Any bass players hiding around here?

After a couple of years of not playing I dug out and re-strung my guitars and started larking about. It turns out that I haven't acquired claptonesque skills in the interim so I've decided to have a go at bass, much more suited to someone whose fingers have turned into pigs' tits I reckon.
I've just waded through dozens of ebay pages and realised that I know sod all about bass guitars. I'm looking to spend under £200, any suggestions?
Also, would my amp take the strain (just for bedroom bashing), it's a Marshall valvestate 8040 designed for guitar.

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If I had all the money I'd spent on drink........I'd spend it on drink.

Amp - no. Get a bass amp. you'll blow the 541t out of a normal amp in a couple of days and it'll sound poo.

I had a cheapish 15w Park bass amp for a while - good Marshall style and could hold the low B on a 5 string well - Peavey priactice amps at twice the price couldn't.

Jazz basses are easier to play quickly and generally sound warmer than precisionswot also have fat necks. If you like jazzy sounding stuff or funk get a rear pickup.

Don't waste money on active pickups at you budget.

Don't listen to all the stuff the guys in guitar shop tell you about needing a hard plectrum for bass (assuming you're not going to use fingers to pluck). Lightish pick is far faster and less clangy.

I'll get Reaper to PM you, he's got a spare bass that he wants to get ride of (Oh yes he does, he really does, no matter what Judge says!!!)

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cheapish 15 w practice amp will do you fine yamaha not only make half decent bikes you know

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Ceri wrote

I'll get Reaper to PM you, he's got a spare bass that he wants to get ride of (Oh yes he does, he really does, no matter what Judge says!!!)

What did I do???:smoke:

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wasabi wrote

you'll blow the 541t out of a normal amp in a couple of days and it'll sound poo.

Whooooosh!
I don't know what that means but it sound pretty bad - I'll keep that amp for the 6 strings, thanks for the tip. I am leaning towards a Precision Bass or Jazz copy but I'm open to other suggestions.

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If I had all the money I'd spent on drink........I'd spend it on drink.

Judge wrote

What did I do???:smoke:

You told her I shouldn't sell my Aria ProII FB Series, for which I am eternally grateful. Ceri, on the other hand, is not.

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Bloo wrote

Whooooosh!
I don't know what that means but it sound pretty bad - I'll keep that amp for the 6 strings, thanks for the tip. I am leaning towards a Precision Bass or Jazz copy but I'm open to other suggestions.

What kind of sound are you after?

Rock - precision
Funk - fat wide pickups front and back
Jazz/soul - jazz bass
Jack of all trades - single pickup front / double at rear

wasabi wrote

What kind of sound are you after?

Rock - precision
Funk - fat wide pickups front and back
Jazz/soul - jazz bass
Jack of all trades - single pickup front / double at rear

OK if I tell you my idea of a bass-playing god is Chris Squire (of "Yes"), that sound will do for me.

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If I had all the money I'd spent on drink........I'd spend it on drink.

I run a P-Bass Lyte Deluxe, and a Warwick Streamer LX 5 string through a Trace Elliot RAH 600 SMX, with 4 10's, and a 15" cab. But that will set you back a little bit more than £200, and will probably get you an asbo at even half volume in anywhere other than a public venue.

£200? Go on ebay, get a small 30w combo (bass one please, although a cheap guitar one will do for low volumes) (Torque is generally reasonable), and get a Squier Jazz Bass. Once you've played about with that lot and have the basics sorted, you can think about spending a bit more and getting something decent. I spent about two years on my Squier Jazz before the P-Bass grabbed my attention in Andertons one day. And its loverly.

Edit:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Squire

He used a Rickenbacker with the back pickup disconnected, so my guess would be a budget Squier Precision, or maybe a Stingray knock-off. However, for less than £200 do not expect magic. But its something to strat with.

I have a 57 Precision [reissue] with a Session Sessionette 4x10 100W bass combo [remember them?]
sweet

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