may well be above your budget but it's half that, around $700. I said Mexico there.

 

Noticed your price range. I Highly Recommend the rebooted Fender American Vintage 1960 P bass. 7.25 radius fretboard. Slab rosewood. Nitro. Classic, built just like back in the day.

 

Last edited: Apr 29, 2023

I got myself a Yamaha TRBX304 active bass recently and it's a really well built bass for the price. Plus it does a good job on different styles.
I would recommend it. Not that it's important but it's also available in fancy candy red

 

Valid point, she'd probably start with this



Mate, she's 5' 10'', she could easily be taller than you. Are you too small to handle a bass?

->

 

Good one! Nah, I have an upright and a Fender P.

*Edit...here's a pic of me standing in front of them:



The point still stands though - still wouldn't recommend a 5 string for a beginner in the same way you wouldn't recommend a 7 string for someone only just learning to play guitar, whether they're 6' 5" or 4' 3".

 

Last edited: Apr 29, 2023

I found it pretty easy... (or better, I didn't recognize any additional difficulties).

 

I will definitely try hard to find one and play it.

She is getting a 4 string bass. not for any other reason than that's what the instructor/teacher suggested.

I'll take a look.

We are climbing that ladder, I am waiting for someone to suggest a Warwick or Spector soon.

Yhea I doubt there is that much difference but her teacher suggested that she start on a 4 string bass and even added something to the tone that 5 stringed basses are not real basses.

If they are that snobbish then they must definitely be worth their fee.

 

Last edited: Apr 30, 2023

Yes I played a Yamaha TRBX504 which is what the teacher is recommending and found it well built and OK. It's also one of my finalist choices. Thank you for confirming my initial thoughts on it.

 

That bass player has been on stage with Steve Vai. She is also has taken lessons from Victor Wooten. She is a great bass player for her age

 

OTOH, there are still 6 string and 8 string basses.

Of course Dean also offers a 4 string sissy version of this model.
You can listen to it here.

Buying a cheaper one would offer the option to get her a stand, a padded strap, a bag or a case, additional strings (maybe she's into the fancy neon ones???) or other nice accessories.

 

good luck bass is a beautiful instrument.
this is a giutare but she is a hot bassist

 

I was thinking, does she have a bass guitar amplifier to play it through? Because she will need a means to amply the sound by some means. Preferably something that has a headphone socket or attenuator as bass sound travels through buildings.

 

I am late to this but I will post what I know to be true after reading what everyone posted.

• 'Easy to play" means the action is not horrible, no matter the model or manufacturer. A bad action on any bass makes a beginner less inclined to stick with it.
• The jazz basses tend to have narrower necks and a decent variety of sounds - true.
• If the person is into metal, thrash. trap or anything related to these styles, they will be disappointed with a 4-string bass because that music regularly has bass notes below the lowest E on a 4-string. They will definitely want a 5-string with a low B.
• While it may not be feasible where she lives, trying out an instrument anyone may keep for years is REALLY good idea or at the very least, make sure a decent luthier who can adjust necks, or even change pickups, and adjust action and do frets is moderately nearby, unless she wishes to learn how to do that herself. Cheaper basses do lean more to warping than higher quality ones. It does not mean it will, it is simply made from cheaper materials.
• Techniques like palm and finger muting have nothing to do with the quality or versatility of the bass. That is of the player. It is like anything, you do get what you pay for. Getting a good tutor whether online or in person is a really good idea to inspire any passion she may have, if that is intended.

SUMMARY - the music she loves and wants to play will often dictate the bass choice. The rest comes to adjustment. tutoring and maintenance.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 30, 2023

Kill Me And Throw Straight Into The Hell
But

 

There's always a First ex-..

 

Completely agree! Love my Squier Classic Vibe Mustang. It's so easy and fun to play, even for someone who has played almost 20 years. Changed the pickup to a Lollar Mustang one and it sounds awesome. The stock pickup is okay, and probably good enough for anyone just starting out, but since I needed one for recording purposes it had to go.

 

Last edited: Apr 30, 2023

Only read the title. Not sure if this is what OP was 'angling' for.

 

Sounds like it'd be a bad idea to pick up an instrument and learn it?
It was mentioned before, I probably would choose a squier, too. Most likely precision. A small amp would then also be in your price range.

 

@fiction is speaking about the TRBX304 which is different than the TRBX504.
The TRBX304 is cheaper 166 euros less, but I prefer it to the TRBX504 (566€). The build quality is the same, but I like better the sound possibilities of the 304.


My advice, for a beginner is to give her an instrument that have enough quality to be played easily, I mean bad made basses are really hard to play, because the strings are too far from the neck, and the left hand have to do too much effort.

The YAMAHA TRBX304 is in the exact range for beginner (and more). It's neck is well done, and also the electronic allow for a big versatility. It cost around 400€ , but it really worth it.
Last but not least for a teen, 4 colors to chose: black, white, red, blue and Mist Green.

Details:

• • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck: 5-Piece maple/mahogany, bolt-on
  • Fretboard: Dalbergia Latifolia
  • Scale: 864 mm / 34 inch
  • 24 Frets
  • Nut width: 38 mm
  • 2 Yamaha ceramic humbucker pickups
  • 2-Band electronics with knobs for volume, balance, bass and treble
  • Performance EQ 5-way toggle switch with EQ settings for slap, pick, flat finger and solo. *** Very useful for beginners as you can easily change the sound with this selector.***
  • It works as well for clean sounds as distorted ones.

I have high end basses. But I had a YAMAHA TRBX305 (The 5 string version) and I regret that I sold it. I used it live in professional situation, and it was at the level for that.

On a side note: She will also need something to play it, may it be an amplifier, or at least a preamp. which includes Headphones outputs and line input so she will be able to play privately with a good sound. and listen to YT videos and backtracks to learn, Cost: Around 100€, but you can find second hand for 50€. And headphones that work for bass.
But that would be another thread...

 

Last edited: May 1, 2023

posting this pic here for no reason