I want to learn bass - What kind of bass should I get??

[76_keYz]

Fellaz,

you guys are normally pretty good repsonding with good advice.  Here's the deal.  I'm a keyboard player for a church.  Only been playing a little over 2 years.  But for some reason lately, i've just had this REDICULAS urge to learn the bass.  This is crazy right?  I have no idea where the notes are on a bass or really anything else, but I honestly believe I can learn this thing.  I'm sure my keyboarding experience will help a little (i'm hoping). 

Aight, so the question is...  I'm thinking about driving to Guitar Center, and picking up a little $200 dollar bass guitar.  Are there any good 200 dollar bass guitars out there?  Should i go ahead and look at a higher price range, or would this be fine for what i want to do? (which is just fiddlin around the house).  Also,  if you more experienced bass players were starting out from the beginning again.... what bass would you buy?  How would you prepare yourself for learning this instrument.  What are some good sites or resources to better prepare me?

I'm pretty anxious about this.  I almost want to get up and go buy one right now, but I rather wait to see what some of you guys have to say. 

thanks,
lata

[Mysteryman]

I say get one of those cheap Rogue 5 strings if you dont know what you want to do. Just take care of it though. Then you can resell it later if you decide to get serious. I wish I had bought a 5 instead of a four. But I got a 6 so that doesnt matter some what. Both my basses were cheap. Ibanez gsr100 and a Douglas SB26. They are alright. I havent be practicing much because a Im a keys and organ player. I really think if you want to play bass you have to be doing it. I wouldnt mind if I could play bass for a church or group of musicians now and then.

[HammerRock]

Make sure to check whether it's tuned properly before you try it out. Then make sure it is set up correctly.

If you hear buzzing when you start fretting then it's not setup right. If the strings are too high off the fretboard and you have to push too hard it's not setup right. If there's a bow in the neck it's not setup right Setup is everything.

Try an expensive bass, like a Stingray or Warwick. If you get a bass that has close to the same kind of feel then that's good. Remember, above all, when learning you don't want an instrument you have to "fight" to learn how to use it.

[jeremyr]

Try an expensive bass, like a Stingray or Warwick. If you get a bass that has close to the same kind of feel then that's good. Remember, above all, when learning you don't want an instrument you have to "fight" to learn how to use it.

i agreed with everything up to this statement.

I agree with trying out as many basses as you like, but just because it's expensive doesn't mean that it'll have a better feel to it then a cheaper bass.  My old schecter (that's in my avatar) felt alot more comfortable to me then alot of those higher end basses.  My new btb feels even better and more comfortable to me then all those high ends bass'. 

The bottom line is get what feels comfortable to YOU.  It may be an el cheapo $50 bass taht you just feel more comfortable with.  You can always upgrade electronics, but the feel of the instrument isn't so easily interchangeable.

[Cherri]

Jeremyr said it...

[Torch7]

You've gotten alot of Good advice about what bass you should get.  You also asked where to start.  I suggest "Bass Guitar for Dummies" don't let the name throw you its a good book.
Teaches all you need to have a good foundation, with a play-along disc. 

Also http://www.cyberfretbass.com is a good site.
       http://www.activebass.com
       http://www.learngospelmusic.com/bass/ -- is an excellent place to ask questions.

[jeremyr]

I say get one of those cheap Rogue 5 strings if you dont know what you want to do. Just take care of it though.

That's what I started out on and it was supprisingly good.  I bought it without tring it out and it was a good starter bass. I think it could've been better if I ever had it setup.  The setup out of the box is pretty rough.  Not to mention that the b string is kind of floppy, but i'm sure with a setup that might be able to be cured.

The rogue is definately  good starter kit though.  I got the bass and the practice amp for like $150.  I still use the practice amp and as a matter of fact it's sitting underneath my desk here at work right now for whenever I want to work out during my lunch break.

[76_keYz]

humm... so most of you would buy a 5-string as a starter bass.  Thats interesting, because at a music store, the guy was saying that most players were buying 4-strings now.  I was actually alittle surprised when i saw Thaddius Tribbett (Victory Live DVD) with a 4-string bass.  I may need to do a lil more research...

[jeremyr]

humm... so most of you would buy a 5-string as a starter bass.  Thats interesting, because at a music store, the guy was saying that most players were buying 4-strings now.  I was actually alittle surprised when i saw Thaddius Tribbett (Victory Live DVD) with a 4-string bass.  I may need to do a lil more research...

he probably had it tuned B-E-A-D

I can't see how you can play now-a-days' gospel music without that low b string or one of those hipshot drop tuners they have. 

[Torch7]

The 5th string defianately opens things up, I got my 5 after I had been playing for months, and wished I would have had it much sooner.

[76_keYz]

appreciate the advice fellaz.  this definitely helps.

[malthumb]

I usually advice people who are new to bass and want to know what to buy as follows.....

Buy a USED Mexican made Fender Jazz Bass or Fender Precision Bass.  Why?  Fender Jazz and Precision basses are where it all started.  The Mexican made basses are close enough (ocassionally better) in quality to the more expensive models that professionals continue to use in great numbers to this day.  They can be had for approximately $200 - 300.

If it turns out you ABSOLUTELY HATE IT or do not want to go on with learning bass, you will have VERY LITTLE PROBLEM selling it and getting all your money back.  If it turns out you ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT and have to have the latest and greatest design and electronics, you will have VERY LITTLE PROBLEM selling it and getting all your money back to apply to the next bass on your gotta have list.

True, there are a lot of newer brands and products that will rival the Fender Jazz MIM or Fender Precision MIM in quality and sound, but ANY bass you buy NEW will depreciate in value IMMEDIATELY.

As far as 4 string v 5 string, normally I'd say flip a coin, or more accurately, just go with what feels right for you.  However, for someone who wants to play Contemporary Gospel, you may as well go ahead and start with a 5 string.  Try playing Fred Hammond's "I Want My Destiny" or Kurt Carr's "In The Sanctuary" without a low B.  It can be done, but the feel is completely different.  I do not doubt that Guitar Center sells more 4 stringers than 5 stringers, but keep in mind that they are selling to every genre of player.  I'm not certain that there is an overwhelming need for 5 strings in Bluegrass or Classic Rock.  But in Jazz and in Contemporary Gospel, there does tend to be.  Even in more Traditional Gospel, where a 4 string would be sufficient, you won't penalize yourself by going with a 5 string.  You simply provide yourself with more choices for fingering patterns on any given song. 

If you decide to start with 5 strings, then my "buy a used Fender" advice is null and void.  The used 5 string Fenders are more rare and more costly whether they are MIM (Made in Mexico), MIJ (Japan) and definitely MIA (America).  If you want a good starter 5 string for not a lot of money, look for USED Yamaha and Ibanez 5 strings.  Same rationale.  If you hate it, the used market is very well established on these and you should be able to get all your money back out of it.  When you are ready to trade up, you will likewise be able to sell it for what you paid and apply that to the next bass.

Peace,

James

[malthumb]

... I still use the practice amp and as a matter of fact it's sitting underneath my desk here at work right now for whenever I want to work out during my lunch break.

You lucky dog.  If I had gear in my office and tried to work out, I'd probably be asked to wear one of the long sleeved white jackets and follow the nice man to the pretty truck with the blinky lights.

There were times when leading up to important shows (both gospel and secular) I would go out to the parking lot on my lunch hour and sit on the back of whatever I was driving and practice with my Pandora playing through headphones.  You'd be amazed at how stupid, repetitive, and non-creative un-solicited comments can be.  I finally just started driving to a local park.

Peace,

James

[rebuked]

My personal view is buy the cheapest 4 string that can do the trick.  Then as you progress and improve, upgrade.  But work your way from the bottom.  Just like having a job, you just dont walk into the VP spot, you have to start entry.  Think of it as paying your dues.  True story:  When i first started playing, I had a cheap little 4 string with a 30 watt amp, but i wasnt any good so it didnt matter.  I would come play, and they would always make fun of my bass, and my stuff.  Then as i got better, i got a 50 watt amp, and they still made fun, because my church plays loud.  I wasnt playing for service at the time, i was just learning.  Then as i got better, I got a cheap 5 string, and they still made fun of me.  I didnt have a slap sound or anything, but I kept on practicing.  Then as time went on, i bought a pre amp and i would plug it into a mixer than into a PA sspeaker and play out of it.  Then I would play out of one of those homemade cabs which wasnt any good but it did the trick.  Then as time went on i got a head, and i would play my head out of the other bass players speaker.  Still practicing my slap technique but never got that sound.  Then eventually through my faithfulness the Lord blessed me with my own SWR Goliath III, and i still had no slap sound, but i had my own rig.  Then the Good Lord saw fit for someone to just give me an Ibanez SG405.  Now i finally had a killer slap sound.  THen as time went by, the Lord blessed me with an Eden head and i had a good sound going on.  THe lord blessed me with a very nice sound.  Then the Lord blessed me recently to be able to purchase my very own Ken Smith Black Tiger bass (still on order).  And imagine what kind of sound that is going to bring out.  The conclusion  of the story, wait on the Lord and pay your dues.  Scripture declares in Luke 16:10 "He that is FAITHFUL in that which is least is FAITHFUL also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."  Get small, and be faithful and the Lord will bless you with much.

[MikeGee]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-70s-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639


This might be one of the best kept secrects in the bass world. Did I just let it out.



This my become part of my stable very soon. I've been wanting a fretted Fender Jazz.