First Bass

422nd

Hey, I've been playing guitar for the past 2 and a half years now and I wanna pick up a bass. Obviously with my experience on guitar already I wouldn't wanna go with anything too gimicky. Just a nice quality Bass for in or around 300 euro. Ideas? Cheers

Rigsby

A MIM Fender jazz or precision would be worth checking out IMO. Also "SX" basses (they can be got in Waltons) are good value. Lots of people get them and then upgrade them.

Keep an eye on www.adverts.ie Good bargains to be had there from time to time. I think there is a MIM precision there at present.

Be aware that the precisions have a fairly wide neck, compared to other basses, so it's best to try before you buy .

gotBass

I recently picked up an aria STB Jazz bass, as a 2nd bass they can be had for very little money, much less than €300.
I set it up to my liking and it is surprisingly good.
I'll be happy to gig with it, if my Geddy Lee Fender Jazz needs a rest for any reason.

for the €300 2nd hand, there's an awful of choice, I'd encourage you to try several different basses and see what fits, Just because it doesn't have Fender on the headstock does not mean that the bass is necessarily bad, i've had good experiences with Peavey too.
Some simple tips:
1. Jazz bass types offer a very diverse range of sounds.
2. 4 strings is fine for 99.9% of all bass requirements.
3. comfortable well set neck, good bridge and good body are important, electronics,pickups etc are fairly simple to sort out in the right hands.
4. Don't be a label snob, and make sure you plug it into your amp to hear what you'll sound like. Ideally compare side by side with other basses.

have fun.

Quillo

Ibanez SR300 is an excellent first bass...
3 band active eq gives a great range of tones

€299 @ Thomann
http://www.thomann.de/ie/ibanez_sr300ipt.htm?sid=d0d3bfb398577730130ba5a9edf76463

Review
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Ibanez/SR300/10/1