What type of bass guitar?

[djmajestic]

I am a newbie to this site. I am starting bass guitar lessons within the next few weeks and I am concerned about the type of bass I should use. I have consulted with our organ player at church and he gave me a few recommendations. My only concern is that he hasn't played the bass in over 10 years and many things have changed since then. I am looking for a guitar that is good for a beginner and I won't grow out of too fast. On my list right now is a Yamaha RBX370 and a Fender Squire. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[MikeGee]

What bass you should get is more so based off how much you are willing to spend.

the Squire is a cheaper option but I think you may grow out of it pretty quick but is still a solid instrument.

Name brand is not as important as you skills. the Yamaha is a good choice.

Ibanez make a good cheap guitar. as does Squire but this is a lil hard for me to give you advise because there is so many choices out there in your price range.

[malthumb]

If you are near someplace where you can pick up a used bass, you may want to consider picking up a used Fender Precision (P-Bass) or a used Fender Jazz (J Bass).  They are industry standards.  By buying used, you'll get it at a much lower price than new price.  And if you find that you absolutely hate it, you can sell it for what you paid for it.

Other brands to consider used are Yamaha, Warwick Corvette or Warwick Rockbass, or some Ibanez models.  Do an eBay search on completed auctions to get a feel for what a good price is for used basses.

If you absotively posilutely gotta have a brand new bass, You may want to consider SX or Brice copies of the Fender Jazz or Precision basses.  In my opinion they are closer in quality to the true Fender Jazz and Precision basses than a Fender Squire would be.

Hope that helps.

Peace,

James

[Mysteryman]

I say get a five string. I got a four and wish I had bought a five string. but I got my 6 string from http://www.rondomusic.net so I guess its cool. They have some nice 5 string basses for cheap to and great customer service. The four string I got Ibanez gsr100 only has only 2 knobs and does not have the treble I would like to here but it can be tweaked with EQ.

[MikeGee]

I say get a five string. I got a four and wish I had bought a five string. but I got my 6 string from http://www.rondomusic.net so I guess its cool. They have some nice 5 string basses for cheap to and great customer service. The four string I got Ibanez gsr100 only has only 2 knobs and does not have the treble I would like to here but it can be tweaked with EQ.

That's the bottomw of the barral Ibanez. I have the SRX300 put great string on it and it will do everything I want it to do.

[corbro007]

if you are learning to play gospel music buy you a 5-string bass either a good fender, ibanez, yamaha, or any one that you are comfortable with in the 400-$500 range.  Cause you do get what you pay for.  I recommend a 5 string is because the gospel industry is using them exclusively and since you are learning might as well learn with what the pros are using because one day you will be a pro.  People say its best to learn on 4 string, but you only really know what you are taught.  I was taught on a 5 string and didn't know any different and picking up a 4 string was a piece of cake other than the convience of dropping down to a lower note was not there.  But my gear includes Yamaha....I think its one of the best sounding and gives me the tone that I like....also what ever you do, do not get a squire, they sound like garbage...I have one a 5 string that I use only for a old vintage sound from the 70's, it gives me that Jamerson sound, but other than that, I hate it....but i do use it for learning fingerings and finger exercises when I don't want to drain my battery in my active bass.  GO ACTIVE!!!!