Bass for guitar player

[mad_nassos]

Hello, I am a guitarist who wants to start studying the bass too.
I'm currently looking for a bass, but I need some help to locate a rather cheap bass of my taste.

I'm thinking to get a Jazz Bass, but I can't be sure.
Although, I can now afford a Made in Mexico (it's about 600-650 € in Europe, as I live in Greece)

I've never played before, but I don't wanna buy something that I will sell in 6 months and then buy something new, as I believe that I 'll learn fast because of my guitar knowledge.

I've also read good reviews about Squier Vintage Modified Jazz bass, which is a lot cheaper (about 350 €).

My music taste is Progressive, Blues, Jazz, Classic Rock.
As a guitarist I play mostly a Fender Stratocaster (USA) and a Fender Telecaster Vintage '52 Reissue, but I also love Gibson 335 and Gibson L-5.

Did I forget to mention anything? Ah, I want it for both recording and performance and I'm of course open to any suggestions (other bass brands and models are welcome too)

[harpinon]

The mim jazz bass will have all the tones you'll need. I feel the sound quality rivals the American, but is leaps and bounds beyond the squier.

Don't be afraid to get a used one. They are solid and reliable.

Good luck.

[Blue Rocker]

Buy a bass that is easy to play and feels good in your hands and up grade the pickups for tone and power. Put Seymour Duncan Bass-lines in it. There are allot of good playing basses out their so get one that feels good.

[mad_nassos]

Originally Posted by harpinon

The mim jazz bass will have all the tones you'll need. I feel the sound quality rivals the American, but is leaps and bounds beyond the squier.

Don't be afraid to get a used one. They are solid and reliable.

Good luck.

Your suggestion about a "used one" inspired me and I just found an American Jazz Bass bought in 2008 (so used for about 3 years) that the owner sells it for $ 550, which is about € 400, so it's a lot cheaper than a new Mexican one (600 € new in Europe). I've never though to buy a used one before.

I'm thinking to get this one...

Thanks for the suggestion!

[9fingers]

Sounds like a winner!

[henryjurstin13]

Another strong suggestion for the used basses, especially if you can find one on here or over at TalkBass. A used Jazz bass now, and upgrade the bridge/pickups later will yield an awesome CUSTOM bass!! Good luck!

[NoNoise]

My only recommendation is to get a bass that has 17mm string spacing or less. If you get wide string spacing, you may find it difficult to get used to. Many people prefer 19mm for slapping, but I still think someone coming from guitar will need to work up to string spacing that wide.

I have been playing bass for almost as long as I've played guitar, and I still prefer tight string spacing on bass (I don't slap).

Jazz bass string spacing is super comfortable to me, though I like the tone of a Precision more, personally.

[mad_nassos]

Originally Posted by NoNoise

My only recommendation is to get a bass that has 17mm string spacing or less. If you get wide string spacing, you may find it difficult to get used to. Many people prefer 19mm for slapping, but I still think someone coming from guitar will need to work up to string spacing that wide.

I have been playing bass for almost as long as I've played guitar, and I still prefer tight string spacing on bass (I don't slap).

Jazz bass string spacing is super comfortable to me, though I like the tone of a Precision more, personally.

Like changing between electric/acoustic and classical guitar I guess?

[Phoenix59]

You may want to look into a short scale bass as well. The long scale of my P-Bass sometimes wreaks havoc on my left hand.

You can get the Squier VM Jaguar SS bass for only $169.

[S Effren]

With my 2-years of left tennis elbow, my Warmoth P-bass (the only bass I have) kinda hurts me too after a decent amount of playing.

Can you pop a Jazz neck on a Precision body? Do you have to do something with the bridge to account for the string spacing difference or is it close enough to work?

[revelator62]

Many options from

Squier vintage modified jaguar and jazz
ibanez SR series (I use a sr500)
Peavey grind 4- string I used for a while

being a guitar player I'm inclined to stay with thinner necks (jazz )

[Redlined]

Originally Posted by mad_nassos

Your suggestion about a "used one" inspired me and I just found an American Jazz Bass bought in 2008 (so used for about 3 years) that the owner sells it for $ 550, which is about € 400, so it's a lot cheaper than a new Mexican one (600 € new in Europe). I've never though to buy a used one before.

I'm thinking to get this one...

Thanks for the suggestion!

I had been looking for an inexspensive bass for a while, I found a good deal on a MIM Jazz and I really like the feel of it. That USA Jazz sounds like a winner to me.

[TedintheShed]

Nothing at all wrong with the VM or CV basses. very little to lose, and cheap to keep around if you decide it isn't for you just in case as one may come in handy some day.

Incremental mods to make it exactly the bass you want is appealing for a small initial investment as well.

[Jef325]

When I went from guitar to bass I found it easier to play a short scale bass with narrow string spacing. I play a vintage gibson EBO now but when I started I used an Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat, the neck profile was almost exactly the same as my LP.

[digiTED]

+1 on the shorter scale advice. I did the same thing a while back with an old Rick 4001. Great tone for prog, too. I later picked up a T-Bird and RD, but still have the Rick years later.