elom Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 My mate's 11yo lad (who is already a more than decent drummer) has decided that he'd like to play bass. A fine decision. They were looking at a Thomann (Harley Benton) starter package which I'm not knocking (got a cheap HB acoustic myself and its fine). However I think that for not much more money we could put together something a bit longer lasting. Have already potentially sourced a Roland Bass Cube 100 but would be interested in your opinions for a suitable starter bass. He came round and had a play on my basses and he can handle a full scale bass but I think that something light would be sensible. Interestingly the one bass of mine that really made his eyes light up was my Hohner B2A! Budget is about £150 and I'd welcome any suggestions you might have. Ta muchly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 SGC Nanyo Bass Collection, ideally from 1988-95. You can pick one up on eBay (or here, of course) for your budget figure (probably an SB301 or an SB310) and get a HUGE amount of bass for the money. The neck is very slim, the bass weighs just 7lbs, and the tiny headstock means no neckdive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Oops, I thought it was a swap I started playing bass when I was not much older than him. My first bass was a Vox Standard & they weigh about the same as an 8x10. I wouldn't restrict it to lightweight basses (they're really for us oldies with bad backs ) as there's many good starter instruments that although not lightweight, will be much lighter than my Vox. Kids are a lot stronger than you're giving them credit for Have a look at Ibanez. Fairly light basses & excellent value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 I bet he’s stronger than me! I'd give him a Squire Precision and sit him down. He'll then have to learn the proper left hand technique from the off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lateralus462 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 I'm selling an Ibanez EDB700 which would be more than suitable - very light bass and very thin neck (both width and depth at the nut) would prob let it go for around 90 quid seeing as it's for a good cause. PM me if it's of interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 At age 11 I'd have to recommend 3/4 size, short scale, something cheapish to get him going until he grows. I started at 14 and my hands were not up for many of the stretches I can now perform. Better to learn correct technique on something smaller than to struggle along on something too big for a few years IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 [quote name='dc2009' post='1303263' date='Jul 14 2011, 10:02 AM']At age 11 I'd have to recommend 3/4 size, short scale, something cheapish to get him going until he grows. I started at 14 and my hands were not up for many of the stretches I can now perform. Better to learn correct technique on something smaller than to struggle along on something too big for a few years IMO.[/quote] Have to disagree. Having taught music in secondary school to pupils from 11-16, I've never had a 3/4 bass or the use for one. I had one pupil who had one and brought it in, only to tell his mates that his dad (a guitarist) bought it for him because it was guitar size but easier to play because it was a bass, and he would move onto guitar when he got good enough *rolls eyes*... At the end of the day, if he's learning "the correct technique" as you put it, ideally he'll be playing in the first 5 frets really. The difference between short scale and full size electric bass guitar is never drastic enough to make enough difference to justify restricting a pupil to a 3/4 size IMO. If we were talking double bass it would be a totally different story. I only say this because I think the OP should consider all the options in this thread, and not restrict himself to only 3/4 basses. As for my recommendation, a Squier Precision is a good idea. Give him a bass that really is a bass and let him decide whether it's for him or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 [quote name='skej21' post='1303285' date='Jul 14 2011, 10:27 AM']Have to disagree. Having taught music in secondary school to pupils from 11-16, I've never had a 3/4 bass or the use for one. I had one pupil who had one and brought it in, only to tell his mates that his dad (a guitarist) bought it for him because it was guitar size but easier to play because it was a bass, and he would move onto guitar when he got good enough *rolls eyes*... At the end of the day, if he's learning "the correct technique" as you put it, ideally he'll be playing in the first 5 frets really. The difference between short scale and full size electric bass guitar is never drastic enough to make enough difference to justify restricting a pupil to a 3/4 size IMO. If we were talking double bass it would be a totally different story. I only say this because I think the OP should consider all the options in this thread, and not restrict himself to only 3/4 basses. As for my recommendation, a Squier Precision is a good idea. Give him a bass that really is a bass and let him decide whether it's for him or not![/quote] With your experience then I have to disagree with my initial idea. So, go full size! I'd have to say a squier J over a P though, a P neck is seriously a lot to get your hands around (I don't like doing it now), let alone that young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbaby Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Hi all I have to disagree but not completely, I have small hands and a short scale is very comfortable to play, but I do notice the improvement if I practice for a while (a few weeks) on a full size then transfer to the short scale. I suppose most people here would say get used to one and stick to it, and it does mean having more than one bass (there are very cheap, usable basses to be found if you look), but it works for me and I always get a boost when returning to the short scale. Regards Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AttitudeCastle Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 I played a full sized squier P from age 10 or so, and i was quiet a small lad too, Really helped my playing i think and built my guns too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 As someone who has taught a bit of bass and started playing a full scale from 9 and have talk hundreds of kids in groups lessons at 11 in year 7. Start on full scale first. In the long run it will be the best way, if after a few months he can't handle it then try the 3/4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 and as a drummer, he should keep up the drums also.. some of the best drummer also play bass very well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 [quote name='elom' post='1303076' date='Jul 14 2011, 12:15 AM']My mate's 11yo lad (who is already a more than decent drummer) has decided that he'd like to play bass. A fine decision. They were looking at a Thomann (Harley Benton) starter package which I'm not knocking (got a cheap HB acoustic myself and its fine). However I think that for not much more money we could put together something a bit longer lasting. Have already potentially sourced a Roland Bass Cube 100 but would be interested in your opinions for a suitable starter bass. He came round and had a play on my basses and he can handle a full scale bass but I think that something light would be sensible. Interestingly the one bass of mine that really made his eyes light up was my Hohner B2A! Budget is about £150 and I'd welcome any suggestions you might have. Ta muchly.[/quote] Check this thread: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=144970&pid=1302493&st=20&#entry1302493"]Tele Shine bass[/url] I just bought the bass on that thread, and posted pictures/review on teh second page (post 30-something) It costs £127 plus delivery, so within budget. I found mine to be really nice, very good finish... and all it took was a truss rod tweak to get nice action. It does neckdive, but it's VERY light and comfortable. Sitting down it's extremely comfortable. Standing up, the neck dive is there. The body is thinner than most, and small, and teh wood (ash) light... so you get neck dive. I tried unscrewing a bit one of the neck screws to use it as a strap anchor, and it does improve matters, but it will never be fully balanced. Still, it's not terrible and some people don't mind. And it feels great, and sounds really good. It's also a looker, I think Despite the looks, it's more of a Jazz type of bass than a MM. A Jazz on steroids I described it as. The pickups are on teh Jazz positions, so you do get that character. I love teh bridge pickup, growly and meaty. I turn down the tone a bit and it's a good fat tone with good presence. Worth checking out I'd say. They also make a HS version rather than the HH I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoker Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 How about one of the bottom of the range Hofners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Lionel Messi started playing with a size 3 football, then a size 4, both on small pitches and with no more than 7 players on each side. Now he plays with a size 5 football, with the big boys on a full size pitch. Didn't do him too much harm! As a qualified FA coach, I believe that this is the correct way to nurture kids. I know we are talking playing bass here, but I do believe that all equipment used, no matter what a child is learning, should be scaled to suit. Just my 1p's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbaby Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Hi again I think I should add that I did most of my early learning on a short scale, which is probably why I tend to favour it, but better to learn on a full size, certainly at least for versatility, and as mentioned earlier it can't do his strength any harm as well. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlackAlice Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 [quote name='elom' post='1303076' date='Jul 14 2011, 12:15 AM']My mate's 11yo lad (who is already a more than decent drummer) has decided that he'd like to play bass. A fine decision. They were looking at a Thomann (Harley Benton) starter package which I'm not knocking (got a cheap HB acoustic myself and its fine). However I think that for not much more money we could put together something a bit longer lasting. Have already potentially sourced a Roland Bass Cube 100 but would be interested in your opinions for a suitable starter bass. He came round and had a play on my basses and he can handle a full scale bass but I think that something light would be sensible. Interestingly the one bass of mine that really made his eyes light up was my Hohner B2A! Budget is about £150 and I'd welcome any suggestions you might have. Ta muchly.[/quote] Do you have any decent Bass outlets in Devon - if so I'd pay a visit to let him try out a few, get used to the various models & see what he's comfortable with.......just my two penneth! Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Squire CV for sure. The yammy BB and RBX budget basses are awesome too though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted July 15, 2011 Author Share Posted July 15, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think me and his dad will take him down to Mansons and let him try out more options in their bass room. I reckon the most important thing is for him to find a instrument that he just wants to keep picking up and playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Yamaha RBX all the way. I got one for an 11 year old lad a few months ago and he loves it. It plays great, it's light, and it sounds fantastic. Original thread here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85195&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85195&hl=[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Get a Hohner B2A, they go for £200 on the bay of E and they are light, small, and good enough to keep for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jondeeman Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Our young'un (11 y.o.) plays a full size Yamaha and gets on fine with full scale.... I think weight is a serious concern though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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