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Author Topic: Buying a Bass guitar?  (Read 9996 times)

Muso

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« on: August 20, 2006, 08:23:58 PM »
Hey guys

I'm looking at buying a bass guitar i've never really played bass properly so I don't know what makes a good or bad bass. Anyway I think I got about £250 to spend would it be better to go for second hand or brand new?
If anyone can reccomend anything, I do have some ability so I don't really wanna get the most newbie one. The aim is to have something to play Rock/metal in a band.

Cheers in advance

38thBeatle

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2006, 08:31:40 PM »
For your budget, I would look for getting a good 2nd hand bass. The think is to find a good action-something that feels solid. Look for the same things as you would on a guitar.
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Adam.M

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2006, 11:44:49 AM »
OLP MusicMan is a pretty damned good budget bass.

I can't think of any others that are decent at that price!
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Kilby

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2006, 12:30:49 PM »
We (my wife and I) picked up a really nice Daisy rock elite for 250 around christmas.

Build wise it's pretty damned amazing for the price (sounds pretty good too)

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Muso

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2006, 02:05:46 PM »
Cool thanks for replies, what about the ammount of strings? I guess if I had a 6 string one I could play it just like a guitar right?

WezV

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2006, 02:18:07 PM »
I went bass shopping in birmingham last weekend and the ones that impressed me most in that price range were these:

http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.2.1.1-161-72

http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.2.1.1-110-53-8.122.113.54.102

http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.2.1.1-64-300


The Tobias had a weaker sound than the other two basses but was quite well made for the price.  My favorite was the schecter but its a bit above your price range.  They had the spector in more normal finishes as well.

CaffeineJunkie

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2006, 02:28:48 PM »
Quote from: Muso
Cool thanks for replies, what about the ammount of strings? I guess if I had a 6 string one I could play it just like a guitar right?


not quite
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Philly Q

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2006, 05:39:15 PM »
Quote from: Muso
Cool thanks for replies, what about the ammount of strings? I guess if I had a 6 string one I could play it just like a guitar right?

A "proper" long-scale 6-string bass would have a huge neck and be a bugger to play.  I'd stick to 4-string, at least until you get used to it.

Unless you managed to get something like an old Fender Bass VI or a MusicMan Silhouette Bass Guitar, but they're really baritone guitars not proper basses.  And serious money.
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38thBeatle

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2006, 05:55:46 PM »
I'd also say 4 string though I am a traditionalist so ignore me.To me the only reason you should get a 5 string bass is that you can use the 5th string as a spare strap. A guy I know recently lent me a 5 string bass  and when he told me it had 5 I said not to worry, I'll soon get that extra off with a bolt cropper. Seriously, get a 5 if you really must but I think 4's are best.
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WezV

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2006, 07:17:20 PM »
Most 5 string basses on the market have a useless 5th string, at best it sounds like a slow wet fart.   I'm not saying there are not good 5 strings out there but i havnt seen one for that kind of money.

downfader

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2006, 10:23:11 PM »
Quote from: WezV
Most 5 string basses on the market have a useless 5th string, at best it sounds like a slow wet fart.   I'm not saying there are not good 5 strings out there but i havnt seen one for that kind of money.


A decent 5 string bass would be a Warwick, but you're looking at 600ish aint ya?

Anyway, must say I'm a big fan of fender PBasses, I bought a chinese Squier PBass, it shouldnt have played so well if some people on the web were to be beleived at the time. It turned out to be great, still gets used, I paid Tim to make me a decent pickup though as the stock one is cr@p.

Cost me £150, the shop even threw in an amp for free as it was something they couldnt shift!  8)  :lol:

If you want to look at the Squiers, or Mex/Jap Fenders, I'd suggest a really hands on play in a good shop, possibly taking a more experienced bassist with you if you know someone. One squier may be different to another in terms of quality control, so its worth it, you may even find a bargain.
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deg0ey

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2006, 10:33:04 PM »
Quote from: downfader
possibly taking a more experienced bassist with you if you know someone


I'm finding this thread quite interesting, as a friend of mine is having bass lessons at school but doesn't own her own bass as yet - and I've been recruited as the more experienced person to help her buy something...I've never had a bass myself, but I'm in the same position as Muso - considering buying one...

I guess it's just because I'm Mr Fretted instruments as far as she's concerned :P
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CaffeineJunkie

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2006, 10:39:44 PM »
Quote from: deg0ey
I guess it's just because I'm Mr Fretted instruments as far as she's concerned :P


if she's hot, then just go along with it
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deg0ey

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2006, 10:40:53 PM »
Quote from: CaffeineJunkie
Quote from: deg0ey
I guess it's just because I'm Mr Fretted instruments as far as she's concerned :P


if she's hot, then just go along with it


 :lol: My thoughts exactly :drink:
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downfader

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Buying a Bass guitar?
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2006, 10:43:03 PM »
Hahaha!!  :lol:
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