AlanH Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Hello All, I'm thinking of getting an inexpensive bass and a compact, low wattage bass amp for learning bass and putting down bass lines for home recording. I'm thinking of <£200 (US$320ish) for the bass and <£100 (US$160ish) for the amp. I guess I'm after tweakability rather than a one trick pony arrangement as it would be my only one. I'm not really looking at going over budget or at buying used. So, for the bass players out there, are there any well recommended budget basses and amps that I could go and try? BTW, I was looking at the Peavey BXP-4 bass and the Ashdown Tourbus 15W amp so something along those lines/prices is what I'm after. Thanks in anticipation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I recommend a Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe P-Bass for a new cheap bass. I think you get the best low end out of a P-Bass. I really love the Japanese Mustang Bass also and they can be had for around $300 used. They're short scale and don't have as deep of a low end but the playability rips. Can't say I know much about bass amps though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 tbh, just look for a used Squier. One in good shape shouldn't run you much more than $150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I'm quite happy with my LTD bass and Eden amp, bought for the same reason: LTD F-104 Nemesis N8 I'd check eBay for a low end Eden amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobB Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Epiphone has some very affordable bass guitar models like their EB-0 and Toby Standard models. Behringer builds some decent small bass amps like their ULTRABASS BT108 or their Thunderbird BX108. http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/EB-0.aspx http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Toby-Standard-IV.aspx http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BT108.aspx OR http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BX108.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69tele Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I would go for the squier classic vibe range too very good value for money http://www.gear-review.co.uk/reviews/squier_cv_jazz_bass/index.html for the amp get an Ampeg 108 just over 100 quid http://www.dv247.com/guitars/ampeg-ba-108-bass-guitar-amp-combo--82399 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 If it's only for recording, I would skip buying an amp. It's common to DI the bass - don't spend your money on an amp. For the bass itself, you can find lots of solid $100 basses out there these days. Happy hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Yep, I agree with brundady, I played one of these Archer basses made with Paulownia wood, incredibly light and decent quality. My friend bought it for his wife to play on stage and he upgraded it with a Seymour Duncan pickup, not bad at all, if I did not already have a bass I would buy one myself. http://www.interstatemusic.com/27697-Archer-SB10-P-Style-White-Electric-Bass-White-SB10WH.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 If it's only for recording, I would skip buying an amp. It's common to DI the bass - don't spend your money on an amp. For the bass itself, you can find lots of solid $100 basses out there these days. Happy hunting! Yeah you'll probably get better results recording bass DI than with a cheap amp. I'd take the money and put it towards a good bass. I still say p-bass. The long scale length will give you a deep low end that will sound great on recordings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Well... I've had a Precision; still have an old late '60s Bassman head I either have to get a cab for or try a swap for something lighter. I'd prefer the latter. I now have a old half worn out cheapie Ibanez that would still work for a saloon that has chicken wire between the band and the bar - and a nice shiny new gorgeous but very inexpensive short-scale Squier that will get the work for some swing stuff that may come up later this year. Short scale: I'm still a guitar player even when I'm playing bass and my hands are more naturally going to guitar intervals on the fretboard with less "thinking" and more playing. Deeper thump? Yeah, longer scale gives that. I have to think more to play it and as only a pickup bass player for occasional disasters where I'd sorta know the book, "thinking" ain't what I should be doing in the rhythm section. Guys here a long time know I don't care for Fender six strings. Tried a lot, never every bought one. I've felt good with Fender basses. Some of the Epi/Gibbies look okay, but I've never worked with one to have a general knowledge of "feel" and dunno where I'd find one other than mail order. Frankly Epi/Gibbie is my definite current choice for six strings. Then again I guess a lot has to do with what you're doing. There are a few decent brands out there but as mentioned, my latest journey to a guitar store a year or so ago saw an appropriate, light and loud enough combo of a well-advertised brand I kinda wanted to get but... new in the store, the on-off switch didn't work. Kinda off-putting. So right now I'm kinda sandbagging. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoPaul422 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Tobias basses are similar to the Peaveys, but Peavey makes good quality guitars and amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincentw Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Yeah, check out Epi EB-0s or EB-3s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hi Guys, Thanks for the ideas. I ended up going for the Peavey BXP4 I was looking at and also the Ashdown amp in the 10W version because the price was so good- £99 the bass and £56 the amp (both bought new from GuitarGuitar.) If anybody else is interested they currently have lots of BXP4s in their stores across the UK at this price. I have to say that these basses are solid beasts. Also, I'm really suprised at the quality for an imported MIC offering. The neck wood looks almost birdseye maple-like and the rosewood fretboard appears to be not far off the quality of the boards on my Gibsons. Fit and finish is also very nice indeed. I picked out the one that plays the nicest and, as a guitarist, it's pretty easy to fly round the neck. The amp has quite a lot of headroom for its size - perfect for home use, and is quite punchy (not a bit muddy.) Here are a few pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoPaul422 Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hi Guys, Thanks for the ideas. I ended up going for the Peavey BXP4 I was looking at and also the Ashdown amp in the 10W version because the price was so good- £99 the bass and £56 the amp (both bought new from GuitarGuitar.) If anybody else is interested they currently have lots of BXP4s in their stores across the UK at this price. I have to say that these basses are solid beasts. Also, I'm really suprised at the quality for an imported MIC offering. The neck wood looks almost birdseye maple-like and the rosewood fretboard appears to be not far off the quality of the boards on my Gibsons. Fit and finish is also very nice indeed. I picked out the one that plays the nicest and, as a guitarist, it's pretty easy to fly round the neck. The amp has quite a lot of headroom for its size - perfect for home use, and is quite punchy (not a bit muddy.) Here are a few pics: Very nice! Peavey makes excellent equipment. I have 3 of their amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.