Entry Level Bass reccomendations

[scoobyfreak10]

I am looking to take up bass , now i have tried guitar before and couldnt get the hang of it but now i am older and i bit more patient i thought why not try bass as it`s only 4 strings , so can any of you guys reccomend a cheapish starter bass.The epiphone thunderbird is what i have been looking at for a while but have never took the plunge yet.

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail....

[ehonda]

I picked up one of these a couple of months ago:

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail....

Purely for mucking about on Rocksmith with & it fits the bill perfectly. I only use it for Rocksmith as I find it's much more fulfilling/entertaining/encouraging trying to learn some (6 string) guitar riffs. There's a gazillion resources for learning guitar, but I think pickings are leaner for bass.

It's my first and only bass, but seems pretty well made for the cash - one thing I would point out though is that because of the shape, it didn't fit in the standard sized case I bought for it, I had to remove padding from above the headstock. Not something that concerns me greatly though as it'll probably never leave the house.

[singlecoil]

I my experience you are pretty safe with bass guitars, they are generally easy to play and tend not to give trouble. If there is any particular make/model you fancy then there is unlikely to be any reason why you shouldn't get it.

As for learning, probably the best place to start is on YouTube, where you will find people who will teach you the solo from My Generation, and other easier stuff.

Chromatic guitar tuner would be a good idea too.

[Fitz666]

If you are new to bass I would recommend you get a set of flatwound strings, they are a little more forgiving to the fingers....

Good call with the Epiphone btw...

[scoobyfreak10]

Yeah i am totally out as a newbie never picked up a bass before , thanks for the hints guys

[Lucas CAV]

Fitz666 said:

If you are new to bass I would recommend you get a set of flatwound strings, they are a little more forgiving to the fingers....

Good call with the Epiphone btw...

The T-bird is ace but I always found them unbalanced to play -

A Precision or Jazz bass copy would be my starting point.

[singlecoil]

Lucas CAV said:

Fitz666 said:

If you are new to bass I would recommend you get a set of flatwound strings, they are a little more forgiving to the fingers....

Good call with the Epiphone btw...

The T-bird is ace but I always found them unbalanced to play -

A Precision or Jazz bass copy would be my starting point.

Certainly a lot better for playing while seated.

[GetCarter]

Top tip. Assuming you are right handed, use index and second finger of right hand - NOT BENT!!!!!!!!!!! to pluck strings. And cut short the finger nails on those two fingers and all of your left hand.

Then play along to everything you like.

I did this 30 years ago, and I've earned a living doing it ever since. (Along with composing)

Flatwound is a good tip.... if they bleed, you are doing the right amount of time, but on the wrong strings.

Have fun.

[scoobyfreak10]

GetCarter said:

Top tip. Assuming you are right handed, use index and second finger of right hand - NOT BENT!!!!!!!!!!! to pluck strings. And cut short the finger nails on those two fingers and all of your left hand.

Then play along to everything you like.

I did this 30 years ago, and I've earned a living doing it ever since. (Along with composing)

Flatwound is a good tip.... if they bleed, you are doing the right amount of time, but on the wrong strings.

Have fun.

thanks for that

[singlecoil]

But if you feel more comfortable using a pick, then go ahead and do so, there's at least one quite well known bass player that does so.

[Davidos]

If you haven't got anything to plug it into, I would recommend this for practicing, play-alongs etc:

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/pedals_multi_detail....

[GetCarter]

singlecoil said:

But if you feel more comfortable using a pick, then go ahead and do so, there's at least one quite well known bass player that does so.

You can play with a pick if you wish, but the bass gtr police will find you and lock you up forever.

[singlecoil]

GetCarter said:

singlecoil said:

But if you feel more comfortable using a pick, then go ahead and do so, there's at least one quite well known bass player that does so.

You can play with a pick if you wish, but the bass gtr police will find you and lock you up forever.

Oh I agree, it's probably not the sort of thing one should be seen doing, unless you're Paul McCartney, of course, or can play as well as he can.

[GetCarter]

singlecoil said:

GetCarter said:

singlecoil said:

But if you feel more comfortable using a pick, then go ahead and do so, there's at least one quite well known bass player that does so.

You can play with a pick if you wish, but the bass gtr police will find you and lock you up forever.

Oh I agree, it's probably not the sort of thing one should be seen doing, unless you're Paul McCartney, of course, or can play as well as he can.

Good point Well I guess we are talking about different things. Most half decent bass players can play anything he played with less than a minutes practice. Much less to be honest. And he could never, ever, play any Jaco Pastorius parts... (he would be better with a shovel than a pick), but then Jaco is dead, and Paul is coining it, big time - so I guess in the end, the love we get is equal to the love we give.

...and PRS certainly loves Paul.

ETA. and I have a LOT of time for his writing.

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 3rd May 16:33

[Fitz666]

You might want to register with basschat.co.uk.

Really helpful, excellent for sale section, happily lose hours on that fourm, much like this one....

[singlecoil]

GetCarter said:

singlecoil said:

GetCarter said:

singlecoil said:

But if you feel more comfortable using a pick, then go ahead and do so, there's at least one quite well known bass player that does so.

You can play with a pick if you wish, but the bass gtr police will find you and lock you up forever.

Oh I agree, it's probably not the sort of thing one should be seen doing, unless you're Paul McCartney, of course, or can play as well as he can.

Good point Well I guess we are talking about different things. Most half decent bass players can play anything he played with less than a minutes practice. Much less to be honest. And he could never, ever, play any Jaco Pastorius parts... (he would be better with a shovel than a pick), but then Jaco is dead, and Paul is coining it, big time - so I guess in the end, the love we get is equal to the love we give.

...and PRS certainly loves Paul.

Nice

I daresay they could play them, but could they write them? Coming up with good bass lines is a very important part of bass playing. Unless one is going to stick to covers, of course.

[GetCarter]

I do it every day, and yes it's tricky.... and he was very good. Not dissing him at all.

...Just trying to imagine the great players using a pick. Charlie Mingus perhaps?

ETA... Jaco was right up himself but completely nailed it. 11 mins in, learning his right and left hand fingering is what meant I could eat & pay bills ever since! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQy8wovX6IQ

14 mins in... try doing that with a pick

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 3rd May 16:50

[kev b]

Whichever bass you end up with, be sure to have it set up properly.

A well set up cheapy will be far more rewarding than a badly adjusted dearer model.

[singlecoil]

GetCarter said:

I do it every day, and yes it's tricky.... and he was very good. Not dissing him at all.

...Just trying to imagine the great players using a pick. Charlie Mingus perhaps?

ETA... Jaco was right up himself but completely nailed it. 11 mins in, learning his right and left hand fingering is what meant I could eat & pay bills ever since! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQy8wovX6IQ

14 mins in... try doing that with a pick

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 3rd May 16:50

Listen to Jaco Pastorius? I'd sooner stick my head in a bucket of vinegar. Still, it goes to show that there's a market for practically everything. I'd offer that the market for McCartney's stuff is a little larger, though I recognise that doesn't in itself mean anything.

[GetCarter]

singlecoil said:

Listen to Jaco Pastorius? I'd sooner stick my head in a bucket of vinegar. Still, it goes to show that there's a market for practically everything. I'd offer that the market for McCartney's stuff is a little larger, though I recognise that doesn't in itself mean anything.

a LOT larger! Not bad considering he holds it the wrong way round.


ETA... it's not what Jaco plays that is so interesting (or was to me at the time), it's the fingering he used. Completely re-wrote the book. (11 mins on) I've used it ever since - as have most I know (No oooh matron! regarding fingering jokes please).

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 3rd May 17:15