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Post subject: Newbie Question
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:57 am
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I am about to purchase my 1st bass, is there anywhere I can go on the web that will tell me about basses, the different types, average prices, etc??? I am going to play jazz, r&b, and possibly funk.
Thanks


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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:18 pm
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Well, I'm not sure what you're looking for, rug-b. Are you looking for a shoppers guide that will tell you, "if you're going to play this kind of music, but this kind of bass?"

I can understand the desire for such a thing, but I don't think it exists: and if it does, it won't be accurate. You can play any style of music on any kind of bass, and the conventional wisdom (P-Bass for pop and Motown, Jazz bass for hard rock, Stingray for poppin' funk, etc) is little more than a collection of cliches.

So I can't direct you to any particular place, but I will give you my standard First Bass Advice:

Get a Fender Precision. Buy the best one you can afford, whether it's a Squier or an American Deluxe. There is no better platform for learning to sculpt tones with your hands than the bare-bones Precision, and no better laboratory for learning what your "style" will be than the bass that's been played in every type of music from polka to metal.

An MIM Standard is a great beginner's axe. It will be years before you outgrow it... if you ever do!


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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:36 pm
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Thanks alot. I think the Aerodyne looks pretty cool, but what difference would active pickups make (if I'm asking it right)?

Once again Thanks! :P


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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:47 pm
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Hey, if you would find the Aerodyne inspiring to play, then go for it!

As for "active" vs. "passive:" I personally think too much is made of the distinction. Most "active" basses don't have powered pickups (like EMG's): they have passive pickups and one or more active tone controls. (My American Deluxe P-Bass has passive pickups and active tone controls.). What this means is that you tone controls don't just cut bass or treble, as passive controls do... they can also boost a given frequency or set of frequencies.

That shouldn't be a big worry for a beginner. I think the Aeordyne Jazz has passive controls. The combo of a P-style and J-style pickup is very versatile.


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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:09 pm
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I have to say I learnt on a p bass copy thing and it really was a good bass for beginning on. Sure it had a crappy tone and wasn't the most beautifully crafted instrument ever, but the utter simplicity of it let me get on with learning to play well before getting too involved with amp settings and the like.


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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:00 pm
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Go with a Mexican P Bass. I got one mint ocndition but used (see if you can find one) it was less expensive, but it plays, feels, looks, sounds much better, and it's a Fender. It won't be something you will have to control special tone setting and other complex stuff for beginners, just a regular tone knob. That's just my opinion enjoy the bass you get (and post pics :D ).

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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:22 am
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So, there you go, dude... that's three votes straight off the bat for a MIM Standard P-bass. It's great, inexpensive instrument that can easily take you from beginner to pro.


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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:11 pm
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I concur - P bass man :D .

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Post subject: Fender Bass - the wheel
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:07 pm
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Here is some interesting links with just the facts:

The Fender Jazz Bass...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Jazz_Bass

The Fender Precision Bass...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Precision_Bass

Even with all the other basses out there, most studio musicians have Fender Bass within their arsenal for a good reason.......
You can't go wrong with either Fender bass. Both would be awesome, though if money isn't growing on trees, the Jazz Bass will offer the most flexibility. Although, it will not nail down the specific P-Bass tone, it will have more tonal options. Any good old standard Fender Bass will put you in the major league ball park (tone & function). :)


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Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:12 pm
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yeah i'm gunna agree with pretty much all the other guys in this thread and say that the mexican p-bass is the way to go. great bass to start off on, and the sort of bass that doesnt need replacing.
and i almost got a p-bass too but then i found my mexican jazz, and i fell in love with it after a few mods and repairs
so i'm a jazz bass man :P


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:53 pm
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I agree with what Gravity Jim said except that a Jazz Bass will give you more tonal flexibility than a Precision. The Jazz necks are a little easier to play and faster as well.


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Post subject: Yeah Start out with a p-bass.
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:28 pm
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Start out with the p-bass because you're just learning and it has good tones to learn on I started on a Precision Bass Pack with a little 15watt amp and It worked out. after awhile you'll get better then get the best bass you can, jazz basses are always they have a good tone for all ranges of music. Plus You want something that people will look at and say that's a nice bass even though you may not be a incredible player.

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:10 pm
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I Started out on a P-Bass, I also own several others too, I do like my fretless Jazz Bass too, But I still grab my P-Bass, I've had the P for 21 years, over half of my life, It was a GREAT investment


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