shopping for used bass & amp

Subject: shopping for used bass & amp
From: Sky
Date: 06 Dec 99 - 06:27 PM

My 13 year old son wants to form a rock band with some of his pals. David wants to be the bass player. He has taken some guitar lessons. So now I'm shopping for a used bass and amp.

I know NOTHING about this...I don't know what to look for...what brand names to consider or dismiss without any consideration...

I laughed at the electric guitar thread, and the suggestion to introduce these band-forming kids to Clapton unplugged!

I'd like to spend $200 tops for both pieces, and have started by checking local music shops. I quickly learned that I don't know what I'm looking for.

Any tips or pointers?

Thank you,

Sky

Subject: RE: shopping for used bass & amp
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Dec 99 - 11:55 PM

I would look into the local pawn shops, or try ebay. At ebay you'll see some pretty good bas guitars starting at about $100 (Gibson Epiphone, Fender Squire, Ibanez) are pretty good bets. As for an amp - you'll be lucky to get a decent for $100 - but it's possible. I suspect you'd be best off lookig for a single 15" speaker in an enclosed cabinet, with an amp matched to the speaker specs - powerwise. If you go with smaller speakers, you'll be out of juice unless you have several (ie., 2 or 4 tens) and plenty of power. Peavey, Crate and Fender all have some pretty good stuff in the low end market, and if you can find some used you may get a good price.

Actually; you'd probably learn a lot just by reading through the ebay offerings. Then come back to histhread with questions. I'll keep up; and I bet others will too!

Good luck

Subject: RE: shopping for used bass & amp
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Dec 99 - 12:41 AM

Again I would recommend checking at Elderly Instruments. They also have the Squire Bass Pak as a starter which includes a VERY decent instrument, small amp, strap, cable, gig bag, video..$320.(US) plus shipping. They are extremely reputable folks at Elderly and they also have a great selection of used. I just checked and the best affordability wise for something decent that they now have is a Peavey for $250. I'd really think about the Squire Starter Pak. CLICK HERE FOR ELDERLY WEB SITE.

Spaw

Subject: RE: shopping for used bass & amp
From: JedMarum
Date: 07 Dec 99 - 09:29 AM

The Squire bass pack sounds like a really good deal. I have played the Squire bas and it really is a pretty good instrument, and the price is excellent. Good find, Spaw!

Subject: RE: shopping for used bass & amp
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 07 Dec 99 - 06:52 PM

Not really in your price range, but Carvin has fantastic price-to-quality ratios...plus they last forever!

I've had the same PB500 bass rig for many years and all I've ever had to do w/ it is change a fuse about 2 yrs ago! Their PA equiptment is top notch also.

Subject: RE: shopping for used bass & amp
From: Sky
Date: 08 Dec 99 - 06:21 PM

Thanks for the suggestions of brand names. That helps!

Has anyone here been successful at buying a used instrument on e-bay? I'm feeling leary about trying that.

Sky