Guitar question...

[reyd reid reed]

#3 son plays several instruments but his favorite...his instrument of choice...is the bass guitar.

What's a good, solid, dependable, fairly affordable one that Santa could maybe, possibly bring him? Right now he's using a school instrument...I'd like to get him his own.

This is kinda like the one the school's loaned him and he's playing right now...really close, anyway:

[billyskank]

1. Your son has good taste!

:hi:

[reyd reid reed]

5. Hi, Billy!!!

Yup...he picked me for a mom.

:D

(as if he had much choice....poor kid)

:eyes:

[WCGreen]

2. One of my clients is a professional musician and he owns

a music store as well...

PM how much you want to spend and I will ask him what he would recommend or perhaps what he has for sale...

[reyd reid reed]

4. Does he carry brass, too?

#2 son is in the market for trombone...and he's found a couple of Bachs in the 2 grand range. I know that different instruments work better for different disciplines, he's telling me that Bach is good for classical and stage. The single review I've read for a Bach was iffy at best.

And as far as the guitar...I'm clueless. I've been looking around a little and I see them for as little as a couple hundred, all the way up to several thousand dollars.

#3 son is twelve, though.

[WCGreen]

6. He has it all...

or can get pretty much anything....

[reyd reid reed]

9. I'll try and come up with some specific information

over the next few days. About both guitars and trombones...if you wouldn't mind asking your friend for me.

Thanks, hon.

:hug:

[malmapus]

10. Trombone player here

My last two trombones have both been Bach, been happy with both of them.

[reyd reid reed]

12. What is it that makes a Bach

better than a King or a Conn(?) and cost that much more?

(I really am trying to 'get' this stuff...daughter plays trombone, too)

[malmapus]

29. Want to say it's just the quality

Trying to remember what my first trombone was (want to say it was a Conn). But after a few years it literally was falling apart. The joint that holds the part that turns into the bell and the bottom that connects to the slide came apart.

Want to say the tone you can produce as well. Plus the two Bach's I've had had the "F" attachment. They were just like step ups from the previous trombone I had.

EDIT: plus their slides are like glass, freaking smooth.

[reyd reid reed]

30. I've heard that about the slides...

I think that's what's got Bonehead drooling...

We've had problems with Conns, too.

[malmapus]

38. Yeah just a bit of creame and a spray bottle with water

That's about as much maint as it takes to keep them like that.

[WCGreen]

32. That's the problem with the cheaper B&O instruments...

Sadly, poorly made instruments drive more people away from music...

I suggest renting a good one to see if you like it then buying a good refurbished intrument after a year or so...

[Redstone]

15. Now, RIGHT THERE is a big reason DU is such a great place.

A DUer needs, another DUer provides. Happens all the time.

Anyone think it EVER happens over at the rightwing sites?

Redstone

[reyd reid reed]

18. Yup.

Happens here again and again. I haven't seen ANY other site where it happens so regularly.

:hug:

[LoZoccolo]

3. I like my Squier Jazz bass.

I'm not a serious player so I looked for an inexpensive one. Squiers are made by Fender as their starter line. I'm not an expert, though.

http://www.squierguitars.com

[reyd reid reed]

7. You're happy with it?

I didn't see any prices, though...heh, something that always makes me a little jittery.

[LoZoccolo]

8. Yeah, but like I said, I don't play much.

That's the manufacturer's site though, so I don't think they'll have prices there as I don't think they sell them directly. Any guitar store would know about them though.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

41. hehe, Squier

:P. I play guitar though, so I guess I can't really comment for bass.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Rickenbacher

[reyd reid reed]

14. Why?

Not trying to be difficult (this time)...just want to know.

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Their basses have an absolutely beautiful and amazing soun

well constructed, worth every penny.

I don't play bass, but I play guitar and some of the stringed orchestra instruments, so I know wood and strings: I've held Rickenbachers, and even before sounding one, they just *feel* amazing, true craftsmanship. And then to play one - woo!

[reyd reid reed]

19. What about the price range?

I know it sounds really horrible, but that's a concern. Wish it wasn't...but it is.

[Rabrrrrrr]

23. I don't know. Certainly they can be had for a lot of money.

I don't know if they have low end models - they might be the sort of company that doesn't, but I'm speaking totally out of my ass now. But I don't remember seeing low-end rickenbachers in the way that I see low end Fenders, Gibsons, Washburns, and so on.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/navigation/rickenbacker-four-string-fretted-electric-bass?N=100001+306313+201919&Ne=1454&page=1

But, when it comes to instruments, always spend a little bit more than you can afford.

[reyd reid reed]

31. True

the difference in quality is usually worth the difference in price...but he's twelve. And I've seen his room.

:scared:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

28. rickies are expensive. i'd go with a fender precision bass.

[Bassic]

44. Rickenbachers are pretty good.

But the neck is too small for my taste. I guess they would appeal to guitar players because of it :D

[Floogeldy]

13. I suggest a Fender bass guitar.

They have all levels of quality/price, and even the cheapest ones won't suck too bad.

[reyd reid reed]

17. Not sucking

is important. He's at 'that' age.

:eyes:

[RetroLounge]

20. I would suggest the Fender Squire line.

Inexpensive, and good enough for a young beginner, quality and sound will not frustrate him.

and if he continues with the bass, he will then find one he wants and do everything in his power to get it.

I would not put out big money on something like a Fender Precision or Jazz bass, or a Rickenbacker 4001 (drool) just yet, until he is sure he wants to play and is serious about it.

When he is ready to "upgrade" he will then go to Guitar Center or somewhere like that and play every make and model bass he can get his hands on.

:hi:

RL

[reyd reid reed]

24. Good advice.

His brother got serious about his choice of instrument and you're right...he's moving heaven and earth to get that Bach that he wants.

Buzzard-butt'll do the same thing when the time comes. And I already consider taking a bib along whenever I take him into a music store...

:eyes:

[Jamastiene]

21. Fender Squier Bass Packs are fairly cheap.

Plus they include a bass amp and some other odds and ends accessories. That's what I'd recommend. I play guitar, but I got a Fender Precision just to jam sometimes for fun. That's better than the Squier but costs as much as the whole bass pack costs. I love my Fender Precision. I have had zero problems with it. The only modifications I have made to the stock model are some different knobs for the volume and tone. That was only a comfort change for me because I like the way dome knobs feel under my finger better than the other kinds.

Here is Sideedee, my Fender Precision bass. It's a Mexican Standard. I couldn't afford the American Standard, so I customized it.



The Squier Bass Packs are around $300.00 @ Musician's Friend:

I get my music equipment from Musician's Friend and have had no problems with them, so they are trustworthy.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Bass-Pak-with-Rumble-15-Amp?sku=519634

The Fender Precision Basses run between $400 and $500 depending on the one you get:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/home/navigation?q=fender+precision

[reyd reid reed]

25. Thanks....

Looks good. This makes what...three or four replies with the same suggestion...I'm just about convinced.

I was looking up dealers around here and there are several of them...I might go this week to actually look and touch...

Thank you.

:hug:

[Jamastiene]

26. If the present isn't a surprise, may I recommend something?

If he already knows you plan on getting him a new bass, please do this:

Let him pick out the one he wants. Even if there was a store that had nothing but all of the same exact model of bass or guitar, each player will have a distinctive feeling about a certain one.

I have that feeling anyhow. I played probably 6 different bass guitars while I worked at the guitar store, 3 of them were Fender Precision basses and 1 of those was a Fender Precision American Standard (top of the line bass) before I fell in love with mine.

See that color my bass is? They called it midnight blue, but it's really a dark purple. I would never have picked that color in a million years. It's not that I don't like purple. It's just that I like all my guitars to be either black or blue for some odd reason. The reason I bought that bass wasn't looks, but because it felt better in my hands and sounded better than the others to me.

The wood they make instruments out of differs even among the same lot of wood. Craftsmanship differs between the guitars too. The tone is affected ever so slightly as well by both of these things.

That kid will be so happy if he gets to go to the store and pick out his own bass. The way my parents handled it when I got my first 6 string guitar (and I love them for handling it that way) was that they told me I had to pick out an instrument for under a certain amount of money. They took me to Reliable Music in Charlotte (closed now, but was a kickass music store back then) and let me try out different ones. They told me it was for Christmas, but they let me have it early. That way I understood I was getting something I wanted now, but it was my Christmas present.

[Rabrrrrrr]

27. I will second this! Buying an instrument without playing it first

is akin to mailing out for a hairstyle.

Well, that doesn't make any sense, but I'm tired, and I know what I mean I just can't find the right words to say it properly.

[reyd reid reed]

35. Nope

You said it well. And it's a very valid point.

:hi:

[reyd reid reed]

33. I like the idea of him playing it first...

I'd like to see if I could get him to play without knowing why, though...I'm sneaky and might be able to.

Besides...if our trip to the music store is *ahem* for someone else...and he just *ahem* happens to be allowed to try different ones...

I know, I know...he's twelve. Still...

:eyes:

[Jamastiene]

37. They always told me they would let Santa know

about it so he could "get it for me for Christmas." I went with it. It got me what I wanted and kept them from wasting their money on something I didn't want.

[Gold Metal Flake]

22. Fernandes.

The Fernades guitars are made in the same factories that make the Fender and Gibsons and others. The difference is that when imported the Fernandes guitars are each individually set up by a guitar tech. The frets are set and sanded, the action and necks adjusted and problems resolved. This extra work results in a guitar that plays better than a new ordinary Fender. Look around for a used Jazz or Precision copy Fernandes.

[reyd reid reed]

34. Are they easy to find? n/t

[Gold Metal Flake]

36. Fairly easy.

Well represented on Ebay. Told a bud about them and he picked up a sweet 5 string and was very happy with it. Probably should check the music and pawn shops nearby for soem examples. Give them a try. But do check ebay for prices. They are quite affordable.

[leftofthedial]

39. Fender has some very good basic beginner packages

bass, amp, accessories all in one package

If he takes to it, you're in business and can begin upgrading piece by piece. I have a buddy who can fix you up if you don't mind driving up to Denver.

Don't know about trombone anymore, since Guitar Center drove most of my music store buddies out of business.

Music is a great thing for kids. Truly good in every way.

[reyd reid reed]

48. I don't mind a drive to Denver

Especially if it's for a good caues. He does love the bass...he started in the fourth grade with the cello, moved to the trumpet in the fifth grade and for part of the sixth, but moved to the bass early last year -- and absolutely loves it.

I do, too. I love that the kids all love music and love to play, not just listen -- even if it does get a little loud at practice time (he still picks up the cello every once in a while, we've also got two trombones, a trumpet and a violin in the house).

Thanks.

[midnight armadillo]

40. Find a used one

Twice the instrument for half the price.

There's so many more good inexpensive instruments out there compared to when I took up bass guitar 16 years ago it's amazing. The used market is the way to go, IMHO. Try music stores, BRING YOUR SON to try them - depending on his body, hand size, and personal preference he will have strong opinions as to which he likes. Then have the store put on a brand new set of strings and make him wait til Xmas :)

[reyd reid reed]

49. Heh...oh, now that'd be torture.

I love it.

:evilgrin:

[Bassic]

42. It depends what you mean by affordable,

But I've seen some jazz basses (Fender, not Squire, so they're better) for under a grand.

Fender is usually a good way to go if you want a good quality-price ratio, without paying a lot.

[reyd reid reed]

50. That's just it...I really don't know

what I mean by 'affordable' at this point. Instruments are so expensive in general...I'd like to stay under 500.00 if I can, though.

Of course, what I'd like and what actually happens tend to not always match.

:eyes:

[Bassic]

51. Staying under 500$ and getting a relatively good instrument

can be tricky. But for under a grand, Fender, and possibly Yamaha are your best bet.

[Bassic]

43. Oh, and if you can afford it, a 5-string

kicks much more butt that a 4-string :D

:popcorn:

[NC_Nurse]

45. Yamaha

I used to work in a music store. Yamaha makes great intro level basses and guitars. Fender's low end products used to be
lower quality; unless they've improved I would go with Yamaha.

[reyd reid reed]

52. Sounds like something to look at.

There's a store not too far from here that's recently shifted to mostly guitars, amps and drums and they've increased their inventory -- might be worth a trip down there.

Thanks!!

[Crazy Dave]

46. Ibanez

They used to build high quality but affordable guitars back when I used to play. They probably still do as far as the quality. I've seen Ibanez starter bundled packages that include the guitar, case, amplifier, strap, strings and a few other things for around $300 or less.

[Bassic]

53. The cheaper Ibanez tend to lack in the quality of the electronics.

I have a high end one and I love it though.

[reyd reid reed]

54. That's not a bad price

The name's ringing a bell, too...

Thanks!

[SacredCow]

47. Possibly a Dean

I just bought a Dean Avalanche off of eBay to use as a prop for our upcoming Mardi Gras Ball. I only paid about 50 bucks and I have to say that it's a damn solid guitar. I've since looked at their more expensive (but still less than $500) models and they do have a lot of bang for the buck.

[reyd reid reed]

55. I hadn't even thought about e-bay...

although I'm one of those people who's hesitant to buy something sight unseen...but it might be worth browsing, just to get an idea.

Thanks!!