Advice on bass guitar for my daughter....

shawn474 · July 2019

I was going through some old music the other day and was listening to Morphine “Cure for Pain”. My daughter overheard and was enameled with the band. She is 14 - all state saxophone player in concert and jazz band. Incredible musician. Has since taught herself how to play the flute, tin whistle, and ukulele. She brought her ukulele to the beach and played it while on vacation and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

Long story short, she now wants a bass guitar and I want to continue to encourage her musical ambition. Looking for a new or used (preferred) bass guitar that she won’t outgrow too quickly. Funds are tight after having to buy a new car but I know a few of you play and have offered advice in the past. Any feedback on models, used websites, etc is appreciated. She seems to have set herself on a squire affinity but I think she did so because it was the cheapest she could find and wanted me to pull the trigger immediately.

jawhog · July 2019

There seems no be never ending supply of used basses on cL. All the cheap ones will come from Asia and playability has been fine. The squier lines are good instruments, but some less common can be just as good.

For a beginner I think scale, shape and like ability are most important. Have her hold a short scale and long scale to see which is more comfortable. Then pick a instrument that she likes and feels good. Will she mostly play sitting down? does it fit well on lap/body? Does she like color style? For a first instrument these factors will lead to success and enjoyment. Can always flip it later if it takes. Also some basses have active electronics which expand range of tones. Someone with a great ear might appreciate, but on a cheaper instrument it’s just more stuff that can break. A passive single pickup bass is a super simple instrument that will rarely have any breakdowns.

miner · July 2019

As a starter, which I began my son on, was a Fender Mexi-bass. Not too terribly expensive and at a good entry point into a hobby before spending too much money on a more expensive version.

jawhog · July 2019

Ads like this for $100-$200 squiers seem to appear multiple times a week in Chicago/Milwaukee. And as mentioned above, for just a bit more (depending on budget) easy to get a Mexican fender. Buying a well priced Mexican fender is like borrowing it. Once they depreciate to the $200-$300 range, they don’t really go down any more after that if it’s kept in good condition.

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/msg/d/milwaukee-fender-bass-with-case/6918243831.html

rooftop59 · July 2019

i also like the little Ibanezes that go for around $200 new. Something like this: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/GSRM20-Mikro-Short-Scale-Bass-Guitar.gc

The last bass i played was a little 5 string Ibanez that was like $279. It played fine and actually sounded pretty good!

Mikey081057 · July 2019

This is the coolist bass guitar I have ever seen

Mikey081057 · July 2019

These Lucite bass's are cool.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-4-String-Clear-Body-Lucite-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Brand-New/282694433187?epid=598290066&hash=item41d1e6b9a3:g:5noAAOSwkVZZ4lpN

Take her to guitar center and pick one out together... It will be a good time with your kid she will always remember.

rooftop59 · July 2019

shawn474 wrote: »

I was going through some old music the other day and was listening to Morphine “Cure for Pain”. My daughter overheard and was enameled with the band. She is 14 - all state saxophone player in concert and jazz band. Incredible musician. Has since taught herself how to play the flute, tin whistle, and ukulele. She brought her ukulele to the beach and played it while on vacation and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

Long story short, she now wants a bass guitar and I want to continue to encourage her musical ambition. Looking for a new or used (preferred) bass guitar that she won’t outgrow too quickly. Funds are tight after having to buy a new car but I know a few of you play and have offered advice in the past. Any feedback on models, used websites, etc is appreciated. She seems to have set herself on a squire affinity but I think she did so because it was the cheapest she could find and wanted me to pull the trigger immediately.

I played tenor sax in college jazz and wind ensembles, taught myself the bass my junior year in high school cause our little rock band didn't have a bass player. Its a really fun instrument imho. And she doesn't need something expensive to learn and have fun. I started out on my school's POS peavey that was like 20 years old...I mean, get her something better than that lol...

pitdogg2 · July 2019

Mikey081057 wrote: »

This is the coolist bass guitar I have ever seen

UMM it's a crappie

still very cool

Viking64 · July 2019

I've played a few crappie guitars in my day.

kharp1 · July 2019

I agree with taking her to someplace like Guitar Center, that has a wide variety, and letting her pick up a few that interest her. Then see if you can find that model on CL, or, one of the many used instrument sites, and see if you can save some money on her first bass. I, too, would stay away from active pickups. Simple, straightforward design is usually best for beginners.

nooshinjohn · July 2019

She plays a Duesenberg...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Duesenberg-D-Bass-Solid-American-Alder-Black-4-String-El-Bass-w-Case-090409/202723911303?hash=item2f33496687:g:hJUAAOSwj01dH5qq

Mikey081057 · July 2019

introduce her to Tal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4_yWGsx034

OleBoot · July 2019

Mikey081057 wrote: »

This is the coolist bass guitar I have ever seen

Gimme that sole music. Although it might be a little flat.

Viking64 · July 2019

With that axe, one would be PERCHED on the brink of stardom until the next guitar hero with a MULLET who can't TUNA instrument comes down the PIKE.

I learned to play "SOLE Man" by SALMON Dave on one of those when I was in med school studying to be a brain STURGEON. I thought: Holy MACKEREL! I COD be a STARFISH and I HADDOCK enough of Gross ANCHOVY anyway.

GAR Samuelson of MEGADOLON taught me how to play the solo from the Exodus song "PIRANHA" and all the chords from "BARRACUDA", and I never looked back. The GROUPERS were an added bonus, although some SMELT like CHUM.

mdaudioguy · July 2019

Shawn, I may have something we could make a deal on. Let me check it out and make sure everything is functional.

I'll try to remember to shoot you a pm tomorrow. If you don't hear from me, hit me up.

shawn474 · July 2019

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Shawn, I may have something we could make a deal on. Let me check it out and make sure everything is functional.

I'll try to remember to shoot you a pm tomorrow. If you don't hear from me, hit me up.

Ed, That would be awesome. Thanks so much. Everything I am finding is about a 90 minute drive away and would rather get something from someone I know and closer if possible. Let me know whenever and I really appreciate you looking for me. Thanks man

Mikey081057 · July 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcAHZOG7Eug

shawn474 · July 2019

Big thanks to Ed for hooking my daughter up with a quality bass at a steal price. Thanks so much Ed - I will send you a video Morgan playing her first riff

Advice on bass guitar for my daughter....

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