7 Basses You Should NEVER Buy

[@Mrlultime]

I think having a second cheap bass for sketchy gigs (the ones where you're paid in beers) is genuinely useful. If it gets stolen, you can just buy another one with the money you didn't make.

[@BassBuzz]

Yeah, can be, especially if you're an upright player! Bringing the $10000 one hundred year old German carved upright to the $50 bar gig is just... painful.

[@HandbrakeBiscuit]

You had your bass stolen *_and_* they didn't pay you?? Man, that was an awful night - maybe you should reward yourself with a new bass... go on, you deserve it...

[@magaman49]

@@HandbrakeBiscuit Hmm... Swear I heard that somewhere before.... Oh well, Why not?

[@ZaryaMain]

Lol I did this but then I turned it into a super squier so now I need another cheap bass

[@jwhite3389]

@@HandbrakeBiscuit get outta here GAS guy! We were warned about you and your evil ways.

[@johnr374]

Nothing beats a little self reflection- “you don’t need a new bass. You are a terrible bass player. You can’t even play the ones you have. Get better, loser.” Works for me every time.

[@sam-ie2wb]

Same! I’m like, you don’t deserve that better bass, it’s too good for you👍

[@violetraven9440]

Exactly I want to learn as many instruments I can to at least an intermediate level I have a strat just got my P bass today and I’ve had a cheap keyboard for a while I’m not very good at any of them but if I constantly look at what I can do better and how to take elements of each instrument and see how it works with another I will learn and get better even if it takes a while

[@arthouston7361]

Yeah, that beautiful expensive bass is like the girl that would never date me because she’s out of my league.

[@HomeStudioBasics]

The self-loathing is strong with this one haha.

[@iaial0]

It's precisely because I'm a terrible bass player that I buy terribly cheap basses jk

[@Maedelrosen]

I resist impulses by not having money

[@Wickebein9]

I live in a 3rd world country, that’s an everyday thing for me, mortal

[@heavyagnelli1973]

That’s my method. I have to use a multitude of techniques to fake other basses

[@SevAnsdigg-123]

I watch bass content for a decade and I play for 34 years now. This guy delivers the most valuable content on youtube. I know this. The stuff is honest and real. Don‘t look any further. This is a great teacher.

[@poopoppy]

He is great, but he forgot to mention the black hole of pedals.

[@joeykulakowski902]

I don't play bass. I have no plans to play bass. And yet I watched this entire video. You have a great gift for video presentation, well done!

[@marshwetland3808]

😂😂

[@grantkoeller8911]

Time to learn bass and take bass lessons.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

You need a bass - do what I did and get a Sire U5, for us guitar players it's easy to play, a narrow-thin neck and short-scale. It's fun, anybody can play simple bass lines, but to get good takes as much talent and skill as guitar....violin is supposedly the hardest to learn, but it looks so easy?

[@kickinkanga7026]

No better time to start playing mate.

[@affable.pebble]

Stop scrolling and go practice!

[@richsackett3423]

I practice way more than you. You ain’t the boss of me.

[@JohnDoe-zx1ck]

But I need to go buy more gear

[@9cookiesmonster]

I just finished practicing for 5 hours. let me have this one

[@scorchedearth4248]

Stop practicing and go scrolling!

[@joriankell1983]

I was. I'm taking a break.

[@chris_2714]

As a guitar player, I can say these tips equally apply to guitar purchases. Nice video 👍

[@dektrimusic]

Completely agreed... Josh should change the name for " 7 INSTRUMENTS you should NEVER buy"... would reach a broader audience and would be equally useful

[@872463051]

you are definitely going to want more than 4 strings, though

[@fivestring65ify]

Yep

[@billyb6001]

Lies.

[@robbee23]

Why ?

[@dfeelz1488]

I've always admired my old bass teacher's philosophy on owning multiple basses. he had 2. one was a big acoustic double bass for playing in some bands, but he only had 1 electric. he called it his wife, and the idea was that if you only play that bass, you know it so much better, your chops get naturally better with it. if you're always switching, you're always adjusting yourself to the in-hand bass, and dont flow.

[@hmuphilly9129]

Like they say, but one thing and master it heh

[@geraldfriend256]

Man it is true and I sure do have too many basses and guitars.

[@SomeOfTheJuice]

I think that's something a lot of musicians, especially beginners, forget. You can't just replace your instrument and improve. I genuinely have used three electric basses for the majority of the decade I've played, and only one of the three is retired now. That one was the one I first started on, a Squier Jazz. While I've done small changes on the two I use (a PRS Kingfisher and Fender American Standard Jazz bass) like changing the type of strings I use, I know those basses very well and know the things I like about them and what I don't and for what styles I want to use them for. I've got three other basses, being an upright, a fretless, and a five string, but the upright of course is for music that asks for it like classical and jazz stuff, and the fretless and five string are normally for especially specific stuff that requests it. But otherwise, it's those two basses and that's really all I need because I know those basses so well. I've honestly done more changing my sound with effect pedals in recent years than actually changing the instrument, since it gives me a constant that I can always rely on knowing inside and out.

[@acousticmonkey2209]

Ooh that's nice. I like that. Though that makes one his wife and one his mistress 😄

[@theshapeexists]

Agreed.

[@donklimkowski5874]

Being an accomplished Bassist and having spent decades in music retail, corporate retail and manufacturing, what you are saying is 💯spot on! I saw many a “gear junkie” in my career. It is a distraction from the what is really most important skills development and studying to learn how to play what you want to hear. Excellent segment! Thanks!

[@davidmiller6076]

Had a Stroke in 95’… It destroyed my right side.. I’m just now getting my chops back on my right hand.. Pls pray for me.. I’m 70 years old, And I love to play!!

[@MikeKirkman-lv3gq]

Praying for you bass bro!

[@144bob]

I've been playing for over 60 years, so I'm not a new player. I watched out of curiosity, and I have to say, his advice is spot on.

[@bilbowilbo9849]

Same here. Been playing off and on for about 35 years. Own a used Lakland 44-02 and the newer MM HH Stingray. One for small venues and one for large ones. That's all I need. Also a small Hartke combo amp and a Hartke amp head with 4x10 cab for the same.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Robert!

[@thebassplayification]

I started with a passive JBass and have since owned Sadowsky, Spector, Musicman, Bacchus, Modulus, Peavey and Warwick's. Traded, bought and sold MANY different basses to end up full circle on a passive 4 string fender jazz. GAS is something you grow out of lol

[@tommichaels2466]

Cool... so you wanna sell me that Spector or the Warwick? LOL

[@corpseys4541]

I was gonna sell one of my spectors but no one was gonna pay what I thought it was worth. I ended up converting it to a fretless and it's freaking amazing

[@StuckAtNight]

How was the Sadowsky?!

[@4unkb0y]

Geddy Lee came to the same conclusion. Then he wrote a book on collecting basses :-)

[@infectedgoat7775]

How was the Modulus? Man, I remember that was THE bass to have in the 90s! Gas Guy at Willis Music: “graphite. Neck. Dude. You could stand and stomp on this thing all day long and never go out of tune! Rumor is Flea is moving to Modulus! Sure you could buy a used car but if you’re a serious player… up to you man.” Haha not that dramatic but that was the sales pitch basically to a 16 year old me who started with a BC Rich white Warlock and Peavy 150 and got made fun of mercilessly! BC Rich was out of “fashion” and Peavy and Crate were considered beginners sh*t. Now, I wish I had both back! I sold the Warlock and the speaker blew in the 150 but now every sludge stoner band wants that tone. It’s so weird how things turn out 😂

[@sweetegg]

Joe Dart really inspired me to get the most out of your gear. For years and years he played almost every gig with his Fender jazz. He made it sound appropriate for lots of different scenario's and the bass really sounds like him now. The only pedal I've ever seen him with is a tuning pedal. It really taught me to question every gear purchase I made!

[@BassBuzz]

Totally! Joe is a great example of just getting solid gear that works and hittin hard.

[@possibly8180]

I personally like his carlo robelli gutted active-to-passive stingray copy era. Loved the tone he got out of that thing.

[@sweetegg]

@@possibly8180 Same, his signature comes close and sounds great on its own, but that carlo robelli has a certain growl that I really love. I wonder how roundwound strings sound on joe's signature?

[@bekahrogers4568]

When I was 12, I was in my schools jazz band. I played trumpet, but always found myself listening to the bass guitar. So I saved up and did research and eventually bought a Glarry 4 string for $89. I got a practice amp for $50, and it sucked but still got the job done. I am purely self taught, because my parents couldn’t afford to get lessons or buy courses, but by the time I was 14, I was decently good. It was then that my parents had an opportunity to get me a 5 string that had been modified by someone they knew. He had used this bass as a practice bass and was basically giving it for free. So now at age 16, I still have that Glarry 4 string, a 5 string, and I now use a fender amp. I also named my basses (weird I know). Nero and Nerva ✌️🎸

[@zero_the_source]

I just got my first bass as a late holidays present - a Glarry 4 string with SO MANY KNOBS. I live too far away from music shops to know what anything else sounds/feels like, so I love my bass. I named him Faust, since it is largely black & dark fretboard, after my favorite character from my favorite movie 🖤

[@pheonixmmkc]

i had a glarry 4 jbass, was great for learning on until i met pbass

[@selofeals947]

Something I really like about this channel is that it tackles all sorts of things beginners are exposed to on the internet not just the skill challenges. It really caters for the biggner mindset. every video is something I encountered and thought about before

[@bruno444]

Thank you for the advice! I am currently stuck on the buying new toys level. Spent the whole summer working 10 hour shifts, and in august started looking for basses. Sadly out of impulse I chose a 5string Sterling Stingray Ray35. Even thought the bass growls like a beast, I didn’t really need a 5 string, just bought it because I felt the GAS guy covincing me. Since then I spent more hours looking for new gear and trying to trade the bass for a 4 string equivalent. My advice to anyone standing in front of a purchase: sleep on it for days, ask your friends, yourself, your wallet and consider your skills. Don’t let the impulse distract you. I would be a pro if I could spend the hours I put into researching gear instead of practicing!

[@CallowG]

My big thing was always "is my current gear holding me back" and usually the answer was no. I moved from a $200 Yamaha to a $500 Yamaha and that $500 BB1500A still is not holding me back.

[@vadymvv]

But you can play some original bass lines with a 5 string bass and not droping your 4th string low. I personaly began with 5string and i say it is fun, but now i want a 4 string bass for slapping easier.

[@cousineddie7898]

Josh is such a cool dude. Not only does he try to teach us how to play with the B2B course, he tries to impart his years of knowledge on us newbies and keep us out of GAS syndrome. And not to mention his videos are funny as hell.

[@Igaveyoumyfakename]

Josh is a lot of things including a great bass player. But "cool "or "funny" he is NOT.

[@BassBuzz]

#devastated

[@EvanLeConey]

@@Igaveyoumyfakename That's just like, your opinion, man

[@scubasmog]

I'm a bass player, scuba diver, cyclist and photographer. Pray for me.

[@KratosIsSick]

Hahahaha.

[@thefrates23]

I'm a bassist, a producer, a magic the gathering fan, a warhammer 40k fan and a photographer... I feel you

[@Bigfoot-px9gj]

It's ok... You could have been a drummer.

[@133sean]

Bass, drums, photography, and sewing machines. Sigh.

[@BlindingSun_]

Bass, drums, guitars, computers, photography, mountain bikes, bmx, skateboards, motorbikes, weightlifting, cars, expensive cooking knives, warhammer, 3d modelling (lots of money for plugins). I can’t afford drugs and my wife hates me 😂😂😂😂

[@infoscholar5221]

I have about twenty guitars. I have been playing guitar since Moses was a sea cook. However, I own one bass; a Glarry p-type bass, that I bought during the Pandemic, when everybody went insane. I also learned German, brushed up on my Latin, some elementary Russian, and how to cook a Baked Alaskan, among other things I cannot list here. This channel is great. I hadn't played the bass since I was pressed into it in a punk band, thirty odd years ago. Ths guy makes it simple. I can offer no higher priase.

[@nickburmanmusic]

This has to be the best guide to buying music gear. Very well thought out, sensible and realistic. It's not just for basses either. These guidelines apply to everything - pedals, amps, guitars, saxophones. Brilliant!

[@nickburmanmusic]

Love the ending ;-)

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Nick!

[@MartyWilson100]

My first bass was an Ibanez GSR200 and I still have it today, I bought it because I knew that Ibanez are good and versatile basses for nice price, especially for beginners. I have two Squiers, one Precision and one Jazz Bass. Squier, Ibanez and Yamaha are the best budget basses in my opinion

[@roma5869]

Probably the best beginner bass when it comes to quality and price.

[@MartyWilson100]

@@roma5869 Indeed, I do not regret my purchase and I recommend Ibanez or Yamaha for beginners

[@Skaxarrat]

My first was a no-name brand for 150€ with an amp. Then, I bought the Ibañez GSR200. I won't be getting a second one anytime soon :)

[@rear5118]

Just sold my Mexican Fender Jazz bass and got a way cheaper 60s Squier Classic Vibe Jazz instead. I do not regret it!

[@matthewb8229]

First bass I owned is a Yamaha RBX250, bought in 1993. That bass is now hanging in my 13yo son's room, and he plays and practices on it regularly. The $299 I spent back then has paid off in spades!

[@JaishivaSatnam]

The Höfner Beatle bass (500/1) is a really interesting case study in "oddball" basses. It's almost universally understood to have a really particular sound, but that's mostly because of its identification with Paul McCartney. I've seen a lot of posts where people talk about his "unmistakable" Höfner sound when in fact the given recording was made using the Rick. The truth is Paul's 500/1 sounds like it does because of his strings, pick and finger work, and amp/board settings-and he can make any bass sound like that. It further cements the idea of a specific Höfner sound that generations of players have bought and set them up in deliberate imitation of McCartney's tone, and many will insist that there are "correct" strings (Pyramid flats, LaBellas) for the 500/1, even going so far as to suggest that other strings or playing styles will damage the instrument. However, you can also string them with cut down full-scale roundwounds (conventional short-scale strings are a bit too short) and experiment with equalization, pickup selection, and playing styles to achieve an incredible range of sounds from the delicacy of an upright to the most raucous high-gain, hard-picked punk tone imaginable. It is my considered opinion (I've owned, played, and recorded with a German-built Höfner 500/1 "Standard" since the late '80s) that it is in fact one of the most versatile basses ever made.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks for sharing Joshua, I should do a video putting a Hofner through its paces! Great points about McCartney's connection to that "sound" and how he somehow got a Rick to sound almost the same.

[@IsisofDurnham]

there's also this entire myth surrounding that bass that Paul "wanted to play it" . At first Macca wasn't even the bass player ( Stuart Sutcliffe was ) of the band . Sutcliffe was an artist and when he managed to sell one of his paintings for 85 quid , the other Beatles convinced him to buy the Höfner with that cash .That's because it was - at that time - the cheapest bass they could find .When Stu left the band to pursue his painting career , paul took over as bass player and the rest, as they say , is history . They once asked Paul why he always went back to the Höfner and he answered "because that's the one I know best " .He can get any sound he wants out of that thing ....don't really know if you can slap on it though .Maybe you can enlighten us on that ?

[@anthonyporcarellosr3627]

I've been playing bass for about 40 years and have used everything from Framus, Fender, Gretsh, hofner and the list goes on, my PERSONAL opinion and this is just me, so don't jump down my throat I have owned 2 hofner basses one was a 74 vanilla and the other is just a regular bass and I gotta tell you it's the worst insturment i have ever played, i just don't like the way it feels or the way it sounds, now if you want to spend a buttload of money doing a bunch of mods, knock yourself out, but hofner is not a good bass, again in my opinion

[@r.e.s.e.9136]

Amen! I say the exact same things you say: Höfners are way more versatile than people think. I am one of those 'heretics' who doesn't do the flatwound and neck pickup only thing and goes for the bright roundwound sound that can cut through very aggresively if you want it to. Even with roundwounds you can still get that thumpy sound everyone associates it with just by adjusting the controls and your playing technique. Ironically, I have one because of McCartney, who is my original bass hero.

[@thomascraymer8712]

I have a fretless Höfner-style bass (well actually a Harley Benton clone, I don't think Höfner even make a fretless), so it's even more niche than a regular Höfner in that sense... but at the same time, even for a fretless it's fairly versatile, it can go anywhere from sounding like an upright, to having that "mwah" sound typical of fretless basses. Not to mention, it's possibly the bass I use the most!

[@eotsis1]

I play acoustic ,electric guitar and bass. Gas guy got me some years back but One guitar I wanted was a high end acoustic guitar. I wasn't that great but ended up buying a $3100 acoustic used. This thing has made me practice more to try to achieve the skill level it was meant to be played . While, I haven't arrived, so to speak, this thing practically plays itself. It always sounds good, even with bad technic, older strings, or what sound system it plays through. Totally worth it on this purchase...I've had it for 15 years now and still my number one.

[@damnfreakingsien]

This applies to guitar as well 😂 Personally, going for 1-2 expensive guitars that motivates you to play, is better than going for numerous budget guitars that feels ehhh to play.

[@asdjrocky]

From a guy that has listened far too many times to GAS Guy this is a great video and I love the fact that you're using a Squier, a great brand and a great bass. Thanks Josh! Oh and here's a shameless plug, I took the Bass Buzz course and it was a perfect starter, better than the in person lessons I was taking at the time.

[@mossy723]

I second this, Squier is knocking it out of the park lately. I just purchased the Paranormal Jazz 54 and it’s honestly so solid it’s hard to believe it’s a Squier.

[@Vortigan07]

@@mossy723 They really are! The 40th Anniversary versions are amazing! The one guitar I own is a Squier CV Tele and I couldn't be happier with it!

[@misterghee1]

Mmmbuy a 3/4 size one

[@juno4494]

Good advice here! My first was a Franken-bass cobbled together from different P-basses and given to me by a friend. After learning on it, I decided to "move on up" and went through the usual gamut of buying/trying/selling about a dozen different basses. Eventually, though, I recalled what I liked about my original--the comfort, the weight, the tone--and returned to a good ole Fender P-bass. I settled on a '75 model and couldn't be happier. Ahh, the miles we walk only to end up back at our roots. Pedals to augment that P-bass tone, though...well, that's an entirely different story....

[@user-gr4vk2go3m]

It's the franken-bass for me!

[@aaronholmes8568]

I gave up bass to concentrate on guitar years ago. Then this year I decided it was time to get some low end back in my life. Ended up picking a G&L L2500 and it is so versatile. Does everything I need it to.

[@georgeavouris8539]

You are absolutely right not only for the bass researching market but for everyone who is looking to buy a music instrument by not having a guide about how to do it properly.

[@deejkeithanmusic]

Been playing bass for 28 years. I've owned 3 in my entire life. 1 Dean (underrated budget bass) and 2 Fenders.

[@RHINOSAUR]

After years of playing a heavy vintage P bass, switching to short scale was the best bass decision I’ve ever made… especially the Gretsch Electromatic Jr Jet. It’s punchy, deep, and the mini humbuckers absolutely scream .

[@geraldfriend256]

It it the hollowbody? I am all about short scale basses .

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@geraldfriend256 The pickups in the junior jet are actually single coils, not mini buckers...there was some controversy about that a while back...the short scale hollow body uses real humbuckers...it has neck dive due to the lightness of it, but it sounds great and the build quality is in another league compared to the junior jet

[@RHINOSAUR]

@@geraldfriend256 - Jason is correct. Gretsch advertised the solid body as having humbuckers. The pups even look like humbuckers, but aren’t. However, they’re much more responsive than the single coil pups in the other short scale basses I own ( Squier Jaguar, and Ibanez Mikro).

[@ever_grey4468]

When i started, I bought yamaha trbx 304, because you recommended it. No amp, no nothing, cause i had no spare money. I was learning for 3 months like that. then bought an amp and cables. practiced over a year like that. now im slowly buying pedals - have super cheap distortion and loopers atm. rarely using these, but its nice to have. I killed my GAS guy years ago.

[@rdhudon7469]

I did the same thing years ago and I remember I would sometimes press the bass against the wall for some amplification ......good times . Lol

[@BassBuzz]

You can also press your face/jaw onto the horn and it'll resonate in your skull :P

[@Poincianaa]

I bought my first bass for 500 bucks in 2018, a mexico jazz in olympic white, and I honestly haven't had the urge to get a different one. Yes, those musicman basses are real nice, and I do like the sound Jamerson got out of his precision but ultimately I've been able to get close enough to satisfy my ears just with my own fender bass and a rumble amp.

[@Metalgopher]

My mim jazz bass was my main for 15 years, it’s a terrific bass-I just need to have it adjusted. Good choice!

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I have a 1999 or 2000 Mexican Jazz, I love it!

[@cliffords2315]

you can also upgrade the MIM basses, a badass bridge, Seymour Duncan Pickups, and it will sound as good as a $1,500 bass

[@Metalgopher]

@@cliffords2315 I did that in 2020 and man oh man I noticed a huge difference in sustain!-the bridge anyway. Still have stock pick ups

[@mbuchart2927]

Your philosophy is exactly right.

[@ajdayton101]

Great video Josh. This is a lesson we all needed. I always tell new players to try out gear and don’t overextend yourself. Pictures and reviews always look good.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks John!

[@Mar.Escobar24]

That last tip is exactly the solution I found when I was tempted to get a more expensive bass. I’m barely learning but I was so intrigued by the sound and look of a Fender Jazz Bass I saw at the store, that I was going to buy it. But I already have 2 basses and I made a compromise that I would get it only once I have made SIGNIFICANT improvement and can play a few songs I love flawlessly. The end goal is by the end of the year but if not, then there’s always next year. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@polygonalmasonary]

I am sixty four, I have ONE bass, a Hohner Professional Headless bass from the early 1990’s. Best musical instrument I ever bought. It’s worth about $500 second hand but it is priceless to me because it’s virtually irreplaceable. 👍🇬🇧🙏♥️

[@MotoMarios]

Excellent advice, and GAS is a true problem. I built my own bass (designed the body and had it cut on a CNC machine) and fixed a neck of my liking onto it) and it is a combination of all the elements I like in my favourite basses. it even has provision for counterweights for precise adjustment of CoG position. The pickups facility is special: the cavity is big and wide and allows for moveable pickups, which sit on "wagons" that are magnetically attached and move onto "rails" which are just metal strips glued onto the back of the cavity. The wagons allow for moveability without sacrificing pickup height adjustability. They also make it easy to swap the pickup. So now my GAS syndrome guy only has a suitcase full of various pickups which is arguably cheaper than entire basses lol.

[@bigbadbillb]

I still have my humble Squier P-bass, but I replaced the stock pickup with a Seymour Duncan. Good enough for me. 👍😄

[@gege9709]

I'm new to bass, and I recently purchased a fender MIM precision bass and just today after watching the video I went ahead and bought the, "beginner to badass coures" (lifetime access) and I can't wait to start my bass journy. Also awesome video as well!

[@BassBuzz]

Congrats on your bass, hope you enjoy the course!

[@hannahwalker7221]

You will love that course! Best investment ever! I did it two years ago, and I can play ANYTHING. So will you! Now get to it!😊

[@gege9709]

@@hannahwalker7221 Thanks so much hannah I appreciate it so much, and I will! 🤎

[@Rexpbass]

Great choice. You will never "need" another bass!!

[@mfcc1084]

How I wish a video like this existed 7 years ago haha. I really hope the new generation of bassists will follow your advice. I’m glad that I ended my GAS journey on the bass after buying 13 of them. Out of those 13 I am only using 6 of them actively. The remaining 7 are just displayed on my guitar rack. Great video. 😊

[@BassBuzz]

Haha, I see GAS has even infected your username!

[@BEASTmodeontheRoad]

This has kinda been the gold standard for any hobby for decades. Learned the quick way when I was a teen and had a cheap used $100 Ibanez that I could never get to sound good then made a new friend few years down the line who picked it up and just fucking rocked it. It was that moment I learned it was all in your skill.

[@mfcc1084]

@@BassBuzz yes it has hahaha

[@jimmytgoose476]

If those 7 extraneous basses haven't broken you financially and you can spare the space then fair enough . Enjoy looking at them as you play the ones you love 🙂

[@TroublesomeOwl]

I filled my wall space, filled my rack.. now if i want anything else, i have to sell something so there is a place to keep it.

[@guudbyenme3399]

Thank you for fighting the GAS-encouraging culture of KZbin. I've played guitar for around 17 years, and from the beginning I was caught up in dreaming of better gear instead of actually learning to play. I bought my first bass last week, and I have been focused on not falling into the trap I've been in with guitar. Buying in person, I narrowed it down to a Sire V3P and a V5R. I ended up spending the little bit more on the V5R because it felt a little better and I liked the color more, so I knew it would make me want to pick it up more and be less likely to regret my decision later. That said, I've been amazed with the quality of it. But back to the point, I appreciate that you made a video like this, but more than that, I appreciate that you demonstrate this mentality in every video. I see you playing your Sqier Jazz more than anything else. I also see you Sterling Stingray. You sound great and show that you don't need to spend thousands on Fender and Music Man when the "bargain" brands are more than enough. You demonstrate the success that comes from focusing on playing rather than names on headstocks in your collection. THANK YOU!

[@clemaxxx]

I've played guitar for around 25 Years and i switched to Bass 5 Years ago. I will buy my first Basss this week✌

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

Been playing 20 years . Have had everything over the years . I realized last year ,all I ever play is ,a P , a J , and my Thunderbird . Thats it .All the rest sit , no matter what gig I get . So I've been selling stuff off . Down to 5 now with 2 for sale ,still. Then I gotta stop shopping . Looking for deals etc . Which is not easy ,been doing it my whole life . I have given my self the rule of not looking at basses . I "have all I need " . I can look at pedals or amps , dont have an issue there . Or as you say , educational content that will make me a better bassist . Very good video . Young guys , Listen and do it ! It is True ... dont fall into what we

[@andyhinds542]

Jeez, you are so right! I have 8 basses now where 12months ago I only had one. My most recent purchase is the most expensive at £1450 where the cheapest weas only£109. Mind you, I still play most of them depending on the song and the tone I want. I have wasted more money on drum machines that I can't program. I did look around on eBay for amps and found a great Behringer 180-watt bass amp for only £40! I use that way more than my Fender Rumble modelling amp.

[@girlygirllocssoul]

Another great video! I have only one bass guitar, a 4 string Musicman Stingray that I absolutely love, now! As a newbie, I almost suffered from GAS twice. Once was for a limited addition Darkglass Musicman that was $3,500 and your bass from Beginner to Badass because I loved the sound from your bass, that gold Peavey Cirrus that they don’t make anymore and now a collector item for $1,400. I let out a BIG sigh, stop the researching, my bank account smiled and fell in love with my $300 Stingray. I haven’t looked back since!

[@BassBuzz]

Nice GAS avoidance!

[@girlygirllocssoul]

@@BassBuzz 🤣😂🤣

[@jimmytgoose476]

A Stingray for 300 ?!!

[@girlygirllocssoul]

@@jimmytgoose476 Sorry… $300 USD for a Musicman Stingray Sterling. Forgot the “Sterling”. My bad!

[@jimmytgoose476]

Still a good deal 🤗🤘

[@argonwheatbelly637]

I've had my Vantage for 42 years. Carl Thompson gave it a once over back in 1985, and taught me some of the luthier's Jedi arts. Still play it to this day.

[@edmondironside240]

I’m a guitarist that recently started getting an itch to start playing bass. It’s such a cool instrument and love the sound. After some research I’ve bought a squire jazz bass second hand - I had a squire as my first electric guitar and have always been very happy with them. I really like the look of the PBass as well and was told it’s very good in the mix with a band but the jazz bass was more versatile. My taste in music is eclectic so I thought jazz would be better. I’ve also heard the PBass is a bit more difficult to play with a large nut width so I wanted something really generic and very easy so I stick with it. Getting a little solid state practice amp that’s from a reputable brand and we’ll see how it goes.

[@camrsr5463]

epiphone elitest EB-3 in black. had it for years. loved it.

[@lisar.271]

My heart stopped when I saw the title; I just bought my first base yesterday…it’s a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass that I bought myself for Christmas after watching/reading reviews…may not be the best bass ever made, but I’m excited about learning on it!

[@OliveIsTyping]

Don’t listen to what anyone says about it If you love it and feel it’s the one then go for it

[@Chicken_PatPie]

Some of this advice was what some of my friends told me before I finally got my hands on my dream bass. - I went to Guitar Center a few times a month to try it out. - I managed to find the exact model used, albeit slightly scuffed but not unplayable. $250 off compared to the new price - I traded in my old Squier bass toward it to save money and space for it.

[@Guitarprincess284]

This has opened my eyes to practice more than to buy more gear.

[@BassBuzz]

Glad I could help nudge you in that direction Felicia!

[@MusicManiaSpain]

As a bass player and psychologist myself let me say this video is pure gold, awesome in on all levels: Your accurate advices, the acting, the editing, etc. Totally genius! Thank you very much for this, mate.

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

I like that you’re giving Squier basses some love. When it comes to basses, in all honesty, there isn’t a huge gap between boutique, expensive, and an affordable (but still good) bass. If you don’t like the pickups, you can drop nearly top-of-the-line pickups into your bass for around $ 150.

[@jasondorsey7110]

My first bass was a japanese squier jazz bass I paid $100 for, and it was considered a beginners bass in the mid 90s because noone wanted that name on the headstock, now it's considered a classic and the price reflects that...same for my second bass, a peavey t-40 I paid 150 for in pristine condition with the molded hardshell case, now even the case is probably worth more than that

[@matthewganong1730]

I’ve been playing a Music Man SUB Stingray 5 for several years now. My wife and daughter were both interested in learning a bit of bass so I paid like $140 for a 4-string Glarry P-Bass Upgrade as a beginner bass for them to see if they liked it. They didn’t end up playing much and I found that I actually end up playing it quite a lot, especially for punk and classic rock, because it sounds surprisingly good for the price.

[@autrechose-music]

Great advice, great universal message (not only for bass): do not buy what you do not really need. Now... I really need a new bass! ;p

[@sergiofabiani9168]

"Had I spent the same time and money to practice and learn, I would be a pro by now". I said this exactly same sentence one week ago in a moment of repentance caused by GAS for pedalboard and stompboxes... now it feels less crazy, I am not alone :) Thanks Josh to help us folks to focus on what matters! Great video production. Thanks! :)

[@tim_yulva]

Totaly agree about the number of strings))) I was playing 4string bases for several tyears, then bought 6 string bass. After nearly 1 year understood, 6 is way too much, but 4 is not enough, 'couse I need lower B string. So my choise is 5 strings)))

[@mk719x3]

My 12 yr old wanted to learn to play the bass guitar and we figured, with money being tight, we got her a package deal off Amazon. Took it to a music store and the guy behind the counter worked some mojo on it and it sounds amazing now! She's 13 and absolutely loves her bass. These videos are also helping her learn what not to do. 😏

[@TheRimeOfTheAncientMariner]

Great advice! GAS guy can be very persuasive. Totally agree about being happy with middle range gear. And my first bass was an Ibanez Soundgear for a couple hundred or so and an Ampeg combo. No pedals. After about several years of some intermittent practice, I joined a band and upgraded to midrange gear sound I could play loud enough and got a multi effects pedal. Super happy and don't plan to buy anything else. Totally agree by the way on the "wait and see if she's still the one after letting it sit for a month or two"

[@In_MT]

You do such a great job blending useful information and entertainment. Keep up the good work! Now back to looking at more used basses!!!!

[@BassBuzz]

Haha, thanks Randy, sounds like you've taken the vid to heart 😜

[@gesumeja]

As a long time bassist and serial GAS guy submissive ... this video is totally on point. Actually my weak point has been electric guitatrs but the logic is the same. BTW, Beginner to Bad Ass is hands down THE BEST online course you will ever find. After a 15 year hiatus from professional playing, I signed up and 6 months later was back on the horse with rock n roll band Fast 59 and we're gigging about twice a month for the last year.

[@rrvv8327]

Pardom but I had to put the video at x0,75 velocity. English is not my native language. Excellent explanations on this topic !

[@glassbirds]

I bought my first bass at 17. It was about 300 bucks, cheap ibanez talman, kind of terrible BUT I was a beginner and it didn't matter! It sounded decent enough once I got it set up, and bass is bass Still planning on building my second bass and setting one up for schnasty punk tone and the other for smoother stuff

[@douglasw.7864]

Great video as always. Definitely my favorite bass KZbinr. I actually sold off my beloved fretless bass today. A shoulder issue no longer makes playing full-size basses feasible anymore. I’ve settled on short scale instruments, which I actually enjoy playing even more.

[@juzek1958]

Bass body size was an issue for me. Fortunately, Fender had a scaled-down body with their 97-98 Jazz Deluxe basses (Suhr electronics), which significantly influenced my getting one. It'd be worth considering if you ever run across one. Some believe it's Fender's best Jazz Bass, me included.

[@SGBassplayer]

As someone who’s been playing for more than three and a half decades the only real recommendation I have regarding the bass you need is that starting out on fretless is better for you. My Pop (God rest him) used to say that learning to drive with a manual gearbox was better because once you could drive manual you could drive anything. Fretless bass is the same; learning on fretless makes playing any other bass or any other technique seem much simpler.

[@book3100]

I agree. I'm paring things down myself. Too much stuff. I don't need five guitars and four amps. And I'm going over to Lakland basses. One four string and one five string, and a 1x15 combo amp is all i need. The amp will likely be something from Ampeg. Just good, solid, workhorse stuff. Keith Williams over at 5 Watt World (KZbin) infected my brain with "the most music from the least gear" philosophy.

[@BassBuzz]

"the most music from the least gear", I like that!

[@book3100]

@@BassBuzz it's a great channel. Guitar oriented, but really good.

[@how2pick4name]

Yeah hi. I'm 59 and I started playing age 16. I've had a total of THREE basses in my LIFE. A shitty starter bass, a 73 Fender Jazz Bass and now a Jaguar. Happy playing!! 😂

[@enderdude8657]

i have 4 basses: -ibanez sr300e: just general use/what i learned on -ibanez srh505f: for more modern jazz -fretless ubass: for travel/tight space recording sesh -upright bass: for older jazz

[@airworthy777]

I like my Musicman Stingray Bass Classic, I like the vibes of it because of Louis Johnson and Bernard Edwards who also use the classic Musicman Stingray with that classic '70s mutes.

[@Kickbasser]

What those mutes do? Can they be removed? Never tried the classic Stingray

[@airworthy777]

@@Kickbasser They give me a flat-wound-like vibe

[@shanegates6329]

You're spot on Josh! I've been fighting GAS and these tips are proven to help, thank you!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Shane!

[@SoundtheTrumpet2023]

I fell victim to GAS Guy when it came to my trumpet mouthpieces. My first dream, however, is the electric bass. Thanks for the advice about a good, vetted, starter bass. The BB234 looks very promising! Update: Spent significant time on the BB234 & the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Stingray. It’s the Stingray hands down!!

[@chickenzwings]

Unbias review: The beginner to badass course is FANTASTIC. I took it at the beginning of the pandemic and it set me up with a great foundation to build upon. Can't recommend it enough!

[@BasicStealthcamping]

it is great! i got stuck on the Billy Jean lesson and i need to go back to it though

[@sutyi06]

My strategy as a hobby "bassist" is that I have a single guitar stand with place for three instruments. One is for guitar, one is for my Squier Fretless Jazz bass (I really love this one). I can have whatever in the third slot, but I need to sell the previous bass becore that.

[@PancakeTheKat]

Oh same! I have one 3 way stand for my acoustic guitar, one for my electric guitar, and one for my Ibanez jazz bass

[@floralbassist]

Short story: I decided to buy a bass for me and my husband for our 10th anniversary (it was 6 weeks ago). My husband used to play when he was a teenager and played bass about 8 years. He is advanced but he had a 10 years break. I never played a bass, but I am a violinist, so the music theory is familiar to me. We bought Yamaha trbx304, I started learning and we both love it, but I found it too big for me. One week ago I bought a second bass, Squier Bronco Bass (it is a smaller, so called minibass), and it is absolutely PERFECT for me. I love it more than Yamaha. So now we can play together, but it is annoying sometimes, I am a beginner, but my husband after a break is still an advanced player 😛

[@ninodino8880]

Ooooo new bassbuzz vid!! Always love to see them, you’re very helpful!:)

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks! :)

[@BigBeansi]

Great Video! I spent a LOT time to look for gear instead of learning. I have now 7 basses.. still It´s hard to fight GAS. The last technic I tried to fight GAS and improve my collection is to allow myself to buy new basses or gear if I sell something I dont use enough of my stuff.. That way I actually think more about which instruments would be best for me. I also pick up all basses more often and find new things I love about them (and i also have to sit down and sell stuff which also takes some motivation and time, so it prevents me from impuls buying) I like it lot to play gear for longer time to see if I like it enough or to find the thing why other people love it. That's why I also like to buy used gear. i can buy/sell stuff more often without loosing too much money.

[@c-joneslawntree3852]

Josh's ideas & production value is 2nd to none but some of the references in this one we're epic 🤣. I kept loving the next more than the previous but "integrity doesn't pay the light bill" & the Fight Club scene (things own you) were by far the top two. Thanks for making such enjoyable, easy to watch content that makes you think 💯‼️

[@sebadrum16]

Honestly I feel so lucky to have found my one bass so early as a player. I went from a thunderbird to a Geddy Lee Jazz bass and have never looked back!

[@GabrielNardinMusic]

Bought my first bass like 12 years ago. Cheap, used and testing it before hand (got from an ex-coworker) It´s still the one and only bass I own.

[@okiwatashi2349]

You should always take any beginner bass and get it set up too. It really makes all the difference. Think of it as part of the price

[@BassBuzz]

Totally!

[@CallowG]

A lot of times knowing how to set up a bass is a real boon. I bought a Geddy Lee Fender Jazz bass that "had buzzing problems" for cheap and had already fixed it five minutes after I got it home.

[@VitalyG.]

I was playing guitar for 15 years when I decided I need a Bass. After tonns of bass tutorials I was sure Ibanez SR300eb will be right choice for me. I was right, love this bass.

[@theresaw1109]

Oooo I started on a Ibanez soundgear sr300 as a hand-me-down from my brother and I absolutely love it, been using it for over 3 years now

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Great video Josh!! This is so true and on point!! I’ve been playing 26 yrs and only got into more gear about 3 yrs ago. And GAS pulls no punches and you have to remain strong

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks mate! GAS sure doesn't fck around. He's in my brain too lol, so many delicious boutique pedals I need / don't need.

[@Lowendlunatic]

I have a squire 2000’s jazz bass 4 string I picked up from a pawnshop in like 2012. I absolutely love it it is my baby and I will never get rid of it.

[@CoIdy25]

Okay got it! So basically got for the most expensive base to satisfy your needs!

[@poolszaba]

My first bass was an Ibanez tmb100. For the price it really sounds pretty solid. Rather than spending a bunch of money on a new bass I went and got a couple pedals to really kill it with the tone. I eventually upgraded but really I feel I could have played local gigs with it no problem

[@DankBirdGang52]

What pedals did you buy? I wanna get some, but I'm not good enough at bass yet

[@armignac]

Let the hate begin. Dont you dare criticize my equipment D: Great Video, you got some good points!

[@BassBuzz]

Haha, yep, ready for the flame war 🔥

[@robertkerr9738]

Great video, especially the point about playing it in person whenever possible. I’ve been pining after a specific Fender Custom Shop bass for a couple years. A few days ago I had the chance to actually play it and it took me about a minute to realize I absolutely hated it!

[@jimmytgoose476]

About 4 years ago i saw a stunningly beautiful p-bass in my local megastore . I couldn't stop thinking about it all week so i went back to check it out ; the assistant said i was the first person to try it out . Maybe the other prospective customers had noticed the £2800 price tag first .... Anyway, 5 minutes was 2½ minutes more than i needed to know it was NOT a love match ; it was mediocre af . I spent every Saturday for the next couple of months trying out Fenders before finally making my first ever new bass purchase . I chose Sandberg . I do have to add that the most pleasant surprise i had was playing a Squier Classic Vibe Precision. Well made, perfectly set up , felt and sounded good ; over £100 less than a Mexican Fender, too . If that was as much as i had to spend Brand S would have won hands down 🙂

[@jxb13_shorts67]

Ive had good luck with Glarry instruments, havent bought their basses yet, but their guitars are really nice, and theyre no more than 150$

[@dinodasbunce6224]

I played bass in 1968, 69, 70 then traded my bass for a Honda Super 90 motorcycle. I have played guitar since 1963 and have done so over the past 60 years. In 2017 I bought a bass. It took me 3 years of looking, playing, and studying to finally decide on which bass I wanted. I purchased the Hofner Ignition bass, and I absolutely love it. The bass, hard shell case, and two sets of Labelle flat wound string for the Beatle bass cost me $455.00. That made a lot more sense to me than spending #3000.00 on a German mad Hofner. I am working on a second base now, a pawn shop $50.00 P-bass clone that I am converting to a fretless bass.

[@TheGeniesis]

I don't fully agree with 4-string bass as the best choice as a starting bass when you like to play heavier stuff :P About the rest of the stuff you hit the nail on the head :) Time for my story ;d My first bass was Cort action bass V (passive), I bought it new, because I didn't trust used instruments. My friends who played on this bass were suprised about the price/quality ratio. I was mainly listening death metal those days, so it was great also for me :) After some time I "evolved" and started listening music progressive music like Dream Theater (6 string), Beyond Creation (6 string fretless), Obscura (6 string fretless), and I loved freetless sound. Finally, I decided to do something "weird" - I bought used 7string fretless guitar with active pickups, just to understand how this instrument works and if more strings is good for me (finally, I was able to play some bass lines which were requiring 6stings). After, another year, I understood good and bad things about 7string fretless with active pickup. I sold my both guitars and ordered a custom one - 6-string fretless, headless passive bass. I can say that don't need anything more now :) Long story short: it's better to buy used instuments, because you can get better specification for lesser cost. When you know your instrument and what it missing, you can buy something which will fit better with you :)

[@jessejordache1869]

I'm amazed at how many of my favorite bassists (who don't play p,j,stingrays etc) have played Rickenbackers. Its low tone counters Paul McCartney's trips to the dusty frets, and provides the Lemmy Kilmister rumble. Also surprising is how many of them go from Rickenbackers back to whatever they used to play. Apparently they're murder on the hands. They poke back at you.

[@geraldfriend256]

That pickup cover is like a brick right in the sweet spot. They do indeed poke back.

[@AppleCorp3]

McCartney went from the Rick to an Epiphone back to the Rick and then dabbled with a 5-string and then returned to the Hofner. I suspect the main reason he went back to his Beatle bass was because he got older and needed something lighter, shorter and narrower. That and it’s his trademark now.

[@jessejordache1869]

@@AppleCorp3 Yeah, I remember being in highschool and wanting one, and my sister was home for college with a much more refined sense of cool and instructed me on the difference between homage and imitating. Because even though a conversation like this is only possible between bassists who are (presumably) into the Beatles, EVERYBODY knows he played/plays "that violin bass".

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@jessejordache1869 All the classic beatle tunes where his bass line pops out and slays it...that's the rickenbacker

[@jessejordache1869]

@@jasondorsey7110 I know it well.

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Solid advice. Taking a more experienced friend to the in person buying experience is very important

[@BassBuzz]

Totally, wish I had done that a few times that I didn't! Lesson learned.

[@melvinmarroquin1048]

I used to play guitar in highschool and haven’t played in years. I’m actually trying to pick up a bass now and this channel is co-signing me to buy one ASAP

[@garajplaz3513]

I love my 72 pbass. But a year ago, I picked up for half price a cort super jumbo acoustic bass guitar. Love at first pluck. It took two weeks to get used to the size, and several truss rod tweaks. Best 200 usd I ever spent.

[@TylerAStinson]

As a bass player. I really love your videos. I would love a video on the modes of the major scale, harmonic minor & melodic minor and examples of songs that use them

[@zublits]

This applies to a lot more things than just basses. Great video. Even your caricature GAS guy was making me want to buy things. I'm apparently very sensitive to GAS.

[@ronj9448]

A silly and fun way to keep GAS at bay is to say "I'll buy it all with the money I make from playing which I currently have." Crickets. Of course. Ha.

[@anyone-f2r]

1960 Jazz bass with the bridge pick up tone all the way down and the other three knobs all the way up! Great tone.

[@Bassdave1986]

My first bass was a squire j bass. And you're right, having that type of bass as a beginner isn't a bad thing, especially price wise. With time and trying out other basses I realized that the sound and tone from the squire didn't fit what I played, enter ibanez. The first time I played an ibanez I was sold. Took a little time, but eventually picked up an ibanez sr300. Been playing ibanez ever since.

[@hectorgarza5842]

Great advice! Thanks for your time and dedication! Appreciated! Keep on doing it! Thanks a lot!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Hector, will do!

[@lustforlow-end6022]

If anyone is wondering, GAS stands for Gear Acquisition Syndrome!

[@NotAHumanYT]

But...he says it at the beginning of the video...

[@thebluesboy2009]

​@@NotAHumanYT fr

[@MrChopsticktech]

I think it's a dumb term, along with drop, sick and dope.

[@mikaelthemetalhead]

6:13 you’re actually spot on ahaha this is why I bought my rickenbacker 😂😂 first bassists I really loved were Lemmy from Motörhead, Cliff Burton from Metallica and Geddy Lee from Rush so it was only natural that I would be a rickenbacker player ahah it’s also the only bass I’ve never thought about selling ahah I’ll always love jazz basses and more modern style basses (like an Ibanez EBH) but that rickenbacker just is perfect imo

[@infectedgoat7775]

Man, GAS GUY is no joke . In the 90s I was talked into buying a sitar that had to be shipped from India and the case was so unwieldy it would only fit in a cargo van lol

[@HaineAoW]

I've been playing bass consistently for about 6 years now, and my Squier Jazz 70s Vibe bass has been my faithful companion for most of it. I just recently got a Fender P-Bass since that has been my dream bass for the longest time.