the Jazz has a narrow neck that feels not to cumbersome when switching from guitar to bass, you can also get them in a variety of colors and styles.

http://images.piens.be/squier/0303075505_xl.jpg

Go to shop have a play take home the one you like.

Some guitarists find a 34" neck no problem, some swear by short scale. People like the Skinny Jazz neck some hate it. Ibanez tend to have a real thin nut.

with your choice in music a 4 banger should do you grand unless you are changing keys. A half decent precision would do the job musically.

But I'd say just get out and play as many as you can get your hands on and work out what YOU do and don't like.

SX makes great basses for the money. I would play a stock sx bass before I'd play a stock sx guitar.

I second the P bass advice. You could go used MIM Fender, or new or used Squier Standard. I'd even go so far as to suggest a used Squier Affinity. You could probably pick one of those up for $50-$75, and for what you want it for, it would serve you well, for a very long time. As a matter of fact, I have seen many Affinity basses being used in a gigging situation(mine included) with perfectly good results.
And the P bass, whichever brand or model, is dead simple, sits well in any mix without a lot of tweaking or fuss, and has been used over and over on countless recordings in countless styles of music. MHO.

Can't go wrong with a Squier Jazz Bass. The recent quality of Squier is top notch and the Jazz has a narrow neck that feels not to cumbersome when switching from guitar to bass, you can also get them in a variety of colors and styles.

http://images.piens.be/squier/0303075505_xl.jpg

I got one!! Get It NOW!!! Great Bass:mrgreen::mrgreen:

I'd also recommend you give Squier a look, especially the Classic Vibe Precision or Jazz basses. They're both classic instruments that have been used on countless recordings. Can't go wrong either way but I would highly recommend trying them all and going with the one that speaks to you.

The Jazz bass has its fans but so does the Precision. Definitely try both and decide which one works better for you. The Jazz bass is smoother but can growl when pushed: think John Paul Jones (early Led Zeppelin), Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone, Graham Central Station) and Bootsy Collins (James Brown, "Sex Machine").

The Precision bass isn't as refined but has that classic thump: think Duck Dunn (Booker T. and the MG's), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), John Entwhistle (The Who, "My Generation") and of course James Jamerson (Motown house band The Funk Bros.).

A friend of mine recently ended up paying a bit more and getting a copperburst MiM Fender P-Bass. It's a really great instrument; pop a Fender RI P-Bass pickup in there and I'd have no problems gigging with that bass.

Good luck. :smile:

thanks for the advice,I have been looking at the SX model 149.00 new seem's very interesting and I like the sunburst model a lot.....lol

thanks for the advice,I have been looking at the SX model 149.00 new seem's very interesting and I like the sunburst model a lot.....lol

Not sure how SX is these days but the ones I've seen needed serious help on the electronics side. It may end up costing you even more in the long run than if you pony up a little more $$$ for a Squier.

Squier Jazz Bass!

I tried out a Squier standred Jazz, and it was good, but than an Squier active Jazz deluxe IV and it seemed really nice.

I bought it and really like mine, I don't think it is worse than a MIM jazz, though I may be wrong...

By the way there is also a five string version - the Squier deluxe Jazz V, and active basses give more of a sound range, though they need batteries. it depends on what you want.

well Im not a BASS player never playe'd BASS. I play guitar but I would like to practice a little have fun and enjoy,but I have no clue what to buy and I would like to keep the cost as low as possible since its for fun and I dont want a BASS that will requirer constant tuning or need 200$ of up grade to make it play good.this is why your reply are very help full to me.so far it looks like Fender squier BASS are the one to buy,I did look at a SX model one look like a Jaguar model in sunburst but I have no clue if its a decent model.
keep the reply comming guy's
and thanks ...llol

You can't go wrong with a used MIM P-bass or Jazz Bass. You can find them all the time for $200-300. For an inexpensive but still giggable amp look into the Ampeg BA series combos or the Acoustic (brand) amps.

Buy a used MIM J or P bass, the absolute best value and the only suggestion so far that you can sell for what you paid for it.

I bought a used Fender MIM J bass for $250 and a used Ampeg B100R for $295, since then I bought a P bass. Most J bass necks are smaller near the nut. After playing bass a while I prefer the P bass neck.

...John Entwhistle (The Who, "My Generation")...I was about to correct you to say that Entwhistle used a Danelectro Longhorn on that recording, but a quick search tells me that we're both wrong - it was done on a Fender Jazz with tape-wound La Bella strings.

On top of my list would be Squier CV P-Bass. The most simple and best sounding bass around. Nothing fancy, but simple bass-tone. For an amp I would suggest some all tube-combo. There are so many, that it's impossible to say, which is the best for you. Take some very simple all tube, and you will do just fine.

I asked the same question a while back and had a bunch of really good replys. If I can find it I'll bump it up. ;)

thank you Chutist
it will be well appreciated and you have to remember Im just doing this to have fun with so please no expensive stuff Im still a guitar player:wink:
does C.V. stand for classic vibe I have not found any CV Bass on EBAY:sad:

Should be near the top now... ;-)

One comment on the "cheaper" Basses. I have been forced into learning to be a Bass Tech for my son. He's in a small label signed band playing bass and singing (?). It's what's known as a "ScreamO" type band - I don't get it. :lol: But I don't think I'm supposed too. :wink: It's really modern day PUNK rock. :cool: Anyway...

He's pretty hard on the basses. He's shook the bridge on his old Squire to the point it come home with pieces GONE. No dings in the body! :shock: Just shook it apart! :shock:

Point being the more expensive basses have better hardware and it might be worth the extra coin to go to at least "American Standard" Jazz or P-Bass. He's playing the American Jazz base at the moment and it seems to be holding up better. :wink: The "Bad Ass" bridge is much beefier. :cool:

Yes, CV = Classic Vibe.

There are, at least, few CV's on ebay....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253 A1%257C72%253A5708&rt=nc&_nkw=precision+classic+vibe&_dmpt=Guitar&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=3&_sc=1

If you want something Fender'ish but not a fender I would recommend the Cort GB series.

http://www.cortguitars.com/_webapp_3835211/GB75

the nut is a little narrower than a std Jazz bass, but it sounds surprisingly good, really good actually. I play a 2005 american std jazz bass and an active 24V jazz bass deluxe, and this one would hold its own. There are some models in the $200 range.
I really liked the 4 string, the feel on the 5 string wasn't bad, but It wasnt that good either.

Antti thanks for the link on the classic vide BASS it does have potential
& AnotherTeleFan does CORT looks pretty good to.....lllloool

I'm a guitar player that wanted to get a bass also. I picked up a used Squier P-bass, but I could not get used to the long neck & it didn't feel balanced. I tried a Gretsch Jr Jet & traded my Squier in on it. I love the short scale, it plays well & sounds great for $250 at GC.

Yamaha, very good, better than cheap Fender/Squier (and the Squier P-bass is nice), from cheap RBX models around £150 through to >£2,000
http://uk.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/guitars-basses/el-basses/

Amp - I presume you have a medium/high power guitar amp? - this most definitely /can/ be used for bass practice at home parlour volume. You do not need to rush out and buy a bass specific amp just yet.

Antti thanks for the link on the classic vide BASS it does have potential
& AnotherTeleFan does CORT looks pretty good to.....lllloool

There have been certain business ethics questions regarding Cort that you might like to make yourself aware of before making a purchase.

There have been certain business ethics questions regarding Cort that you might like to make yourself aware of before making a purchase.

You can't just dangle a carrot like that.... Give us a link.

There have been certain business ethics questions regarding Cort that you might like to make yourself aware of before making a purchase.

THANK YOU Sir:wink:

MIM P bass or Hofner Icon are both good basses in their price range.

I know a guy who uses a $200 Squire P Bass for gigs. It sounds every bit as good
as a high dollar P Bass.

Apparently Cort has been accused of moving production and cutting payrolls to keep driving cost lower and lower, reaction has been that they are not doing anything that all the other overseas producers are doing. I guess the question becomes when buying anything is do you approve of what some might view as slave labor at unsafe plants?

well I talk to a friend of mine today about purchacing a Bass he now plays with a blues band and this is what he playe'd with a Ibanez Jet king he as replace it with a high end fender but love this Bass a lot.Im not sure how good it is but I do love the color and model friday I will plug it in my guitar amp just to listen to it and see how it play's and sound
give me your opinion guy's
ho BTW 250.00 with strap CND
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/flag72/DSC07120.jpg

I am a bass player, and I am gassing a CV P-Bass. The quality of these basses is just something I am not used to in this price range. Also, if you are looking for THE bass sound, there is no substitute for P-Bass.

I am a bass player, and I am gassing a CV P-Bass. The quality of these basses is just something I am not used to in this price range. Also, if you are looking for THE bass sound, there is no substitute for P-Bass.

Agreed. I just put a bass track on a friends recording using my CV 50's P-Bass. On playback I was floored how good it sounds...CLASSIC VIBE for sure! :lol:

I had bought a Seymour Duncan single coil as a replacement pickup when I bought the bass off a friend ($200) figuring it would need an upgrade. WRONG! I still have the Duncan in my desk drawer.

I put the metal covers on as I love the look. This bass was a great buy and it's a great bass to boot! LOVE IT.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/526/medium/Squire_CV_P-Bass_T1.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/526/medium/Squire_CV_P-Bass_T1.jpg

That is one beautiful bass you have there, mate!

If you're going new and you want the opportunity to play one first to see what fits you best I'd say it's hard to go wrong with either or the Squier CV Basses or the VM basses. If you decide to move up to something else they're also easy to get you money out of.

Fender P and J Basses have been a standard for most of my life and all you need to do is find out which one trips your trigger. The P Bass will have a wider neck, single pickup and a lot of mid range punch the J Bass will have a thinner neck, two pickups and a universe of tonal variety with the right set up.

I've pared back to a really simple set up right now with a CV Jazz and a GK MB112 Amp and togther I have less than $600 into them. The sound and playability of the bass is great and that GK is a very nice small club or practice amp for the money. The only advice I can give comes from my own experience which is lengthy to say the least but for the money this is as good as anything in it's price range and maybe hundreds above it.

I think the SX is a pretty good idea. Their Fender bass copies are great--better than their guitars. And they start at 110 bucks.

Check out this review: http://marknord.hubpages.com/hub/SX-Bass-Review-An-Outstanding-Cheap-Bass-Guitar-for-Beginners

Don't make a habit of playing a bass through a guitar amp. Well, guitar speakers, anyways. Those little voice coils just don't like the energy and excursion of bass frequencies.

Jimmy Dean suggested a short bass and I agree it is worth looking at. I am also a 6-string player (Strat, and looking at Teles) who wanted a bass for my own home use. I like the Pbass best, but a reach that is 8.5 inches more than a standard Fender scale length was hard to get used to. Ergo, A Fender Mustang Bass was perfect for me. It might take longer to find a good used 30-incher since there are not as many of these at GC or in pawn shops.

Whatever you do, try lotsa basses to find your perfect fit. Good luck!