Should I take up bass?

[kodacolor]

Hi!  I'm a guitar player and I'm thinking of learning bass while still learning guitar.  I'm not sure how great of an idea that is, though.

I'm thinking about taking up the bass guitar because (1) I've tried it and I like it (2) it seems like this gospel group I'm in needs a bassist more than a guitarist. Here's my little pros and cons list

Pros:
 - Some things that I do playing the guitar will translate over to the bass

 - The group will have a bassist

 - I won't be expected to come up with phat solos and riffs all the time to every song

Cons:
 - When I get my summer job (God willing) and school starts in September where will I find the time to practice two instruments, study the Bible, and do ministry work, and homework?

 - Everyone is at least proficient at their instrument and have been playing for years so perhaps starting a new instrument will hinder the group's growth

 - I'm not sure when I'll be able to afford a bass.  I could always get the starter pack, but is the starter pack even good or would I be better off buying a bass and amp separately?

Thank you for your help

[cordney]

If you feel you can do both w/o hindering the other...go for it. IMHO, it's not something I would do. 

[jonesl78]

I think you should do it. Its a relative instrument and I think learning other instruments helps you to become a better band member. Even if you only practice 15 minutes a day I think that it is worth it.

[Bullitt]

It's never a "bad" thing to have a better understanding of different instruments! Since you seem a little cautious about swapping out the guitar for the benefit of having a bass in the group, I would suggest having a talk with them to see what they think also.

Obviously pray first but talking with your bandmates could also help with pointing you in the right direction.


-J

[floaded27]

since ur a guitarist, you should have a good chord foundation and understanding of the movement of the music, so already you have a leg up. since its from guitar to bass (not like guitar to sax or something) your technique is almost there. just probably got to get that stretch in your fingers and get used to the different string size and spacing.

i doubt its as much work going to bass as it would be for someone just starting out from scratch. just have to listen to the bass more and think like a bassist and not a guitarist (sometimes u can combine it). But ur already ahead of the game.

I think your main obstacle may be getting equipment, but you may be able to find stuff used and really great prices.

the suggestions of praying then talking to your bandmates, is a great first step (maybe one can help secure equipment for you to use.)

[mjl422]

I'm thinking about taking up the bass guitar because (1) I've tried it and I like it

That was as far as I had to read.  If you like it, go for it. 

[Torch7]

Go for It...

Concerning the starter pack, I would say it depends on which starter pack you are refering to.  My God Son, has a bass from a starter pack, and its not a very good one.

[ssabass]

Some of the best bass players I've ever heard, were guitar players first. 

[malthumb]

Hi!  I'm a guitar player and I'm thinking of learning bass while still learning guitar.  I'm not sure how great of an idea that is, though.

I'm thinking about taking up the bass guitar because (1) I've tried it and I like it (2) it seems like this gospel group I'm in needs a bassist more than a guitarist. Here's my little pros and cons list

Pros:
 - Some things that I do playing the guitar will translate over to the bass

 - The group will have a bassist

 - I won't be expected to come up with phat solos and riffs all the time to every song

Cons:
 - When I get my summer job (God willing) and school starts in September where will I find the time to practice two instruments, study the Bible, and do ministry work, and homework?

There!  Problem solved! As if you weren't already looking for excuses to ditch homework

- Everyone is at least proficient at their instrument and have been playing for years so perhaps starting a new instrument will hinder the group's growth

 - I'm not sure when I'll be able to afford a bass.  I could always get the starter pack, but is the starter pack even good or would I be better off buying a bass and amp separately?

Thank you for your help

If you were in Detroit, I'd loan you a bass.  Since you're not, I'd suggest this http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb573ts.html all day everyday over any starter pack that I've seen.



Peace,

James

[kodacolor]

There!  Problem solved! As if you weren't already looking for excuses to ditch homework

If you were in Detroit, I'd loan you a bass.  Since you're not, I'd suggest this http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb573ts.html all day everyday over any starter pack that I've seen.



Peace,

James

Thanks!  Lol @ the small print.

BTW:  Since we don't have a bassist as of yet our pianist plays bass lines on one of his boards.  He has a "slap bass" patch that he uses a lot.  I heard that in order for a bass guitarist to do the slap bass technique the action on the bass has to be low.  Is that true?

[malthumb]

...
BTW:  Since we don't have a bassist as of yet our pianist plays bass lines on one of his boards.  He has a "slap bass" patch that he uses a lot.  I heard that in order for a bass guitarist to do the slap bass technique the action on the bass has to be low.  Is that true?

Pretty much.  There are people that can make it work with high action, but it requires a lot more force.  You will get tired.  Thing with low action, though, is it makes the bass VERY sensitive to technique.  You get sloppy, it'll tell on you.

[dhagler]

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

[csharp57]

BTW:  Since we don't have a bassist as of yet our pianist plays bass lines on one of his boards.  He has a "slap bass" patch that he uses a lot.  I heard that in order for a bass guitarist to do the slap bass technique the action on the bass has to be low.  Is that true?
[/quote]

The action on my Marcus Miller 5 isn't low at all.... And I can slap until the cows come home. (whatever that means.  LOL!!!)

[Mysteryman]

If I could go back I would have gotten a 5 string as a first bass. 

[kodacolor]

If I could go back I would have gotten a 5 string as a first bass. 

Why?

The bassist at my church has a 5 string bass.  I can play it, but it's too big for me.  He has a Mexican Jazz  bass or something like that. 

[Christlike1984]

What about a fender J Bass start-up kit?  Those seem like they would we pretty good.

[Mysteryman]

Why?

The bassist at my church has a 5 string bass.  I can play it, but it's too big for me.  He has a Mexican Jazz  bass or something like that. 

Well, I havent kept up with the bass but I have a 4 string and a 6. I wish I had just bought the 5 as either a passive bass or and active/passive 5. If you find you like the bass and l keep playing at some point you will want that low string. Unless you tune your 4 down. Looking at that sweet tea in my avatar is making me thristy.

[kodacolor]

Well, I havent kept up with the bass but I have a 4 string and a 6. I wish I had just bought the 5 as either a passive bass or and active/passive 5. If you find you like the bass and l keep playing at some point you will want that low string. Unless you tune your 4 down. Looking at that sweet tea in my avatar is making me thristy.

Hmm.  That's something to think about.  I heard some basses have batteries in them.  What's that all about?  (They probably have electric guitars with batteries in them too, but I haven't heard of them.)

[dhagler]

Hmm.  That's something to think about.  I heard some basses have batteries in them.  What's that all about?  (They probably have electric guitars with batteries in them too, but I haven't heard of them.)

Basses with active electronics allow you to adjust your tonal (highs, mids, lows) settings using the knobs on the bass; such basses require batteries. Basses with passive electronics only allow you to vary the volume of the pickups and perhaps the balance between the pickups; these basses do not require batteries.

If you choose a bass with active electronics, be careful not to leave your cable plugged in: it causes the batteries to drain more quickly.

[malthumb]

Why 5-String instead of 4-String?

• 4-string is typically tuned EADG (thick string to thin) string
• 5-string is typically tuned BEADG
• A lot of songs in churches are played in Eb, Db and sometimes Ab or Bb
• Songs in Eb or Db would have to be played in a higher register on a 4-string OR the 4-string would need to be tuned down.
  

Personally, I've never tuned down. I rely too much on muscle memory when I play and would totally forget that the open E is actually an open D. 5-string is the way to go for me.

Active v Passive

• Passive basses do not require a battery
• Passive basses will allow you to manage balance between pickups (if more than one pickup
• Passive basses allow you to adjust volume
• Passive basses allow you to adjust tone by reducing bass and/or reducing treble [depends on the bass]
• Passive basses DO NOT allow for boosting either treble or bass
• Active basses require a battery, (9V circuit] or 2 (18V circuit)
• Active basses allow for boost or cut of Treble and Bass (2-band EQ) and sometimes Mids (3-band EQ) or even Lo-mids and Hi-mids (4-band EQ) depending on the bass
  

Passive basses can be supplemented by off-board EQ using either a separate EQ (floor box or rackmount) or Direct Input (DI box) like a SansAmp BDDI, or BassBone or other box or rackmount unit. These can be purchased for anywhere from $80 used to $300+ depending on brand and features. I used to use a SansAmpBDDI and can highly recommend that as a DI box / tone shaping EQ. I now use a BassBone because it allows you to easily switch between 2 basses, with separate EQ settings for each. The BassBone is only slightly larger than the SansAmp. The pictures below make the difference look huge.





Hope that helped!

Peace,

James