Ben Jamin Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 So my 11 year-old nephew's been teaching himself bass for just over a year now, and he's getting pretty good at it! He's after a new bass to replace his very beat-up RBX170, and has asked me if I could look out for something cool around the £300 mark. He's been looking at Squier CV Jazzes, which I know are pretty good. I was just wondering if anyone had any other ideas as I'm not very knowledgeable in this kind of market but I know there are some pretty awesome basses to be had for this kind of money, if you can find them? Second-hand is also a good option. All in all I figure he needs a bass which is very playable (small hands at the moment!) and will give a reasonable range of tones so he can explore different styles as he learns. All opinions are very much appreciated! Cheers! Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 Second hand Mexican Fenders are a good shout if you fancy a good name bass. Pretty much any Yamaha you look at will be outstanding quality for your money and you can pick up '80s and '90s Ibanez for good money too. Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 For consistency and value most people will say Yamaha, for thin neck and quality they will say a better Ibanez, an SR series ideally. That's a decent price to get a very decent second hand bass. For a thin neck and the price though I'm going to have to shamelessly plug my bartolini equipped Dean Edge q4, up for trade here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=150168"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=150168[/url] but most likely about to be put up as for sale too. I bought it when I was about 14 (probably bigger hands but not by much) and I would say it is the bass where I did most of my improving after my starter Crafter MM copy bass. It's great and sounds fantastic, just doesn't get played anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Jamin Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 Thanks guys! Yamaha/Ibanez are a good call, hadn't really thought of those! That Dean looks pretty sweet, I'll email him the link and see what he reckons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 [quote name='Ben Jamin' post='1343247' date='Aug 17 2011, 03:19 PM']Thanks guys! Yamaha/Ibanez are a good call, hadn't really thought of those! That Dean looks pretty sweet, I'll email him the link and see what he reckons [/quote] Thanks mate, let me know. It's the same neck profile as any other Dean Edge of about the same age (6 or 7 years now) so if he tries a regular one of those it'll be the same, minus the sweet Bartolini pickups of course. It's also stupendously light weight, I've never played a lighter bass, which will probably also be good for the lad! If he doesn't like it then I recommend an Ibanez SR as the way to go, as he already has an ibanez, and IMO many yamaha electronics and pickups are a bit weak in comparison. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 [quote name='Truckstop' post='1343214' date='Aug 17 2011, 03:04 PM']Second hand Mexican Fenders are a good shout if you fancy a good name bass. Pretty much any Yamaha you look at will be outstanding quality for your money and you can pick up '80s and '90s Ibanez for good money too. Truckstop[/quote] Absolutely. Very versatile, able to pull the punches for any style of music or look - and with the kudos of having the Fender brand on the headstock. Naturally, I have one for sale - but you'll find plenty of superb Mexican Precisions in the For Sale section, for up to £300. Seems the most likely choice, unless he had something specific in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 I'd say if possible save up another £100 and have a choice from a massive range of basses. Musicman Subs, Ray 34, Warwicks, G&L tributes, MIJ Fenders and many others can be got for about that price tag and are a big step up IMO from MIMs and the Ibanez and Yamaha budget models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 Ray for small hands though? I don't think he'd even need the extra £100 - there's a G&L JB2 for £300 on here, suitable Jazz-style bass without breaking the bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 I taught guitar and bass to kids aged 8-42 for a couple of years and I never found the neck profile held anyone back. I've seen kids struggle with scale length on bass (though they overcame it with practice) but a bit of adjustment in technique (to a better technique) can overcome neck thickness easily. One of the basses I mentioned above will last until the player wants a change, if they ever do. It's a better investment IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 Sounds like the JB2 then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AttitudeCastle Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1343376' date='Aug 17 2011, 04:56 PM']I taught guitar and bass to kids aged 8-42[/quote] A 42 year old kid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 [quote name='AttitudeCastle' post='1343408' date='Aug 17 2011, 05:22 PM']A 42 year old kid? [/quote] Aren't we all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 if i were buying a bass for £300 i would get a used cort gb74 and have about £100 change (based on one ive seen on gumtree) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Jamin Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 Cheers for all the suggestions guys! I had a look into all of them, and then it turned out my friend was selling his Yamaha BB415, so he's got that for a tidy £200, leaving him with £100 to spend on a nice cable and strap It's all black, nice and classy looking, so it should fit in with most styles he wants to play. Pretty much perfect condition. Very nicely set-up. The main thing is the neck's really great to play and the action's nice and low with no buzzing, so he should be able get around the board easily enough with his smaller hands. Also the P/J combo covers a good deal of tonal ground and sounds pretty good. The construction's solid, being Yamaha, so it should last him too. Strung with DR Fatbeams too, which is a nice bonus! Mission success? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossie Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 Ibanez SR500, got one, love it, easy to play, very versatile (bartolini pups etc) around that price on e-bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 [quote name='Ben Jamin' post='1343851' date='Aug 17 2011, 11:38 PM']Cheers for all the suggestions guys! I had a look into all of them, and then it turned out my friend was selling his Yamaha BB415, so he's got that for a tidy £200, leaving him with £100 to spend on a nice cable and strap It's all black, nice and classy looking, so it should fit in with most styles he wants to play. Pretty much perfect condition. Very nicely set-up. The main thing is the neck's really great to play and the action's nice and low with no buzzing, so he should be able get around the board easily enough with his smaller hands. Also the P/J combo covers a good deal of tonal ground and sounds pretty good. The construction's solid, being Yamaha, so it should last him too. Strung with DR Fatbeams too, which is a nice bonus! Mission success?[/quote] Sounds great, no sale for me though! Good bass, hopefully he'll go far on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassistclem Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 +1 for Yamaha. Keep your eyes open for something like an old Yamaha BB1100s, great 80s basses made in either Japan or Tawian. You can pick them up for £200-300 and blow away anything new for that price...I still have one but will never sell it!!! [quote name='Ben Jamin' post='1343247' date='Aug 17 2011, 03:19 PM']Thanks guys! Yamaha/Ibanez are a good call, hadn't really thought of those! That Dean looks pretty sweet, I'll email him the link and see what he reckons [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 The Squier Classic Vibe Jazz basses are a good bet. I'm not really a jazz bass fan but I've had two and they've both been very impressive, especially for the price. If you look for a used one you certainly will not get more for your money at that end of the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name='AttitudeCastle' post='1343408' date='Aug 17 2011, 05:22 PM']A 42 year old kid? [/quote] yep. She was 42 going on 7 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 +1 for the Yammy. Well-made and with a great sound - should keep him happy for years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name='Jerry_B' post='1344063' date='Aug 18 2011, 09:37 AM']+1 for the Yammy. Well-made and with a great sound - should keep him happy for years![/quote] Until he finds Bass Chat ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 That way madness lies But even then,the Yamaha is a great piece of kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcro Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name='LukeFRC' post='1343783' date='Aug 17 2011, 10:42 PM']if i were buying a bass for £300 i would get a used cort gb74 and have about £100 change (based on one ive seen on gumtree)[/quote] So would I They're over £430 new. Also consider the next model down, the GB34. £245 new from www.woodbrass.com with a 3 year guarantee. (Think Squier Jazz Bass with a J/MM configuration). Both come with the jazz bass neck width at 38mm. Balcro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='1344097' date='Aug 18 2011, 10:07 AM']Until he finds Bass Chat ;-)[/quote] Oh aye! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voxpop Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I have a very rare Epiphone non reverse thunderbird 5 string on eBay..... Its yours for £350. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Epiphone-non-reverse-Thunderbird-5-string-Very-Rare-/110724645661?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19c7b4031d#ht_805wt_922"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Epiphone-non-rev...1d#ht_805wt_922[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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