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Post subject: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 11:04 am
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Okay, I've wanted to pick up bass for some time, but haven't had the cash to spring for a nice $500 one. The Precision bass pack seems to be a good value, but should I just go for a better bass and find a cheap amp instead?


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:41 pm
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Very good point, I would like a nice Hofner...just like a certain Liverpudlian...


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 4:10 pm
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Pbassbob offered some good advice.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 7:26 pm
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Yes, that was the EXACT one I was considering!


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 8:35 am
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You, sir, are Lord of Inferences.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 2:32 am
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Most of the amps in the beginner packs are very inadequate for anything beyond home practice and even then most can usually be drowned out by your home stereo, so to actually play with anyone in the real world you will have to buy another bigger and more expensive amp. Why buy two amps when you can buy one decent one? Trying to sell one of the starter kit bass amps is almost impossible, so you'll likely be stuck with it.

The advice given earlier was good, buy the best bass you can afford. I'd suggest the Fender Standard P-Bass, which is slightly more than $500. But you can usually find one USED for about $300 or $350.

Once you have your bass, start scouring pawn shops for a used bass amp at a bargain price. Good brands of used pawn shop bass amps to look for are Fender, Ampeg, Peavey, Carvin and there are some others that I could name...but those are four good brands that usually hold up fairly well for decades. As a general rule, the bigger the speaker and the more power output in R.M.S. watts the better. The mentioned brands (even their amps made 20 years ago) are worth trying if you run across one.

Some features I'd look for in a combo are ranked here in order of importance:
1. At least a 10 inch speaker, a 12 inch speaker or a pair of 10 inch speakers is better, 15 inch combos usually sound richer and for me work best in a combo.
2. At least 50 watts of power but more is better. Based on my experience you need 60 to 100 watts to be heard over a strong cymbal crazed drummer outdoors. Speaker size and power are the MOST important things. Any amp with an 8 inch speaker or smaller I'd pass.
3. Headphone jack to practice as loud as you want without bothering the family, neighbors, police, etc. You'll need good headphones, usually the sealed ear type headphones work best.
4. CD/Tape/MP3 input jack. Useful for playing along with recorded songs through your amp. The sooner you get to playing songs, the better.
5. XLR direct output. Useful for patching into a PA system to make your amp louder at gigs or patching into a mixer for recording.

Other amp features like compression, a bunch of EQ/tone controls, multiple inputs/channels are nice but of less importance in a combo that the four features I find most useful to me.

Also get yourself an electronic tuner.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 3:01 am
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As usual all of the above is great advice. Only thing, every time I hit the pawn shops, all I find is junk. I can't find a bargain to save my life. Maybe it's the area i live in.

The best thing I found on an expedition was, a 2002 MIM Jazz Bass . Only problem wit it was a seriously distorted neck. Needless to say i didn't buy it.

I hope your luck is better than mine..


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:40 pm
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In CT used stuff is a dime a dozen,there are way more used items compaired to new stuff ,personally I would spend the 500.00$ on a used bass and a used amp,you could end up with a decent bass for that I see used Mustang Japanese made Fenders for around 450.00-500.00$,they are smaller scale which is perfect for beginners or any level bassists for that matter,it could be a bass you use for the whole time you play,they are that good.
It has a smaller body and shorter scale neck which will make learning a snap compaired to a baseball bat sized p-bass neck(I own/owned over 20 and still have 1)or the stretch of a Jazzbass(again 20 plus and still own 1)the Mustang really for a smaller bass holds its own,I used a Bronco bass(essentially a Musicmaster bass with a maple neck and cheeeesy tuners)when I had knee surgery and confined to a bed and a standard Fender was'nt cutting it.
A Bronco bass used is like 130.00$ 180.00$ new,and I never had an issue with mine and a new set of tuners and a good pick-up you got a keeper,not the best bass but for 125.00$ ...
That leaves you with enuff for an amp,go play a few basses get an idea of what feels good for you,how do you know you ask? When you pick up the right one you will know it,dont ask why(I dont know sorry)its the law of the West(or is it the East?..)
Above all,HAVE FUN IN THE PROCESS,TERRORIZE THE SALESMEN AT ALL COST,MAKE'EM EARN THAT COMISSION,no just have fun...sorry

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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:19 pm
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lawsuitbass wrote:
In CT used stuff is a dime a dozen,there are way more used items compaired to new stuff ,personally I would spend the 500.00$ on a used bass and a used amp,you could end up with a decent bass for that I see used Mustang Japanese made Fenders for around 450.00-500.00$,they are smaller scale which is perfect for beginners or any level bassists for that matter,it could be a bass you use for the whole time you play,they are that good.
It has a smaller body and shorter scale neck which will make learning a snap compaired to a baseball bat sized p-bass neck(I own/owned over 20 and still have 1)or the stretch of a Jazzbass(again 20 plus and still own 1)the Mustang really for a smaller bass holds its own,I used a Bronco bass(essentially a Musicmaster bass with a maple neck and cheeeesy tuners)when I had knee surgery and confined to a bed and a standard Fender was'nt cutting it.
A Bronco bass used is like 130.00$ 180.00$ new,and I never had an issue with mine and a new set of tuners and a good pick-up you got a keeper,not the best bass but for 125.00$ ...
That leaves you with enuff for an amp,go play a few basses get an idea of what feels good for you,how do you know you ask? When you pick up the right one you will know it,dont ask why(I dont know sorry)its the law of the West(or is it the East?..)
Above all,HAVE FUN IN THE PROCESS,TERRORIZE THE SALESMEN AT ALL COST,MAKE'EM EARN THAT COMISSION,no just have fun...sorry



lol, when i moved into the world of bass i got a p-bass, and loved the feel of the baseball bat sized neck, however if i were to go with a short scale i would love a hofner violin bass, those feel real nice and sound great :D but i did pick up an "acoustic" bass amp, and it's really nice


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:06 pm
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pbassbob wrote:
Good choice...Acoustic amps have a great heritage....

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in fact thats exactly why i got one, mine's just a B20, but i don't need anything bigger, this thing knocks junk off my walls anyway :D

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has 2 inputs, i like that because i can plug the drum machine from my digitech RP70 into it while i play, and not have to run the bass through the processor :D it has an aux in that i use for playing along to my itunes, and a standard sized headphone output, and the sound is amazing!! much better than my old crate practice guitar amp that i blew out when i got the bass HAHAH, but really it's a beefy amp.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:22 pm
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I have a Kustom KB 100 which is an exact copy of the B100 Acoustic, except it has a direct out and it's all black instead of the blue accents. I like the Acoustic B20 if I were buying a smaller amp, it would be my first choice.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:50 pm
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oxfan wrote:
I have a Kustom KB 100 which is an exact copy of the B100 Acoustic, except it has a direct out and it's all black instead of the blue accents. I like the Acoustic B20 if I were buying a smaller amp, it would be my first choice.



and they are a great price, the B20 was only $150 so i think i did pretty good for my budget.

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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:16 am
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I really hate to say, "for the money, it was a good price", but they are great. I bought a Rumble 60 because I happened in on a special sale and got it for $169.95. The were selling for $249.95.

This was before I had tried Acoustic. To do it over i think I'd have bought the Acoustic.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:17 am
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I'm wondering about that, they're both made in China or somewhere Asian, both have drawbacks as far as quality, the Rumble is a sturdier and the plugs are a little better.

Still, I really like Acoustic, just be advised, if you're rough with them, they're not going to last.

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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Pack: Worth the Buy?
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:47 am
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pbassbob wrote:
Sadly, most companies today are more concerned with their profit margin than they are with producing high quality product with long term durability...pieces are built to a price point, and don't stand up like the hand wired chassis of the old days. :(

You don't see this guy around too much anymore.......

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I had lunch with that guy on Thursday :mrgreen:

Seriously though it's a great amp to have in the house I'm not rough on it at all

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