You want to start playing bass, but which one is the best beginner's model? With such an immense selection of inexpensive bass guitars, the choice is at first glance more difficult than it actually is. This article is intended to help you make a decision.
Where do I buy my bass guitar best?
First of all, the basic question is whether to buy the first bass guitar in an online shop (such as Music Store: www.musicstore.de) or in a nearby shop. Both certainly have their advantages - where the online shop scores points mostly with tingling prices, the "real" shop shines with advice. Not to mention the support that one might owe to the retail trade. In principle, it is not possible to say whether one way or the other is better, this depends of course on one's own preferences, but beginners should be aware of the fact that it can't hurt to consult competent employees. In addition, the online shop does not give you the opportunity to take control of the instrument, because it is important to feel comfortable with it - or, if you are already a little more experienced, to try it out. However, the best way to get hold of a good and cheap instrument is this one: You go to a shop, ask for advice and play a few models and then try to find and buy this model at a large online shop. In this way, important advice is combined with unbeatable low prices.
Two models presented as examples
The acoustic basses from Johnson are the first to receive an absolute recommendation to buy, and for incredibly low prices you get really good bass guitars, which are often even equipped with pickups. For example the model JAB1-12CE-NA, with solid spruce top and mahogany neck - for 299 €, a really exquisite online shop) is not the rule, because often in this price range inferior softwood is used, which was stored usually not even long enough to achieve good sound quality. However, those who are more interested in electric basses will be delighted with the price-performance ratio of the Epiphone EB-3 Ch Cherry Bass. Epiphone, a subsidiary of the legendary company Gibson, leans on its parent company in terms of design and quality, but mostly uses woods that are somewhat cheaper than the high quality ones used by Gibson. The EB-3 Ch bass is not only easy to play, it is also a real bargain with a "flop" price of 219 €, which only few competitors can offer. And quite honestly, in his SG-design, which is rather unusual for basses (the legendary SG-guitar by Gibson in form and colour) he is also a real eye-catcher on the small stage or in his own apartment. Based on the specifications of these two basses, it is possible to draw conclusions about other comparable models that are worth buying.