New to bass world, not new to stringed instruments. I have a number of high end guitars, banjos, and mandolins. I’ve got the bass bug, and want to buy one, but I don’t want to get something “boring” if that makes any sense. While I know you can’t play “looks”, the more I enjoy looking at it the more I end up picking it up and playing it. I intend to buy used, and want something that is likely to hold its value.
Though I’ve never played bass, I’m not opposed to buying a multi-scale or even a 5 or 6 string. Yeah, I know it will be a little different to learn on, but I’m not new to fretted instruments and I’m not impatient when it comes to learning how to play something.
I don’t really know any of the bass manufacturers other than Fender, but I don’t really want a Fender - I have three Strats and a Tele, and would like to add a little diversity to the mix.
Fire away, let me know what you recommend and why… Looking to learn as much as anything. And yes, I’m reading every topic on this board regarding buying a bass - thanks to those who have already asked and/or answered similar questions in the past!
Look surprisingly has a LOT to do with starting out… I fell into this trap early … I played BC Rich Warlocks on stage… THEY SUCKED ( neck dive for days!! but DAMN they looked METAL!! lol )
My advice… find something that LOOKS great … but conforms to a more standard body style… a lot of beginners learn sitting down… funky shaped and all that METAL… doesn’t sit well on the lap some times. ( try playing a Flying V sitting down… you will understand… lol )
As for picking out your first Bass… get to a shop, and get hands on with something that appeals to you. The bass has to FEEL good … to you.
Also… welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy it here!!
Given your stated experience with fretted instruments, it stands to reason that picking an instrument should be much easier for you than it would be for the average newbie.
Also, as you mentioned, this question has been addressed on the forum many, many times.
That said, I was in your exact position a few decades ago. I had been a guitar player for years and I owned several. Still, I needed a bass. So, I went into a shop with a really good selection and I played every one of them. For whatever reasons, Fenders uniformly did not resonate with me. Neither did Gibsons, even though I preferred how they looked over Fenders. So much for the established go-to big boys of the day.
I continued going through the array of brands/models that visually appealed to me, but they each fell short in the feel department.
I ultimately ended up taking the one bass that was the very least visually appealing to me because it felt and sounded the best: a humble and much reviled Danelectro Longhorn with a neck and tone to die for IMO.
Moral of the story: Let your hands and ears lead the way. If your eyes also happen to agree, it’s a win-win-win trifecta.
This is a profound statement … that more people should take in… JUST because the brand name is on the bass… it does not automagically make it the answer. ( no matter the brand )
And that gets back to people need to stop relying on the opinions of others… and get your hands on some hardware… and form your own opinions
Music genre - country, rock, blues… in no particular order. On the rock side of things I like classic rock, hard rock, metal (but not the gravel chewing screaming death metal stuff).
In terms of the wanting something that is different, I mean more in terms of color/finish. Not shape. Think quilted maple, spalted, etc.
Are there brands that are automatic no-go quality wise?
I would say go to your local Music Go Round, or other used instrument shop, and just play around with what they have in stock.
Start with the instruments that most catch your eye. Then go with the ones that feel most “right” in your hands.
The best bass is the one that you look forward to playing and that makes you happy to practice with.
Two strongest recommendations are: 4 String, and something with simpler controls.
You can go all sorts of directions. Given the styles you listed, I’d probably lean in the direction of Precision (P-bass) or P/J (Precicision/Jazz). A P has a single split pickup in the center. A P/J has that plus a straight bar near the bridge (bottom).
Currently, I think the best Value/$$ on basses are Yamaha and Sire. You really can’t go wrong with either of those brands.
Other notable brands:
Ibanez
Squier (budget brand Fender)
Sterling (budget Ernie Ball)
Schecter
Warwick
G&L
Jackson
There are other good brands, but they’re probably going to cost more than I’d spend on a first bass.
Tough to find one at any big box stores that would not work well right out of the box. Nowadays they are all gems. You just have to pick your PricePoint.
Best bang for the bucks would be Sire. Best overall looks Sterling Ray34 or 35. I’d also look at G&L the Kiloton is way cool I like the SB1 or the SB2. Too many choices and they are all pretty good,
Pick one you like for now and go from there. One thing I can guarantee you is that you will not be buying your last bass from this thread.
Welcome to the forum. I started on guitar and my first bass was a Squire Jazz. It’s nice and I still have it, but my true bass love is my second bass - Schecter Riot 4. I mainly like playing metal but this thing just makes me want to play anything
People feel bad about this. I’ve purchased 3 basses so far. In all three cases the first big thing that got me really excited about them is that I loved how they look.
They also sound, feel, and play great. I wouldn’t purchase them if they didn’t. But I would never have picked them up and played them if they weren’t gorgeous.
I’m not even joking; it’s more important for a bass to make you want to pick it up and play it than it is for it to be an absolute tone monster.
You can fix a lot of sins in bass tone with compression, EQ, and other effects; you can’t fix ugly though.
Feel is king/queen/etc though. Nothing is more important than the feel of an instrument in your hands.
Feel > looks >> tone. Tone is a distant third really. It needs to be decent but once at an acceptable level you can fix the rest later in the DAW or with pedals and amp. Or new pickups, etc.
