Thanks to Everyone, (especially Braddock), for the advice. I've decided to go with this....
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-IJSB … 1323531.gc
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-IJSB … 1323531.gc
Last edited by Zilla (2008-09-04 22:33:33)
pm braddock
Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella
Ibanez are great, but I know fuck all about acoustic bass brands.
Braddock seems in the know about kit, I would ask him for advice
Braddock seems in the know about kit, I would ask him for advice
I would say electric Ibanez. I have several friends who love them and play them splendidly. Also, ask Braddock, he probably knows more on this subject than anyone else.
try pawn shops.
Hard to find much really deluxe in that price range.
Hard to find much really deluxe in that price range.
I'd say Ibanez would definatfly fit your budget. They are pretty good too.
I would of kept the pool table being honest. Guitar is way more fun.
I would of kept the pool table being honest. Guitar is way more fun.
I once tried my buddys bass guitar for a few weeks when I was home with a fucked up spine. It went something like this: bum-bum-bum whoops bum-bum-bum whoops etc. But it was fun. In the end I could play KoRn - Blind and Rammstein - Wollt ihr das bett in flammen sehen without peeking at the tabs
I started a thread a while back. Couldnt get enough money for another version of something I already have (guitars)
Good stuff in there.
Good stuff in there.
Hi Zilla,
Your choice of bass really depends on the kind of sound you are looking to get. If you are looking for a classic rock sound like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin or Thin Lizzy then a Fender Squier would do nicely - that was the first bass I ever got and it plays really nice. You can find them online for under $200. Fender Jazz copies are even nicer again if you can find one of them within your price range.
If you are looking for something that sounds a bit funkier and suitable for slap bass like Red Hot Chili Pepppers, Primus or Level 42 then in my opinion you have to go for an active bass (i.e. a bass with onboard electronics for sound control). You'll notice an active bass as they often have switches as well as knobs on them (the volume and tone controls), these allow you to accurately blend the sound from your pickups. The type of wood is also important; a dark and heavy wood will usually give a deeper, warmer sound whereas lighter woods will often give a brighter, punchier sound. You can get nice Warwick copy basses now but I think they might be closer to $400 than $200. I noticed you were looking at Ibanez basses, I played an active Ibanez bass in a shop a while back (can't remember the exact model) and it sounded really nice so they may be a good brand to go with - I myself have an Ibanez fretless and it's been pretty solid over the years.
The fretless acoustic you had in mind looks nice and is definitely reasonable at $199 but the fretless bass as an instrument is a very different beast to the fretted bass. I've been playing fretted bass for about 12 years and fretless bass for about 9 and I love both but getting the right sound and feel on a fretless can take a lot longer than it does for fretted bass. It's only been in the last year that I've finally got the fretless sound I've been looking for. Don't expect slapping or tapping to sound good on a fretless without a lot of practice and trial and error with your sound setup.
Also, acoustic basses are nice for many types of music but again be warned that you won't be able to get a strong slap or tap sound whether it's fretted or fretless.
String gauge is also very important in terms of the sound you're looking for. Don't expect to sound like Flea or Mark King if you've got big heavy 'Country and Western' strings on your bass! You'll need a set ranging from between .30 and .45 on your G string. If you want the classic rock sound then heavier strings are fine.
PS: Bass is way more fun than guitar in my opinion, it's way more versatile and fun. When you master slap, tap, fingerstyle and chords you can really brighten up any piece of music with the bass.
EDIT: Also, ATG is right... check out second hand stores and pawn shops. I saved about a grand getting a second hand 6 string bass and it turned out to be nicer than the brand new 6 string I had been looking to buy.
Your choice of bass really depends on the kind of sound you are looking to get. If you are looking for a classic rock sound like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin or Thin Lizzy then a Fender Squier would do nicely - that was the first bass I ever got and it plays really nice. You can find them online for under $200. Fender Jazz copies are even nicer again if you can find one of them within your price range.
If you are looking for something that sounds a bit funkier and suitable for slap bass like Red Hot Chili Pepppers, Primus or Level 42 then in my opinion you have to go for an active bass (i.e. a bass with onboard electronics for sound control). You'll notice an active bass as they often have switches as well as knobs on them (the volume and tone controls), these allow you to accurately blend the sound from your pickups. The type of wood is also important; a dark and heavy wood will usually give a deeper, warmer sound whereas lighter woods will often give a brighter, punchier sound. You can get nice Warwick copy basses now but I think they might be closer to $400 than $200. I noticed you were looking at Ibanez basses, I played an active Ibanez bass in a shop a while back (can't remember the exact model) and it sounded really nice so they may be a good brand to go with - I myself have an Ibanez fretless and it's been pretty solid over the years.
The fretless acoustic you had in mind looks nice and is definitely reasonable at $199 but the fretless bass as an instrument is a very different beast to the fretted bass. I've been playing fretted bass for about 12 years and fretless bass for about 9 and I love both but getting the right sound and feel on a fretless can take a lot longer than it does for fretted bass. It's only been in the last year that I've finally got the fretless sound I've been looking for. Don't expect slapping or tapping to sound good on a fretless without a lot of practice and trial and error with your sound setup.
Also, acoustic basses are nice for many types of music but again be warned that you won't be able to get a strong slap or tap sound whether it's fretted or fretless.
String gauge is also very important in terms of the sound you're looking for. Don't expect to sound like Flea or Mark King if you've got big heavy 'Country and Western' strings on your bass! You'll need a set ranging from between .30 and .45 on your G string. If you want the classic rock sound then heavier strings are fine.
PS: Bass is way more fun than guitar in my opinion, it's way more versatile and fun. When you master slap, tap, fingerstyle and chords you can really brighten up any piece of music with the bass.
EDIT: Also, ATG is right... check out second hand stores and pawn shops. I saved about a grand getting a second hand 6 string bass and it turned out to be nicer than the brand new 6 string I had been looking to buy.
Last edited by Braddock (2008-09-02 15:20:10)
Do you want acoustic or electric?
Ibanez is the better choice than 'Playmate'.
Ibanez is the better choice than 'Playmate'.
I once wanted to learn how to play base.
I got the letter from school, and when i went it turned out it was double bass.
Needless to say i just walked straight out.
I got the letter from school, and when i went it turned out it was double bass.
Needless to say i just walked straight out.
stop making stupid posts.SEREVENT wrote:
I once wanted to learn how to play base.
I got the letter from school, and when i went it turned out it was double bass.
Needless to say i just walked straight out.
Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella
Double bass is brilliant too, I've been playing double bass for about 2 or 3 years now.SEREVENT wrote:
I once wanted to learn how to play base.
I got the letter from school, and when i went it turned out it was double bass.
Needless to say i just walked straight out.
Check out rockabilly slapping on double bass or some of the shit Stanley Clarke does on a double bass...
I don't know if this same logic applies to bass, but with guitar, you have to remember that the amp is where most of your tone comes from - so when you do buy new gear, just remember that the amp comes first.Zilla wrote:
thanks for the input guys, (and Braddock) I've decided to go with this to start...
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5443 … lecsj0.jpg
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-IJSB … 1323531.gc ^^^^
then I'll get a nice one when I get better at bass.
I've always wanted to try out bass, but I figure I might as well get better with guitar before I try out a new instrument; Best of luck to you.
Ugh i hate those starter pack deals. The gear is usually complete rubbish. I mean, they're playable, but then you see and hear an instrument that cost the same as the whole starter pack and you end up regret buying the starter pack.
closed at OP request