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Advice for my 1st bass


Dannyc
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Hi, recently joined and narrowing my choices after a couple of shop visits.
I can't seem to be able to look past an epi thunderbird even tho I haven't seen one to hold yet!!!

I like the yamaha rbx760 and 374 too, moved assay from Ibanez now as that was my start point but something I am not 100% sure on them.

So, any pointers?
Head towards a yamaha or hold out for a thunderbird?

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Defo try what ever it is you are thinking about, thunderbirds look cool, but are not to everyone's playing taste feel wise, have you worked out what sort of weight you like? If you prefer a jazz widths neck or something chunkier, like a precision ? Active or passive electrics is also something to bear in mind.
Good luck with your search, it will be worth it ;)

Edited by gub
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I must say, the worst bass that I've ever played was an Epiphone Thunderbird. It was a very poor instrument. Sure, they look great, but this thing that I played was horrible to play, unbalanced and awkward.

Yamaha, on the other hand, have an excellent reputation for quality and value for money.

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I agree about thunderbirds. They've got big chunky necks and feel really unbalanced and uncomfortable to play. You can't really go wrong with a Yamaha. Even the cheap ones are very well made.

These J & D basses have got good reviews on Basschat and are ridiculously cheap as well. Leaving you more to spend on a decent amp. http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jandd-jb-vintage-1975-bass-guitar-black--200784

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Ibanez, I have to agree are really cool instruments. One I've always like the look of is the SR600. It's a great looker and they handle well. With the Bartolini pups they sound really smooth.

There's one for sale here at a good price too: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/227560-ibanez-sr600-natural-ash/page__fromsearch__1

(I'd have bought it but Mrs G would kill me for increasing the collection)

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This throws a spanner in the works but...have you thought about a Bass Collection?? There's one on here for less than a £100 - not the more desirable Japanese built one but I suspect still a great bass for the money. Really well balanced, small bodied thus fairly light, lovely slim necks, great variety of tones - you might find that once you've got one of these you don't need to upgrade for quite a while (though this probably won't stop the GAS).

Here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/227037-bass-collection-blue-pj-4-string-mic-fresh-setup/page__view__findpost__p__2351398__hl__bass+collection__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

Some old ads...you could PM the sellers

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/214867-withdrawn-sgc-nanyo-bass-collection-sb310-beadwithdrawn/page__p__2187524__hl__bass%20collection__fromsearch__1#entry2187524"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/214867-withdrawn-sgc-nanyo-bass-collection-sb310-beadwithdrawn/page__p__2187524__hl__bass%20collection__fromsearch__1#entry2187524[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/208510-sgc-nanyo-bass-collection-sb310/page__p__2090410__hl__bass%20collection__fromsearch__1#entry2090410"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/208510-sgc-nanyo-bass-collection-sb310/page__p__2090410__hl__bass%20collection__fromsearch__1#entry2090410[/url]

Edited by TheGreek
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The Yamaha TRBXs are either passive (the 304) or active/passive with a switch (504). Not sure about the newer entry level series are.

And yes, +1 for an old SGC Nanyo Bass Collection. Great basses, was my first gigging bass in the 90s.

Edited by Mornats
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Thanks all,

I have been reading the above and referring back and forth.
Price is a deciding factor (for now) as I was looking at picking up something while i learn fairly cheap (sub£200) and then i can (& surely will) get picky later :)

A song i would liek to be able to play would be Jamaican Funk by Tom Browne, as for other syles of music...i dunno, i have such a wide range of music I like and just want to learn the basics (walk before i can run)

I have looked at he links for the Bass Collections & the current one looks interesting so will pm.

The links to dvd247 have got me intrigued (initial spend playing a big part here) so would appreciate some feedback on the following:[list]
[*]J&D JB Vintage 1975 Bass Guitar Black
[*]Epiphone EB-0 SG Style Bass Guitar, Cherry
[*]J&D 150A Electric Bass Guitar, Satin Brown
[/list]
Thanks
Danny

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Next time I'm in my local PMT I'll have a go on one of the Yamaha TRBX 174s (that's their entry level range). [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/yamaha-trbx174-bass-guitar-in-red-metallic.html"]http://www.pmtonline...d-metallic.html[/url] and see how it compares to my TRBX 504.

For under £200, if it's even half as well put together and as playable as my TRBX 504 it'll be worth it.

Edited by Mornats
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When I started bass I was only 13 and got a ibanez EDB550 which was awesome for me with my small hands at the tender age of 13 lol. Also light as a feather and awesome active Duncan pick ups. Still sounds awesome today and still gets gigged every once in a while!

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If I was you I'd play safe and buy a Squier Jazz. They can be had new for around the £200 mark, or a little more if you go for one of the fancier "vintage modified" ones. The neck is narrower than a Precision, and should be much easier to get used to. The quality of the Squiers I've played has been excellent.

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Definitely a big +1 for Yamaha - my first bass was an RBX170 and it was solid, and only cost £170ish at the time.

The Squier Vintage Modified range is also excellent (well built and decent hardware), but a little more pricey at around £250.

All that said there's no alternative for going out to your local shop and leaving with the one that speaks to you.

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Thanks for all the input guys.........swayed from the Thunderbird now! Looking at Yamaha, Epiphone & back to Ibanez in part. I have been in a few shops but not much in the way of second hand so will keep an eye on the for sale section here. Assume I will get better vfm in used

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