Bass guitar question

nyarlothothep

Im looking to buy a bass guitar, nothing too expensive as I just need it to finish off a record. This is what Im thinking of buying

http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_bb414l_bp_lefthand.htm

or this

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_gsr200l_bk.htm

Are these basses any good? Which one would be better?

Doctor J

The best thing you can do is go into some shops and try some basses out. Then find the cheapest price on the one that feels and sounds the best to you and buy from there.

The Yamaha is a passive bass closely following a Fender template, the Ibanez is active and reasonably contemporarily designed, so they're pretty different. There's a bit of buzz about those Yamahas at the moment, but only you will know if it's what you're looking for. They're both decent enough instruments.

Redjeep!

Welcome !

Neither would be a bad instrument as such, but nobody can really answer which would be better for you except you.

The point is that they will feel different to you and you'd be best to pick the one you feel most comfortble with. I actually started playing on that Ibanez - same model, same colour and it was fine as a starter instrument, but you'll see criticism of the neck (they're very thin and some people don't like them) and the electronics (not the best quality, but OK).

I've never played a Yam so can't comment, but they do have a good reputation.

My advice is that you may be better trying to pick up a used instrument, personally I'd look for a used Fender Jazz, the reason is that they're the absolute standard that everything else is compared to. But again to stress what I said before, you may find that it doesn't suit you as the necks are quite wide. At least you'll probably find it easier to sell on than the others.

Try and get out and try some and see what you think. If it's just for a certain project can you try and borrow something ?

Other models that you could look at would be the Rockbass (made by Warwick) and OLP.

Gaspode

If its just to fininsh off a project, why not borrow one. If you like it or find you've a liking for bass, then invest in one for yourself.
Of course you'll need to have some lefty friends.