Bass Guitar Please

Timans

I have always been interested in taking up bass guitar. I play drums but am looking for something else to play which is a little more portable than a drum kit. And, ever since moving into a semi detached house with small kids next door, drums aren't as accesible anymore, sadly.

I have played bass guitars before at mate's houses and love it so, I'm going to take the plunge and get one in the next week or so.

I am looking for a bass and amp AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE. As long as it doesn't sound like ****, I'd be happy. I will have max €250 and am looking for second hand as €250 for a new one would mean it would be bollox.

I will be heading up to Dublin on Wednesday so, am thinking about getting it up there, more selction that down here, most definitely.

So, has anyone seen any around the net that would fit the bill? Any one got any advice for me buying one? Anyone seen any around Dublin which would be perfect?

Thanks,

Rigsby

You could keep an eye on the adverts section here or on www.buyandsell.ie
You can also get start up kits that include guitar, amp, strap and cable for not much more than your budget. When I took up bass I got a "SX" kit and found it quite good for the price. Fender also do a "Squire" kit. As far as I know Waltons do the SX and I saw the "Squier" kit in Goodwins on Capel St. Happy hunting

Karl Hungus

Check out www.adverts.ie as there can be quite a few bargains on there. I happen to have an advert for a small bass amp on there at the moment, as it happens.

Timans

I've seen a lovely Fender Jazz Bass which I would Love but it's going for €400 on adverts,

But, I've also found a Crafter Congress 4 FM Bass guitar which I think I could get in my budget. I just don't know whether Crafter basses are any good at all or are they sh1t. Advice on that would be appreciated.

Rigsby, thanks for the advice but I think I'd prefer to go 2nd hand as that way I'd get a better guitar for my money.

Karl, I see that you're selling the amp because you "don't really play bass anymore". Fancy selling me a Bass+Amp? I'll collect it Wednesday.

Karl Hungus

No idea about the Crafter I'm afraid.

If you're hunting for a used piece of kit, then it's a good idea to browse reviews at Harmony Central, because the review usually include the price they payed, so if they state some prices in Euro you can get a good idea of whether or not what you're buying is a good deal or not. Very handy resource, so check it out here: http://reviews.harmony-central.com/

I'd be looking to get a fair bit more than €250 for the bass + amp, so I don't think I can help you there.

Timans

Lol, it was worth a try. The guitar is my priority at the moment and I'd worry about the amp later. I wouldn't mind getting a better guitar right now and then maybe waiting a week or two to get a cheap amp.

Thanks for the link Karl, I'll have a browse now.

What bass(es) do you have anyway?

Karl Hungus

I've got a BC Rich 5string NJ Series Warlock, and a Dean Rhapsody Fretless.

Timans

Ooohhh, I really love the look of that Dean Fretless. What a lovely guitar!

Dord

Perfect Pitch on Exchequer st. sell Dean.

Rigsby

I could have sworn I was on "boards" and not "adverts.ie"

Timans

Yeah, lol.

I just am trying to get as much info as I can before deciding on anything. Trying to find more about that Bass. Not immediately drawn to the tanglewood but like the look of the amp.

Timans

Update on this.

I have a little more money to spend on this. Maybe a €100 more.

Links and advice appreciated.

Thanks again.

OctavarIan

Yamaha RBX170 and you'll have a bit over €100 left to spend on an amp.

[edit]If you go by your new raised budget.

feylya

This is not Adverts.ie. If any of you do that again, you will be banned.

Doctor J

Some normality at last. Good show

Timans, you could try an SX bass. They'e dirt cheap but are pretty decent for the money, especially the 70s style Jazz bass, in my experience. Add the benefit that they are pretty much Fender clones and you'll find better quality replacement parts are plentiful and easy to install so you can make a pretty good instrument for small money. They pop up on adverts.ie from time to time but also show up really cheap on ebay.

Timans

Sorry about that, we did take it to PM's because we knew that would happen.

Doctor J, been looking at the reviews for SX Jazz and they are absolutely great!

May well try one of those!

Cheers!

What parts would you suggest upgrading?

Doctor J

Whatever you think needs to be replaced. If you go for one, you may not need to replace anything, but as it is a budget bass, there may be things that could be better and if that's the case, pretty much any Fender sized part will fit the SX. Call it an insurance policy You could easily repalce the bridge, the tuners, the pickups, whatever, you may not need to though, just play it and see.

The ones I've played have been pretty decent, tonally. Generally they could do with a good setup (ie lower the nut, tweak the action, etc) but for the money they're a great deal. If you go to www.talkbass.com you'll see plenty of threads about them (for some reason they seem to call them Essex over there) and how their owners have upgraded bits and pieces to suit what they're looking for.

Dord

Doctor J wrote:

Whatever you think needs to be replaced. If you go for one, you may not need to replace anything, but as it is a budget bass, there may be things that could be better and if that's the case, pretty much any Fender sized part will fit the SX. Call it an insurance policy You could easily repalce the bridge, the tuners, the pickups, whatever, you may not need to though, just play it and see.

The ones I've played have been pretty decent, tonally. Generally they could do with a good setup (ie lower the nut, tweak the action, etc) but for the money they're a great deal. If you go to www.talkbass.com you'll see plenty of threads about them (for some reason they seem to call them Essex over there) and how their owners have upgraded bits and pieces to suit what they're looking for.

+1 on the SX, I have one and its great. Granted I've done lots of work to it, but thats just me, I enjoy modding the hell out of stuff.

The basses in their stock state are pretty damn good for the money. As the Doc said, they do need a good setup and a fresh set of strings.

Doc, the reason why they call 'em Essex over at TB is because the search software won't search SX because its too short...lol

Timans

Yeah, thinking about getting one from www.rondomusic.com the manufacturer of them, it seems.

Only problem is, shipping costs the same as the bass! :eek:

It still works out as €185 new though so I'd have near €200 to spend on an amp. Looking at the roland cube.

Dord

Timans wrote:

Yeah, thinking about getting one from www.rondomusic.com the manufacturer of them, it seems.

Only problem is, shipping costs the same as the bass! :eek:

It still works out as €185 new though so I'd have near €200 to spend on an amp. Looking at the roland cube.

You can buy them in Waltons.

BTW, They're not made by Rondo Music. Rondo is just the US Distributer. The manufacturer is Team Intl. Co. in China. The european site for SX is http://www.sxguitarspain.com

Sephiroth_dude

Karl Hungus wrote:

I've got a BC Rich 5string NJ Series Warlock, and a Dean Rhapsody Fretless.

bc rich 5string?

nice

Bill_Le_Viking

sx = win! No better rival to a fender imho and being honest, especially as you're only starting out on bass, you wouldn't need to change a thing!

I got mine imported from Rondo (Absolutely brilliant people with great customer support) And yes the shipping was expensive! BUT I got it delivered straight to my door in 7 days, ANNNNND It was cheaper than in waltons! INCLUDING shipping and a case (cases are required for international shipping) and replacement scratchplate it cost under 235 euro!
There is a chance you would get stopped Irish vat on the bass, but even if you do it still works out really cheap. (less than 250)
I'm playing bass for about 6 years and this is now my main gigging bass, as its so great! Stock pups are GREAT! Smooth mapel neck and sweet looking black block inlays! Its been said before they can be hit and miss, but even if you get a not so great one they can be set up to be as good as the good'uns very easliy!
My brother warned my "when you buy cheap, you buy twice"
I agree fully with him on this because I'm DEFINATELY going to buy another SX bass from rondo!
If there are any hesitant people who want to play one before making the investment, I invite you to play mine in Kildare!

Here's my baby Fully stock :

feylya

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