Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hi Guys, I am as fresh to the bass scene as it gets but I have a few mates who play electric guitar but not bass. I want to play mainly hard rock/metal but I will possibly use in my church music group too. These are the models I am considering, has anyone got any experience of these models (good or bad) and which would be the best option? 1) Epiphone Toby Deluxe IV (probably my favourite in terms of how it looks) 2) ESP Ltd B-10 3) Ibanez GSR200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) I can hear the Japanese Fender advocates queueing up as I type... Edited October 3, 2012 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1349283259' post='1824298'] I can hear the Japanese Fender advocates queueing up as I type... [/quote] I nearly wrote that I really don't like the look of Jazz or precision Fender/Squier bases. They look great for blues etc but they don't suit me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMM Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I'd recommend looking for a secondhand bass. Not only will you get considerably more for your money, but you'll get a lot more back if you ever decide to sell it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1349283105' post='1824293'] 1) Epiphone Toby Deluxe IV (probably my favourite in terms of how it looks)[/quote] [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1349283552' post='1824302'] I nearly wrote that I really don't like the look of Jazz or precision Fender/Squier bases. They look great for blues etc but they don't suit me![/quote] Hmm, to my aging eyes that Epi looks a lot like a stretched Jazz - and even has the pickups to prove it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 The secondhand market is where I'd be looking. For basses I'd choose from the following, all of which have great tone and playability and cost very little secondhand. Squier VMJ Ibanez SR 300 Yamaha BB424 Rockbass Streamer Standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Seeing as the guy asked for our opinions on the 3 basses he put in the 1st post, herin lies my tuppence. The Epi - Most Epi basses are crap apart from the Thunderbird and the Jack Cassidy sig, so I would rule that out. The ESP looks ok but I have never owned an ESP/LTD. I would go for the Ibanez as I have never owned a "bad" Ibby. Well apart from the ART short scale pile of cack I owned briefly. As some have pointed out already, if you go second hand on here you will get a lot more bang for yer buck. If you like Ibanez`s keep your eye open for a s/h SR300 as these are bloomin fantastic and cheap. And just having bought one of these I can say this with some confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 (edited) Agree with jezzaboy re the Ibbies. Great basses. Well made and great sounding (if sometimes a little scooped and/or aggressive depending on the model). There is a lad at our school who uses a GSR200 and I have to admit I was blown away by it's tone and playability! Most Epiphones are a triumph of style over substance... Japanese Fenders - that's where you should be looking! Edited October 4, 2012 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Have a go on a vintage v4-awesome for the price. Tony Butler one looks great. S/H is the way to go. Musicman sub the original one-made in USA. depends on budget I suppose and how they look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASainty Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Pretty much anything from Ibanez, Yamaha or the Squier VM and CV series are solid choises, great build quality and great sounds, not just for starting off but more advance playing and long term use. I can personally suggest the Yamaha BB414 or the Yamaha RBX374, there should be plenty of them s/h. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1349283105' post='1824293'] Hi Guys, I am as fresh to the bass scene as it gets but I have a few mates who play electric guitar but not bass. I want to play mainly hard rock/metal but I will possibly use in my church music group too. These are the models I am considering, has anyone got any experience of these models (good or bad) and which would be the best option? 1) Epiphone Toby Deluxe IV (probably my favourite in terms of how it looks) 2) ESP Ltd B-10 3) Ibanez GSR200 [/quote] My ESP LTD B-1004 is up for sale and might suit you Mail me if you'd like to know more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 [quote name='4StringFortress' timestamp='1349338189' post='1824777'] Pretty much anything from Ibanez, Yamaha or the Squier VM and CV series are solid choises, great build quality and great sounds, not just for starting off but more advance playing and long term use. I can personally suggest the Yamaha BB414 or the Yamaha RBX374, there should be plenty of them s/h. [/quote] You need to listen to what this guy says. Any of the aforementioned instruments you should be able to get for around £175 and are guaranteed to be awesome! Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 (edited) The Spector Q4 that waynepunkdude is currently selling in the for sale section, can't go wrong for £150. But then again I own a Spector so I'm biased! Edited October 4, 2012 by ern500evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Get something you like, too many people get a cheap first instrument that doesn't inspire them then give up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 [quote name='urban Bassman' timestamp='1349338426' post='1824782'] My ESP LTD B-1004 is up for sale and might suit you Mail me if you'd like to know more. [/quote] Thanks! I do like - but judging how much those things go for new I reckon it will be out of my budget. I'm looking to spend between £150 and £190 quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 whatever you end up buying i'd really recommend buying from the Basschat Classifieds, there are bargains galore to choose from, [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/187674-kramer-baretta-nt-l75/"]http://basschat.co.u...baretta-nt-l75/[/url] this looks a bargain, even with a pro setup and a new set of strings it would still leave you with plenty of change. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188326-yamaha-bb300/"]http://basschat.co.u...6-yamaha-bb300/[/url] you can't really go wrong with a Yamaha, and this is a good example at a great price. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/184803-spector-q4pro-now-l170/"]http://basschat.co.u...q4pro-now-l170/[/url] this ones been mentioned before but it's a great deal and a cracking bass. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/185002-reduced-l200-yamaha-trb1004-natural-that-needs-some-love-epic-sad-face/"]http://basschat.co.u...-epic-sad-face/[/url] this one is a tiny bit higher than you wanted to spend but if it's anywhere near you then it's worth the extra (especially as it comes with a good gigbag. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188112-bass-collectionyes-sgc-nanyo/"]http://basschat.co.u...nyes-sgc-nanyo/[/url] i saved this till last, the sgc Nanyo bass collection basses are superb and this one's in a good colour and at an amazing price. i have no connection to any of these sellers. but i've made plenty of deals on here and they've all been fantastic. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 [quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1349374727' post='1825515'] whatever you end up buying i'd really recommend buying from the Basschat Classifieds, there are bargains galore to choose from, [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/187674-kramer-baretta-nt-l75/"]http://basschat.co.u...baretta-nt-l75/[/url] this looks a bargain, even with a pro setup and a new set of strings it would still leave you with plenty of change. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188326-yamaha-bb300/"]http://basschat.co.u...6-yamaha-bb300/[/url] you can't really go wrong with a Yamaha, and this is a good example at a great price. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/184803-spector-q4pro-now-l170/"]http://basschat.co.u...q4pro-now-l170/[/url] this ones been mentioned before but it's a great deal and a cracking bass. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/185002-reduced-l200-yamaha-trb1004-natural-that-needs-some-love-epic-sad-face/"]http://basschat.co.u...-epic-sad-face/[/url] this one is a tiny bit higher than you wanted to spend but if it's anywhere near you then it's worth the extra (especially as it comes with a good gigbag. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188112-bass-collectionyes-sgc-nanyo/"]http://basschat.co.u...nyes-sgc-nanyo/[/url] i saved this till last, the sgc Nanyo bass collection basses are superb and this one's in a good colour and at an amazing price. i have no connection to any of these sellers. but i've made plenty of deals on here and they've all been fantastic. Matt [/quote] Thanks Matt thats really helpful I had looked through and seen those but as a newbie and someone who has only heard of the household brands Gibson/Fender etc I had no idea if these were any good! I will check them out! Thanks! BTW are Peavy Millenium any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I don't have any experience of the Peavey basses, but someone on here will, have you run a search from the main page (box on the top right) that will throw up any post that mentions them, someone might have reviewed one. (the reviews section is very useful) matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 [quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1349458369' post='1826669'] I don't have any experience of the Peavey basses, but someone on here will, have you run a search from the main page (box on the top right) that will throw up any post that mentions them, someone might have reviewed one. (the reviews section is very useful) matt [/quote] Hi My first bass was a Peavey... 9 years on I now own three of them and no other basses! Can't get much more of a recommendation that that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 [quote name='bode' timestamp='1349470764' post='1826918'] I would actually try and get to a guitar shop which has a decent range and try a few out. Some guitars are narrow and easier to play, some are short scale which you might prefer also...light/ heavy etc Feel of play is more important than how it looks. My first bass was a fender copy and that was a piece of crap. I then got myself a second hand heavy metal Westone Dynasty and that was a joy to play! [/quote] Gotta say I agree with this a lot. It's got to be well made, and comfortable to play for you to make learning as easy as possible. Don't let shop assistants try to sell you something with all the bells ans whistles that you don't need or want. Just try everything within your budget, and pick whatever feels nice, and sounds good enough that you'll enjoy playing it! If it looks cool too thats a bonus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieD_FenderP2009 Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Great starter bass? Ibanez GSR 200. I've never owned one and I don't know why. They're great for all ranges of music. I always borrow my mates one when I pop over his. P/J pick up configuration and an active tone circuit so you get more versatility. If you don't buy one, you're mad. ...and that's coming from an Ibanez hater! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HADGE Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 [i]go for the ibenez or a yamaha they are great value for money i have a rickenbacker a fender precision usa a musicman 2 warwicks aria 2 ibenez basses and a sh*t load more but the little cheap yamaha is one of my favourites and when im working out a song thats what i use also when i go to practice with my band i often take my ibenez and all the lads tell me how great it sounds try them and see . Good luck with whatever you buy.[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 [quote name='JMM' timestamp='1349284567' post='1824324'] I'd recommend looking for a secondhand bass. Not only will you get considerably more for your money, but you'll get a lot more back if you ever decide to sell it on. [/quote] So wish that I'd had this advice before getting my first bass. With the prices of secondhand basses currently, you'd be a fool not to buy used. The only thing I would advise is getting an idea of what kind of dimensions (width, string spacing etc) are comfortable for you so you can buy a secondhand bass that's similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Go for the Ibby is you get a decent price on one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the input! OK I went to the music shop(s) last weekend and had a play with several basses ranging from the SR300, Thunderbird and Thunderbird Pro, Epi Toby Std, Yamahas, Fretking, Epi Les Paul and others. I can honestly say that the SR300 felt, played and sounded better than some basses I (wishfully) tried that were twice the price. I found the Tbird pro came a fairly distant second. The standard T-bird, Fretking and some of the others just felt like four strings attached to a bit of wood! The SR300 felt like more time had been taken to craft it and it had a premium feel to it which I loved! So just gotta get a couple of hundred quid together now! What is the difference (if any between the older model with 5 dials and the newer one with 4?) or is it a different guitar altogether? It would be handy if any one can upload some decent pics of their SR300 so I can see the various colours because all the reviews say the stock pics don't do justice to the finishes! Edited October 31, 2012 by Jonnyboy Rotten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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