Bass Guitar / Amp Recommendation Options

[maharzan]

Hi Bogdan,

I am not a bassist and haven't been following bass lessons. I do want to own a bass guitar and an amp to put into my collections. I have a band but don't have a bassist. So, I try some simple bass stuff on my songs. I would like to have the gear so when I find a bassist, he could come visit my place and just jam up without him having to bother about the guitar amp. Yea.. I am just too kind. LoL.

So, we find very less branded guitars here. We have LTDs and Ibanez guitars only. I am trying to get a Fender Bass guitar (not a Jazz one but a regular one (forgot the model number), the one with 2 half pickups). You also seem to have a Fender bass. I will have order it though so the shopkeeper can bring it. I have no idea on bass amps though. I saw one Marshall one (combo) which is nice too.

Anyway, please recommend which guitar / amp combination is good. I have heard Yamahas are good too. Haven't tried them yet.

Also, a point to note, should be good in recording too.

Thanks so much. I will start learning bass once I get the guitar..

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Bogdan Radovic]

Hello,

I'm glad you want to start playing a bass too!
Regarding a bass, I would definitly recommend a Fender bass if you have the money for it. There are to major styles - Precision and Jazz. Now between two, you have to choose because both are very different. Precision has a Split Single-Coil Pickup and Jazz has two single pickups. Generally I would recommend Jazz bass since its much more versatile then a precision bass. Precision has only one tone that it does really awesome (classic rock!) and with Jazz you can practically play any style - from country to funk slap (don't get fooled by the name jazz). So I think you should consider a Jazz bass a little more, since you never know what you'll play tomorrow on it.

You haven't said your budget so I'll give you some recommendations going down the leader :

1. American Fender bass -

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=515752
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...itar?sku=511390

Jazz style:

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=515755
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=511525

Budget option:

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=512762
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=512761

2. Mexican made Fender basses:

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=501168
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=501169

And that's it regarding fenders.

Notice that I recommended some Deluxe options for basses. Main thing with those basses is that they have active electronics so you can have more control over your sound and get a modern one.

I like active electronics (they use batteries) in basses better then passive ones. But you can dial in a good tone on passive bass too (you just do it on the amp).

Mexican Fenders are cool as well. You can later on upgrade them with better pickups/electronics.

Regarding amps, depends on use. I guess you need it for home practice/small rehearsal space:

From lower priced ones I definitive recommend this one :

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...ombo?sku=480721
or
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...-Amp?sku=481138

Those are really good sounding amps!

from more expensive ones I would strongly recommend this one :

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...-Amp?sku=488217

Eden (Nemessis is by Eden) makes awesome amps!

Tell me if you have any further questions,

Cheers from Bogdan

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[maharzan]

Thanks Bogdan for all these detailed suggestions. Really appreciate a lot.

Yep Precision bass (that I forgot the name of). Hmm.. Jazz basses are pretty expensive though.

I am not sure we can get american made fender around here (we get it from Singapore) .. probably Mexican ones. will research more on this. For the budget I was looking for cheaper ones around $300 but I am ready to spend between $500-$1200 (max). My wife's gonna curse me if she knows.

Thanks again.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Bogdan Radovic]

Thanks Bogdan for all these detailed suggestions. Really appreciate a lot.

Yep Precision bass (that I forgot the name of). Hmm.. Jazz basses are pretty expensive though.

I am not sure we can get american made fender around here (we get it from Singapore) .. probably Mexican ones. will research more on this. For the budget I was looking for cheaper ones around $300 but I am ready to spend between $500-$1200 (max). My wife's gonna curse me if she knows.

Thanks again.

Hello,

Yeah Jazz bass is around 100$ more expensive (I guess because of one more pickup) But they are worth thinking about.

Now regarding price range, I don't think you can find a good Fender around 300$. Maybe you can look into other brands ?

Something like this is IMO very good bass for the price and only one from that price range that I would suggest :
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/pr...Bass?sku=511400

For 1200$ you can get an American standard Fender jazz bass but you may want to get a cheaper bass to start with and then later on upgrade if you feel the need.

Cheers from Bogdan

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[maharzan]

No offence.. but that is one ugly looking guitar..

Yep.. most probably I will try to get the mexican fender if that lands cheaper here.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by maharzan: Aug 30 2009, 03:52 PM

[Bogdan Radovic]

No offence.. but that is one ugly looking guitar..

Yep.. most probably I will try to get the mexican fender if that lands cheaper here.

Heheh none taken

Tell me how it works out for you and which one you get!

Cheers

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[maharzan]

Sure!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Bogdan Radovic]

Sure!

Which amps are available in your local stores? Can you try the Fender Rumble I suggested ?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Mrblomme]

Well the best way to get a good bass is to get to the store and try them all like I did. I've bought a Richwood bass which was €150 less expensive than an Ibanez.

It just depends on what you prefer, sound/action, ...

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!