Buying a Bass guitar?

[WezV]

If you are going for a 5 string bass get one with strings that go through the body or one with a 35" scale.

I want to say the through body stringing increases the tension of the string, but it doesnt or you would get a different note.  What it does do is change the 'feel' of the string so that  it feels tighter.

Here is an article about 5 sring basses, a bit long but worth reading if you are thinking of getting one:

http://www.glennletsch.com/html%20folder/taming.htm

I did see a gadget for five string basses that was supposed to stop the B being flabby but i cant find it now.  It was basically a tube that went behind the bridge and the string went through the tube before the bridge, effectivly having the extra length of string behind the bridge that a through body strung bass has.

[deg0ey]

Much like someone buying their first guitar would probably buy a 6 string rather than a 7 string.

Whenever people ask me for advice on getting a bass I always say to get a 5 string, on the grounds that if they don't then within a year they'll be wanting one badly, so it's cheaper to get one straight off.

And even if they don't want to play stuff on the 5th string, it's better to have a string you don't use than have to buy a new bass :drink:

[froglord]

Cool, it sounds decent how about the price? also with active pickups they have to get power from somewhere right, is there a battery in the guitar or something?
I've played a fair bit of bass already and Ive got 6 years classical guitar playing under my belt so my fingerstyle is half decent. How about a case/carry bag?

It has a 9v battery. Like most active instruments, you have to remember to pull the cable out after playing, otherwise it will continue to drain the juice!

If you've played classical with rest strokes an' all, you've probably got a head start.

No case or bag, I'm afraid - it didn't come with one. Probably best to collect in person if at all possible. I'm PMing you with the price.

FWIW, I don't agree that a 5-string makes a good first bass (and I'm not just saying that because I've got a 4-string for sale!).  There are musical genres that benefit from a 5-string - funk and detuned metal spring to mind - but the majority of blues, pop, classic rock and hard rock only require a 4-string. It's also an easier transition, since the strings are exactly the same as the four low strings on a guitar, but one octave further down.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Just a reminder that Tim and BKP make some great bass pickups as replacements for P and J basses
WE have used a few and they are brilliant