Starter pack for a 12 year old

[wildman]

I'm sure this has been covered many times and I'm pretty sure I have a good idea of what to get, but theres a couple of things I'm not sure about.

With a budget of £200-ish, I thought: (Prices as guide from GAK)

Yamaha RBX170 (£119)
Peavey Microbass (£79)

which leaves a little change for an instructional Book/DVD and tuner. (My kids can chip in with these)

Questions:

1. Can a 12 year old handle a full scale bass or am I better off buying a 30" scale bass.
2. Whats a good instructional DVD for a beginner of his age.
3. Welcome any thoughts on the kit choices above. Is the RBX270 better value ?


Cheers, John

[EdwardHimself]

1. Yes he can handle it fine. It really annoys me the amount of people who think their hands are too small when it's just because they're too lazy to learn to play properley.

2. to be honest i don't know but i think bass lessons would probably be better.

3. may aswell get the 270. it's only £20 dearer.

[SJA]

the 270 has better machineheads. I've got a fretless one.

if it's only £20 more it's probably worth it.
the body wood is different too, dunno how much difference that makes though.

Edited November 30, 2007 by SJA

[Mr. Foxen]

The body wood thing is agathis vs. alder, so its eww that sucks vs. 'Fender use it' which is probably a big difference in many minds. I'm all for the second hand first instrument, no fear of chipping before you can appreciate 'mojo' that way.

[The Burpster]

12 yr olds can be a massive spread of sizes..... I've seen kids that could pass for 16 at that age and some that look about 6!

If you believe your youngster is physiclly capable of the full scale then go for a Yam (the 170 is a fine starter bass, the 270 is a wee bit more refined, however I'm not sure at absolute beginner stage its worth looking above the 170..... interest may only last until January the 1st!...... ). They are eminently easy to set up to play well and thats worth lots.
I'm sure theres loads on here with mint beginners books, that can be pased on to help!

[Mr. Foxen]

I totally think you should buy them this: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160183834373&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006"]Bass[/url] its skinny neck is ideal for tiny hands. Also, I need to buy food and pay rent.

[EdwardHimself]

^+1 actually Peavey basses are really bloody good value for money AND they look bitchin'!

[stingrayfan]

How about this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Encore-BB-Blaster-PK40-BASS-Guitar-Starter-Package_W0QQitemZ180183136284QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Encore starter kit [/url]for £100. All you need to see if your 12 year old likes bass, easy enough to sell on in the local paper, if he/she doesn't!

Edited December 1, 2007 by stingrayfan

[OutToPlayJazz]

I have a pupil who has a short scale Cort bass that came as a starter pack. Nice sounding bass and very easy to play.

[Tait]

i like the look of that encore starter kit. its a p copy so its just standard and simple, it costs less than the yamaha and comes with all sorts.

[Alien]

I can do you a better price on a Microbass

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1487&st=0&p=15354&#entry15354"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...amp;#entry15354[/url]

PM me if you're interested

Andy