What to buy a bass player for his 18th

[GrimUpNorth]

He's got his bass and amp and says he's happy with them for now, so I'm pondering what I could get him for his birthday.

 

It won't be his main present, so I was thinking along the lines of...

 

A really nice strap or case. Maybe something he could use to hook up to a pc and record, mix, produce.....yes I don't know what I'm talking about!

 

His amp is a Fender Rumble LT25 so has lots of different sounds (if that's the right term).

 

I'm not a bass player so any  advice would be great.

 

Thanks 

[Alba]

Customized strap from Pinegrove leather?

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

Presumably he already has some extras, but worth considering maybe….

 

Peterson Strobe Tuner

Levy’s Leather Strap

Dunlop Strap Locks

Guitar Care Kit (oils/cloths etc)

[pst62]

All of what hiram suggests above. Especially Strap locks, they're are a must!

[Jackroadkill]

25 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

Peterson Strobe Tuner

 

Not cheap but he'll never need another tuner.  These work brilliantly, are fully programmable and are easy to see on a dark stage.

[Dan Dare]

As you don't play yourself, I'd be wary of buying something expensive on spec'.  It's difficult to get it right when buying something for someone's interest that you have little knowledge of. As it's not a main present, I'd keep it simple. Programmable strobe tuners  are all very nice, but are a bit expensive/overkill for a young guy with his first instrument and amp. The TC clip on tuner at a quarter the price would be fine and you could add a decent strap and gig bag and still spend less than the the cost of the Peterson suggested above. 

[ricksterphil]

2 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

As you don't play yourself, I'd be wary of buying something expensive on spec'.  It's difficult to get it right when buying something for someone's interest that you have little knowledge of. As it's not a main present, I'd keep it simple. Programmable strobe tuners  are all very nice, but are a bit expensive/overkill for a young guy with his first instrument and amp. The TC clip on tuner at a quarter the price would be fine and you could add a decent strap and gig bag and still spend less than the the cost of the Peterson suggested above. 

 

What @Dan Dare said ✅

[Happy Jack]

I'd suggest buying him a lifetime subscription to Basschat, but sadly it's free.

[Grahambythesea]

A van to lug the gear around.

[PaulThePlug]

Hook upto a PC... Focusrite Scarlet thingy...

[gjones]

27 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said:

A van to lug the gear around.

 

A drummer with a van to lug all the gear around????

[nilorius]

Envelope filter.

[Count Bassy]

You mentioned a case as a possibiliy. If he doesn't have one than this will become a must have if he continues playing. Hard case or a good bag. I prefer a hard case as you can put it in the car and stack stuff on top of it. If I amusing a bag then I always make sure that it's the last thing in.

[Lfalex v1.1]

(Trying not to repeat other,  worthy suggestions)

 

Strings

A good, professional set-up. 

Tuition

[Bolo]

Not sure what your budget is and what accesoires your kid already has.

+A set of straplocks is always great. Schaller, Dunlop, Loxx.. can't really go wrong with the name brands.

+Behringer v-tone Bdi 21 pedal 

Always good to have a direct line to the mixing desk with a bit of your favourite sound. 

+A set of his favourite strings. 

+A nice guitar strap has been mentioned, I like Marusczyk padded straps.

+D'Addario Guitar Maintenance Kit for Bass. Has every tool for setups to string changes.

+Mono cases bass gig bag. The best way to protect a bass on the go that's also portable.

 

Headphones for silent practice at home, a comfy padded stool, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface for the computer, LESSONS or a workshop, a good guitar stand, Driver's license...

 

So many things! I tried listing in ascending order of cost a bit.

 

Oh last but not least, all bass players really really want one thing above all else...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another bass guitar.

Edited December 16, 2023 by Bolo

[snorkie635]

A couple of packets of strings won't go wrong as long as you find out what he is using. Make sure you buy the correct length and width (gauge) of string though.

[NHM]

a groupie for the night

[Franticsmurf]

As it's his 18th, it would be nice if he had something that would last and that, when he gets to 'ahem' our age, that he could look back on. A really nice, quality made strap with (perhaps) straplocks would last even if he changes basses/amps/pedals.  

[Count Bassy]

1 hour ago, NHM said:

a groupie for the night

Be sensible. He's a bass player.

[la bam]

Cheap multi fx pedal. Zoom 60b or 4on etc

[Nail Soup]

When I read the title I first of all thought it meant what to buy as his 18th bass...

[Beedster]

7 hours ago, GrimUpNorth said:

He's got his bass and amp and says he's happy with them for now, so I'm pondering what I could get him for his birthday.

 

It won't be his main present, so I was thinking along the lines of...

 

A really nice strap or case. Maybe something he could use to hook up to a pc and record, mix, produce.....yes I don't know what I'm talking about!

 

His amp is a Fender Rumble LT25 so has lots of different sounds (if that's the right term).

 

I'm not a bass player so any  advice would be great.

 

Thanks 

 

Irrespective of the above buy him a 2008 Fender - a Precision if of course the best bet  - that'll alway be his YOB bass bought by his parent(s) and which he may well keep for life on that basis 👍

[Lfalex v1.1]

9 minutes ago, Nail Soup said:

When I read the title I first of all thought it meant what to buy as his 18th bass...

 

Only on Basschat!

[Skybone]

A Basschat membership obviously.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

4 hours ago, la bam said:

Cheap multi fx pedal. Zoom 60b or 4on etc

Yes!  A lot of fun with multi fx . Will keep him occupied I'd say