Author Topic: Thinking about learning bass (Read 6099 times)

skydivingninja · « **on:** May 27, 2009, 06:50:31 PM »

Hey guys. I was just thinking about learning to play bass when I found this on Guitar Center:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Affinity-Jazz-Bass-Pack-104385059-i1177843.gc?sort=1

There's also one of these for precision bass. Are these worth the money, or do you know of any other cheap, decent bass & amp? Thanks!

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2009, 07:14:20 PM »

The basses are nice, but the amps suck in the starter sets.

I started with a Peavey Milestone IV, which I don't think they make anymore, and a small Crate amp (which is actually much better than the fenders). Total I think it was about 350, but I'm not certain.

Peavey makes great stuff

SinisterMinisterX · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2009, 07:47:27 PM »

Looks like a good starter set to me. PlaysLikeMyung is right: you'll need a better amp for playing live. But for the initial learning period, it looks like a fine set.

I'd go with the P-bass version, but that's because I played P's from 1989-2007 and really like them. (I mostly play Ibanez now, but I keep my favorite P-bass tuned 1/2 step down and use it for those songs.)

However, you should shop around. I've always found better prices at independent stores instead of Guitar Center.

ZBomber · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:14:21 PM »

Don't worry about the amp this early in the game... I had a shitty fender 15 watt for 2 years until I upgraded to my Acoustic B200 this past winter.

Try the basses out in stores...I've used a Squier bass and now an Epiphone Les Paul... neither are that great of basses, but they got the job done.

But as for the link you posted... it looks fine, but again, try it out in a store.

Global Laziness · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:22:19 PM »

Do it. There aren't enough bassists in the world.

brakkum · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:26:01 PM »

Quote from: Global Laziness on May 27, 2009, 11:22:19 PM

Do it. There aren't enough bassists in the world.

true, we take up a surprisingly small percentage of the musical world.

as for the bass pack, the bass should be fine, as long as you set it up correctly and take care of it, the amp of course won't get you anywhere except your bedroom, and even then it's not that great. how much are you willing to spend?

as for the learning bass part, go for it! it's a hell of a trip to learn bass, and it's nothing but fun to play for a living, though i don't think that's what you were going for!

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2009, 10:37:43 AM »

I actually couldn't find a band because all the bands that had formed had what little bassists were in the area. But there definitely aren't enough of us. Everybody in the world wants to be that "lead guitarist". No one wants the bass.

brakkum · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2009, 03:03:54 PM »

Quote from: PlaysLikeMyung on May 28, 2009, 10:37:43 AM

I actually couldn't find a band because all the bands that had formed had what little bassists were in the area. But there definitely aren't enough of us. Everybody in the world wants to be that "lead guitarist". No one wants the bass.

so true. I learned guitar first then picked up the bass, and only no realize ho good of a move it was, although my guitar playing has really been improving lately as well (and piano!)

But what I do to try and be original, and would recommend, don't just be the root-playing bassist, I try and play bass like guitar, which is what I am kind of known for in my playing. Don't be afraid to just let loose and rip it up, and be sure to put 10x the emotion into your playing that you normally would.

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:39:20 PM »

Bass players are usually the smartest person in any given band. Drummers are the most obnoxious. Guitarists are the most flashy. its the truth. Think about that before you decide what to take up olol

brakkum · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2009, 07:13:13 PM »

Quote from: sneakyblueberry on May 28, 2009, 06:39:20 PM

Bass players are usually the smartest person in any given band. Drummers are the most obnoxious. Guitarists are the most flashy. its the truth. Think about that before you decide what to take up olol

haha, pretty damn true, to an extent.

timddrums · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:28:11 PM »

Quote from: sneakyblueberry on May 28, 2009, 06:39:20 PM

Bass players are usually the smartest person in any given band. Drummers are the most obnoxious. Guitarists are the most flashy. its the truth. Think about that before you decide what to take up olol

eh...maybe in a generalization but im a drummer that has been in quite a few bands....and i was never obnoxious.....i would plya my part for covers and be fine, or make my own part that fit for our songs...I do not think that it is a fair stereotype to be truthfull.

brakkum · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:47:20 PM »

Quote from: timddrums on May 30, 2009, 10:28:11 PM

Quote from: sneakyblueberry on May 28, 2009, 06:39:20 PM
Bass players are usually the smartest person in any given band. Drummers are the most obnoxious. Guitarists are the most flashy. its the truth. Think about that before you decide what to take up olol

eh...maybe in a generalization but im a drummer that has been in quite a few bands....and i was never obnoxious.....i would plya my part for covers and be fine, or make my own part that fit for our songs...I do not think that it is a fair stereotype to be truthfull.

i think it is if you take every band into consideration, usually all my bassist buddies are smart as shit, drummer (mine not as much) are pretty egocentric, and guitarist always want to show off (even myself, a guitar player as well as bass and keys.)

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2009, 06:58:44 PM »

Quote from: timddrums on May 30, 2009, 10:28:11 PM

Quote from: sneakyblueberry on May 28, 2009, 06:39:20 PM
Bass players are usually the smartest person in any given band. Drummers are the most obnoxious. Guitarists are the most flashy. its the truth. Think about that before you decide what to take up olol

eh...maybe in a generalization but im a drummer that has been in quite a few bands....and i was never obnoxious.....i would plya my part for covers and be fine, or make my own part that fit for our songs...I do not think that it is a fair stereotype to be truthfull.

Dont be so obnoxious

skydivingninja · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2009, 08:22:04 PM »

Well, I bought the J-Bass from a local store 50 bucks less than Guitar Center. Starting to play now, admiring the newfound callouses on my index and middle fingers, who I've decided I don't really like anymore, so I'll whittle them down by playing bass. Also, the intro to Cygnus X-1 is pretty basic in terms of notes. I'm a few pages into a quick beginner's book and more or less know how to play it.

brakkum · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2009, 12:20:36 AM »

Quote from: skydivingninja on June 01, 2009, 08:22:04 PM

Well, I bought the J-Bass from a local store 50 bucks less than Guitar Center. Starting to play now, admiring the newfound callouses on my index and middle fingers, who I've decided I don't really like anymore, so I'll whittle them down by playing bass. Also, the intro to Cygnus X-1 is pretty basic in terms of notes. I'm a few pages into a quick beginner's book and more or less know how to play it.

good stuff, enjoy it. let us know when you turn into Billy Sheehan

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2009, 09:48:31 AM »

Quote from: brakkum on June 02, 2009, 12:20:36 AM

Quote from: skydivingninja on June 01, 2009, 08:22:04 PM
Well, I bought the J-Bass from a local store 50 bucks less than Guitar Center. Starting to play now, admiring the newfound callouses on my index and middle fingers, who I've decided I don't really like anymore, so I'll whittle them down by playing bass. Also, the intro to Cygnus X-1 is pretty basic in terms of notes. I'm a few pages into a quick beginner's book and more or less know how to play it.

good stuff, enjoy it. let us know when you turn into John Myung

It's only a matter of time...

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2009, 02:31:02 PM »

Quote from: skydivingninja on June 01, 2009, 08:22:04 PM

admiring the newfound callouses on my index and middle fingers, who I've decided I don't really like anymore, so I'll whittle them down by playing bass.

Oh man, played bass for the first time in ages, fingers are freshly flayed and my forearm is nowhere near having the stamina to play through ANY Iron Maiden tune without stopping for a rest

Think I'll just stick to guitar.

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:45:43 PM »

I had to develop the three-finger gallop for maiden.

It's the only way

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:51:37 PM »

Oh yeah, I was totally switching between 2 and 3 but even then it was taxing. Darn you Steve Harris and your fingers of liquid steel!

brakkum · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2009, 04:50:20 PM »

getting good at the gallop with 3 fingers is fuckin awesome. nuff said.

ehra · « **Reply #20 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:55:11 PM »

I've been seriously considering giving bass a try but the whole 3 fingers thing instead of a pic seems like something I wouldn't be able to get the hang of. But from what I've noticed of my few attempts at song writing, if I were ever in a band situation I'd be much more comfortable with bass than guitar.

Anyway, I've got that linked bookmarked for when I've got enough money and I feel brave enough to make the switch.

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #21 on:** June 08, 2009, 08:08:13 PM »

Nothing wrong with pick bass IMO. Coupled with some awesome tone you'll be fine. The bass player in my favourite band at the moment (in me avatar) plays with a pick and he has a freakin mammoth bass sound. Its so good.

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2009, 08:51:41 PM »

Quote from: ehra on June 08, 2009, 07:55:11 PM

I've been seriously considering giving bass a try but the whole 3 fingers thing instead of a pic seems like something I wouldn't be able to get the hang of. But from what I've noticed of my few attempts at song writing, if I were ever in a band situation I'd be much more comfortable with bass than guitar.

Anyway, I've got that linked bookmarked for when I've got enough money and I feel brave enough to make the switch.

I can't use picks. I've tried to learn but it never really worked out. My fingers do everything I need them to. Most bassists actually use two fingers as opposed to two. For really fast triplets I like to use three fingers, but I can alternate between two and three as I need it. It's something I've been working on for years

Stupid Dream · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2009, 09:21:08 PM »

Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread, but...

I have an acoustic bass lying around that a friend left at my house last year while we were jamming (I'm a drummer). He says he doesn't want it anymore, and I would love to finally learn a stringed instrument. Would an acoustic bass be a good place to start, or should I go electric? I'm an absolute beginner and have no idea how or where to start.

brakkum · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:16:17 PM »

acoustic is always great to start, especially on normal guitar, but bass would be fine, although what i have noticed is that their necks are a lot longer, or just stick out more, so its a bit of a reach sometimes.

as for the pick situation, if you need to use one, thats all good, i have had to when my band played Solitary Shell, i couldnt nail those last unisons with my fingers at the time.

although in a contest, i would choose no pick any day. the tone you get from your fingers is so smooth, not to mention its much easier to control the tone and sound of the instrument that way.

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2009, 04:30:09 PM »

I have a cheap Rogue acoustic. The neck does seem to stick out more, but I like it. My only problem is that there's only one hook for a strap, so I have to do the whole 'tie it around the headstock' thing. I don't really like that.

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2009, 04:34:02 PM »

Quote from: PlaysLikeMyung on June 09, 2009, 04:30:09 PM

I have a cheap Rogue acoustic. The neck does seem to stick out more, but I like it. My only problem is that there's only one hook for a strap, so I have to do the whole 'tie it around the headstock' thing. I don't really like that.

the "Headstock Strap" screams CHURCH to me!! lol my sunday school teacher played her guitar like that.

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #27 on:** June 09, 2009, 04:35:27 PM »

Yea I like my bass angled, and that strap system doesn't really do that.

brakkum · « **Reply #28 on:** June 09, 2009, 07:33:51 PM »

yuck, you can always drill another one in, my guitarist has done that on his acoustic guitar, as long as you know what you're doing. and the headstock strap thing makes me want to punch the guitar/bass. yuck.

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2009, 06:59:53 AM »

The bass is a piece of s*** so I don't think it's worth it. I'd like to get a better one at some point

brakkum · « **Reply #30 on:** June 10, 2009, 02:20:41 PM »

haha, i love shitty basses.

now i just need to find an upright, now that I have started taking lessons for it.

SinisterMinisterX · « **Reply #31 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:06:26 PM »

Upright is tough. It makes electric bass feel like a toy. I played it (classical, with a bow) for a few years in my college orchestra. Good luck with it - it is not an instrument to be underestimated.

brakkum · « **Reply #32 on:** June 10, 2009, 04:33:57 PM »

Quote from: SinisterMinisterX on June 10, 2009, 03:06:26 PM

Upright is tough. It makes electric bass feel like a toy. I played it (classical, with a bow) for a few years in my college orchestra. Good luck with it - it is not an instrument to be underestimated.

definitely not, i'm just getting used to being in half position, and man is it weird having to compensate for the long neck length. but i'm getting the hang of it, and really would love to get my own so i can really start working out on it.

ZBomber · « **Reply #33 on:** June 10, 2009, 04:51:46 PM »

I've never played a GOOD acoustic bass. Anyone have any good examples? I'm not gonna bother getting one because my electric is enough for me unplugged, but just wondering incase I ever decide I need one.

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #34 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:55:34 PM »

Well, I've played an Epiphone El Capitan, and they're pretty nice. I haven't played any others though

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Author Topic: Thinking about learning bass (Read 6099 times)