Beginner Bass and Amp

[rdamato]

My 15YO son has finally decided to play an instrument and with 20 guitars laying around the house, he, of course, wants to play bass.

Any recommendations for a beginner bass and amp combo? I've already checked out the Fender bundle pack and they are absolute crap.

Thanks,
Ron Damato

[stumboid]

My 15YO son has finally decided to play an instrument and with 20 guitars laying around the house, he, of course, wants to play bass.

Any recommendations for a beginner bass and amp combo? I've already checked out the Fender bundle pack and they are absolute crap.

Thanks,
Ron Damato

Just get him the Fender Bundle Pack, if he doesn't like it, no big loss.

[tkozal]

How much? I would say a G&L Tribute..but how big are his hands? Can he comfortably deal with a 34 inch scale? I would hope so by now.

What kind of music is he into?

I always liked the starter Ibby's and Yamahas, but lately G&L has impressed me mightily in the budget area.

For an Amp, I would go to the store and find something that meets his needs...just for practice, or something he can play with other people?

[Chuck King]

The $64 question is of course how much you want to spend. In the real cheap range, SX (through rondomusic.com) are well-regarded, and provide good bases for modification if he wants to go that way. Used American-made Peavey basses can be found for next to nothing. If he's a headbanger, maybe a Dean Metalman.

Yamaha's student instruments are generally quite good.

For a bit more, with a bit of shopping you can probably find a pretty good MIM Fender P or J. Guild Pilots, which were pro-level instruments when they came out, are inexplicably cheap used.

For an amp, unless he need something to carry to lessons, I'd say don't bother with a little practice amp. Used old Peavey amps are cheap, built like anvils, and once you get above the bottom rungs of the ladder they are loud enough for at least practice with a band.

[ghoti]

For cheapies, I was impressed with Deans and (especially) Peavey. You can play bass through a guitar amp, just won't sound quite as good as through a bass amp, so you might want to use one of your amps to practice with.

Take him to a music store and see what he likes.

[billbass1]

I second the SX basses.

Absolutely the best in their price range.

I own six of them myself.

Two are my standard practice basses.

Two othes I added Lindy Fralin PUPs and gig with them.

These basses are part of a collection that include others
in the multi thosand dollar range, and they really come close
in terms of all around performance.
They do come with crap strings and need a proper set up though.