16 year old newbie with crappy squier

basskid1995 · #1 04-28-2011, 07:43 AM

Hi my names Alex,

I have been playing nearly a year.

My favourite bass players are Victor Wooten, Michael Manring, Flea, Andy C Saxton.

All I can afford at the moment is a crappy Squier which is really rubbish. I have been saving up for a while to buy something better.

I hope to become a session player in the UK but I do not know where to get contacts or agency information?

silvertone1481 · #2 04-29-2011, 06:33 PM

Squier Jazz Bass? The one at my school is crappy!

praisebass · #3 04-29-2011, 06:38 PM

Alex, be grateful you have a bass.

Practice smart and consistently and if you are any good, people will find YOU.

All the best!

Bubbamurvine · #4 04-30-2011, 12:56 AM

Yeah man be greatfull my first bass was a walmart bass talk about crapy and squier really ant all that bad

MaddnessAxon · #5 05-07-2011, 08:51 AM

Chin up, old man! One thing being poor taught me, play what you got, till it won't play no more.

dgravesweiner · #6 05-08-2011, 05:26 AM

yeah practice smart and with focus/purpose and don't lose sight of your goal and yeah you gotta buy some good basses but we all start somewhere and mine recently anyway was a Lotus. But now have a American Standard P-bass. Had a Charvel when I was your age. Talk about crappy, the strings were rusty and only had a volume pot. Good luck man

Lambic · #7 05-08-2011, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbamurvine

Yeah man be greatfull my first bass was a walmart bass talk about crapy and squier really ant all that bad

They're making some *really* good instruments nowadays at Squier, especially in the VM and CV series. Incientally, those are the priciest. Or should I say, least cheap?

Of course, it's a lot nicer to be able to start on, let's say, a MIA Standard or so, but if you become any good on your actual instrument, some day you'll be able to upgrade, and make a quantum leap in your playing just through switching to a better instrument. Having your actual instrument set up well can work wonders too, except if it has really nasty issues.

AshdownMad · #8 05-09-2011, 02:42 PM

Welcome. U gotta start sumwhere!

Heres the plan (for the squire when ur dun with it):
Throw it out ur top floor window, chop it up with a wood axe then pile the bits into a fireplace and burn her! best way 2 see her out... Its wot i did to my Encore!!!

Tracebassplayer · #9 05-10-2011, 03:54 AM

A good Bassist can take a cheap bass and still sound good.
A crappy Bassist can take an expensive bass and still sound like crap.....
Practice with what you have and be thankful you're not still playing an "Air Bass".

There is nothing wrong with having a Squier.

Tracebassplayer · #10 05-10-2011, 03:56 AM

Course, if you're playing a Squire ... we might look at you funny.....

SteveHeissner · #11 05-10-2011, 05:04 AM

Kid, you're headed in the right direction if you love to play. Play that Squier bass with pride. I can afford almost any bass I want, currently own 7 of them. One is a Squier VM Jazz I got as a "cheap backup". It is one helluva great bass and I gig with it all the time. You don't wanna play a $3,000 bass in some honky tonk bar full of drunks anyway.

uhdinator · #12 05-10-2011, 05:17 AM

I used to sell music gear and picked up a Squier p bass with seymor duncans that we had on the wall to try it out. I was really impressed. For around $200 range you can't beat it.

Have it adjusted so action and intonation are as good as you can get it and play.
When I was 16 there were very few options that were affordable.
(i learned on a $300 bass and tried a few others over the years. Sold them all and still playing the first one I ever bought)

4stringsolution · #13 05-15-2011, 08:21 AM

I learned to play on a crappy Cort bass. I played it until it fell apart (it actually started picking up radio signals and pushing them through my amp.) Used to tune it up three steps and set the action high to build hand strength. Anyway practice until your hands fail and do it again and again. Play play play! Also as a sometime session guy, what helped me was ear training. Play along to the radio, tv, movies, anything you. Hear. Studio players have to be able to play divergent styles on a moments notice at times. Never lose sight of your dreams.

Timmah · #14 05-19-2011, 12:19 PM

I find I respect players who make crap basses sound good more than I do those who produce a similar sound from a great bass. Keep rocking!

Gazebo · #15 05-19-2011, 03:17 PM

There are so many players out there who have the most fantastic equipment, but have no feel or passion. Don't be one of them!

Rebelmission84 · #16 05-21-2011, 07:25 PM

I think you're in the right direction. Find a local tech where you live and save up to have the bass setup. You can practice finger exercises without it even being plugged in to an amp.

wc401117 · #17 05-28-2011, 12:41 PM

hi all, i'm 58 been playing since they put strings with wood or 14 yrs., old, any way i play thru mt trace with 4-10s and 2-horns, i found for me you can make a 150. bass sound good or a trace, have fun and work at it and it'll come

Stumbo · #18 05-28-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basskid1995

All I can afford at the moment is a crappy Squier ....

Has the bass been setup? I suggest having a bass tech take a look and getting everything in line. Does wonders for playability/intonation.

I also suggest not worrying about equipment limiting you in any way. Music comes from within.

The best players can make any instrument sound "good".

Good luck.

Post some pics of your bass if you can. Remember the TB rule: No pics, no bass.