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  #1  
Old 11-18-2005, 03:14 AM
Bluepoet Bluepoet is offline
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Cool Bass Guitars ??s

I'm thinking of purchasing an electric bass guitar, and was wondering if anyone has suggestions or advice on what to look for in shopping for one. I'm willing to go up to the $400 range to start...four string...just want to use it for home recording and enjoyment...

Would an Epiphone Viola bass be a good one to start with? I've always liked the McCartney-type of look, but I can't make myself buy anything with the name Rogue on it, and I don't have enough cash to get a Hofner....

What, as a newcomer to basses, should I watch out for?

Thanks for any help, all....
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Old 11-18-2005, 03:37 AM
4Gtrs 4Gtrs is offline
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BluePoet,
Recommend that you try a bunch of them - just like acoustic guitars, basses all sound different. You can get some good used basses for your price range (Fender P or J bass). Also, there are quite a few Asian made basses available. I tried a Yamaha BB614 (?) a couple of months ago - active p/u's, could get anything from a tight punchy jazz sound to a thumping rock low range. Price was below the range you're looking at.
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Old 11-18-2005, 05:35 AM
drive-south drive-south is offline
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The Beatle Bass is a cool-looking vintage throw-back, however it is short scale and really doesn't have the range of tones that you would get from a good Fender-style bass. With the limited budget you have to work with, I'd recommend you stick with a used Bass.

I have an 80's Fender Jazz Bass. I prefer the Jazz Bass over Precision basses mainly because the neck is narrower and more comfy for me. A good tradeoff is a P-J bass, which would have a P-bass pickup near the neck and a J-bass pickup near the bridge.

Fender is my preferred bass, but G&L, Music Man, Ibanez, and dozens of others also make great basses as well. I would try to find a used "American Made" bass if possible, although an Ibanez would certainly be an import. If you do go with an import, I'd look for something Japanese as apposed to Korean/Pacrim. A lot of people like Carvin, but they are just too modern for my taste.

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Old 11-18-2005, 06:23 AM
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Two of my daughters play bass. Both have Fender imports. We bought a Fender Precision Special for her a couple of years ago. Black satin finish, rosewood fretboard - in your price range. Fender has other fairly good basses starting even less. You'll pay more for than you want to for the American made versions.

The only knock against Fenders is that they are noisy. I bought a Boss noise suppressor for her - she plays at church with me. That works well - I can adjust out the noise with almost no impact to the tone. I've used two of her basses to record with through a Sans-Amp and was able to eliminate the noise completely during recording.

Rodger
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Old 11-18-2005, 07:45 AM
rbachman rbachman is offline
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BluePoet,

The Rogue violin bass is the one I got last year (to get started on bass). I love the price, short scale, and throw on some flatwounds and you got yourself a nice cheap, great laying bass!! My buddy in my band had to get one too (of course I'm lefty and he can't play mine)!!

Check it out!!
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Old 11-18-2005, 08:19 AM
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The made in Japan (MIJ) Ibanez SR (soundgear) basses are a good value. Used you can easily pickup up one of the higher end models like the SR800. Very thin neck and great sounds. Wished I'd never got rid of mine. I think a Forum member bought it.
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Old 11-18-2005, 08:22 AM
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i own two which i bought used. an 81' Gibson 'Victory' and a 80's C.F. Martin 'Stinger'. the Rogue Beatle bass is a good bass - especially for beginning and giging. i've heard that bassist are going for these so they will not beat up their expensive basses. Rogue acoustics are't bad either - for a beater you can not beat the price and the general public does'nt now much about name brands. i've bought these Rogue guitars and have sold them to beginners-they love'um.
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Old 11-18-2005, 11:35 AM
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Bluepoet...I'm primarily a bass player. The Epi Beatle bass looks great. I've never tried one but have played plenty of Hofners. They have a limited, thumpy sound but it should be fine for most uses unless you want a lot of sustain, growl, etc in which case you might look for a long scale solid body Mexican or Korean bass such as a Fender or Music Man copy (OLP).

Resale ought to be ok...lots of Beatle fans out there.

The Beatle bass is also incredibly light which is nice.
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Old 11-18-2005, 07:19 PM
Bluepoet Bluepoet is offline
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Cool

Well, thanks to everyone...not sure if I'm any closer to a decision, but it was interesting to read your thoughts...I will, of course, try out a bunch of different ones--although I can't play much more than a three-chord rock and roll run on one...I've got it narrowed to three possible brands--Epiphone, Fender, or Yamaha, with Ibanez a close fourth...

I have heard good things about that Rogue Beatle bass, but---well, ok, I'll try it out...I hate to carry biases on just word alone.

Once again, thanks to all...
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Old 11-18-2005, 08:35 PM
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Bluepoet, two basses I would reccommend are the Fender MIM Jazz Bass (I've got one, love it) and the Ibanez Soundgear series basses. I have gigged out with both and for the price range you're looking at, are really good basses.

I have no experience with the Rogue, so I'll leave that one alone. . .
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Old 11-18-2005, 09:06 PM
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For the money, the ESP LTD series is AMAZING. By far the best made instrument in it's price range...and they look stunning. This is the B154 $399 List price http://espguitars.com/basses_b.htm

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Old 11-19-2005, 01:40 AM
hguy4x hguy4x is offline
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depends on your budget. The best guitar for the money would be Lakland skylines and MTD kingstons. if you want cheaper I'd get a yamaha/ibanez. I got myself an MTD kingston heir. It has active electronics so I can change my tone without going to back to my amp.
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Old 11-19-2005, 01:21 PM
jmintzer jmintzer is offline
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Just today, I picked up a Fender Deluxe Series, P-Bass Special.

It has an alder P-Bass body (gloss finish), Maple Jazz Bass satin maple neck (maple or rosewood board), active electronics, a Noiseless J-Bass bridge pup and a P-Bass neck pup. Just over $500. It does a very wide range of sounds for a great price.


James
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Old 11-19-2005, 06:51 PM
franchelB franchelB is offline
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Default try out lots' o' bass guitars...

and please don't buy into the opinions of:
1. It's a short-scale bass...it's got a limited sound. Paul McCartney and Bill Wyman did fine with short-scale basses in their career.
2. Get a Jazz bass. It's more "versatile". More people play it than any other bass guitar. Great...if you want to sound like everybody else.
Etc., etc.

Only you can decide!

I had an acoustic bass...hated it. I also had an lo-priced, off-shore copy of a "P" bass. It was NOT as "cheap" as people had me believe. I have an MTD Kingston now; and though most people who have played my bass like it a lot, it still hasn't grown on me yet. The actual bass that has caught my eye is the Ibanez Artcore semi-hollow bass...simply because I think it fits with the style I play when I play the bass at times, mostly early rock & roll and/or rhythm and blues.

Good luck in your quest!
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Old 11-19-2005, 11:46 PM
Taioki Taioki is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonesbrass
Bluepoet, two basses I would reccommend are the Fender MIM Jazz Bass (I've got one, love it) and the Ibanez Soundgear series basses. I have gigged out with both and for the price range you're looking at, are really good basses.

I have no experience with the Rogue, so I'll leave that one alone. . .
I've been playing bass for my..hmm 3rd year now, and I have to agree with the Fender Jazz Bass, those things are lovely.

EJ
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