Quake3World

I've been thinking about buying my gf an electric bass. It probably won't be for Xmas, but stores seem to be offering a number of deals right now, so I've been mulling over the idea.

Since I don't know shit about guitars, I have some simple questions:
Brand? Style? Price? What should I look for?

She's doesn't currently play electric, but she plays upright, so she knows and recognizes sound quality. I, unfortunately, do not. And since she's not pro (and I'm poor) I'm looking for something reasonably priced.

Sooo... any idea where to start?

May sound like a silly idea since it's supposed to be a present, but just take her with you and pick one out together. If you know nothing and try and find one, chances are she won't be terribly happy with it. 50% of liking an instrument is how it feels. Action, neck shape, scale, fret height, wood types, weight, etc. All the stuff that you can't tell unless you actually play guitar/bass. I would avoid starter packs (unless you're really that broke) cuz they generally suck ass. Maybe check out some ibanez basses, my buddy has a 5-string by them, it's pretty nice.

yeah, that's not something you want to pick out on your own. do it with her like mrd suggested. that'd be like someone buying me speakers for a present.

maybe a gift card to guitar center or your local music store would be nice compromise

http://www.fenderhellokitty.com/index.html

Long time since I looked at bass guitars, but are Status still good?
They made some really nice guitars, and their headless range were particularly nifty.
But yeah, what mrd said regarding "feel".
Even 2 instruments of the same model can feel dramatically different.

Cool... thanks everyone for the ideas. I didn't really think about having her pick one out, but now it seems obvious. :icon32:
I know she wants one, so she would probably be excited by the proposition.
And thanks mrd... you answered two of my other questions: whether beginner packs were any good (I figured they weren't), and whether Ibanez were worthwhile. They seem decently priced.

Of course, since she's new to it, she won't know what she wants either, but at least she'd know more than me.
My guess is 4-string, fretless...

I'll hit you guys up with more questions when they come up. :icon14:

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:yeah, that's not something you want to pick out on your own. do it with her like mrd suggested. that'd be like someone buying me speakers for a present.

what if i bought you some really expensive speakers... i mean. you could just resell them. or take them back. sometimes when you ask people what they want or tell people what you're getting them, it really ruins the fun. but i guess if it's with a prospective girl, taking her to pick one out is a pretty cool date idea.

eh... she's not a prospective girl. I've already got her. :icon26:
And if I could, I'd rather surprise her with it. But she'll criticize elementary school orchestras that are out of tune... so if I picked out bad-sounding gear, I wouldn't hear the end of it.
But you're right... I could buy her a temp, and let her exchange it if she doesn't like it...

werldhed wrote:I've been thinking about buying my gf an electric bass. It probably won't be for Xmas, but stores seem to be offering a number of deals right now, so I've been mulling over the idea.

Since I don't know shit about guitars, I have some simple questions:
Brand? Style? Price? What should I look for?

She's doesn't currently play electric, but she plays upright, so she knows and recognizes sound quality. I, unfortunately, do not. And since she's not pro (and I'm poor) I'm looking for something reasonably priced.

Sooo... any idea where to start?

I don't really know you nor your gf but...I don't know, it's Chrismast Time. I have one bass in my wardwrobe that a friend of mine gave me, It has a plug in to plug it in your PC.
If you want it, I'll only charge you for the Shipping fees. I am not sure about the duties fees but I think that all electronics have none. I am in Quebec Canada, Where are you? I'll try to find out how much it would cost for the shipping fees. PS: No warranty on it, you might have to change the strings but other then that it is in a good condition. PM me

mrd wrote: my buddy has a 5-string by them, it's pretty nice.

Yea my 5 sting was a cheapy one around $550 canadian i think but it sounds way better then that.

This is my 5 string Ibanez this one sounds awsome for a good price and it plays really good. I was actually really supprised when i first played it at how good it sounded.
http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=SR405

I also have a cheaper 4 string i got it for christmas a while ago i think it was about $300 this is it here, its the one at the bottom the "b-50"http://www.espguitars.com/basses_b.html
this bass is cheaper and feels cheaper but its not a bad buy for the price.

but once again like mrd said its alot about personal prefrence i personally dont like the look of very many basses so i do alot of shopping before i buy a new bass.

For companies to look at i personally like Ibanez basses and ESP basses hence why i own one of each. I also think Warwick makes some expensiveish but nice basses.

These would be the companies i would recommend
http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/default.asp?s=b

http://www.espguitars.com/basses.html

http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/

I wouldn't recommend a fretless bass. I play both upright bass and fretted/fretless electric bass. Electric bass is a totally different animal from the upright bass. Fretted basses allow for muscle memory and technique to develop, so i'd recommend not getting a fretless. Trying to learn a new instrument and have it be fretless would be a huge challenge.

I've always liked the look & sound of Rickenbocker basses.

Big Kahuna Burger wrote:I wouldn't recommend a fretless bass. I play both upright bass and fretted/fretless electric bass. Electric bass is a totally different animal from the upright bass. Fretted basses allow for muscle memory and technique to develop, so i'd recommend not getting a fretless. Trying to learn a new instrument and have it be fretless would be a huge challenge.

She's said before that she prefers fretless, probably because of her background with upright. I think she finds it more difficult with the frets there... But she really hasn't played much, so you might be right. Besides, at entry level, I'm not sure I want to pay for a fretless.

l0g1c wrote:I've always liked the look & sound of Rickenbocker basses.

Yea they are neat basses but there more of a classic rock sound/look and i myself am a bit of a metal guy so they dont really do it for me.


@-werldhed
As for frettless i agree with Kahuna they are harder to develop technique on and when starting a new instument even with backround you want to make it easier for yourself not harder.

Also she can always go up to a fretless later right. :icon14:

a nice percision or jazz style bass

Pete wrote:

werldhed wrote:I've been thinking about buying my gf an electric bass. It probably won't be for Xmas, but stores seem to be offering a number of deals right now, so I've been mulling over the idea.

Since I don't know shit about guitars, I have some simple questions:
Brand? Style? Price? What should I look for?

She's doesn't currently play electric, but she plays upright, so she knows and recognizes sound quality. I, unfortunately, do not. And since she's not pro (and I'm poor) I'm looking for something reasonably priced.

Sooo... any idea where to start?

I don't really know you nor your gf but...I don't know, it's Chrismast Time. I have one bass in my wardwrobe that a friend of mine gave me, It has a plug in to plug it in your PC.
If you want it, I'll only charge you for the Shipping fees. I am not sure about the duties fees but I think that all electronics have none. I am in Quebec Canada, Where are you? I'll try to find out how much it would cost for the shipping fees. PS: No warranty on it, you might have to change the strings but other then that it is in a good condition. PM me

No offense pete, but something tells me you're full of shit. :icon26:
If you hadn't mentioned the need for strings, I'd figure you didn't know what we were talking about...
Still, I'm intrigued.
Pics?

you will get burned anyway it goes

i liked my fender. great bass for about $400.

plained wrote:you will get burned anyway it goes

Oh, I don't doubt it. I just want to see what he's talking about.

werldhed wrote:

Pete wrote:

werldhed wrote:I've been thinking about buying my gf an electric bass. It probably won't be for Xmas, but stores seem to be offering a number of deals right now, so I've been mulling over the idea.

Since I don't know shit about guitars, I have some simple questions:
Brand? Style? Price? What should I look for?

She's doesn't currently play electric, but she plays upright, so she knows and recognizes sound quality. I, unfortunately, do not. And since she's not pro (and I'm poor) I'm looking for something reasonably priced.

Sooo... any idea where to start?

I don't really know you nor your gf but...I don't know, it's Chrismast Time. I have one bass in my wardwrobe that a friend of mine gave me, It has a plug in to plug it in your PC.
If you want it, I'll only charge you for the Shipping fees. I am not sure about the duties fees but I think that all electronics have none. I am in Quebec Canada, Where are you? I'll try to find out how much it would cost for the shipping fees. PS: No warranty on it, you might have to change the strings but other then that it is in a good condition. PM me

No offense pete, but something tells me you're full of shit. :icon26:
If you hadn't mentioned the need for strings, I'd figure you didn't know what we were talking about...
Still, I'm intrigued.
Pics?

Thing is that I never used/played it but I think, that as for anything else at some point, some things needs to be replaced.
I am more into piano and drum, I'll show you pics.
I don't even know what it is A fender a stratocaster, may be I am even out of the field b'cause I don't really know about bass.
Forgot, where do you live? For the shipping fees.
I know it's not brand new but still, at least your gf might give it a try at it and if she get bored at least you woudn't have spent over 300$ for one just around 20some$ for the shipping of mine.

I live in Minnesota, pete, but I suspect shipping would be a bit more than $20.
Go ahead and PM some pics if you don't want to post them here.

what are her favorite bands and fav type of music werldhed?

werldhed wrote:I live in Minnesota, pete, but I suspect shipping would be a bit more than $20.
Go ahead and PM some pics if you don't want to post them here.

It's still sitting at my parent's house. Just called them today and my father will bring it tomorrow.
I hope it wasn't for a Christmas gift because you coudn't receive it on time.
Offer her another present in the meantime.
I am pretty sure you won't be deceived and her neither, should she get another gift after Christmas.
I noticed that we are not exactly on the same time frame. I should be able to post you pics around 3 or 4Pm tomorrow.
My time. Take Care!

werldhed wrote:I live in Minnesota, pete, but I suspect shipping would be a bit more than $20.
Go ahead and PM some pics if you don't want to post them here.

i live in minnetonka