Beginning Bass

[dales69]

Since I'm a keyboard player between bands at the moment, I'm thinking about trying to learn to play bass.
Not knowing how far I'll pursue this, I'm looking for a fairly inexpensive one. If I end up putting it down after a month or two, it can always be used as a backup in the practice studio.
I know a lot about keyboards, but nothing about basses.
As I was looking around, I ran across this one - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/pea ... -quilt-top.
Can any of the bass players on here tell me if this bass looks like it would be any good? It has a lot of reviews - mostly positive. Any info, or suggestions, would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dale

[doncolga]

I can't directly answer your question, but I'm a keyboard player and had considered that too. I haven't done it but instead I figured it would be most practical to focus on playing left hand bass sounds, right hand keys, vocals, then add a good drummer...that's a small, sweet duo. As I'm sure you know, keyboards can do a fantastic job with bass, especially if the keys player thinks like a bass player.

[AntonZ]

There is a lot of difference in personal taste for designs, but more importantly different neck shapes/sizes and general ergonomics in bass guitars. Long scale (34" 35") short scale (32"), 4 string or 5 string, slim necks (Fender jazz springs to mind) or rather the thick and sturdy models like Spector/Warwick (think baseball bat) and everything in between. There is no one size fits all, no way for us to tell what kind of neck your hands would feel comfortable with.

Times are hard for selling so you'd loose quite a bit on a new instrument when you decide to sell a few months down the road. Therefore, if you want to try your hand at bass playing, I suggest you buy used or even better see if you can borrow an instrument from a local bass player for a little while. That would allow you to get your feet wet without too much of a financial loss.

Once you've played for a few months, you will know wether you would like to pursue this instrument. And you will know what fits your hands, what you prefer in terms of feel and sound. Then you can make a much better decision.

Used instruments by brands like Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier are readily available at good prices and tend to keep their value. Try as many different models as you can before spending money.

[Harley]

I'd be going to the music store and trying as many basses as I could. Just don't let yourself get talked into the first bass the salesman shows you. Get a feel a feel for the neck and how the whole bass fits you.

The trick is to play the basses unplugged and listen for good tone. By the time you've done that to 10 basses, you'll start to get an idea

That Peavey Millenium would not be my choice really, neither would be the cheap Warwicks. I'd be looking for second hand Ibanez's or Yamaha's. Even some of the Korean Corts are nice. Another choice would the G&L Tribute ( Korean ) which has an awesome passive tone. These are all good bang for buck.

Squires may be also considered but I don't rate them as good as the ones aforementioned.

Just my $0.02

Free lessons on the net abound, Scottbass, D Marlowe, Brian Wolf...

[dales69]

Thanks for all the info.
I'm in the very beginning stage of looking for something. I will be looking at used. The Peavey that I saw just looked like it might be pretty good, and I thought I would get some honest opinions from this forum.
Last night I talked to my old lead player and he suggests starting with a 4 string instead of a 5 string (we play classic rock).
I have an old Randall tube bass amp with the cabinet falling apart. I could take the guts and build a J112 airhead for a practice amp.
If things do get serious, I've got a DR250 and T39 that would probably make a great setup.
Again, thanks for the info.

Dale

[AntonZ]

Last night I talked to my old lead player and he suggests starting with a 4 string instead of a 5 string (we play classic rock).

If you ever intend to play 5 string, might as well start with it right away. I've been playing 4 string for almost 20 years before picking up a 5 string. That is quite a few years ago now, and I still don't know what I'm actually playing on the 5 str. If one of the guys in the band asks what key I'm in, I have to stop playing, start counting and thinking. Sounds stupid, but I never got the orientation on the 5str that I had on the 4str. Should have started on 5, then it would never have been a problem. Then again, maybe it's just me and my retarded brain

[Gregory East]

Yes, getting a handle on 5 string is painful after learning on 4 string.

Plus you have T39, might as well make use of it! I love 5 string with BFM sub + DR250.

As far as used basses go, not a big fan unless I can play it first. Harley was dead right, a bass that has tone unplugged sounds extra nice amped up.

[Doug Hart]

Peavey makes some great basses, but you have to know what to look for.
The Millenium BXP and the Cirrus BXP both play really well, but the electronics are junk (compared to the USA models).
If you can find a Millenium or Cirrus USA model used (they don't make them anymore) they are some of the best sounding basses I've ever played. However, you're still gonna spend about $700 - $1000 on a used one. If you want to stay in the lower price range, the Peavey Grind is a really decent bass. It only comes in the BXP model, they didn't make a USA model. It has passive electronics and sounds quite good, plays great too. As with any bass tho, play all of them before you buy one, they will all play a bit different.
Otherwise, can't hardly go wrong with Ibanez. Their SG models play great and are inexpensive on the low end of the line.

4 or 5 string? I will echo what others have said and suggest that you start on a 5.
If you learn on a 4 like most of us did, you will always have to transpose that B string in your head while playing, it won't come natural.
My 13 year old son started learning bass this year and I started him on a 5. He picked it up really quickly.

One more thing about the 5 string. Most people initially think "I can play lower on a 5 string". While that is true, it's not the main advantage to me.
Bass is all about positions. Learn a scale in one key, and you can play it in any key just by moving up/down the neck.
The extra string gives you more options for positioning.
One example, playing in Eb. With a 4 string, you gotta go up an octave. With a 5, your root note is "B" string, 4th fret.
Even playing in key of E. Tone is much better on the "B" string, 5th fret than on the "E" string open.

Anyway, good luck. I play about 10 different instruments, several of them professionally for many years.
I get the most joy out of playing bass. I love it.

[BrentEvans]

I have heard lots of good things about the gear at www.rondomusic.com . It's been a while since I've looked through it, but they get rave reviews.

[Tom Smit]

I have heard lots of good things about the gear at http://www.rondomusic.com . It's been a while since I've looked through it, but they get rave reviews.

That's the one I was trying to remember! so that I could pass it on.

[Tom Smit]

One example, playing in Eb. With a 4 string, you gotta go up an octave.

That's why I play with a dropped D on my 4 string....but it's a challenge at certain times.

With a 5, your root note is "B" string, 4th fret.
Even playing in key of E. Tone is much better on the "B" string, 5th fret than on the "E" string open..

5th fret, isn't it?

[Harley]

I have heard lots of good things about the gear at http://www.rondomusic.com . It's been a while since I've looked through it, but they get rave reviews.

I have a Rondo Bass ( SX ) here by my computer. Sounds OK ( after I shielded the electronics ) but the neck started going haywire after 10 mths and overall I wasted my money. I wouldn't recommend them based on my experience and comments made by some others - however there are those who have raved about them. They are el cheapo chinese knock-offs, you take a risk.

I still reckon a good second hand Ibanez SDGR will be the best bang for the buck.

I agree with Doug about the Peavey Cirrus comments he made above too - I tried a lot of these basses when I was in the USA in 2007 and the MIA ones were certainly the pick...and much more expensive.

[wounded horse]

You will never go wrong with any stringed instrument made by Yamaha. Made properly, good necks, a good, low cost way to get a bass.

And start with a five string. So much more in the way of positional options, it's not about the low B. Why do it twice?

[wounded horse]

One of these for example

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-VINTAG ... 58944c3349

You should be able to grab one of these or similar for not a lot of cash and they're great to start on and as a back up

[Doug Hart]

5th fret, isn't it?

5th fret, "B" string is E, 4th fret is Eb