Cheapest gig worthy bass and amp setup for bars. SHOOTOUT!

[Joe Nerve]

This thread isn't for me, but rather for the newcomer - and for the rest of us have a little shopping fun without actually spending any money! Was inspired by another thread. I thought we could put together the best bargain package thread for people just starting out. I know I wish I had one of these early on .

Rules!

1. Must be new (so that all equipment is warrantied and returnable).
2. Must be available at price stated (and links would be nice).
3. Final price at bottom of post.
4. If any discounts might apply, they need to be mentioned and figured in.
5. Please include tax and shipping (I'd have gone with an SX in my choice, but I"d have to add that)

Any other thoughts, comments, input welcome.

My contribution:

I'd go with Musiciansfriend, and first sign up for their emails and Backstage Pass program. They'll send you coupons for 15% off, and you'll get an addional 8% from the BSP program. That's 23% off.

Peavey Max 115 II - $299. 1X15, 300 watts. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/peavey-max-115-ii-1x15-300w-bass-combo-amp

Ibanez TMB100. $199.99. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-tmb100-electric-bass-guitar?rNtt=ibanez tmb100&index=1

Final price with discounts:

$384.00

 

[DirtDog]

Cheapest rig I'd gig with (in Canadian dollars, so subtract 30% to make it Yankee dollars). Total: $580 after currency conversion, pretax.

BA-115 150 Watt 1x15 Bass Combo Amp . $519.

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special - $329

 

[RoadRanger]

Include one to two hundred more for a proper setup for that bass. Without a proper setup the player is going to get discouraged

 

[Gully Foyle]

Include one to two hundred more for a proper setup for that bass. Without a proper setup the player is going to get discouraged

Or better yet, 20 minutes on TB and the willingness to turn a few things! In my book, thats a key point in starting an instrument. The folks ive taught get taught setups in the first couple of sessions too

 

[Dan_reeves]

This thread isn't for me, but rather for the newcomer - and for the rest of us have a little shopping fun without actually spending any money! Was inspired by another thread. I thought we could put together the best bargain package thread for people just starting out. I know I wish I had one of these early on .

Rules!

1. Must be new (so that all equipment is warrantied and returnable).
2. Must be available at price stated (and links would be nice).
3. Final price at bottom of post.
4. If any discounts might apply, they need to be mentioned and figured in.
5. Please include tax and shipping (I'd have gone with an SX in my choice, but I"d have to add that)

Any other thoughts, comments, input welcome.

My contribution:

I'd go with Musiciansfriend, and first sign up for their emails and Backstage Pass program. They'll send you coupons for 15% off, and you'll get an addional 8% from the BSP program. That's 23% off.

Peavey Max 115 II - $299. 1X15, 300 watts. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/peavey-max-115-ii-1x15-300w-bass-combo-amp

View attachment 3005841

Ibanez TMB100. $199.99. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-tmb100-electric-bass-guitar?rNtt=ibanez tmb100&index=1

View attachment 3005849

Final price with discounts:

$384.00

I would agree with this except, as much as I like the Talmans, I would go with one of these instead: https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-gsr200-4-string-electric-bass/519524

Reasons:

• Lighter weight
• Passive

I think the quality and sound are still basically there without having to mess with batteries and just focus on playing.

Just my opinion - otherwise I agree 100%!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Include one to two hundred more for a proper setup for that bass. Without a proper setup the player is going to get discouraged

A free membership to Talkbass to learn how to do a setup yourself is better.



Plus you can get a setup at any music store for $50 or less.

I'm trying to encourage, not discourage new players here .

 

[RoadRanger]

A free membership to Talkbass to learn how to do a setup yourself is better.

IME most new nuts need filing - I don't see that covered here much. Also dressing any sharp fret ends.

Plus you can get a setup at any music store for $50 or less.

Around here they usually insist on new strings too.

 

[Joe Nerve]

IME most new nuts need filing - I don't see that covered here much. Also dressing any sharp fret ends.Around here they usually insist on new strings too.

I buy an average of 6 new basses a year. For the past 20 years. From $100 to over $2000. I never had to file any frets or nuts, and I never had to spend more than 15 minutes getting the bass set up to play like a dream. Only reason I'm arguing is because as mentioned in my previous 2 posts, I'm really only looking to have some fun and help out a newbie. A newcomer not knowing anything about bass might easily be turned off by the thought of, "In order to get this right I need to make a serious investment." They don't. 95% of bass players that I've interacted with buy a bass, set it up in 15-30 minutes themselves, and live happily ever after.

Not saying there's anything wrong with getting a bass "perfect," but most people I know aren't that meticulous about their instruments.

 

[Gully Foyle]

I buy an average of 6 new basses a year. For the past 20 years. From $100 to over $2000. I never had to file any frets or nuts, and I never had to spend more than 15 minutes getting the bass set up to play like a dream. Only reason I'm arguing is because as mentioned in my previous 2 posts, I'm really only looking to have some fun and help out a newbie. A newcomer not knowing anything about bass might easily be turned off by the thought of, "In order to get this right I need to make a serious investment." They don't. 95% of bass players that I've interacted with buy a bass, set it up in 15-30 minutes themselves, and live happily ever after.

Not saying there's anything wrong with getting a bass "perfect," but most people I know aren't that meticulous about their instruments.

And, added bonus, they are immediately past thinking of the new instrument as some sacred thing from the firmament - its just a thing, a thing you can mess with.

 

[JRA]

same amp as joe suggested:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/peavey-max-115-ii-1x15-300w-bass-combo-amp

but a different ax...for those so inclined:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bas...1593793-sku^H11152000002000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA

those fretlesses are often discounted to $129 USD. occasionally $109. i saw them once for $99.

 

[BigBear77]

I would agree with this except, as much as I like the Talmans, I would go with one of these instead: https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-gsr200-4-string-electric-bass/519524

Reasons:

• Lighter weight
• Passive

I think the quality and sound are still basically there without having to mess with batteries and just focus on playing.

Just my opinion - otherwise I agree 100%!

The GSR is active, it has an onboard bass boost pre-amp. Still a great choice. My first bass many moons ago.

 

[Jimbob Jones]

For our European // UK compadres:

Ashdown Toneman C115: €349 // £308
https://www.thomann.de/gb/ashdown_toneman_c115_evo_iii.htm

Squier Affinity P: €225 // £199
https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_sq_affinity_p_bass_pj_owt_il.htm

Total: €574 // £507

 

[shawshank72]

Unfortunately I’m in Canada and there’s no such thing as cheap musical gear anymore.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

As far as amps go, you can't beat that Peavey 1x15 combo for the price. I would shell out a little more for a Hartke.

 

[blue4]

I use a $179 SX jazz and a 200 watt Fender Rumble. The Peavey amp is cheaper and gig worthy. The jazz kicks butt for $179.

 

[Swerve]

Fender Rumble 100, loud enough on its own but also has a line out.

Squier Jazz, either IV or V. This Deluxe Active IV is $222 on MF.

Those together would be around $500, but look for scratch and dent models and use coupons to get it even lower. No sales tax here in Oregon.

I think for a beginner that wants to gig a $500 budget can get you quite a few great options.

 

[foolforthecity]

same amp as joe suggested:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/peavey-max-115-ii-1x15-300w-bass-combo-amp

but a different ax...for those so inclined:
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bas...1593793-sku^H11152000002000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA

those fretlesses are often discounted to $129 USD. occasionally $109. i saw them once for $99.

Fretless for a "newcomer"? Hmm... not so sure about that

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

Music and Arts is offering 10% off on purchases over $199 total right now, bringing the total cost to $314.99 for the items below:

Squier Bronco - $149.99

The Music and Arts near my house has had 6-7 of these pass through it in the past year. I've tried them all, because I love short scale basses, and I would say 5/7 of them were gig worthy straight off the wall (an incredibly high percentage for a bass at that price point). These little guys have great bass and mids and I would totally play a show with one without a second thought.

Fender Rumble 40 - 199.99

The Rumble 40 offers a ton of really usable, great sounding tonal options. The "Vintage" mode on it is actually extremely nice and really adds another layer to the amp. The EQ is in a sort of sweet spot for single coil basses (in my opinion). It's reasonably rugged, extremely light weight, and has a line out. It even has a nice sounding drive channel on it. An absolute steal for $200.

Specs (copied from Music & Arts website):

• Power: 40W
• Speaker: 1x10" Fender special design
• Single channel
• Aux. input
• Headphone output
• XLR output
• Dimensions: 16.5" x 16.5" x 12"
• Weight: 18 lb.

 

[foolforthecity]

Ok, so I started into Joe's little contest, but very shortly thereafter realized that
A) Joe already pretty much has the lock given his choices, and
B) I was starting down a rabbit hole that could only end up with me buying stuff

Joe, you win.

 

[JRA]

Fretless for a "newcomer"? Hmm... not so sure about that

if you struggled to play fretless after playing fretted it might be because you had to undo (work through) your 'fret dependency'. if you never become dependent on them in the first place = not the same experience!