Which of these bass guitars might I most enjoy learning on?

January 2, 2008 3:35 AM

BassGuitarFilter: Anyone used a Yamaha RBX374, Squier Standard Jazz Bass or Ibanez GSR 200? What you think of them?

I used to play violin and viola as a kid and now (I'm 37) fancy noodling around on a bass guitar. I don't want to get too spendy for now, but just to get something I can learn on for a year or so before throwing some real money around. I'll be playing with my fingers, if that helps, taking lessons after a couple of months and will be devoting an hour or so most days to practice. I'll be taking this pretty seriously, but I'd rather spend the money on lessons for now and then get a 'decent' bass once I'm in a better position to judge what I want.

I listen to all sorts of music, but you can assume it'll be everything apart from metal (which I enjoy but don't want to play).

Your opinions will be much appreciated!

posted by dowcrag to sports, hobbies, & recreation (13 comments total)

We got our son a Fender Squier Bass when he decided he wanted to take it up. It seemed to be a good piece for a beginner. We never saw him fighting the guitar.

One thing he did with it (as he did with his Squier Strat) was to take it to a local shop and have the neck correctly adjusted and have a better grade of strings installed. These two tweaks seemed to make a difference in the playability and, thus, enjoyability of the guitar.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:19 AM on January 2, 2008

I learned to play bass on the Squier when I was 17, and I highly recommend it.
posted by drinkcoffee at 4:30 AM on January 2, 2008

I understand the desire to start out inexpensively, but if you are, in fact, serious about learning an instrument I'd suggest a different route than a cheap instrument. Buying a used high-end instrument will likely give you a better experience and will hold most if not all its value. When you're ready to upgrade (or find something more to your liking, or give up (!!)) you'll get most of your money out of the instrument. Of course, this only makes sense if you have the budget for it.

Have you considered starting lessons before you buy a bass? Your instructor will likely have an easier time explaining considerations appropriate for your specific goals, than me or the rest of the internet.

As mentioned above, having any instrument properly set up makes a huge difference. Especially if you buy used, a trip to the shop is in order.

Fender bass is the original and has been used successfully in every genre of music. Don't know what the market's like in your area, but I'd recommend a standard USA model to almost anyone. I don't play one regularly anymore, but it has that intangible feel that -- hey, I'm a bass player. The Mexican and Korean (Squier) models are certainly playable and cheaper, but the parts and workmanship reflect their lower price.

If you're tempted to go for a short scale for easy playability -- don't. Unless you're committing to short scale indefinitely, you'll just have to relearn muscle memory on a larger instrument.

Good luck! I'll check back if you have any followup questions. Email is in my profile.
posted by GPF at 7:04 AM on January 2, 2008

Get someone knowledgeable to assess the size and strength of your hands and fingers, who can then recommend a quality instrument that will fit you. Maybe instead of a regular lesson, you can meet a guitar shop and try out a bunch of instruments.

I bought a big old Fender bass because it was...Fender!1!!!...but really, it's too big for me and I can't play it comfortably. (However, I am a woman with small hands.)
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:15 AM on January 2, 2008

GPF nailed it. But here are three rules that have served me well over the years with musical equipment:

1. Never buy new. Buy good condition used gear.
2. Never buy anything you can't sell later to finance better or different gear
3. Never buy anything you can't play beforehand, unless you can get out of the transaction later if it doesn't meet your standards.
posted by uaudio at 8:16 AM on January 2, 2008

I've been playing bass for almost twenty years. I started out on a real cheap used bass and after a year "upgraded" to another cheap used model that was a short scale (about 30"). Both served me well for a long time. The first bass was a gift but the second I played before I got it.

A few years back someone gave me a Danelectro Rumor for xmas and I absolutely love it. Since then, I also purchased a Samick Royale (semi-hollow body). Again, beautiful.

I've had the opportunity to play Fender jazz and precision basses, a Ken Smith, an Ibanez, and a few others.

Here's what it comes down to: you have to find what fits you. What body are you comfortable holding? Are you going to play sitting down or standing up? What size and shape neck works for you? I like a thin neck: some people like those baseball-bat necks.

No offense to the Fender folks, but being first or most popular aren't necessarily good criteria for buying an instrument. And, of course, with Fender you get the added benefit of the whole USA/Mexico/Japan/other country debate.
posted by jdfan at 8:26 AM on January 2, 2008

The Yamaha is probably more consistent in quality than the Squier Standard, so if you're buying blind from a catalog or online I would go with it. Yamaha has never really been considered one of the "major" guitar manufacturers, for whatever reason, but their entry level stuff is some of the best bang for the buck you'll find.

In the same price range, however, lies the fairly new Squier Vintage Series--this bass in particular has particularly impressed me. I've played several, and they've all been very consistent--a problem Fender as a company and their subsidiary Squier in particular seemed to be facing a few years ago. Each one I've played has had good intonation and action and a very nice "standard Fender bass guitar" sound, even those I've grabbed off the wall at Guitar center. I'd gladly take one on stage, which is not something I'd say about all Squiers or other basses in their price range.

And don't skimp on a practice amp--cheap bass guitar amps can be very tiring to listen to and discourage practice. I recommend one of these if you buy one new--I've played the fifteen inch model and it didn't fart out on many on low notes and was clear and loud for a practice amp. Used, I'd recommend Hartke or Peavey for deals--in my area at least, you can pick up a used 100-200 watt model from either company for around 200 bucks, enough to get you through rehearsals with reasonable drumming.

I have a truly irrational dislike for Ibanez, so I'll stay quiet on it.
posted by Benjy at 8:33 AM on January 2, 2008

I've not played an Ibanez, but I've picked up a few Squiers and found them pretty variable, if decent.

If you're looking at Yamaha, may I suggest seeking out a used example of my beloved Yamaha BB300? (just the first one I googled). They're available for a bit less than the new RBX374 and sell for roughly what I paid for mine new 20 years ago. Simple, extremely rugged* and good looking, with a slightly more compact body than a Squier/Precision, I found it a great bass to learn on, and you can use it and sell if/when you're ready to upgrade for at least what you'd paid. Some reviews here.

*I was a practicing musician for several years and carted mine around in just the soft case it came with. While the body is dinged and scratched, the guitar survived any number of drops, falls, and "Hey, did Jeff's monitor just fall over on Jalexei's bass?" type-incidents with aplomb.
posted by jalexei at 8:57 AM on January 2, 2008

Poster here. Thanks for all the great advice!

Just to add a few points: I'm not buying off the web, so I'll be able to try a few out and chat to the staff. I'm trading in a guitar someone got me but I never use, and at my local guitar shop, where I understand the staff are genuinely helpful, which means I'll probably buy new. Much as I'd love to blow cash on something a bit more expensive, it's the first week in January and I've just gone freelance, so I've turned tightwad for now!

Benjy - that vintage version is also in my sights.
posted by dowcrag at 9:12 AM on January 2, 2008

The Squire has no resale value. I find Fender basses to be pretty crapping in general.

I have owned several Ibanez (and Fender) bass guitars, and I would recommend the Ibanez over the others. Better sound, better construction, better action.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:55 AM on January 2, 2008

Fender/Ibanez is a holy war like Ford/Chevy, Mac OS/Windows, vi/emacs. People who love one can rarely see the beauty of the other (and vice versa). The best advice is to play a lot of basses--new and used--and pick the one you like. Take along a fellow bassist whose opinion you trust to steer you way from basses with construction problems or ones that are overpriced. For my money, the best bang for the buck in entry-level basses can be found in the lower-end Fender, Yamaha, and Peavey basses. But you have to get your hands on them and see what suits you.

Once you get one, definitely get it restrung and set up properly. If you're mechanically inclined and have a tuner, you can even learn to do it yourself.
posted by wheat at 6:39 PM on January 2, 2008

Friend of Coatlicue says this:

If you're looking for a great cheap bass. I'd recommend a OLP MM2 4-String Bass Guitar (Black Rosewood Fretboard). Musicians friend sells them for $249.99. This bass is a cheap version of the Ernie Ball music man basses. You won't find a better bass for that price. For about another hundred bucks you can get one with two pickups. Either way OLP's sound awesome. They've got alot of punch in them. It growls. Very playable. Also, the neck has about two more frets than standard basses.

I would stay away from Squier's from Mexico. They tend to have serious intonation problems and major neck warping. I would say too Fender gets away with alot just because, it says Fender.

If I were you I'd check out the OLP's. It almost pisses me off how good my friend's OLP is because, its so cheap. I hate to admit it but it sounds just as good as my more expensive Gibson Les Paul.

Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy the wonderful world of bass. Have fun.
posted by Coatlicue at 8:26 PM on January 2, 2008

Just to let folk know I picked up a secondhand yamaha RBX 170 which plays really nicely despite costing me almost nothing, and a bass v-amp (got a toddler so need to use 'phones) and I'm having a great time. lessons are next...
posted by dowcrag at 8:28 AM on January 4, 2008