• From: San Leandro, CA
  • Registered: 2007-08-24
  • Posts: 136

Topic: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Hi Everyone,
I thought I'd post here and see if I can get some advice from the musicians among you.

I play guitar, acoustic and electric, so I know a little bit but not a great deal.  I'm thinking of getting my husband a bass for the holidays.

I know next to nothing about bass guitars.  Added to that--he's left handed.  So my choices are even more limited.  I've narrowed my search down to these three:

Ibanez SR300
Squier vintage modified 70's jazz bass
Squier Standard P

All come in left-handed varieties.

My needs:

1) Price range is between $300-$500 (he's not very experienced in playing musical instruments, and I don't want to pay big bucks if he really doesn't like it)
2) I want a 4-string bass that has nice action, not a very big neck, and a nice tone.
3) he will probably play predominantly rock, possibly blues/metal on it (is the jazz bass appropriate for that?)

I appreciate your help and opinions.

Thanks a lot!

Lisa.

  • From: Amsterdam
  • Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 5,249

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Call for the FDOL!

*shouts* Yo, Funky Doc, this lady needs some help. wink

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith
  • From: England
  • Registered: 2008-07-04
  • Posts: 265

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Lisa G

You can get a Yamaha BB414 in a left hooker . This instrument has a bit of a cult following in the U.K. for anyone not hooked on brand names.

These are based on the Eighties BB series,very well made, they play and sound like an expensive instrument, passive pick - ups with a very high output and a very defined punchy sound that suits Rock and Blues.

I bought another hi- tech bass for my band,which cost three times the price of the BB414, but have never gigged it. Enough said. Check out the rave reviews you will find online.

No Ordinary Joe
  • From: South England
  • Registered: 2009-04-23
  • Posts: 154

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

2nd hand Fender P-Bass can be had for reasonable cash these days, if you are lucky you'll find a southpaw.

Ebay is your friend! smile

  • Registered: 2008-04-02
  • Posts: 671

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Hi LisaG,
  I'd go with the jazz bass. While I'm not familiar with the Ibanez I own both a P bass and a Jazz. The neck is slightly narrower on the jazz and is a little more versatile tone wise. Its great for any kind of music. Ihope this helps and good luck.

smile
fuzzy

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Jack Loves Patty Loves Joe

6 Reply by bigjeffjones (edited by bigjeffjones 2009-11-14 19:20:35)

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Have no fear!  The Funky Doc is here!

In that price range the Squier VintAGE jAZZ IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST BANGS FOR THE BUCK i'VE EVER SEEN, if you're playing blues, R n B, jazz or some stuff that needs a round woody tone.  Also good for Funk or funky rock!

If you are doing more rock, crossover or country type stuff I'd play a Squier P bass anyday.

The Yamahas are very good axes, but they don't have as much fat midrange in my opinion.

All that being said, every month the quality of most of that stuff can change so it's also smart to stay with passive the first shot out.  Email me if you like... just put Electric Bass in the subject line.

MuchLove
BigJeff

PS:  The jazz can be good for bluesy/metal if combined with the right amp.  That baby will growl, but the Ibanez should be tried at a music store, along with a Peavey before you buy.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

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  • From: San Leandro, CA
  • Registered: 2007-08-24
  • Posts: 136

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Thanks for the great advice!
I actually went to a music store this morning. I played the Squier jazz, and the Ibanez, and others. I was surprised the Ibanez had such a rich tone to it, and I tried them on several amps.

This is turning into a fun project for me.

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Yeah Have fun!

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • Stef
  • Stef
  • Bronze Member
  • Offline
  • From: Norwich, UK
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 48

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Although I play right-handed, my Yamaha BB1100S is a smashing little bass & sounds superb through my Warwick 'Sweet 15'.

Always remember that guitars can be adjusted, so don't worry too much about the action to begin with. My advice is to go by the manufacturer's reputation.

"The blues is just a good man feelin' bad"
  • jbass
  • New member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-12-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Hi, New member here.
I have to chime in. I'd take a good look at the Ibanez. I have a '78 Fender Jazz Bass and I love it, but I have my eyes on a 5 string Ibanez. I'v played plenty of them at guitar center and they are great basses.
So there you have it, my 2 cents worth.
Good luck. He'll love whatever you get him.
JL

"You were so cool back in highschool - What Happened?
-Tom Petty-
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Hey Lisa What did you buy?  Yet?

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • mikeb
  • mikeb
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-06-24
  • Posts: 1,100

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

After buying a bass you will get cranky as you age... Scientifically proven fact:lol:

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

mikeb's Website

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

mikeb wrote:

After buying a bass you will get cranky as you age... Scientifically proven fact:lol:

Oh dear, I believe I've been busted.  However I would be remiss if I did not point out that playing the instrument actually slows the grumpifying.

MuchLove
BigJeffJones hisself

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

bigjeffjones wrote:
mikeb wrote:

After buying a bass you will get cranky as you age... Scientifically proven fact:lol:

Oh dear, I believe I've been busted.  However I would be remiss if I did not point out that playing the instrument actually slows the grumpifying.

MuchLove
BigJeffJones hisself

Absolutely! Look at all the geriatric Bluesmen still doing it,and not a grumpy one to be seen. smile
Not grumpy either. Rick

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  • From: San Leandro, CA
  • Registered: 2007-08-24
  • Posts: 136

Re: Advice on a Bass Guitar purchase--left handed

Thanks for all the help, Everyone!

I went to a couple guitar stores, and played a few basses (that was interesting on its own for me).  I found a left handed Ibanez GRS100 in stock at one, and played it on a few amps they had there.  Had a real nice tone and nice action, so I bought it.  It's all black.

Then I bought a 75W Line 6 combo bass amp, and was far too excited to wait until Christmas!

I gave them to Scott about 3 weeks ago when the amp came in on the idea that "I have to see if these are ok, and I can return them if you don't like them....."

He's striking away, getting callouses on his right fingertips, and learning scales and 12-bar blues hooks.

Scott can already be pretty cranky.  We'll see if this makes him crankier.  I've found that it's easing work stress so --- less cranky so far!!