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Buying my first bass and amp

Santinian

By Santinian,
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Santinian Newbie

Santinian

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Hi all,



Before I go any further I have to warn you guys that you will be flooded with noobie ignorant questions, so I ask for your patience. I've never held a bass in my life but I'm looking into buying my first one. I went to the nearest mustic store and they told me their Fender bass+amps and other requirements cost 250£. I did a search on Argos and found ones that are slightly less expensive, also by Fender. But I found myself asking a lot of questions like;

What is the difference between a jazz bass and a, well, regular bass?

What really is the difference between a 20W amp and a 50Watt stage amp, and which one should I go for?

What on earth is a "strat" guitar?

And wth is a digital guitar tuner?

As a beginner, what should I buy?

Your answers will be really helpful and much appreciated.

Thank you!

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waynepunkdude Veteran

waynepunkdude

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[quote name='Santinian' post='695758' date='Dec 29 2009, 05:38 PM']Hi all,



Before I go any further I have to warn you guys that you will be flooded with noobie ignorant questions, so I ask for your patience. I've never held a bass in my life but I'm looking into buying my first one. I went to the nearest mustic store and they told me their Fender bass+amps and other requirements cost 250£. I did a search on Argos and found ones that are slightly less expensive, also by Fender. But I found myself asking a lot of questions like;

What is the difference between a jazz bass and a, well, regular bass?

What really is the difference between a 20W amp and a 50Watt stage amp, and which one should I go for?

What on earth is a "strat" guitar?

And wth is a digital guitar tuner?

As a beginner, what should I buy?

Your answers will be really helpful and much appreciated.

Thank you![/quote]

*DEEP BREATH*

A Jazz is a very versatile type of bass, 2 pick ups, off set body and a slim neck. All basses are different, there is no such thing as a regular bass.

The difference between a 20W amp and a 50W amp is about 30W

A Strat is shot for Stratocaster which is a 6 string guitar (not a bass)

A digital tuner is a small device you plug your bass into and helps you tune.

Depends on budget and style of music?

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Santinian Newbie

Santinian

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[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695766' date='Dec 29 2009, 05:48 PM']*DEEP BREATH*

A Jazz is a very versatile type of bass, 2 pick ups, off set body and a slim neck. All basses are different, there is no such thing as a regular bass.

The difference between a 20W amp and a 50W amp is about 30W

A Strat is shot for Stratocaster which is a 6 string guitar (not a bass)

A digital tuner is a small device you plug your bass into and helps you tune.

Depends on budget and style of music?[/quote]


Thanks for the answers! I hope you don't mind me asking some follow-up questions. About the 20W amp and the 50W amp, what's the difference in the sound if there is any?

In terms of budget let's say the max is 250£ and as for style, more alternative rock. Jazz is not my style. Should I avoid the jazz bass then?

Are there any online stores that you recommend?

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Santinian Newbie

Santinian

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Here are the stuff I found online. Was wondering if you guys could help me decide which one I should get:

[url="http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog/Starter_Pack.html"]http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog/Starter_Pack.html[/url]

[url="http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&langId=-1&searchTerms=FENDER+BASS#tabrev"]http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/s...DER+BASS#tabrev[/url]


Edited to add:
[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Bass_Guitars/Fender_Squier_Bass.html"]http://www.gear4music.com/Bass_Guitars/Fen...quier_Bass.html[/url]

Edited by Santinian
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phil.i.stein Community Regular

phil.i.stein

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[quote name='Santinian' post='695778' date='Dec 29 2009, 06:02 PM']Thanks for the answers! I hope you don't mind me asking some follow-up questions. About the 20W amp and the 50W amp, what's the difference in the sound if there is any?

In terms of budget let's say the max is 250£ and as for style, more alternative rock. Jazz is not my style. Should I avoid the jazz bass then?

Are there any online stores that you recommend?[/quote]
i'd avoid online purchase until you know exactly what you want. independent music shops are disappearing all too rapidly, please support them, as building a good personal relationship with someone who can help you face to face is IMO what you should be doing at the moment..

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Doddy Mentor

Doddy

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A Jazz Bass is nothing to do with playing Jazz. It's a style of instrument which has two pickups, a narrower neck and different
body shape than a 'Precision Bass'. These are the two predominant Bass guitar styles. Check out the differences here.......

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190662769"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190662769[/url]

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190460700"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190460700[/url]

There isn't a great lot of diference between a 20 and 50 watt amp-both are cool for practising with and getting
you started

A 'strat' guitar is based on the Fender Stratocaster design..........

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0110402705"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0110402705[/url]

A digital tuner is a devise that you plug into so that you can accurately tune your instrument to the correct pitch.
The tuner will tell you what note you are playing,and if you are sharp or flat.

Try out a bunch of different instruments to see which one you like- Squier's(by Fender) are always a good bet.
Don't just get one from Argos-go to your local music shop and ask for some assistance.

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waynepunkdude Veteran

waynepunkdude

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[quote name='Santinian' post='695778' date='Dec 29 2009, 06:02 PM']Thanks for the answers! I hope you don't mind me asking some follow-up questions. About the 20W amp and the 50W amp, what's the difference in the sound if there is any?

In terms of budget let's say the max is 250£ and as for style, more alternative rock. Jazz is not my style. Should I avoid the jazz bass then?

Are there any online stores that you recommend?[/quote]

The power of an amp (the wattage) won't have a bearing on how it sounds the Wattage is generally a rough way of working out how loud it is (not an exact science).

The Jazz bass is very versatile, I have a few of them myself and I play in Punk and Ska bands.

I would take a loook in the for sale section here you should be able to pick up a nice second hand Squier Jazz and a Peavey amp for that money.

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xgsjx Grand Master

xgsjx

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Jazz basses usually have J pick ups, Presicion basses - P pick ups. There are other types of pick ups too & often find humbuckers on jazz basses.
Get as high a wattage amp as you can (to an extent).
Post your budget & I'm sure every one will chip some good ideas for you.

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Santinian Newbie

Santinian

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[quote name='phil.i.stein' post='695787' date='Dec 29 2009, 06:10 PM']i'd avoid online purchase until you know exactly what you want. independent music shops are disappearing all too rapidly, please support them, as building a good personal relationship with someone who can help you face to face is IMO what you should be doing at the moment..[/quote]

Good advice there. There is a local music store that just opened here but their bass pack costs 250£ while I have access to more variety online and for lower prices too (see the websites I posted).

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J3ster Apprentice

J3ster

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Hi and welcome,

On the Amp side all Amps sound different but down to bear bones..
A 20W is 20 Watts of sound a 50W is 50 watts of sound (hense it should be louder)

My first Bass albeit a long time ago was £40 and that is a lot more than others have paid for their first.

Trawl Ebay (sorry everyone) find a Bass near to you you can go look at. Post the Ebay ad reference on here and people will tell you what to look for.

Amps - Can be picked up real cheap too. I just got a practice one for a student from gear4music but once again Ebay or any on-line shop is good..

Best thing though is to find a good local music store, you pay a bit more but really do (generally) get good advice.

Seriously you do NOT need to spend the £250 or anywhere near.. Spend less and put the rest towards lessons..

Lastly - This site is so helpful you will not be short of help or advice, and no question is stupid if you really want an answer!!

Edited by J3ster
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phil.i.stein Community Regular

phil.i.stein

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[quote name='Santinian' post='695798' date='Dec 29 2009, 06:21 PM']Good advice there. There is a local music store that just opened here but their bass pack costs 250£ while I have access to more variety online and for lower prices too (see the websites I posted).[/quote]
understood.. shops always have to cover their rent/staff and some staff can be obnoxious and off-putting, but there is also usually the benefit of tieing in with the local music community , so don't shun them for the sake of a few quid.. :)

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Santinian Newbie

Santinian

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[quote name='Doddy' post='695791' date='Dec 29 2009, 06:14 PM']A Jazz Bass is nothing to do with playing Jazz. It's a style of instrument which has two pickups, a narrower neck and different
body shape than a 'Precision Bass'. These are the two predominant Bass guitar styles. Check out the differences here.......

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190662769"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190662769[/url]

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190460700"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190460700[/url]

There isn't a great lot of diference between a 20 and 50 watt amp-both are cool for practising with and getting
you started

A 'strat' guitar is based on the Fender Stratocaster design..........

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0110402705"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0110402705[/url]

A digital tuner is a devise that you plug into so that you can accurately tune your instrument to the correct pitch.
The tuner will tell you what note you are playing,and if you are sharp or flat.

Try out a bunch of different instruments to see which one you like- Squier's(by Fender) are always a good bet.
Don't just get one from Argos-go to your local music shop and ask for some assistance.[/quote]

Thanks for the pictures there--really helpful! But now I have to ask--and I hope you guys aren't sick of my questions yet--what is the difference between a J-pickup and a P-pickup?
O_O

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bigjohn Proficient

bigjohn

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[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695766' date='Dec 29 2009, 05:48 PM']*DEEP BREATH*[/quote]


Did you breathe out yet? :)


You should be able to pick up a very decent 2nd bass and amp for £250 - at this sort of price level you really shouldn't buy new - resale value of £250 of new stuff will be £100 if you're lucky. If you buy wrong - much less. And if you carry on learning and playing bass, you'll probably want to move this stuff on pretty quick.

However - £150 should get you a nice bass which could last you a few years and still be worth that sort of money when you come to want to move it along. Similarly with a practice amp - you should be able to get a decent little amp for £100 2nd hand.

The squier guitars are pretty cool for that sort money. I'm not sure about amps on that sort of budget but I'm sure there are those on here that are.

I agree about lessons. I've never taken any but I'm 100% sure I'd have learned a LOT quicker and easier if I had.

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ashevans09 Rising Star

ashevans09

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I was going to chip in a bit more but you're in good hands :)

I'd really recommend going to a shop, because from the looks of it you're looking at either a Squire Jazz or Squire Precision bass at the moment, and they feel very different to play, to the point of it being slightly uncomfortable for some. So it might be a good idea to actually hold and play one just to get a feel for them.

Anyhoo your earlier questions:

[b]"About the 20W amp and the 50W amp, what's the difference in the sound if there is any?"[/b]

Probably very little with what you're looking at, though take two similar specification amps by different brands and they can sound mighty different. Again, another argument for going to a store and trying before buying :rolleyes:

"In terms of budget let's say the max is 250£ and as for style, more alternative rock. Jazz is not my style. Should I avoid the jazz bass then?"

No reason to, it's just a name, they are used absolutely everywhere for everything. Further on from the previously posted things about the difference between a precision and a jazz bass, the wiki articles might be helpful to you :lol: .

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Jazz_Bass"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Jazz_Bass[/url]
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precision_Bass"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precision_Bass[/url]

Are there any online stores that you recommend?

GAK are usually decent, though again I'd recommend going to a store.

Whereabouts are you based? I'm sure one of us wouldn't mind taking you down to a store sometime and helping you out, cos these questions are usually easier to answer in person and it's then better because you can ask whatever occurs to you at the time :lol:

I'll leave the Pick up question to someone more knowledgeable :lol: , however in my experience I've found jazz's to be capable of more mellow and versatile tones that the precision however, the precision tone is so brilliant some argue you don't need to change it anyways, if just works well everywhere. It's just down to taste at the end of the day.

Edited by ashevans09
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essexbasscat Mentor

essexbasscat

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[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71195&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71195&hl=[/url]

Hi and welcome

have a look at this thread and get in touch with the originator. If local, he sounds like a guy to visit

if not local, he may be able to point you to a reliable someone to be with while you get started

good luck

T :)

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Santinian Newbie

Santinian

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I live in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. I wouldn't mind traveling to London, which is 25min by train from Hatfield, to get to a good music store. Or should I post in this forum's marketplace asking for people to sell me their bass and amp second-hand while giving me good advice?

I found two bass pack kits on ebay that are quite cheap, less than 100£. Some part of me wants to get that instead of spend 250£ for a Fender.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-PACKAGE-10-WATT-AMP-PACK-KIT_W0QQitemZ330335472892QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item4ce9874cfc"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR...=item4ce9874cfc[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-PACKAGE-AND-AMPLIFIER-PACK-KIT_W0QQitemZ190355522912QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2c5212c560"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR...=item2c5212c560[/url]

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waynepunkdude Veteran

waynepunkdude

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[quote name='Santinian' post='695870' date='Dec 29 2009, 07:51 PM']Okay, I just learned there's such a thing as an Electro Acoustic Bass. What on earth is that and should I be getting an acoustic instead of an electric one?[/quote]


In short no.


In my experience you would be better off with a broom than one of those starter packs on eBay

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