Best budget beginner bass guitar (and practice amp)? and why?

jtcnj

jtcnj

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Been considering this for a long time.
I know nothing about bass guitars.

Since the Monoprice tele I got this year is really good, I am considering one of these.
Yes / no, why, other suggestions?

I TRY not to buy PRC, but , well.

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Indio by Monoprice Jamm 4-string Electric Bass Guitar with Gig Bag - Monoprice.com

Music is fun. Music is exciting. Music helps children grow and makes them smarter. Practicing the guitar can be less than fun sometimes. This notion is amplified (see what we did there) when you are c
www.monoprice.com

6107101.jpg
 
I went down this road a while back. The Yamaha TRBX line is pro level with a beginner price tag. You can get em for anywhere from $150-250 on the lower line ones. Saw a TRBX170 (?) for re-sale the other day for $100...
 
The Yamaha looks good.
I also have a local listing for a used Squire Vintage modified '77 Jazz Bass at around the same price.

is the Yamaha a P bass, and what is the difference between Jazz or P bass?
Does it much matter for a 1st bass?
 
jtcnj said:
The Yamaha looks good.
I also have a local listing for a used Squire Vintage modified '77 Jazz Bass at around the same price.

is the Yamaha a P bass, and what is the difference between Jazz or P bass?
Does it much matter for a 1st bass?
Click to expand...
The Yamaha 174 is a “P and J” pickup arrangement. I started with such a set up, and was happy with it for many years. I don’t get to see many Yamahas around here…not many/any dealers.

Generally, the jazz bass usually has a thinner neck/narrower nut than a p bass. The jazz bass pickups ar single coil sets, usually RWRP- so no hum with both pickups at equal volumes…but hum when solo pickup selected.
P bass pickup is usually fairly quiet as it is made up of two coils(like a humbucker, but offset).
 
Thatbastarddon said:
The Yamaha 174 is a “P and J” pickup arrangement. I started with such a set up, and was happy with it for many years. I don’t get to see many Yamahas around here…not many/any dealers.

Generally, the jazz bass usually has a thinner neck/narrower nut than a p bass. The jazz bass pickups ar single coil sets, usually RWRP- so no hum with both pickups at equal volumes…but hum when solo pickup selected.
P bass pickup is usually fairly quiet as it is made up of two coils(like a humbucker, but offset).
Click to expand...

Bdon, pretty much hit the nail on the head on breaking down Fender Style J or P, and now there are even J/P equipped models.

I own both, JT. Both of mine were bought new for under $250. At the same time I was in your shoes, way back around 2008 maybe, I also was looking at Ibanez budget basses he had. I believe @Robert Herndon has one and has made quite good use of the bass in pro fashion.

Bdon also mentions the Peavey's. Those are exceptional instruments if you find any on the cheap.
This Ibanez is near me.
reverb.com

Ibanez GSR200 Gio Bass | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.
reverb.com reverb.com
 
jtcnj said:
The Yamaha looks good.
I also have a local listing for a used Squire Vintage modified '77 Jazz Bass at around the same price.

is the Yamaha a P bass, and what is the difference between Jazz or P bass?
Does it much matter for a 1st bass?
Click to expand...

JT if you get the Jazz 77 you will SCORE. That is the exact one I bought 2 of.

Iron1 mentioned the Ibanez I suggested. And like he said, he played his for years before getting the Yamaha ( another fine instrument)
 
jtcnj said:
If I do this, it will only be at home to learn and add bass lines to recordings.
do I need a bass amp?
I can go direct into Focusrite, but can i play it on a guitar amp as I am learning?
Click to expand...
I've been recording with my basses since 2015 and haven't owned a bass amp that whole time.
 
jtcnj said:
Been considering this for a long time.
I know nothing about bass guitars.

Since the Monoprice tele I got this year is really good, I am considering one of these.
Yes / no, why, other suggestions?

I TRY not to buy PRC, but , well.

6107601.jpg



Indio by Monoprice Jamm 4-string Electric Bass Guitar with Gig Bag - Monoprice.com

Music is fun. Music is exciting. Music helps children grow and makes them smarter. Practicing the guitar can be less than fun sometimes. This notion is amplified (see what we did there) when you are c
www.monoprice.com

6107101.jpg
Click to expand...
The problem with these guitars is that the used / resale is too low.
It's going to be worth a lot less...and it doesn't play or sound that great.

I recommend that you buy a used P bass, or some other guitar with a name brand on it.
When you trade up to a better bass - the guitar with a name brand is going to be worth something.
Even if it's Peavey, it's going to be worth more.
It's going to be sounding better and playing better. Compared to the cheap-o bass.

The Fender Rumble amp is one of the better choices for low budget.
Although there are several cheap bass amps around these days, Fender will have parts and service easily available.
 
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jtcnj said:
If I do this, it will only be at home to learn and add bass lines to recordings.
do I need a bass amp?
I can go direct into Focusrite, but can i play it on a guitar amp as I am learning?
Click to expand...
My suggestion would be to buy a small bass speaker cab….nothing fancy.…something you could use a guitar head(that you already have) to play through.…and go from there.
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That Orange Tiny Terror, sitting on top of the Tube Works 15” headless combo cab, sounds fantastic as a bass amp….it wouldn’t keep up with a drummer very well for bass duty, but for fun….I bet you have a couple of tube amps around that would surprise you when run through a bass cab. And yes, the T-40 is plugged into it in the above pic…great for Stoner stuff.
 
I’ve actually been plugging mine into my Boss GT1 guitar multi effect box and using headphones. I just watch the volume since I’m pretty sure I could fry the headphones. Maybe not? I do have access to my kids really nice bass amp and 4-10” cab. When I plug into it and crank it up, you can see and feel the walls move. It’s awesome.

Guys I was on worship team with stopped bringing their amp to church. Too much hassle. Plugged into a DI and straight to the house. But yeah… you need to hear it to practice for sure. What Don said.
 
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