When I started learning bass around 1 year ago, I informed myself on YouTube, then visited the website of Thomann Store where you can check out the sound of different instruments which also helped me a lot to make my decision. At the end of the day I went for a Squier Affinity PJ Bass which was around 250 € back then, and I can only say that it sounds and feels great. I bought it in a bundle with an amp, a cable and a bag for 359 €. I’m definitely more than happy with this bass and I absolutely love its sound.
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Before tossing the baby out with the bath water, change out your strings with different brands and gauges (the difference between Rotosound Swing Bass 66s and anything made with Chinesium is astronomical) , have someone competent to perhaps lower the action, see if you need to modify your playing position. Try these cheap fixes before dropping any money into something new. Remember, the most expensive bass guitar you’ll ever own is the one you dropped serious money on but absolutely hate to play. Don’t be that guy.
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That is sound advice my friend thank you
On the Ibanez neck thing. I’m also playing 4 strings, and you’re playing 5. What may be a too-skinny neck for me on a 4 string might actually be just right on a 5. Maybe.
I picked up the “too skinny” bass this morning to figure out what bugged me about it specifically. My thumb wraps too far around, especially when getting to the 7th fret or higher.
When going between strings, I like to pivot sort of around where the joint is on my thumb (or just above). So I want to have that resting pretty much and the “crest” at the peak of the neck. That’s where it is on my Reverend.
On the SR370, my hand wraps around and that pivot point is way over, on the darker band of the 5-piece neck. So I have to work AROUND the curve of the neck, instead of working with it.
This isn’t an issue with my SR1600 because, even though it’s just as thin and skinny, the D shaped neck is a lot flatter on the back, so my thumb is resting on flat.
I have long fingers though. On a keyboard, I can play 9th’s easily, and can play 10th’s if I stretch.
I think 4 string Ibanez necks feel great. However on 5 strings the string spacing is too close for me. I just can’t get the hang of those
They’re polarizing. They’re on the extreme skinny end which is great for some people, but terrible for others. Nothing wrong with that. Just not something I would blanket recommend to everyone, because some people will have issues with them.
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Hi.
As an old man never playing any instrument besides drums 50 years ago, I had the same question. Asked a friend I knew to be a pro bassist and he recommended a Yamaha TRBX 304. I have nothing to compare it to but I really like it. The feel is comportable. Setup is easy. Truly enjoy playing it.
B
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This thread came just in the right time for me, thank you all!
Been on-and-off B2B for a few years but never stuck to it until now. I have been using a cheapo used Yamaha TRB174 which I think is killing my left wrist, and told myself I’ll get something nicer when I finish the course as a reward.
(it might also just be my technique…)
I think it was a mistake not starting with something more comfortable, as @BeerBaron mentioned in regards to enjoying playing more, sticking to it more etc.
I was leaning towards the Harley Benton MJ-4MN/EB before this thread came up.
Will look into the Sire models as well.
Unfortunately, those are not carried by my local shops so it will have to be an online order…
Does anyone have any experience with online ordering of either of those brands and their support afterwards if required?
I am in Canada, so ordering Harley Benton from Thomann is more of a shipping ordeal but I hear their support is good.
I know nothing about Sire.
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I’ve only played 1 Sire (U5 short scale) and if I didn’t already have my heart set on something else I would have very happily walked out of there with it. It felt so good to play, regardless of its price point.
I do have a bit more experience with Yamahas, which I think competes with Sire as far as value / quality. I started on a 174 and upgraded within 2 months. The TRBX 304 / 504 / 604 are much, much better instruments. The 174 shouldn’t even be in that line imo. I love the BB’s though. You can’t go wrong with the 234 / 434. I think the 434 might be my favorite in the $400 - $600 range alongside that Sire U5. Tbh, I’d check out Kijiji or FB marketplace and see if you can get a deal on a used bass. You can dig up some real gems that way.
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Wrist hurting is more likely a technique thing than it being a budget instrument. Usually what I notice with cheap necks is that they just… feel cheap. The fret edges are rougher, they’re heavy and unbalanced, they’re just sort of distracting and unpleasant when you run your hands on them.
If your wrist is hurting, you should get some videos or photos of your playing and share them in another thread for people to give you pointers.
I do not have that experience. I understand it is often as much a factor of the retailer you purchase through as the manufacturer. For online support, Sweetwater seems to be more highly regarded than Guitar Center.
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Thank you for all the info. It was really cool you looked at the bass again to determine the issues. I misspoke my current Ibanez that I play and love is the 300 not the 305. I am looking to purchase like I said a sr five string so as I am looking every number ends with the 5 in my head. Like you said if you have mega long fingers the skinny neck would be an issue. Mine are average. It’s probably mostly cuz I have spent the most time with my 300, but I have a sterling stingray as well and the neck feels like a club to me. It feels so big. I just can’t float around the fretboard with it. Do you have any other feedback or input. Like I said I am in the market for a 5. I feel like I was dead set on the sr line. Now I am wondering. What do you know about the sire fives?
This was going to be my comment as well. I have never owned a TRBX 174, but I have owned a TRBX 304, 604, and multiple BB’s and while the lines do feel different they are not that different; for example, a big chunky Fender Precision Bass neck is much more of a difference from either Yamaha line than moving from a TRBX to a BB would be.
So while the 174 is likely different than the TRBX 304 or BB line, I doubt very strongly it is the source of any wrist issues, and I think this is more likely due to two factors: the setup of the bass itself, and technique.
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Most of my feedback is that the right fit is a personal one. Everyone’s “perfect” bass is going to be different.
I’ve so far only been playing 4-string, so can’t comment on Sire 5’s. I’ve not heard anything particularly negative about Sire basses - worst is occasional QC slips (which all brands have), and the inexpensive tuning hardware on some models can be heavy and cause neck dive. This is likely to be a bigger issue on a 5-string. But upgrading turning hardware is easy.
If you like the neck on an Ibanez 300, I bet you’re going to LOVE the neck on a premium Ibanez. I can’t speak to string spacing.
My current tactic that I think is arguably the best plan… is to just take your time and hunt for nice used gear. Try new and different things to see what you like best about different designs. When something isn’t the right fit, sell it on again for roughly what you paid.
Gather the information you need to figure out what would make the perfect bass for YOU. “Neck off of bass A, with these pickups, and this fretboard length, and that preamp.”
I don’t like the Sterling necks I’ve felt either. Don’t know what it is about them, but I just feel like I’m holding a 2x4. Which is weird, because EBMM necks feel great. I was planning to test out a Ray 34 this afternoon to see if the higher trim models are nicer.
If I had to guess, it’s a combo of lazy fret edge treatment on a fat U shaped neck. Thicker neck means hands brush the fret edges more, and the rougher frets means you feel that and get distracted by it.
That’s the really nice thing about Sires is the rounded fret edges.
I started with a 174 before moving on to bigger and better Yamahas. The big difference in the neck is exactly what @BeerBaron points out. The frets are rougher and it just feels cheaper than any of the other TRBX or BB’s that I’ve gotten hands on (even the 40 year old BB300 that I paid $300 for). I really kinda wish that Yamaha had kept it out of the TRBX line. It’s that different from even the 304 as far as fit and feel.
Edit: but yes I think the issues here are set up and technique. I had the same wrist issues when I started. In my case it was from fretting every note too hard.
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Hi! Also looking for a new bass here. I practice on 5-string and realized none of the music I want to play really cares about my B string.
Here in Spain I see the Sire M2 at 350€ vs Yamaha TRBX304 at 396€.
I love having the option to “bypass” the active mode so I can relax and forget about 1) batteries, 2) complex knobs; but keep the option to play with it in the future, thanks for the tip @BeerBaron !!
With these price tags would you say Sire M2 is the one? In my case I want to play from Steve Wonder, Michael Jackson and Earth Wind and Fire, to RATM, NOFX, MUSE, RHCP, Dream Theater (at least try :')… Depending on the band I find hehe
Thanks anyways!
I can’t say that for you. That’s a personal decision.
I think that is a lot of nice bass for that price, and it would do really well for as diverse of genres as you like playing. I think you would be happy with it. Were I in your position and looking to buy new and not able to test out ahead of time, that is probably the bass I would choose.
Edit: Look up reviews by people who have actually had their hands on the instruments in question.
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My personnal experience of bass journey
-
Started with Ibanez GSR200
It was my main (and only) bass for 2 years : I like the neck, the set-up that I did, the weight. I don’t like that it is active (requires battery) and not a fan of P/J (spend too much time on selecting the right tone)
I still have it and might upgrade pup for passive -
Squier CV 70 P Bass (with flats)
Immediately felt in love with this one - tone, neck, simplicity
It is has been my main bass for 2 years and I still play it 40% of time -
Fender MIM Jazz
Took me some time to like it - the sound is the Jazz sound and was used to the P ton e
I like it much more now and play 40% with it -
Dingwall NG3 5 strings
This one didn’t make sense at all … but I like it even if still learning to play it
Next one will be either
- Fender Pbass (MIA) - 4 strings
- Stingray (4 or 5)
- Who knows
I recommend skiping step 1 and go to the ones suggested by @BeerBaron
- Sire V3p - you want a classic Jazz Bass
- Yamaha TRBX304 - you want a modern versatile bass
- Yamaha BB234 - you want a classic Versatile Bass (P/J)
- Sterling Ray4 - you want a Stingray style funk/rock bass
- Ibanez Standard SR300E - you want modern versatile with an ultra-slim neck
- Sire M2 (may be just over your budget) - modern versatile
- Check the Harley Benton
Decision criteria
- Look
- Feel
- Sound
Anyway, You’ll probably change the bass in the next 5 years
BTW, the fact that it is not too expensive can make you at ease with setting up your bass on your own whcih is a very usefull skill for us
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As superficial as it seems. This can not be understated.
The only basses I didn’t follow this formula for are my fretless basses, purely because there are so few options for used fretless, and I was holding to pretty strict budget caps.
More like 2 years…
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Save your money and buy a Mexican P Bass. You’re really getting the same thing for a lot less money IMHO 
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I really like this one indeed ! very nice bass !
The idea of an MIA is more a reward for my 50 birthday so I want something special and not necessarily the best bang for the buck
But I still have 1 year to go and will probably change my mind 100 times 
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