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Post subject: In the mood for a bass.
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:22 pm
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Hi guys, I'm not new to the forum but certainly new to the bass forum. I have a few questions and I thought why not dig at the source? So as I posted on the Lounge Forum recently, the slight curiosity to own a bass mutated to a ferocious GAS attack and seriously, I think that I want to learn more about playing guitars and in my mind that means to learn bass also. I already checked the basis per the great comments that I had at the Lounge, and I'm aiming at a $300.00 to $700.00 CAD for a new or used bass. I want to play Blues, Blues/Rock mainly. I don't care much for the color/number of pickups/maple rosewood P Bass, Jazz Bass and all the details that I can live with as long as the bass sounds good. I know good to me might not be good to you, but my inquiry is simple. What would you suggest me to look at when trying a bass before I buy it. I took a bass in my hands once a few years back just out of sheer curiosity but at that time, I wasn't ready. I also just learned that I can play bass at low volume with a regular guitar amp, without damaging it. So if I can buy a real bass amp later it motivates me to put a little more money on the bass now and the suggestions that I have had so far vary from the Squier Vintage Modified to the Standard MIM bass.
So what do you think of my plan? Don't hesitate to add your Buyer Warnings Red Flags as long as the cool things to be aware. I am not in a rush to buy anything right now, I want to try out a few basses during the next few weekends and as I don't have the skills and techniques to play, I figured that a few hints by experienced people could help me choose more wisely. Thanks in advance and see ya. :)
Claude. 8)


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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:15 pm
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Squier Vintage modified Jazz. Really great sonding, and looking bass.

cheap enough for starting out, but good enough to last you.


And although you can play a bass through a guitar amp at low volumes, I wouldn't really recommend it.

Your bass isn't going to sound as good. and you still risk damaging your guitar amp.

Besides, who wants to play at really low volumes? =P


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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:36 pm
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Hey Trukis, thanks for your input. I start from the beginning, I don't even know how to tune a bass, much less how to play. So I figured that a few weeks/months to learn the basics would give me time to find a good but cheap used amp. So far, the Squier VM is the one that popped up the most. Still thinking and figuring out a few things. :)
Claude. 8)


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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:13 pm
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Hey Claude.

A big suggestion is to go down to your local music store(s) and play around with as many different basses as you can get your hands on. Fender, Ibanez, MusicMan, whatever they have. They will all feel different. Different necks, bodies, woods, weights, just like with guitars. Also, most basses IME are set-up either below average or just horrible in music stores. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry has played that thing and in some cases, beat it to death. Keep that in mind. Another suggestion is to either bring an extra, older strap of yours or ask for one. I always play standing up, and really hate to try out basses in a sitting with the bass on your leg position. I wanna play that thing like I play it normally. Coming from guitar, you know what I mean.

Both the Squier Vintage Modifieds and Classic Vibes are great affordable basses. Definately look at used basses. I have a VM P-Bass that I got used for $160 in great condition with a gig bag.

I like P-Basses for the simple fact that they are simple to play. I am always fooling around with all three knobs(VVT) on my Jazz trying to get different tones. My P-Basses are volume wide open and tone in the middle and that's it. I never touch them. JMO

I would not play bass thru a guitar amp. Bass needs more power for those lower frequences to be heard and felt. I would not want to run he risk of damaging a guitar amp. Be sure to look for the new Gallien-Krueger MB combo amps.

Let's say you got a new Squier VM P-Bass at $280 and a GK MB112 for $299, you'd have a good set-up to jam with your friends with, as long as those guitarists don't keep turning up. :lol:


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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:13 am
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zod wrote:
Hey Claude.

A big suggestion is to go down to your local music store(s) and play around with as many different basses as you can get your hands on. Fender, Ibanez, MusicMan, whatever they have. They will all feel different. Different necks, bodies, woods, weights, just like with guitars. Also, most basses IME are set-up either below average or just horrible in music stores. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry has played that thing and in some cases, beat it to death. Keep that in mind. Another suggestion is to either bring an extra, older strap of yours or ask for one. I always play standing up, and really hate to try out basses in a sitting with the bass on your leg position. I wanna play that thing like I play it normally. Coming from guitar, you know what I mean.

Both the Squier Vintage Modifieds and Classic Vibes are great affordable basses. Definately look at used basses. I have a VM P-Bass that I got used for $160 in great condition with a gig bag.

I like P-Basses for the simple fact that they are simple to play. I am always fooling around with all three knobs(VVT) on my Jazz trying to get different tones. My P-Basses are volume wide open and tone in the middle and that's it. I never touch them. JMO

I would not play bass thru a guitar amp. Bass needs more power for those lower frequences to be heard and felt. I would not want to run he risk of damaging a guitar amp. Be sure to look for the new Gallien-Krueger MB combo amps.

Let's say you got a new Squier VM P-Bass at $280 and a GK MB112 for $299, you'd have a good set-up to jam with your friends with, as long as those guitarists don't keep turning up. :lol:




I couldn't agree more with all of the above. The Squier VM Basses are great, I own and appreciate a VM Modified Jazz Bass. I recently boughtr a Kustom KB 100 amp. It is 100 watts with a 15" speaker. Acoustic makes an identical amd, th B 100, the only difference is, the Kustom has a direct out. I'm very happy with it and, I played through an Acoustic last week, they are very similar. Go ply the basses and give a number of amps a shot.

Nothing personal Zod, I have issues with GK amps. Maybe I just had a bad one but, I hated it.

Good luck in your search Claude.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 4:41 pm
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Thanks guys, I think that by now my main target is the Squier VM Jazz bass. I'll go try some next weekend and continue to explore from this model to a little more expensive stuff as long as other brands, but I appreciate that I can start with one specific model because of all your advices. Thanks again and back to you soon. :)
Claude. 8)


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:40 pm
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I dropped a set of Seymour Duncans in a Squier VM Jazz (the fretless version) for my daughter, turned it into a tone machine. I can't believe the quality of the 'entry-level' guitars and basses these days. Wish they had these back in 1979 when I started playing!

I do love the overall mojo of the Classic Vibe P-basses, I've pulled a few off the wall myself.

I would second the opinion of making sure you try them in person, they can vary in weight etc from batch to batch. I ended up buying a Road Worn P-bass in spite of the relicing, because once I pulled it down, it wouldn't let me put it back :)

Finally, playing a bass through a guitar amp is never a good idea. The risk is damaging a speaker from the extreme throw from the bass frequencies. You can pick up a decent practice amp for chump change on CL.

Good luck with your endeavor!


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:28 pm
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Well guys, today after work I stopped at my official guitar store and I tried a lot of basses. I want to say that with the insane delivery delays, it is not an option for me to order a guitar in september and still waiting for it in january. Sadly the only Squier Vintage Modified was a lefty so it's a no go but I tried it anyway for the sound and the feeling. I tried two MIM P basses, plus one artist series, one road worn, two Yamahas, one Ibanez one Epiphone and one Shecter. But so far the one that focussed all my attention was a MIM Jazz bass five strings three tones sunburn. I will return next weekend to try it again along with an amp, but I think that this bass could fulfill all my needs for a while. So what do you think, is five string too much for a beginner? It is either this one or an artic white MIM Precision bass. Anyway I'll keep you informed of any further developments. See ya. :)
Claude. 8)


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Post subject: new bass on the horizon
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:46 pm
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Hey Craig ,

Lots of good input from all the bass enthusiast on this forum and great points mentioned. Hope that on your return to the music store you can check out the classic vibe series really great guitars. Good weight made well great tone and very affordable. Good luck on finding the bass for you.

MIM jazz deluxe 2006
USA fretless jazz 2000
2010 Squier classic vibe precision

Lowdownbass24


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Post subject: oops
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:49 pm
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Forgive me Claude hope I was not to impersonable posted you as Craig sorry friend.

Lowdownbass24


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:29 am
yep


Last edited by 6163asfj on Fri Sep 17, 2010 5:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: oops
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:14 am
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lowdownbass24 wrote:
Forgive me Claude hope I was not to impersonable posted you as Craig sorry friend.

Lowdownbass24


Don't worry about that. :) And thanks for your reply, I'll try to play a Classic vibe at another shop, but I prefer to buy at my local mom and pop store usually.
Claude. 8)


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 7:58 pm
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Guys I want to thank you all for your inputs and support, you may read the conclusion of the story here.

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... 349#524349

You are the best. :wink: See ya. :)
Claude. 8)


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:47 am
yep


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 11:25 am
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Giving my two cents on this subject, I would agree with most people here and just go to your local music store and get your hands on many different brands, models, and styles of basses. Get some ideas of what you like and don't like about each, what basses you like best in the sense of how it plays, feels, weighs, etc. Sure you can read reviews and everything, but It's really your own personal preference since it is you who is going to play this guitar. Starting out at least I would not go too overboard in the money area either. Start with a nice, but simple and (do I dare say cheap) setup, you can always upgrade later as you improve and your bass career or/and styles change. I started out on a Squier P-bass, which I still have and play on occasion, not to mention was only $65 from a guy selling it locally. Keep in mind what styles of music you want to play as well. There is a lot of factors to take into consideration, however I would honestly say when you pick up and play the one guitar that will eventually become that one you buy you know.


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