Getting into it.

[TRadford]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='835738' date='May 12 2010, 10:16 PM']Yo.
What's the difference between the Standard P bass and the Standard J Bass?[/quote]

The p has a p pickup, the J has two J pickups. The J will have a thinner neck too.

[Metalmoore]

For 30-40 quid more i would take the VMJ as it's not the best, but it is the best in the price range and alot of people are preferring these over fender jazzes and even curing Jazz GAS

[Prime_BASS]

The VM precision and jazz basses are very very good for the money and are fantastic compared to the squier standard. You won't realise it now but you will benefit greatly from starting on a vintage modified jazz/precision bass.

If you do get a dog of a bass it will be harder to play, sound not so good and in all you'll not enjoy learning, which will make you not want to carry on playing.
A great bass like the VMJ is a joy to play, even when straight from the store, and it will be so much more fun, enjoyable to play. It will encourage you to keep it up.

For the price difference you may aswell.

A precision, usually comes with one split coil pickup, and generally has a thumpy tone with great bass.

A jazz will usually come with 2 single coil pickups, has less thumpyness and can either be smooth or growling, will IMO have more treble compared to a P bass.

Although not important for a beginner, the jazz will give you more tonal option than a P would. Things like the difference in neck thickness is something you have to decide your self. Personally it doesn't bother me as I have very thin and long hands, but sometimes a jazz neck has been too thin for me and it's been uncomfortable to play.

If you want a good heavy sound then the classic vibe or vintage modified squier P basses are both great.

Get out there and play them all, then try and get one here for a fraction of the cost probably setup amazing aswell.

[Brave Sir Robin]

Something Jazz-like, and a second hand amp. Jazz (two pickups) give you a bit more versatility. For the amp, check it at volume, and check if it's got some nice stuff like a cd-in and headphone jack.

BSSM bass tabs (for about a tenner) is a must have as well

[DreadAlert]

Awesome replies

I'm definately gonna go for the VMJ now.

Could somebody explain all the different amp things for me?
Cabs, Combos, Heads, Pre-amps? Thanks.

[RussFM]

A cab is just speakers, which you'll also need a head for.
A head is the amp - pre-amp and power amp combined - to plug into a cab.
A combo is an all-in-one unit, amp and speaker(s) together in one box.
A pre-amp is what you'll use to EQ and get your sound, won't power anything on it's own though, it needs a power-amp too. Generally pre and power will be together unless specified.

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='RussFM' post='837365' date='May 14 2010, 04:35 PM']A cab is just speakers, which you'll also need a head for.
A head is the amp - pre-amp and power amp combined - to plug into a cab.
A combo is an all-in-one unit, amp and speaker(s) together in one box.
A pre-amp is what you'll use to EQ and get your sound, won't power anything on it's own though, it needs a power-amp too. Generally pre and power will be together unless specified.[/quote]

Ohhh I seeeeee!
So.. Could I like.. plug [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/78461"]THIS[/url] into my bass, and then the other end into [url="http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=CXT-108"]THIS?[/url]

Edited May 14, 2010 by DreadAlert

[waynepunkdude]

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ha-3500/12440"]HEAD[/url]

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ampeg-bse-410-hlf/3830"]CAB[/url]

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/78800"]COMBO
[/url]
[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72002"]PRE-AMP[/url]

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72003"]POWER AMP[/url]

For illustration purposes .


The set up you have suggested won't work as the Amnplug won't power the speaker.

From what I can see that speaker is a PA speaker which would sound OK but you'd be better off with a bass guitar cab or combo.

[DreadAlert]

Cool, thanks for making it clear.

This is the amp I'm planning to get with the VMJ.

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/behringer-bt-108/68588"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/behringer-bt-108/68588[/url]

What's a 4-band EQ?

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='837438' date='May 14 2010, 05:57 PM']Cool, thanks for making it clear.

This is the amp I'm planning to get with the VMJ.

[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/behringer-bt-108/68588"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/behringer-bt-108/68588[/url]

What's a 4-band EQ?[/quote]


Personally wouldn't touch Behringer, I've never had a reliable product from them.

4 Band EQ would probably be Treble, High Mids, Low Mids, Bass.

[Marvin]

I'd go with what Wayne says. Until I joined the forum last year I was tempted by Behringer. Now I would look elsewhere.

There are a couple of other practice amps on GAK's site of a similar price.
Like this one, I'm afraid I haven't the faintest idea what it's like, it just caught my eye .
[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/85287"]Vox Practice Amp[/url]

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='Marvin' post='837458' date='May 14 2010, 06:17 PM']I'd go with what Wayne says. Until I joined the forum last year I was tempted by Behringer. Now I would look elsewhere.

There are a couple of other practice amps on GAK's site of a similar price.
Like this one, I'm afraid I haven't the faintest idea what it's like, it just caught my eye .
[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/85287"]Vox Practice Amp[/url][/quote]

Ooh, I like the looks of that one. Looks retro.

Spotted this also:
[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/rb-1/68998"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/rb-1/68998[/url]

Which do you guys think would sound better?

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='DreadAlert' post='837460' date='May 14 2010, 06:19 PM']Ooh, I like the looks of that one. Looks retro.

Spotted this also:
[url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/rb-1/68998"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/rb-1/68998[/url]

Which do you guys think would sound better?[/quote]


The Laney would be very good, that's what I'd go for if I was buying new.

[waynepunkdude]

I use one of these for practice


If you can find one second hand I thoroughly recommend it.

[Metalmoore]

I have laney rb2 and it's nice and loud and it's great for a practice amp. I wish I could get my hand's on the ashdown wayne has I wouldn't need a practice amp again.

[TRadford]

I use an Ashdown perfect 10 30w combo. Perfect for bedroom practice. Has a line in and headphone out. Nice and compact too.

Edited May 14, 2010 by TRadford

[JordanRLS]

have a laney RB3 which is in the same series as that RB1 you just linked... the rb3 is a decent amplifier so i can recommend the RB series.

[DreadAlert]

[quote name='Metalmoore' post='837490' date='May 14 2010, 06:50 PM']I have laney rb2 and it's nice and loud and it's great for a practice amp. I wish I could get my hand's on the ashdown wayne has I wouldn't need a practice amp again.[/quote]

Yo I think I might aswell spend an extra £30 for the RB-2 over the RB-1.

Does it come with a cable or will I need to get one seperately? - If it doesn't, is [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/stagg-gc10-dl---pro-30ft-guita/70917"]THIS[/url] a safe choice?

Edited May 16, 2010 by DreadAlert

[LawrenceH]

I wouldn't worry too much about buying Behringer these days...I've had PA kit fail from Mackie, JBL, QSC and Soundcraft, all supposedly much more reliable, and Behringer's amp range are actually developing quite a good reputation at the budget end of the market. The fact that they're a big company with lots of UK distributors can work in your favour with warranty repairs. Nothing that cheap is 100% reliable no matter what company it's from, and at least it's not esoteric.

[Metalmoore]

Yeah you gotta get a cable seperate, might be able to get one around here if you ask for cheap.

[D-L-B]

Sorry people, but is this guy a wind up?

Five pages of a thread about buying a cheap bass? I'm all for giving 'noobs' a little guidance but he's taking the piss here. Everything has to be spoon fed. What's this? What's that? The information is out there, stop being so lazy. I think people have been more than helpful enough. What do you want next? For them to actually buy the bass and play it for you?

I understand that knowing the market, what options you have, your future plans and expectations etc. are important when making a purchase but it's not a house you're buying is it?

You want a bass and amp for home use but you're not sure you're going to stick at it.
You need something that you won't grow out of too soon if you stick at it but will be easy to sell on without a loss if you don't.
You want to be Flea on a budget of around £250.
You need to get over being a weirdo and buy used gear.

Here, I've done the hard work for you:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLP-musicman-stingray-bass-/270580278527?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3effd764ff#ht_500wt_975"]OLP Stingray[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartke-B-Series-B300-30-Watt-Bass-Combo-Amplifier-/290336459438?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item439966caae"]Hartke combo[/url]

[Tait]

[quote name='D-L-B' post='839704' date='May 17 2010, 12:46 PM']Sorry people, but is this guy a wind up?

Five pages of a thread about buying a cheap bass? I'm all for giving 'noobs' a little guidance but he's taking the piss here. Everything has to be spoon fed. What's this? What's that? The information is out there, stop being so lazy. I think people have been more than helpful enough. What do you want next? For them to actually buy the bass and play it for you?

I understand that knowing the market, what options you have, your future plans and expectations etc. are important when making a purchase but it's not a house you're buying is it?

You want a bass and amp for home use but you're not sure you're going to stick at it.
You need something that you won't grow out of too soon if you stick at it but will be easy to sell on without a loss if you don't.
You want to be Flea on a budget of around £250.
You need to get over being a weirdo and buy used gear.

Here, I've done the hard work for you:
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OLP-musicman-stingray-bass-/270580278527?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3effd764ff#ht_500wt_975"]OLP Stingray[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartke-B-Series-B300-30-Watt-Bass-Combo-Amplifier-/290336459438?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item439966caae"]Hartke combo[/url][/quote]

what is your problem? this is a bass forum. its for talking about basses. if you don't want to talk about basses, don't come on a bass forum. so he's asking some questions, don't all beginners? he wants the best for his money, and i don't blame him.

also, why is he a weirdo because he doesn't like used gear?

are you trying to push away new members? you're not exactly making it seem welcoming around here.

oh, and FWIW, DreadAlert, the OLP D-L-B put a link to in his post would be a decent buy, i used to own one (mine was a five string though), and it was really cool. a great bass for a beginner, and for £140 its a good price! and a very cool colour, IMO.

Edited May 17, 2010 by Tait

[D-L-B]

Some people need to learn to think for themselves. [i]Some[/i] questions have been perfectly valid, yes.
You continue pretending to be 'mentor'.

[Tait]

[quote name='D-L-B' post='840339' date='May 17 2010, 11:00 PM']Some people need to learn to think for themselves. [i]Some[/i] questions have been perfectly valid, yes.
You continue pretending to be 'mentor'.[/quote]

care to say which questions you thought weren't valid? and why you felt it necessary to be so rude in your previous post, anyway?

Edited May 17, 2010 by Tait

[DreadAlert]

I kinda find it hard to buy off eBay because I'm kinda unsure when I'll have the money, so I'm not sure if it'll still be on the site when i get the money.

So far it's still the VMJ that i'm leaning towards, I've heard that it's far more versatile, and is less of a one-trick-pony. I also prefer the more traditional look to the metallic. Can't find any used VMJs though.