Saxondale Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Hi all, I am looking to buy a cheap first bass guitar and wondered if I could get some advice - including whether second-hand or new is the way to go. I have been playing guitar for years but wanted to add a good bass to my collection, although my budget is only around £200. I've been looking on Gumtree and eBay using some of the advice I've seen on other threads on this forum, but nothing has jumped out as a particularly good deal so far. So far I have looked at the Ibanez GSR200 and the SR300E. I would be mainly playing rock/metal, and may be using it for gigs etc eventually. Would these be solid options? Both are within my budget new. Any advice would be very much appreciated, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks very much in advance! Saxondale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 You could consider a squier Jazz or Precision I think the best thing you could do is go and play some different types and see which feel most comfortable 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxondale Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Thanks for your reply Jimothey, I will definitely consider those two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) I had a Vintage V900 which the neck is very similar to an Ibanez and I just couldn’t get on with so I got a P bass instead and it felt so much more comfortable to me But I’m sure you’ll have loads of other recommendations of other people Edited January 3, 2018 by Jimothey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 4 hours ago, Saxondale said: I've been looking on Gumtree and eBay using some of the advice I've seen on other threads on this forum, but nothing has jumped out as a particularly good deal so far. So far I have looked at the Ibanez GSR200 and the SR300E. I would be mainly playing rock/metal, and may be using it for gigs etc eventually. Would these be solid options? Both are within my budget new. Saxondale - you just cannot go far wrong with either of the Ibanez's at this price point. Great basses for the money. I'm sure you'll get loads of other great advice here, including Squier's etc. It is actually not easy to buy a dud at any price nowadays...which great for first time buyers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Another vote for Ibanez, I had a lower middle range one and it was far better made than the MiM Precision I had. I have a cheapish Ibanez fretless and can’t believe how good it is for the money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Don't forget used Yamaha, some excellent buys up to £200. Try & buy used, if it doesn't pan out, you should be able to minimise any losses. Have a look on the Facebook pages for stuff local to you, as well as here, Bumtree & FEEBay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkfingers Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 If you provide a rough idea of your location, offers may materialise from local forumites who are willing to help you (and, admittedly, themselves). Ideally, there should the opportunity to view and play the instrument(s) that you are considering. There could even be scope for haggling yourself a good deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I suppose good rule of thumb is look at what bassists you like and what you want to sound like, then look at what basses they use, then look at trying to get similar. If you are transitioning from guitar, you might even find it beneficial to look at anything with a thinner neck and/or a shorter scale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxondale Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 Thanks guys, that's very useful - I really appreciate it! I'm based in the Midlands but haven't seen too much nearby on the usual places yet. I'll keep an eye on the Marketplace too, and consider Yahama basses as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Agree with the thoughts on trying out as many as possible in music shops, but also check out as many bands as possible to see which instruments you like the sound of in a live mix. Yes, many of those may be over budget, but if every time you see someone playing a Jazz bass you like the sound of it more than any others that`s also giving you a lead to which instruments to pay more attention to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Dean would fit your price range and musical interest too, good value for money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 For rock and metal, you can`t go wrong with a SR300, the newer one with the powerspan pickups. Ibanez are generally really well made, good sounding instruments. I have an SR750 and it`s a great bass but a good bit more than your current budget. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 7 hours ago, Saxondale said: Thanks guys, that's very useful - I really appreciate it! I'm based in the Midlands but haven't seen too much nearby on the usual places yet. I'll keep an eye on the Marketplace too, and consider Yahama basses as well. PMT in Brum have a good range, might be worth a visit to narrow down the options a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 there is a new thread elsewhere on this site about the new Sire Marcus Miller V3 - the 4 string is priced at £238. That would be a stunning first bass for any player. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 5 minutes ago, White Cloud said: there is a new thread elsewhere on this site about the new Sire Marcus Miller V3 - the 4 string is priced at £238. That would be a stunning first bass for any player. Agree totally - very highly regarded basses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxondale Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 Thank you very much everyone for the advice! I have managed to source a second-hand SR300 I'm looking forward to getting started with it. Saxondale 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricksterphil Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Fact is, it's hard to go out and buy a really bad bass these days....now in my day, when men were men, (in the 70's) the cheap basses were awful and some of the big names were a bit dodgy too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, Saxondale said: Thank you very much everyone for the advice! I have managed to source a second-hand SR300 I'm looking forward to getting started with it. Saxondale NO!!! Not an SR300!!! Joking! As above, you'll struggle to find a bad bass these days. With computer-aided manufacture, the budget basses are all set up to make it all fool proof. Look out for a Bass Bash. There are a few that happen up and down the country. One near you is this one At a Bass bash, folk take along their own basses and everyone gets to try each others gear. There are a few guys who always go to the Midlands one, who make basses too. So it's well worth a visit. Edited January 5, 2018 by Grangur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 11 hours ago, Saxondale said: Thank you very much everyone for the advice! I have managed to source a second-hand SR300 I'm looking forward to getting started with it. Saxondale Good choice, great bass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.