MrBrawl's Guide to Beginner Basses

---GUIDE TO BEGINNER BASSES---
Version 1.0
by MrBrawl

GOLDEN RULE: ALWAYS PLAY BEFORE YOU BUY. There is no such thing as THE bass to get, as EVERYONE is different and EVERYONE has their preferences. If at all possible, you should go out and play the bass you're looking at. After all, this guide is based on MY experience and MY preferences, not YOUR OWN!

GOLDEN RULE 2: YOU USUALLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. If you're expecting something amazing under $400, you'll probably be disappointed. If you're expecting every bass by [insert brand] to be amazing no matter the price, you might be disappointed further.

Sub-$100:
Highly unrecommended new, used OK depending on model

$100-$199
Squier Bronco Bass [short scale][great for modding!] - http://waa.ai/4WnD
Squier Bullet Jazz - http://waa.ai/4Wnd
Ibanez GSR200 - http://waa.ai/4Wn6

$200-299
Sterling SUB Ray4 - http://waa.ai/4WnP
Peavey Millennium 4 BXP - http://waa.ai/4Wnp
Anything in the Squier Vintage Modified series - http://waa.ai/4Wn7

$300-$499
Cort Artisan B4 [harder to find readily available online, but worth. I own one of these and consider it one of the best budget basses. Look for it on eBay or in local music stores (use Cort's online dealer locator)] - http://waa.ai/4WG4
Yamaha TRBX304 - http://waa.ai/4Wn5
Ibanez SR400 - http://waa.ai/4WnL
Fender Modern Player Jag bass - http://waa.ai/4Wnr
Kala U-bass [Look, it's a ukulele! No, it's a bass! No, it's BOTH!] - http://waa.ai/4WnY

$500-699
Cort Curbow 52 [again, Cort's harder to find on online distributors, but definitely worth checking out. I own one of these and it's the second best 5-string I've ever played. The only one better was the $3500 Warwick Corvette $$ I played once before.][NAMM Best in Show 2012] - http://waa.ai/4WGk
Ibanez SR500 - http://waa.ai/4Wnn
Schecter Stiletto Studio - http://waa.ai/4WGE
Fender standard series [no link as there are many models; just type in on Sweetwater]

$700 and up
Pretty much anything Fender, Cort, Ibanez, Schechter, etc. Can't really go wrong with a brand at this point, as quality is much more focused and consistent in this price range.

In short, the best cheaper brands are, in my book, Cort and Fender/Squier. Ibanez, Schecter, and LTD are all made by Cort, so those should be good options as well. But, as I said in the beginning, these are only reflective of my personal experiences. Always, always, ALWAYS try before you buy if you can. I understand if you live out in the middle of nowhere and your only visitors are chainsaw murderers on the lamb and the FedEx man, but if there's any way to try before you buy, TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY!

Hope this guide's been helpful. It should always be updating, as there are always new instruments to check out. I may add other things like amps and the like in the future. Just take this as a basic framework from which to work.

Your bass is only as good as you are!