NZGuitars.com

Hey all, I need some help!

My fiancée is "feeling left out" as she says because I'm spending more and more time with my band and guitar instead of her... Drama I say! She was big into music at High School and was good on Clarinet and Keyboard and a little on guitar so has some musically talent (probably more than me) so I suggested maybe we should get her a bass guitar then we can play together (on instruments...) at home when I'm practising. To my surprise she actually likes the idea.

So starting to look into a cheap bass and amp just so she can get the feel of it and decide if she likes it or not then we could upgrade or sell it again if she doesn't like it. So what should I be looking for? Preferably want it second hand and hopefully sell it again for the same price when we are done with it. I'm guessing the normal guitar brands have good resell? Squire, Epi, Ibanez? Any brands I should avoid? Is short scale better for a shorter player? Are they hard to find second hand?

She has no preference over shape or tone right now, I think we will decide on that later if she wants to go further.

Thanks

Have a look at the danelectro longhorns, short scale! Otherwise the Greg Bennett corsair has a nice small body as well, super easy to play.

Look out for J & D brothers basses on TM, they sound good and are cheap. I've also been very impressed with the Cort basses, which feel and sound surprisingly good as well.

What is your budget?
I can totally recommend the Squier Classic Vibe Jazz and P-Bass which will run at about $800.... probably a little less.
Very good bang for your buck.

Thanks guys, will keep an eye for these! Not sure if she would like the Longhorn though, too "pointy" haha.

What's the difference between the "mini" and C1 Greg Bennett corsair PB? No real details on the MP site or the Greg Bennett site

Can't find much on the J & D brothers gear online Tony, but will keep an eye out for them along with the Corts Cheers.

Anyone owned/played an Aria bass? This is the only bass on TM currently that floats my boat even a little and it's damn cheap! And in Chch so it's a bonus.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrume ... 959429.htm

bluesbass wrote:What is your budget?
I can totally recommend the Squier Classic Vibe Jazz and P-Bass which will run at about $800.... probably a little less.
Very good bang for your buck.

Way less than $800 for now, she's an accountant so you know the type, has money in the bank but doesn't want to spend it especially on something that is really just a trial. So maybe $200 - $300 on the initial Bass then more if she likes it and wants to continue playing. That's why TM is my friend for now

For a person with small hands a short-scale might be the go. My daughter has a Cort full scale bass ($200 from Cash Converters via TradeMe) but finds some of the stretches a bit difficult. Good machine though.

This new short-scale Squier has had very good reviews, only $399. Probably will upgrade her to one, or get it for myself

http://www.rockshop.co.nz/shop/bass/squ ... ified.html

SammyD wrote:Thanks guys, will keep an eye for these! Not sure if she would like the Longhorn though, too "pointy" haha.

What's the difference between the "mini" and C1 Greg Bennett corsair PB? No real details on the MP site or the Greg Bennett site

Can't find much on the J & D brothers gear online Tony, but will keep an eye out for them along with the Corts Cheers.

Anyone owned/played an Aria bass? This is the only bass on TM currently that floats my boat even a little and it's damn cheap! And in Chch so it's a bonus.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrume ... 959429.htm

The mini is just that, a mini guitar. Would be suitable for someone up one age of 10 I'd say. The Corsair, is small bodied, bu full scale, makes it easier to play.

WellyBlues wrote:For a person with small hands a short-scale might be the go. My daughter has a Cort full scale bass ($200 from Cash Converters via TradeMe) but finds some of the stretches a bit difficult. Good machine though.

This new short-scale Squier has had very good reviews, only $399. Probably will upgrade her to one, or get it for myself

http://www.rockshop.co.nz/shop/bass/squ ... ified.html

Yeah I looked at those and think it's the bass my brother use to own. If it is the same one it's been the only bass I didn't feel weird playing, although it is the only short scale bass I have played. Maybe I should put in $100 and get one...

PB: Thanks for that, I don't think she would like a kids guitar. Music Planet has opened up just down the road from my work (less than 100m away) so I might go try one on my lunch break tomorrow if they have one in stock. Cheers

SammyD wrote:

WellyBlues wrote:For a person with small hands a short-scale might be the go. My daughter has a Cort full scale bass ($200 from Cash Converters via TradeMe) but finds some of the stretches a bit difficult. Good machine though.

This new short-scale Squier has had very good reviews, only $399. Probably will upgrade her to one, or get it for myself

http://www.rockshop.co.nz/shop/bass/squ ... ified.html

Yeah I looked at those and think it's the bass my brother use to own. If it is the same one it's been the only bass I didn't feel weird playing, although it is the only short scale bass I have played. Maybe I should put in $100 and get one...

PB: Thanks for that, I don't think she would like a kids guitar. Music Planet has opened up just down the road from my work (less than 100m away) so I might go try one on my lunch break tomorrow if they have one in stock. Cheers

That Squier one is a recent new model. Might be looking to flick on the Cort for $200 if you're interested. Not sure about getting it to Christchurch. Might be up for a trip down that way soon so maybe I could take it as cabin luggage!

SammyD wrote:

WellyBlues wrote:For a person with small hands a short-scale might be the go. My daughter has a Cort full scale bass ($200 from Cash Converters via TradeMe) but finds some of the stretches a bit difficult. Good machine though.

This new short-scale Squier has had very good reviews, only $399. Probably will upgrade her to one, or get it for myself

http://www.rockshop.co.nz/shop/bass/squ ... ified.html

Yeah I looked at those and think it's the bass my brother use to own. If it is the same one it's been the only bass I didn't feel weird playing, although it is the only short scale bass I have played. Maybe I should put in $100 and get one...

PB: Thanks for that, I don't think she would like a kids guitar. Music Planet has opened up just down the road from my work (less than 100m away) so I might go try one on my lunch break tomorrow if they have one in stock. Cheers

no, that was my thought also. I wouldn't recommend a mini for an adult.

WellyBlues wrote: That Squier one is a recent new model. Might be looking to flick on the Cort for $200 if you're interested. Not sure about getting it to Christchurch. Might be up for a trip down that way soon so maybe I could take it as cabin luggage!

I'll send you a pm about this tomorrow, on my phone right now

Don't get a short scale bass unless you're asking to be accused of being a patronising pig trying to undersell your woman's capabilities

Also, thousands of women of petite stature seem to do just fine with full size basses, cellos and double basses.

I would however recommend looking at narrower Jazz bass width necks bt with less gigantic body shapes than a Jazz.

ash wrote:
I would however recommend looking at narrower Jazz bass width necks bt with less gigantic body shapes than a Jazz.

so your sayin don't get one with a big neck and a fat arse............good advice

When it comes to neck size, I think a lot depends on what you want to do on bass.

If you're a beginner and are just going to sit on root notes all the time, then the size of the neck doesn't matter very much because you're only playing one note at a time.

It's not like guitar where lesson #1 consists of contorting your fingers into chords.

And then, by the time you are getting better at bass and want to play complex runs you'll probably find you've "past participle of get" used to whatever neck size you've been playing.

Unless it's a monstrously unplayable neck I think it would all work itself out.