What Are The Best Beginner Basses?

[hooky_lowdown]

1 hour ago, 3below said:

On point 3 I feel the need to mention Peavey Milestone basses (of which I have two, they were 'nuts' cheap used £50 & £60 with Hiscox case).  Given that they are alder bodies, BBOT bridge, maple necks, rosewood boards and J pickups I do not find much difference between them and my USA Fenders and G&L basses. The machine heads are not the greatest but the rest is really very well built. Wish these had been around in my youth - Woolworths K bass,  Avon SGs, Jedsons, Columbus sort of F copies etc. were less than satisfactory.  I could and do gig with the Peavey basses.  

Which model Milestone has an alder body? I had a Milestone 3 which was plywood. ☹️ 

But agree a Milestone is a good starter bass.

[greghagger]

13 hours ago, machinehead said:

I agree very strongly with your second point and totally disagree with your first and third points.

Point 1.  Most beginners are poor.  A "good" cheap bass is therefore very important.

Point 3.  Many "budget" basses are excellent and could be used for a lifetime of gigging.

Frank.

Cheers for your reply, yeah most beginners (including me when I started) don’t have much cash!

[greghagger]

12 hours ago, 3below said:

On point 3 I feel the need to mention Peavey Milestone basses (of which I have two, they were 'nuts' cheap used £50 & £60 with Hiscox case).  Given that they are alder bodies, BBOT bridge, maple necks, rosewood boards and J pickups I do not find much difference between them and my USA Fenders and G&L basses. The machine heads are not the greatest but the rest is really very well built. Wish these had been around in my youth - Woolworths K bass,  Avon SGs, Jedsons, Columbus sort of F copies etc. were less than satisfactory.  I could and do gig with the Peavey basses.  

These basses sound like a solid choice, I’ll research them more. Cheers. 

[3below]

11 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

Which model Milestone has an alder body? I had a Milestone 3 which was plywood. ☹️ 

But agree a Milestone is a good starter bass.

Am remembering an older (10 years back?) Peavey advert / flyer.  At the time I was surprised that it featured a hardwood body.  Can't find it on the internet now though.  My transparent red Milestone 3 is solid timber, 3 piece body, probably basswood given how light it is.  Most adverts (internet) seem to state basswood at the moment.

[hooky_lowdown]

47 minutes ago, 3below said:

Am remembering an older (10 years back?) Peavey advert / flyer.  At the time I was surprised that it featured a hardwood body.  Can't find it on the internet now though.  My transparent red Milestone 3 is solid timber, 3 piece body, probably basswood given how light it is.  Most adverts (internet) seem to state basswood at the moment.

Some US made Foundations were made with alder, you might have seen an advert for them, but don't think any Milestone's were made with alder.

[greghagger]

1 hour ago, 3below said:

Am remembering an older (10 years back?) Peavey advert / flyer.  At the time I was surprised that it featured a hardwood body.  Can't find it on the internet now though.  My transparent red Milestone 3 is solid timber, 3 piece body, probably basswood given how light it is.  Most adverts (internet) seem to state basswood at the moment.

That’s a bargain then, with a hardwood body 👍

[Bleat]

Don't forget short scales for those who may struggle with a 34" + scale length due to small stature or smaller hand size. Young children will obviously grow somewhat, but a smaller adult are what they are! I like short scales and I don't have height or hand size issues, they just have a great vibe and look.

The 30" Gretsch Junior Jet II is well priced, sonically versatile , looks cool, and would always be my #1 suggestion. Others may be the Squier Jag short scale, Ibanez Talman TMB 30 shortscale. Ibanez also currently sell a 32" medium scale but I can't remember what it's called!

I think more importantly though, suggesting allowing a little extra money when getting any new bass for getting a setup done and quality strings fitted by a specialist at the outset will provide a great playable instrument regardless of scale, price, brand etc..

 

 

[3below]

3 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

Some US made Foundations were made with alder, you might have seen an advert for them, but don't think any Milestone's were made with alder.

US Foundations also appeared in Ash, of which I have a very abused and scrappy example - severe roadworn.

How accurate this link / description is I do not know, but it mentions alder,  https://www.guitarcenter.com/Peavey/MAX-Bass-Stage-Pack.gc, Whether this is a milestone iii or some newer version is also open to question.    What is under the solid colour variants is anyone's guess They are however imo good value.

[ead]

If it's not been said already, then the best beginners bass is one that you can't walk past when it's on the stand at home without picking it up for a noodle.

[hooky_lowdown]

48 minutes ago, 3below said:

US Foundations also appeared in Ash, of which I have a very abused and scrappy example - severe roadworn.

How accurate this link / description is I do not know, but it mentions alder,  https://www.guitarcenter.com/Peavey/MAX-Bass-Stage-Pack.gc, Whether this is a milestone iii or some newer version is also open to question.    What is under the solid colour variants is anyone's guess They are however imo good value.

US Foundations were also made in popular, so lots for different woods. The ash ones like your are very highly regarded. 😄

Can you find another link to back up your find (link), as I'm guessing that is an error by Guitar Center. I've had a look myself, and other links say basswood.

[kodiakblair]

Foundations were alder,ash,maple. Poplar and mahogany were also used. 

 

The old Peavey catalogues just put "selected hardwoods" down on the spec sheets.

Current spec for Milestone 4 says basswood but I'm sure the natural with maple neck is alder.

[3below]

2 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

US Foundations were also made in popular, so lots for different woods. The ash ones like your are very highly regarded. 😄

Can you find another link to back up your find (link), as I'm guessing that is an error by Guitar Center. I've had a look myself, and other links say basswood.

I also suspect it is an error (as hinted at), Have gone back as far as 2009 Peavey catalogue, it states basswood body for the Milestone (Alder for Zodiac). This is for the 'later' Milestone with the 'loopy' logo rather than 'blocky' font.  Can't seem to find any earlier catalogues with the earlier Milestone.  I do remember the advert and as I said, was surprised when it stated (in my memory lol) alder.  Anything Milestone you get is most likely to be basswood I suspect.

 

My Foundation would not be highly regarded, it has been beaten to 'sh*!' and does not have the orginal pickups.  At some point I am going to sort it and have a rather roadworn lightweight 1980s USA bass for very little money.  

[hooky_lowdown]

1 minute ago, 3below said:

My Foundation would not be highly regarded, it has been beaten to 'sh*!' and does not have the orginal pickups.  At some point I am going to sort it and have a rather roadworn lightweight 1980s USA bass for very little money.  

👍

[greghagger]

1 hour ago, kodiakblair said:

Foundations were alder,ash,maple. Poplar and mahogany were also used. 

 

The old Peavey catalogues just put "selected hardwoods" down on the spec sheets.

Current spec for Milestone 4 says basswood but I'm sure the natural with maple neck is alder.

Great, this seems to have cleared the issue up somewhat. 

So good choice for the beginner bass list 👍

[greghagger]

4 hours ago, Bleat said:

Don't forget short scales for those who may struggle with a 34" + scale length due to small stature or smaller hand size. Young children will obviously grow somewhat, but a smaller adult are what they are! I like short scales and I don't have height or hand size issues, they just have a great vibe and look.

The 30" Gretsch Junior Jet II is well priced, sonically versatile , looks cool, and would always be my #1 suggestion. Others may be the Squier Jag short scale, Ibanez Talman TMB 30 shortscale. Ibanez also currently sell a 32" medium scale but I can't remember what it's called!

I think more importantly though, suggesting allowing a little extra money when getting any new bass for getting a setup done and quality strings fitted by a specialist at the outset will provide a great playable instrument regardless of scale, price, brand etc..

 

 

Very good point. It would be sensible to flag up short scale basses on the list. 

[Bleat]

5 hours ago, ead said:

If it's not been said already, then the best beginners bass is one that you can't walk past when it's on the stand at home without picking it up for a noodle.

Absolutely this also. What is the point if you are not visually attracted to the instrument in the first place. Although there *are* some practicalities to consider, for example the scale length as I mentioned, the attraction to an instrument really has to be at the top of the list.

To slightly add to the point also, I remember when I went to the music shop when I wanted my first "proper" gigging bass. I already had an Aria which cost me £50.00 from the same shop a few months previously, as that is about all I could afford at the time. It had no real vibe to it and most likely had no decent setup. The moment you see "the" bass is a weird moment though. Everything else in the room just seems to disappear, a bit like eyes meeting across a crowded room. The bass for me in question was a Washburn B200. I remember the guy pulling a face as if to say, "nah you don't want that one, there are  *better* (and more expensive) basses over there".. I wasn't having any of it though!  I picked it up, held it ,played it, and that was it … that was the one, it played great, I did not want to put it back on it's stand and walk off from it!  It also started my love affair with all things Les Paul shaped from then on.

I'm sure I'm not the only player to have had such a moment, and one of the best feelings there is especially when learning to play bass is all a relatively new thing, and you are not too bogged down with comparing all the more advanced technical aspects of instruments.

[Newfoundfreedom]

6 hours ago, Bleat said:

Don't forget short scales for those who may struggle with a 34" + scale length due to small stature or smaller hand size. Young children will obviously grow somewhat, but a smaller adult are what they are! I like short scales and I don't have height or hand size issues, they just have a great vibe and look.

The 30" Gretsch Junior Jet II is well priced, sonically versatile , looks cool, and would always be my #1 suggestion. Others may be the Squier Jag short scale, Ibanez Talman TMB 30 shortscale. Ibanez also currently sell a 32" medium scale but I can't remember what it's called!

I think more importantly though, suggesting allowing a little extra money when getting any new bass for getting a setup done and quality strings fitted by a specialist at the outset will provide a great playable instrument regardless of scale, price, brand etc..

 

 

+1 for the Gretsch Junior Jet. 

Cracking short scale basses. Unbelievably well made. Well priced considering the built quality, and they sound like thunder! 

[BreadBin]

On 23/08/2019 at 22:53, 3below said:

On point 3 I feel the need to mention Peavey Milestone basses (of which I have two, they were 'nuts' cheap used £50 & £60 with Hiscox case).  Given that they are alder bodies, BBOT bridge, maple necks, rosewood boards and J pickups I do not find much difference between them and my USA Fenders and G&L basses. The machine heads are not the greatest but the rest is really very well built. Wish these had been around in my youth - Woolworths K bass,  Avon SGs, Jedsons, Columbus sort of F copies etc. were less than satisfactory.  I could and do gig with the Peavey basses.  

Given that £50 is about right for an empty Hiscox I'd say you did alright!

I'm not sure I fully agree that your first bass should be easy to play. A bit like having a crappy first car - it gives you a greater appreciation of decent equipment later on.

[greghagger]

7 minutes ago, BreadBin said:

Given that £50 is about right for an empty Hiscox I'd say you did alright!

I'm not sure I fully agree that your first bass should be easy to play. A bit like having a crappy first car - it gives you a greater appreciation of decent equipment later on.

I tend to agree here about ease of playability. I had a really hard-to-play bass, with pretty crap pickups to start with. I had to really work hard, to try and get anything like a decent sound, and I feel that has helped my tone in the long run.  

In my experience, most music students start on pretty ropey instruments. Mainly because their parents can’t afford to, or don’t want to invest a lot of money initially. 

[Newfoundfreedom]

Unless you're a banker (with a capital "W") or a spoiled brat. No one in their right mind is going to go out as spend a grand or more on a first instrument, when they don't even know if they're going to get along with playing it or not. 

So to me the definition of a "beginner" bass has to at least in part, mean it's cheap. That would mean, for me personally £200 max budget, and even that's being rather generous. 

Fortunately, quality wise, what you can get for £200 these days is far better than you could get for the equivalent money 20 or 30 years ago. 

In fact, I would say you could spend £200 on a bass now, that would keep you going and gigging for a good few years to a fairly professional level. 

It's almost a shame. I think everybody should learn on an a absolute POS. It sorts the wheat from the chaff and forces you to develop skills that will stand you in good stead for years to come. Then, when you finally upgrade to a good instrument, you will really appreciate the difference. 

[hooky_lowdown]

6 minutes ago, greghagger said:

In my experience, most music students start on pretty ropey instruments. Mainly because their parents can’t afford to, or don’t want to invest a lot of money initially. 

This was the case years ago, but in the last decade there are so many solid starter basses on the market, all can be picked up used for sub £100. They are well made and have good necks for better playability. Yes, they won't be the best sounding bass, but they will make the right noises. Avoid all the "vintage" overpriced junk, and pick up a Yamaha, Peavey, Squier, Ibanez, SX, Harley Benton, J&D.

[hooky_lowdown]

2 minutes ago, Newfoundfreedom said:

Unless you're a banker (with a capital "W") or a spoiled brat. No one in their right mind is going to go out as spend a grand or more on a first instrument, when they don't even know if they're going to get along with playing it or not. 

So to me the definition of a "beginner" bass has to at least in part, mean it's cheap. That would mean, for me personally £200 max budget, and even that's being rather generous. 

Fortunately, quality wise, what you can get for £200 these days is far better than you could get for the equivalent money 20 or 30 years ago. 

In fact, I would say you could spend £200 on a bass now, that would keep you going and gigging for a good few years to a fairly professional level. 

It's almost a shame. I think everybody should learn on an a absolute POS. It sorts the wheat from the chaff and forces you to develop skills that will stand you in good stead for years to come. Then, when you finally upgrade to a good instrument, you will really appreciate the difference. 

I think you're jumping the gun, the average beginner or their parents won't want to spend more than £100 on a bass. The £200 bracket would be the second or third bass.

[Newfoundfreedom]

2 minutes ago, hooky_lowdown said:

This was the case years ago, but in the last decade there are so many solid starter basses on the market, all can be picked up used for sub £100. They are well made and have good necks for better playability. Yes, they won't be the best sounding bass, but they will make the right noises. Avoid all the "vintage" overpriced junk, and pick up a Yamaha, Peavey, Squier, Ibanez, SX, Harley Benton, J&D.

Having owned both. I'd take a "Vintage" over a Squier any day. 

Unless we're getting crossed wires. I mean Vintage the brand, rather than old beat up stuff. 

 

Edited August 25, 2019 by Newfoundfreedom

[Newfoundfreedom]

3 minutes ago, hooky_lowdown said:

I think you're jumping the gun, the average beginner or their parents won't want to spend more than £100 on a bass. The £200 bracket would be the second or third bass.

Even at £100 you can still pick up some fairly decent stuff these days, especially second hand. 

My first bass was £90 back in 1990 and it was absolutely woeful. I wish I could have bought anything like the quality of gear you can get for that price now. 

Edited August 25, 2019 by Newfoundfreedom

[hooky_lowdown]

1 minute ago, Newfoundfreedom said:

Having owned both. I'd take a "Vintage" over a Squier any day. 

 

I didn't mean the brand (vintage)! I've had Squier affinity which was far better than any pre 2014 MIM fender I've played.