Which bass guitar & amp?
Discussion
Looking for advice on getting a bass guitar and amp for my 13yr old son for Christmas, as I have zero knowledge of them. He's been playing a cheap acoustic guitar for a few years so he's picked up some of the basics and now he fancies a bass.
Rather than going for a cheap entry level bass, I want to get him a nice one but without spending a fortune. The Yamaha TRBX174 can be picked up for just over £200 and gets good reviews. But is this regarded as a decent bass?
Not sure what amp to get him, would 10w be sufficient for practicing in his bedroom, maybe 15w? Any suggestions which one please?
Rather than going for a cheap entry level bass, I want to get him a nice one but without spending a fortune. The Yamaha TRBX174 can be picked up for just over £200 and gets good reviews. But is this regarded as a decent bass?
Not sure what amp to get him, would 10w be sufficient for practicing in his bedroom, maybe 15w? Any suggestions which one please?
Thanks, it does get good reviews everywhere.
How about the Laney LX10B 10w amp? Its affordable at £55, or maybe the 15w model at £79. He'll be playing in his bedroom but he's also getting together with some pals who play and will be practicing with them. Not sure what size he'll need.
How about the Laney LX10B 10w amp? Its affordable at £55, or maybe the 15w model at £79. He'll be playing in his bedroom but he's also getting together with some pals who play and will be practicing with them. Not sure what size he'll need.
The Yamaha looks great, I’ve never played one but I heard one being played the other night and it sounded good. Also consider the Ibanez SGR range, my son has a basic four string plus a very nice active 5 string. Both are nicely made with lovely slim, fast necks.
I recently got a Squier VM fretless jazz and it’s much better made than I would have expected. I reckon the Squier range would be worth investigating. They also do the mustang which is a short scale (30” instead of 34”) which might be easier for him to play if he’s still growing.
I applaud his choice, there’s nothing like playing bass!
I recently got a Squier VM fretless jazz and it’s much better made than I would have expected. I reckon the Squier range would be worth investigating. They also do the mustang which is a short scale (30” instead of 34”) which might be easier for him to play if he’s still growing.
I applaud his choice, there’s nothing like playing bass!
underwhelmist said:
I’m not sure the practice amps would be up to competing with guitar and drums if he’s practicing with mates. We use a Stagg 60w amp for practicing, and it will just about handle church Hall type gigs. I’d consider going second hand for the amp.
All the above, I'd look for something of at least 50w and a 15" driver if he is going to play with his mates, plus a headphone jack for when you are in the house.
The EQ on that amp is laid out backwards! What's the betting the knobs are in a conventional layout and they just got the signing wrong?
Anyway, visit www.basschat.co.uk and check out the used amp classifieds there. Many starter basses are fairly decent (and this Yamaha will almost certainly be a serviceable instrument), but starter amps are absolutely crap. You can get a proper amp for very little. A bloke on Basschat has had a bloody Alembic preamp for sale for weeks at £350, for instance! So you'll probably want to upgrade the amp sharpish.
I started on a Hartke B-15 combo amp and bass pack when I was thirteen. I moved onto an Ibanez BTB405QM and an Ashdown Electric Blue 112 shortly after and the difference was night and day!
Anyway, visit www.basschat.co.uk and check out the used amp classifieds there. Many starter basses are fairly decent (and this Yamaha will almost certainly be a serviceable instrument), but starter amps are absolutely crap. You can get a proper amp for very little. A bloke on Basschat has had a bloody Alembic preamp for sale for weeks at £350, for instance! So you'll probably want to upgrade the amp sharpish.
I started on a Hartke B-15 combo amp and bass pack when I was thirteen. I moved onto an Ibanez BTB405QM and an Ashdown Electric Blue 112 shortly after and the difference was night and day!
Don Roque said:
The EQ on that amp is laid out backwards!
Good spot, but the Stagg 60w practice amp I mentioned has them backwards as well. Maybe it’s a thing with some manufacturers or small amps?OP, you have got your kid a great starter package. I’m sure that gear will serve him well and he’ll be over the moon with it. Don’t forget a decent lead.
Now, he’ll be needing a stand, tuner, chorus pedal, compressor, maybe some distortion, maybe a pedal board to mount them on, power supply...
Edit: If he’s not having lessons get him to check out Scott’s Bass Lessons on YouTube. He probably knows about it anyway. Even if you don’t sign up for the paid lessons he’s got loads of good instructional videos that are free to watch.
Edited by underwhelmist on Friday 29th November 01:38
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