Buying my first bass and amp

[waynepunkdude]

You could do a lot worse than these 2 together.


[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=70243"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=70243[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71550"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71550[/url]

[waynepunkdude]

And if you want a Jazz bass

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558[/url]

[J3ster]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695890' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:20 PM']And if you want a Jazz bass

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558[/url][/quote]


Was just about to post that one myself... Well worth the Ton...

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='J3ster' post='695892' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:25 PM']Was just about to post that one myself... Well worth the Ton...[/quote]


I was going to buy it myself but I already have a natural Jazz with 84's in.

[J3ster]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695894' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:26 PM']I was going to buy it myself but I already have a natural Jazz with 84's in.[/quote]


Those wizard pups are just superb.. Even just one will make a great addition
Will be adding some to my fretless soon enough.

[Santinian]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695890' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:20 PM']And if you want a Jazz bass

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558[/url][/quote]


Thanks for that. But compare that to something like this, which is slightly less expensive: [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-by-Fender-Affinity-J-Bass-and-Rumble-15-Amp-Metallic-Blue/C3Z"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/...tallic-Blue/C3Z[/url]

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Santinian' post='695904' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:38 PM']Thanks for that. But compare that to something like this, which is slightly less expensive: [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-by-Fender-Affinity-J-Bass-and-Rumble-15-Amp-Metallic-Blue/C3Z"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/...tallic-Blue/C3Z[/url][/quote]


The quality of that is far less than the quality of the basses/amp I have linked you to.

If you want the cheapest thing you can find then get a pack, the Squier Affinity's aren't bad I used to have one but if you want the best within your budget go for something like I have suggested.

[Santinian]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695908' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:44 PM']The quality of that is far less than the quality of the basses/amp I have linked you to.

If you want the cheapest thing you can find then get a pack, the Squier Affinity's aren't bad I used to have one but if you want the best within your budget go for something like I have suggested.[/quote]

Okay, that's awesome. Thanks! PMing the sellers now.

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Santinian' post='695911' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:48 PM']Okay, that's awesome. Thanks! PMing the sellers now.[/quote]


Good luck buddy, remember where we are when you need help with anything.

[J3ster]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695908' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:44 PM']The quality of that is far less than the quality of the basses/amp I have linked you to.

If you want the cheapest thing you can find then get a pack, the Squier Affinity's aren't bad I used to have one but if you want the best within your budget go for something like I have suggested.[/quote]


The difference being a year to years, the links sent really would see you through learning, improving and playing live - hence years of service for a slightly higher price than something that would do the job but you would soon want to upgrade.

Apart from that I reckon your could get your money back on the link model in a years time too

Edited December 29, 2009 by J3ster

[OldGit]

May I recommend a few hours reading the Wiki here (look to teh top right of the page, near the "search" link.
In there you will find many questions and answers and most of the stuff you've been asking about.
It's less fun than asking the questions and interacting with us, though, so feel free to carry on. You just might progress a bit faster if you read the Wiki too


Meanwhile +1 on buying used from here and with our guidance.
and ...

Find a local bass tutor and spend a few quid on some lessons, at least to get you going.
Your local tutir may well know of students who have upgraded and who have beginners' basses and amps for sale.

Edited December 29, 2009 by OldGit

[aznbass]

Squiers are ace, Wouldnt really limit them to a first time bass, so it should be something you keep for a while,

Id definatly go for the SX Jazz!

But it depends on taste i guess.

[Relise]

As you are in Hatfield then you have Machine Head in Hitchin and Music Dept. in St Albans very close. Both will have a few basses, and are happy to let you try. I'm sure they will also be happy to spend time giving you advice too. I picked up my G&L L2000 Tribute from Music Dept second hand after trying loads in both shops.

I also take lessons from a guy in Hatfield so pm me if you want his contact details for a few lessons.

[Bilbo]

Re: Your query about the difference between a J pick up and a P pick up, I wouldn't worry about that at this stage is electronic and relates to the sound generated but most people can't tell the difference. You are a way off even beginning to need to know or to have a preference.

An electro-acoustic is an acoustic bass with a built in pick up. An acoustic bass guitar is supposed to be one that you can play without an amp (like an acoustic guitar) but the nature of the bass (i.e. the frequencies it generates etc) means that most electro-acoustic basses are inaudible unless they are plugged in so there's pretty much no difference other than the sound of individual instruments. Personally, I think you woul have to spend 10 times your budget ot get an electro-acoustic worth having so, my advice is to go with the electrics at this stage.

At this stage in your career, the main noticable difference between a Fender/Squier Jazz bass and a similar Precision is the string spacing and the width of the neck. The term Jazz in this context is a brand name not a reference to the musical genre (more like the aftershave and the car than the music ).

[OldGit]

Oh and the Jazz and Precision basses are very often referred to as J and P basses
The main difference between P and J pickups referred to up the thread (at this stage anyway) is the shape.
A Jazz Bass has two pickups shaped like this


and Precision has one pickup, in two parts, shaped like this:

[Hamster]

I'd go with Mr waynepunkdude's recommendation:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71550"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71550[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558[/url]

A really good start! (+ a few lessons!)

[flyfisher]

[quote name='Relise' post='696108' date='Dec 30 2009, 08:57 AM']As you are in Hatfield then you have Machine Head in Hitchin and Music Dept. in St Albans very close.[/quote]

Also Giggear in Hertford, which usually has used basses and amps as well as new ones.

I'd suggest sticking to something fairly 'mainstream' for starters, like a P-bass. Their popularity is well-deserved and they'll be easy to sell-on if you eventually decide you want to change.

But the best thing, by far, is to go somewhere and try various basses until you find one you feel happy with.