Hey janek, ive been botherin people on the site for a few weeks now with my story, i hope u can settle the dilemma for me!!

Im a 22 yr old, classically trained doublebass player form Belfast NI...ive recently left the orchestra i was playing in and so find myself lacking in the instrument department. The thing is tho, im also lacking in the funds to purchase a DB, so im looking in to bass guitars instead.

Im hoping for an "instrument for life" kindof scenario, so i buy this instrument, thats the one i learn on, and ill never need to change it. Price range is around £800-1000, and i need an instrument thats suitable for various styles...a good all-rounder.

Ive been looking at everything going recently, and ive whittled the contenders down to a musicman stingray or sterling, or a warwick corvette or FNA jazzman.

All i know about bass guitars is what ive picked up over the past few weeks, so any pearls of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. How did you start off, and whats ur weapon of choice?

If you're looking for a bass that's a keeper for life.....

first of all, I think you're going to want to buy more basses as your career moves on, so I wouldn't think about this as a be all and end all.

If you have 1000 pounds I would buy a fender bass.

Maybe an american made 5 string Jazz or P-bass.

If you want to be an all rounder you'll probably want a low B at some point. most R&B and pop music wil require that at some point. You also have the option to string E-C as I do, and use a hip shot on the E string for the extended low range.

For a grand you should get a really nice bass. Go to London and check out a bunch of instruments if you are finding it difficult in Belfast. My mum now lives in Banbridge, but I have yet to check out any music stores in the area around Belfast. You're bound to find something in London if you're having trouble. Alternately, you should look online at some shops in NYC and perhaps spend 200 pounds of your budget on a plane ticket and the rest of your budget on the bass. There are tones of nice american made fender basses right in the stores on 48th street.

Easy,

Janek

Yeah E-C is how a 5 string DB is strung!!

What draws you to fender? What do u most like about them? Unfortunately, as u said, ur not exactly spoilt for choice in belfast once u go over about 500 pounds, so i havent had the opportunity to try the american fenders. I think in the end ill have to order off the internet.

Btw, what is a hip shot? An active or passive bass? And banbridge is lovely!! Ur mums a wise lady!!haha!

Andrew

Fender is the most versatile bass I've come across in that price range. In fact I think it's the most versatile bass period. My opinion of course, but one that is shared by some of the greatest bass players of all time. Jaco, Marcus, Reggie Hamilton, Pino Palladion, Alex Al...... the list is endless.

Order one online, you really can't go wrong with it. Just be concious of messing around with the set up and action to get it right for you. I can barely play any bass out of the box, but give it 5 mins and a set up and it's all good. Find out what works for you with the action, string tension, string spacing, and string gague. Make sure you try all the options and see what works best for you before you get stuck into practicing.

Easy,

Janek

P.S. my sister lives in Newry/Warrenpoint which is pretty nice too. Right there on Carlingford loch

Thats amazing!! My friend has a wee holiday house on the "mountain" behind carlingford town...its pretty high up so u have a really gorgeous view the whole way out over the lough!! Have you ever thought about gettin a place here?

Just one more question janek, active or passive? And, any technique pointers?

Sorry. thats two...

Andrew

active. with a passive/active switch.

check out some of the other threads on practicing that are in my pro section. We've covered a lot of thechnique stuff on there today.

Easy,

Janek

Cheers Janek...you've been a huge help man!!

All the best

Andrew