Ant1972

20 minutes ago, Nicko said:

Should be a standard "kettle" lead - normally its just a fused plug with a three pin socket at the other end - they're not specific to amps and you'll probably have something suitable in the house (lead from an old PC or monitor?) - if not your local hardware shop should be able to supply one.

Not a kettle lead unfortunately... It's permanently fixed to the unit, so need a EU to UK adapter.

No biggy... Will just play "unplugged" until they ship the adapter 🙂

32 minutes ago, StevieE said:

You can download a tuner app onto your phone (assuming you have a smartphone) and don't worry about plugging in, I play acoustically more often than not 👍🏻

Good shout... Downloaded an app, so tuning sorted.

Imagine my excitement when the UPS guy just turned up!

Unfortunately the shipment was missing the tuner (so I can't tune the guitar), the lead (so I can't plug it into the amp) or the power converter (so I can't plug the amp into the mains, coz it ships with EU plug on it)... Aaaargh.... I'm like a kid at Christmas who has been given a Nintendo but no games to play.

So much for all the good things I heard about thomann's service.

*Sigh* nevermind, I'm sure it'll get sorted eventually 🙂

Just now, Davo-London said:

Argh, you ignored all my advice.  How come you're so wise!  🙄

Well, I could live to regret that  will post further with first impressions when I receive it and post further on how I'm getting on.... let's see 😄

So, after lots of procrastinating, I have pushed the button and ordered a Yamaha TRBX174BL from thomann.de

Thank you all for your advice - much appreciated.

Once it arrives and I have had a play around, I will post my impressions and may post some further follow ups... just in case it is useful feedback for fellow novices (or maybe even experienced folks here might find it interesting too 😂)

Btw, what are everyone's thoughts on short scale bass Vs regular for a beginner?

Thanks StevieE and PaulWarning... yes, I am a total noob to bass.... i think I know which way up to hold it 😄 but that's about it.

I used to make a few little bits of electronic music with a synth/sequencer/drum machine, but this will be my first time with a "proper" instrument (I'm not counting trying to play Three Blind Mice on the recorder when I was six!)

Hmmmmm, just seen a Yamaha RBX374 at Cash Convertors online for £99

https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/shop/product/yamaha-bass-guitar/553149

Anyone had experience of buying from them? Or have any thoughts on this model?

16 minutes ago, Grangur said:

Affinity basses aren't as bad a you seem to think they are. There's nothing wrong with them. The pots and tuners could be better, but there's nothing really bad about them. I've had a couple and they were pretty solid.

I'm sure they are not terrible, but from hours of trawling around it seems like they are a bit hit-and-miss with QC issues and nobody really recommends them over Yamaha (or even some of the better Ibanez) guitars in a similar price bracket.

I could end up with good 'un and be a very happy boy... but, I'm a bit cautious about ending up with a lemon (especially as I'm a complete noob and don't want to have to fiddle around trying to fix the darn thing).

I think that is driving me towards the Yamaha, which seems to be a bit safer bet.

Seems like some of the higher up Squiers (VMs etc) have better feedback that the Affinity series, but then of course you are looking at a price bump.

Thank you all for your advice. 

If I can't get the second hand Music Man Stingray Sub 4 I was looking at, then I think I'm going for a new Yamaha TRBX174... Feels like a relatively safe/solid choice for a budget end bass (even though I'm not so keen on it's aesthetics).

Prob going to go through Thomann.de as their prices for the guitar and for the various accessories I need are good... Plus I hear they have good customer service.

Feel like I've dodged a bullet, as a nearly went for an Affinity bass a couple of weeks ago.

2 minutes ago, foxyFuze said:

There's a Vintage V4 Precision on FB at the moment for £150 - ideal first bass!

Out of my geographic area unfortunately.

However, I have seen a Music Man Stingray SUB 4 (which looks in good nick) going for £150.

Unfortunately the seller said he has someone planning to pick it up later this week.... but if they fail to show, I may swoop in and pull the trigger on that one.

Otherwise.... think I'll be looking at what deals I can find on Yamaha or Vintage.

Then... I need to try and figure out a nice little practice amp (so any suggestions there are welcome).

Also... if I ordered a bass online, should I expect it to be reasonably playable out of the box (or at least after tuning) - or, should I be looking at getting a proper "set up" done? There is a chap down the road from me who does a "set-up" for £80 + strings... this adds a fair chunk onto the cost for me, but if it's the right thing to do, I could bite the bullet. Or... if I ordered from an Andertons or Dawsons (the only accessible bricks'n'mortar stores for me), should I ask/expect them to be able to set up whatever I buy to a reasonable standard (or will they just give me the guitar in a box and shove me out the door)?

Apologies for all the super naive questions, but I am completely new to this :-)

11 minutes ago, StevieE said:

Great advice from all above. 

In order to help narrow it down, do you have a bass hero or particular style of music you're looking to play? The recent Faith No More thread has reminded me of when I was starting out and wanting to emulate the sound of my favourite bassist, so looked for an entry level option of what he played. Thankfully, back then Billy Gould played Aria Pro II, not Zon like nowdays 😬

Well... If i had an inspiration/hero it would be Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order)... But I'm not under any illusions I'll get to play like that

Think he has a history of playing Yamaha's (amongst others).

Hi, so I'm guessing around the £200 mark... But can be flexible (maybe up to 280) l if it means I'm getting a better unit for long term use.

Though obvs, cheaper helps

I'm a total noob looking to learn bass and trying to figure out what guitar to get.

On one hand I don't want to spend too much, as I'm just a beginner... On the other hand, I don't want to buy a piece of junk (and would like something that would still be ok if I reach intermediate level).

Research has been a real headache...

I figured Squier would be respectable, but everyone seems to say to steer clear of the affinity basses.

I hear mixed things about ibanez.

Yamaha seems mostly positive.

I also hear some good things about Harley Benton, but not sure whether that's because they are actually good or just surprisingly un-junky for the price.

Looked at second hand guitars, but they seem almost as expensive as buying new.

Really appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you.