[Chuckles]

Much to my surprise and delight, my 11 year old son has decided he wants to learn to play the bass. I know nothing about bass gear... so can anyone rec a decent starter rig that won't be an embarrassment a few years down the line for say $3-400? (Decent meaning unlike the Squire crapocaster that I got my daughter a couple years back that won't even stay in tune.)

thx
C

[tigerstrat]

Much to my surprise and delight, my 11 year old son has decided he wants to learn to play the bass. I know nothing about bass gear... so can anyone rec a decent starter rig that won't be an embarrassment a few years down the line for say $3-400? (Decent meaning unlike the Squire crapocaster that I got my daughter a couple years back that won't even stay in tune.)

thx
C

I'd say get him an amp that's no less than 30 watts but no more than 75...

[seamones]

I think a used Ibanez and something that says Peavey on the front is industry standard for that MO.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 71498.html

plenty of peavey and fender amps on there

[RiverRat]

Add in a Spinning Rod, a Baitcaster, and a Flippin' Stick ... A decent assortment of rubber bait, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, pork baits and some topwater plugs!

[RiverRat]

On a serious note... If he has smaller hands, you may want to consider a short scale bass like the Ibanez Microbass.

[Rusty the Scoob]

I'm in favor of whatever reasonably-priced bass appeals to him. There are plenty of decent options out there, no need to overthink it. Epiphone makes a short-scale EB0 for $199 that's pretty attractive. But more imporantly, he should think it looks cool or he might not play it. Don't worry too much about the quality of it - as long as you can get the action down to a reasonable level, it can be played. I'd let him choose it, but reserve the right to veto any basses that are total garbage.

Amps are even less important. I spent a ton of time learning on an unplugged electric or gently through a solid-state Fender guitar amp. My best progress came in the hours I spent barefoot in a field with nothing but my old p-bass copy, a metronome, and a copy of the Real Book. I've never owned a proper bass practice amp, and I still don't. If you're determined to buy one, I'd get something like a small Roland keyboard amp - they make great small PAs or powered monitors when needed - a much more versatile tool and works fine for a garage-band practice on bass.