help on my final decision

eric87 · Newbie Alert Joined: 03 Oct 2002 Posts: 4

ive got my choices narrowed down to getting the squire bass package

or

a cort action bass - 200$$$ it has p and j pickups and it is supposed to be a little better bass

with the cort i would also get a 35 watt ibanez amp which is a pretty good deal (160 bucks) against buying a peavy 20 watt for 130 bucks and they said i could use it for giging when i get to that point so i wouldnt have to buy a completely new amp

please reply

thank you

fatE · Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2002 5:59 am Post subject: help on my final decision

Hi Eric...
I have just read all your previous posts and pereek's good replies, if you have decided on playing bass-guitar, at this stage I would advise you to wait a little and have a talk to who-ever you intended to take lessons from and ask their advice about it. Too many times people turn up for their first lesson with a guitar they have paid too much for, or the possibility of better at the same value they had in mind.

If you are not gonna take lessons,
The Corts I have seen look to be pretty well built, with good solid hardware,
and some have active EQ. (the amp deal sounds better too).
But, the feel and comfort for you is the most important thing.
If you have smallish hands perhaps the Cort would be better, because I think the Squire is modelled on the Precision and the neck could be a little harder for people with smaller hands.
finally...
If you can at all wait and ask a teacher - do so!

Forget about a bass-amp that size for gigging...
What you are buying is what "you" need now...
a practice amp... that you can learn on.
So the output does not matter much at this stage.
Same thing... wait and ask if possible.
otherwise get what's best for you "now"
which means... what sounds best at lower volumes.

Speaking of amps though...
I have been thinking about buying one of those new "Behringer" B120 amps,
which look to be reasonable value.
I've been away from the scene for a while,
as far as what's the best and such...
but they look good for what they are asking?
Perhaps they make a little brother of equal quality?
good luck what ever you decide...

[This message has been edited by fatE (edited November 10, 2002).]

BoyWonder79 · Not So Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 6

Hey, good luck with either you choose ^_^. And I used to worry whether my amp was big enough for gigging until I realised I didn't know how to play bass yet, wasn't in a band, and didn't have that kind of money at the time for a big bass amp....

And I could go for a beefy Behringer amp too

(==)====::

[This message has been edited by BoyWonder79 (edited November 10, 2002).]

pereek · Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2002 12:10 pm Post subject: help on my final decision

quote:
Originally posted by fatE:
Hi Eric...
and pereek's good replies,

gotta give it to you that was a pretty good post too

erm basically you gotta goto the shop to try them. if they got some nice second hand ones deff try them, might be a bargain waiting for you

amp wise you dont need anything big. my first amp was a peavy 50 watt guitar amp: sounded really bad then i got a second hand trace elliot (100w) for £100
thats a £ a watt so go look for some second hand stuff

later and goodluck

fatE · Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2002 11:52 pm Post subject: help on my final decision

Heh heh...
Seeing how long I have been away I was at first afraid the wattage war (which was at it's height when I last checked in) may have got really out of control and bass players,
(even beginners) would be using amps of like 2000W a side or something...
with a dozen Z150's active cross-overs with horns or whatever the latest most outrageously expensive JBL, Gauss or who-ever is this years best, recommended bass speaker rig?
All driven by an input circuit with variable sweep parametrics, plus full 31 band EQ, limiters, compressors, gates, built-in DI's etc...
Honestly for a while there, I believe it was going way over the top.
(particularly given that in a lot of cases...(for bass-guitar) the PA took a direct line (DI)
off your main guitar input lead anyway, when it started to get to this medium pro. sorta size.
Not too many were miked-up and had an extra multicore line for that as well!
Still...when the drummer has got 1000W of foldback just for back-up vocals, kick & snare,
(in between goin' deaf) you gotta think... it can get silly and circular at times

So I have been pleasantly surprised to see a number of (what I used to call small)
"portable" bass amps with sophisticated set-up and stuff i.e. Behringer, Ampeg and others...
Not knockin' it or anything, ( I wish I could afford one! ) and I"ll bet it rips!
but even Fenders biggest is "only" 400 watts ! !
I feel a bit like that "Rip van Winkle" guy...

I realise that stuff is probably "still" top end and such...
but,
Maybe I won't have to buy that 18 wheeler after all...

Yes... now back on topic...

"Good luck" there Eric...
Best thing is, as advised, to feel your way, sit down with the different guitars and see how they feel in your hands, or if you can't do that, it's probably best to wait.

Again the advice offered about looking for bargain 2nd hand guitars is good. Even here on the web you see people offering the occasional great bargain. Nothing wrong with saving up to $500-600, buying that way.
This is one extra special time and place where a good teacher can become "very" handy.

I'll offer this next bit for what it's worth, you can use it or not,
I don't want to stifle enthusiasm or anything like that...
OK... I'm probably a fair bit older than you but can still understand
how you may want to grab an axe and get going.
But if at all possible - talk to a prospective teacher or someone you know who is an accomplished guitarist, I am sure that if you show them the same enthusiasm,
they will be happy to help you with your choice.
Talk & explain to your parents about quality, choices, and what you would like to do,
Dad's can be cool like that, usually they'll come through if you are real.
You have shown maturity by asking here first...
continue that pattern and you can't go wrong.

p.s.
Sorry for the rave gang,
sometimes I like to dribble a bit like that...
CU

[This message has been edited by fatE (edited November 11, 2002).]

eric87 · Newbie Alert Joined: 03 Oct 2002 Posts: 4

i looked around for a smaller amp at another shop and i think that other shop was over priced or this shop was just cheap but they had a crate 15 watt for 75 and a danelectro 15 watt for 65. ill probably get one of those instead of the peavy since these are almost 1/2 of the price. could you guys tell me if these amps are any good or not.

Hackster · Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2002 9:14 pm Post subject: help on my final decision

Eric, my friend, forget the gigging part of it. You aren't at that point yet. If you want to learn to play an instrument-- in this case, bass-- you need a decent, playable bass to learn on, and an amp you can hear through, at most to jam along with your CD's, and to play the exercises your teacher gives you.

Honestly? For the beginner, it's almost hard to buy a "bad" (unplayable) new instrument nowadays-- but any cheap instrument you buy new will surely need a pro setup to be "right". If you want an instrument you can hang onto and grow with, my motto is, "buy used, and play for free". Get your teacher, a knowledgeable friend, etc. to help you shop. Check the pawn shops and music stores that sell used stuff. Check the newspaper classifieds. Ask questions. Don't be shy. If you buy from a music store-- new or used-- insist on a pro setup job on the instrument you buy.

Amps-- in your price range you aren't gonna get anywhere near something that's gig-worthy. Look for the best price you can find on a small practice amp (or again, buy used and play for free!!).

Bottom line is you have some work to do before you're ready to gig. Find some decent tools and then forget about the hardware-- concentrate on the music. Hope this helps a little.