Getting into it.

[Musky]

That's strange - I didn't notice that the 10a I played had a longer scale, so I turned to google. It seems that even Dean seem a little confused as they have two pages for the 10a, one stating a 34" scale and the other 35"!

[url="http://www.deanguitars.com/e10APJ_basses.php"]http://www.deanguitars.com/e10APJ_basses.php[/url]
[url="http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_09/Edge10A_PJ.htm"]http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_09/Edge10A_PJ.htm[/url]

Maybe they've changed the specs in the last few months?

[DreadAlert]

What would 2 single-coil pickups sound like?

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Metalmoore' post='833687' date='May 10 2010, 09:52 PM']Passive is a good way to start imho as its simple to get a nice sound out of it quickly. A yamaha rbx170 aint a bad thing, only played one for 10 mins but im sure my mate gigs with one. Cheap and cheerful in my eyes.[/quote]


I have an RBX170 (I say I have it I haven't seen it for ages ) a lot of bang for the buck also a P/J pick up configuration so lots of tones available.

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='833741' date='May 10 2010, 10:47 PM']I have an RBX170 (I say I have it I haven't seen it for ages ) a lot of bang for the buck also a P/J pick up configuration so lots of tones available.[/quote]

actually, that looks really good. I like the violin sunburst ALOT..
thanks guys.

[Narcissism]

You know, most people's first bass isn't the most interesting piece of equipment. Remember, you're looking for something to learn on. When I started, I got an instrument that wasn't the greatest to play. When I decided that I was dedicated to the instrument and that I wanted to continue to play, I bought a better one, and the difference in my playing ability was notable.

Perhaps you should aim for an instrument that you're comfortable learning on, rather than an instrument that you want to show off. I mean, if you have something to show off, but you can't play it, then what's the use, right?

[Metalmoore]

[quote name='Narcissism' post='833870' date='May 11 2010, 02:44 AM']You know, most people's first bass isn't the most interesting piece of equipment. Remember, you're looking for something to learn on. When I started, I got an instrument that wasn't the greatest to play. When I decided that I was dedicated to the instrument and that I wanted to continue to play, I bought a better one, and the difference in my playing ability was notable.

Perhaps you should aim for an instrument that you're comfortable learning on, rather than an instrument that you want to show off. I mean, if you have something to show off, but you can't play it, then what's the use, right?[/quote]

+1

Thats why i have been recomending second hand and the rbx170.

[DreadAlert]

By the way guys,
what are the differences between P and J pickups? And humbuckers and single coils and all the other ones?

I'm clueless.

[Metalmoore]

Well they all have there own kind of trademark sounds but physically a P pickup is two small single coils and one goes under 2 strings and the other under the other 2 (each one wound differently to cancel any hum). A J pickup is just a single coil under all the strings. A hum bucker is in essence two single coils in one case but wound differently from each other under all strings. I'm sure someone else will explain this better than I or you could even check out wikipedia.

Just with a PJ bass you can work out which sound you prefer and when you eventually spend more money on a better bass you might decide just a single P is what you want or a nice pair of J pickups is your thing. I like both the P bass and J bass sounds but prefer the Jazz because...... hmmm, I dunno why I like it, just sounds right to me.

Everyone has their favourite sound and eventually you will work it out, it’s all in the fun of playing different basses and finding it.

Just remember, there is no right or wrong choice when choosing your bass, one mans favourite could be another’s worst nightmare and all we can provide here is our own experiences/opinions because if you were to ask me what bass you should get I would straight away say a Jazz bass because I love them and to me they sound great but someone else might swear by P basses and wouldn’t touch a J bass.

If I were to go back in time to choose a bass I would have started with a squier VMJ, I recommend you try one.

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Metalmoore' post='834547' date='May 11 2010, 07:12 PM']If I were to go back in time to choose a bass I would have started with a squier VMJ, I recommend you try one.[/quote]


I'm sitting in a room full of Fenders and I'm playing my VMJ at the moment, without doubt the best value for money bass there is.

[Metalmoore]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='834569' date='May 11 2010, 07:23 PM']I'm sitting in a room full of Fenders and I'm playing my VMJ at the moment, without doubt the best value for money bass there is.[/quote]

If i were to have my custom jazz stolen i would buy a VMJ and throw in a audere and i would be VERY happy (obviously very sad too seeing as my custom cost quite a lot)

[TRadford]

As a fairly recent newcomer to bass myself, I would very much listen to the advice on here. These chaps know thier onions, and thier basses too.

Forget about image, you are learning so you need a bass that is comfortable and easy to play. You say you want to sound like flea, well that aint gonna happen, because flea is a person, not a bass. He could make any bass sound like flea. Flea himself could hand you his bass, and you still wouldnt sound like him.

A squier Vintage modified Jazz is an amzing bass for the money, the slim neck makes playing a breeze and it looks great. The Ibanez is also very nice, but a completely different tone to the VMJ. Again, the neck is really slim, so easy to play.

Another point. If you are not sure you can or actually will want to carry on playing the bass, then you need to think about resale. A VMJ will hold is money easilly. Those package basses wont and you will loose a lot of money in a short time. I know you have a thing about 2nd hand basses, but I have bought all my basses off here, and bar one they have immaculate. You will get so much more for your money on here, and you wont get screwed over like you will on ebay.
Im sure if you asked nicely, a seller would strip the bass and clean it up as new for you.

[DreadAlert]

Well I'm checkin out their sounds on Youtube, seeing as I cant try them myself.
And so far I am preferring the sounds of the VMJ and the Standard Jazz to the Yamaha.

Do you think I should still go for the PJ or go for the VMJ that I prefer the sound of?

[TRadford]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='834657' date='May 11 2010, 08:22 PM']Do you think I should still go for the PJ or go for the VMJ that I prefer the sound of?[/quote]

No one can answer that for you. Why cant you try any? Birmingham has several music shops.

For now,personally I'd say the VMJ, but if you feel in a few months you want a different sound and you are sticking with bass, then buy a P bass too. I started with 1 bass last August, and now have 4 with maybe another on the way soon. Also bear in mind with youtube vids, often the basses arent "clean". They may be going through amps and effects which may alter the sound. This is why you should really try them out yourself.

[Tait]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='831132' date='May 8 2010, 12:00 AM']Yeah I'll probably pick up a practice amp.
The Ibanez SR300 sounds good.[/quote]

i'd highly recommend these, that'd be the one i'd go for out of all of the ones mentioned so far (although admittedly, i haven't played all of them) . you'll also noticed a huge difference between the SR300 than the GSR200, the SR300 is built so much better.

also, about the squiers, definitely standard jazz, VMJ, CVJ over the affinity.

[Metalmoore]

Yeah, get yourself to a music shop ASAP and spend some time just playing around with different basses within your price range and one or two thats not to compare. Try the VMJ and compare it to a fender jazz and youl feel how good the VMJ really is.

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='Metalmoore' post='834675' date='May 11 2010, 08:40 PM']Yeah, get yourself to a music shop ASAP and spend some time just playing around with different basses within your price range and one or two thats not to compare. Try the VMJ and compare it to a fender jazz and youl feel how good the VMJ really is.[/quote]

I'll do my best and try and get down to Fairdeal music on the weekend.

What do you guys think of the Squier Standard Jazz Bass? Does the VMJ stand out as better value for money or are they pretty much the same?

Also, I just saw this in Argos. [url="http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0661250/Trail/searchtext%3ESTARCASTER.htm"]http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/part...ESTARCASTER.htm[/url]

Isn't that quite cheap for a fender?

Edited May 12, 2010 by DreadAlert

[danny-79]

[quote name='Metalmoore' post='834675' date='May 11 2010, 08:40 PM']Yeah, get yourself to a music shop ASAP and spend some time just playing around with different basses within your price range and one or two thats not to compare.[/quote]

Thats great advice (still do it myself just for the fun of it )

[Tait]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='835574' date='May 12 2010, 07:04 PM']I'll do my best and try and get down to Fairdeal music on the weekend.

What do you guys think of the Squier Standard Jazz Bass? Does the VMJ stand out as better value for money or are they pretty much the same?[/quote]

i really like the standard jazz. i'd say they're pretty much the same, although i've only ever played them, never owned either.

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='835574' date='May 12 2010, 07:04 PM']Also, I just saw this in Argos. [url="http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0661250/Trail/searchtext%3ESTARCASTER.htm"]http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/part...ESTARCASTER.htm[/url]

Isn't that quite cheap for a fender?[/quote]

i'd say stay clear tbh. although i've never played one, argos aren't exactly renown for their high quality guitars.

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='835574' date='May 12 2010, 07:04 PM']Also, I just saw this in Argos. [url="http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0661250/Trail/searchtext%3ESTARCASTER.htm"]http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/part...ESTARCASTER.htm[/url]

Isn't that quite cheap for a fender?[/quote]


That's just plain old false advertising.

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='Tait' post='835614' date='May 12 2010, 07:54 PM']i really like the standard jazz. i'd say they're pretty much the same, although i've only ever played them, never owned either.[/quote]

Cool, I think I'll go for the standard then. To save money, and I dont need THE BEST cause Im only learning.

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='Tait' post='835614' date='May 12 2010, 07:54 PM']i really like the standard jazz. i'd say they're pretty much the same, although i've only ever played them, never owned either.[/quote]

Cool, I think I'll go for the standard then. To save money, and I dont need THE BEST cause Im only learning.

[The Burpster]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='835629' date='May 12 2010, 08:11 PM']That's just plain old false advertising.[/quote]

Wayne sadly its not!

Probably only god and Fenders marketing dept know where they are made, but they are indeed geniune Fender starter packs......

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

also see here on amazon.....

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Starcaster-284800108-Fender-J-Bass/dp/B00243FOLQ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1273692414&sr=8-12"]http://www.amazon.com/Starcaster-284800108...414&sr=8-12[/url]

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='The Burpster' post='835641' date='May 12 2010, 08:25 PM']Wayne sadly its not!

Probably only god and Fenders marketing dept know where they are made, nut they are indeed geniune Fender startert packs......

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starcaster_by_Fender"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starcaster_by_Fender[/url][/quote]

Well f*** me, they are utter sh*te I'm suprised Fender would lend their name to them

[danny-79]

Its got Fender on the headstock an thats about it! (talk about taking sacred names in vain!)
I'm guessing its all down to the amount of cheep copy's there are about (pretty much everything is based around the ONE shape / design etc) so Fender are just making there own cheep copy's and putting there own name to it.
But from some of the examples that Ive seen/played they just keep getting worse.
When i started playing a Fender was a Fender end of. And the copy's that were about were still just as good (if not better).

[DreadAlert]

Yo.
What's the difference between the Standard P bass and the Standard J Bass?