muttley Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Hello, I'm new to the forum and about to buy my first bass to begin learning*. My budget is around £300. I have small hands so I'll need an instrument with a slim neck. I'm looking to learn to play in a jazz/funk style (if that makes any difference) but my musical tastes are very wide - everything from classical to rock - so I don't want anything that might limit my repertoire. Oh, I prefer wood or plain lacquer finishes, no BC Rich or similar heavy metal axes! * I'm not a total newbie when it comes to music. I am a competent violinist and I can read music (well, treble clef ). I played guitar in a band in my teens (now mid 40s ) and I had to take over on bass on a couple of numbers but all I did was learn the parts, nothing further. Thanks in advance. Quote
discreet Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Squire-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass~ID~5360.asp"]This?[/url] Quote
MuckedUpFunkies Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Squire Vintage modified Jazz bass. Perfect for everything you just described. If you search the For sale threads you may even get lucky and pick up a MIM Fender for £300 =) Dan Quote
MuckedUpFunkies Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 HAH! wow... That seems pretty unanimous. Within 3 seconds of each other too! Quote
Lozz196 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Agree, Squiers VM range is reputed to be very good. However this is a hellofalot of bass for the money: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112782"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112782[/url] Quote
gapiro Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Looks like some good recommendations above. If you are after small necks, you might consider an Ibanez too. My first bass was an Ibanez SR (Gio) , really nice thin neck, and very fast. Quote
discreet Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='MuckedUpFunkies' post='1156995' date='Mar 10 2011, 06:09 PM']That seems pretty unanimous. Within 3 seconds of each other too![/quote] Great minds, eh? Quote
Cat Burrito Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I can't believe you've all beaten me to it! [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Squire-Vintage-Modified-Jazz-Bass~ID~5360.asp"]http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~S...ass~ID~5360.asp[/url] Quote
BottomE Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='Lozz196' post='1157025' date='Mar 10 2011, 06:29 PM']Agree, Squiers VM range is reputed to be very good. However this is a hellofalot of bass for the money: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112782"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112782[/url][/quote] +1 Also played jazz funk and i had one of these basses as my first ever "proper bass" in 1984. It was over £400 new then! It lasted me 25 years and never ever let me down. It still works fine and is owned by another Basschatter who is very happy with it. These are very high quality instruments. Quote
plumbob Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Fender Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass And I just happen to have one here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=126538"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=126538[/url] Sure we can sort something out if your interested , drop us a PM Quote
bassmeg Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Get anything you can, keep it for a few months- shift it and get another and do it again and again until you know what it is you really want from a bass. The FS section on Basschat is great and makes this an easy thing to do. I wish i had the oppertunity to do this when i began. Since i have been on here, like many others, i have been through a few basses and i am getting closer to knowing what i really want through this method. Good luck. Quote
tomb Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 i still fail to understand the difference between the VM and the CV... Quote
TRBboy Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I hate to be a bore, but i've said it before and i'll say it again: The best budget bass by a long shot is the Yamaha RBX270 is unbeatable for the money, IMHO. It's solidly built, with a solid alder body, slim comfortable neck, but is lighter and more comfortable than a traditional jazz or p bass type. They do it in a lovely natural finish, which would suit you, and it lends itself well to future customization. You can buy a brand new one for 180, meaning you could put the rest towards an amp. Help you could even buy the bass and a reasonable amp for your 300 budget! I worked in guitar shops for years selling lots and lots of basses in this price range, and IMO no squier or cheaper ibanez or pretty much anything else comes close. Anyway, that's my bit said...... Quote
Blademan_98 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='Lozz196' post='1157025' date='Mar 10 2011, 06:29 PM']However this is a hellofalot of bass for the money: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112782"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=112782[/url][/quote] Don't show him that, I'm saving up for it myself! (and don't tell the misses either!) Quote
Wylie Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 [quote name='MuckedUpFunkies' post='1156994' date='Mar 10 2011, 01:07 PM']Squire Vintage modified Jazz bass. Perfect for everything you just described. If you search the For sale threads you may even get lucky and pick up a MIM Fender for £300 =) Dan[/quote] +1. Also, for small hands, Squier makes the Bronco Bass, a 30-inch model, which is not much to look at but not bad, and quite cheap. Quote
Ian Savage Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Don't know if the finish would be up your alley, but as far as slim neck and good range of tones goes this would suit: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85196&hl=collection"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=collection[/url] Would take an offer well within your budget if it floats your boat... Quote
muttley Posted March 12, 2011 Author Posted March 12, 2011 Looked at a few basses this morning. Was really taken by the [url="http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR300"]Ibanez SR300[/url] but it maxes my budget so I'll have to see if they'll do a deal. What's the overall opinion of this bass? Reviews seem good. Slightly cheaper Ibanez GSR200 also very nice but the more expensive bass is certainly worth the small extra. Tried a Squire VM Jazz - did little for me. Nice neck, but heavier and the 70s styling puts me off (sorry, I remember it first time round). Anyway, I saw my soon-to-be teacher later and he said he wants to start me on fretless and will loan me a bass. Still, that gives me more time to look around. Quote
tomb Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 [quote name='muttley' post='1159364' date='Mar 12 2011, 02:54 PM']Looked at a few basses this morning. Was really taken by the [url="http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR300"]Ibanez SR300[/url] but it maxes my budget so I'll have to see if they'll do a deal. What's the overall opinion of this bass? Reviews seem good. Slightly cheaper Ibanez GSR200 also very nice but the more expensive bass is certainly worth the small extra. Tried a Squire VM Jazz - did little for me. Nice neck, but heavier and the 70s styling puts me off (sorry, I remember it first time round). Anyway, I saw my soon-to-be teacher later and he said he wants to start me on fretless and will loan me a bass. Still, that gives me more time to look around.[/quote] Im getting a SR300 aswell, the ROM, been told by a Yamaha fan that it was the right choice i was thinking of getting the GSR200 but i was quickly called to my senses Quote
LawrenceH Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 [quote name='muttley' post='1159364' date='Mar 12 2011, 02:54 PM']Looked at a few basses this morning. Was really taken by the [url="http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR300"]Ibanez SR300[/url] but it maxes my budget so I'll have to see if they'll do a deal. What's the overall opinion of this bass? Reviews seem good. Slightly cheaper Ibanez GSR200 also very nice but the more expensive bass is certainly worth the small extra. Tried a Squire VM Jazz - did little for me. Nice neck, but heavier and the 70s styling puts me off (sorry, I remember it first time round). Anyway, I saw my soon-to-be teacher later and he said he wants to start me on fretless and will loan me a bass. Still, that gives me more time to look around.[/quote] The quality control isn't consistent enough on the Fender VMs to be worth recommending IMO unless you can try a few with an experienced teacher to pick a good one. The Ibanez are very easy to play and goodconsistent basses, but I find them a little dark-sounding compared to the Fenders. Alongside the Ibanez try out a couple of Yamahas from both the RBX and the BB range - they're similar in feel but may offer more tonal flexibility. Quote
Marvin Posted March 12, 2011 Posted March 12, 2011 I've got an SR300 and it's a very good bass. HOWEVER, I wish I'd bought the Squier VMJ. Quote
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