Newb to Bass...where to start

kln_bc · #1 08-24-2011, 09:05 PM

Hey everyone! Ive been playing guitar for awhile now, and recently Ive been wanting to get into Bass. I made a deal and traded for a bass guitar...so what now

?

I was thinking I would go the Hal Leonard rout and pick up a few books to start with. I imagine they are pretty good?

And I need an amp...and I know squat about 'em (bass amps that is). Im looking for something decent that will get me by for awhile. I wont be playing any big gigs with it or anything, at least not for quite awhile...maybe a few jams, mostly with guitar players for now. Ive been looking a bit, and the GK MB115 combo seems to be a good seller...would that be a good place to start? Or maybe I should get a used budget head and a good cab (with the intent of upgrading the head later if I dig the bass).

I also have a couple guitar cabs kicking around...I guess I couldn't just swap in some bass 12's and use those? That would save me some coin..

Any advice would be appreciated.

streetknight · #2 08-24-2011, 09:12 PM

Check out studybass.com lots of good info there to get you going. The GK you posted should be ok or maybe an Acoustic B100....I prefer to shop used if I can, lots of deals here in the classifieds and Craigslist.....good luck and Welcome

Mirios · #3 08-24-2011, 09:16 PM

Amazon.com: Hal Leonard Bass Method - Complete Edition: Books 1, 2 and 3 Bound Together in One Easy-to-Use Volume! (9780793563838): Ed Friedland: Books by Hal Leonard is good. Written by some dude named Ed Friedland. Whoever that is

. But joking aside he's a bass educator who has a great reputation.

Mirios · #4 08-24-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kln_bc

I also have a couple guitar cabs kicking around...I guess I couldn't just swap in some bass 12's and use those? That would save me some coin..

Any advice would be appreciated.

You're probably better off buying a used bass cabinet. Guitar cabs are not usually voiced to be bass cabinets even if you throw a bass speaker in them.

kln_bc · #5 08-24-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirios

You're probably better off buying a used bass cabinet. Guitar cabs are not usually voiced to be bass cabinets even if you throw a bass speaker in them.

I figured as much...what kind of cab is best? Seems the common ones are a single 15, 2x10, 2x12, and 4x10...what sort of sound difference is there? I know a single speaker never does it for me for guitar...

Tracebassplayer · #6 08-24-2011, 11:05 PM

Check the TB classifieds for both items. I've seen the books and dvd's in there as well as some great combo amps that would be good for a while.
Craig's list is another good source for cheaper than dirt deals on amps. I snatched a minty SWR 6x10 Goliath SR 1000 watt cab for 140.00!!!! a couple months ago...

Tracebassplayer · #7 08-24-2011, 11:07 PM

BTW... I used a SUNN 100 watt "concert lead amp" with a SUNN 4x10 cab (both for guitar) for 2 years with no problems.

in a 5 piece band.....

Definitely · #8 08-24-2011, 11:11 PM

I started with a fender rumble 350 combo and I love it, only jamming no gigging and it can definitely hold it's own with a guitar and drums and I don't have to crank it to do so and it's only $600 new! for jamming with just a guitar I'd say you need 200+ watts and with drums at least 300. after that I'm no help, good luck and I hope you love what you buy!

JimmyM · #9 08-25-2011, 12:28 AM

Don't agonize too much over what to get at this point. Find an amp you like the sound of and buy it. Even if you decide you need a bigger rig later on, you can always use a small combo that's easier to lug around for practices and quieter gigs. What's most important right now is practicing. And if you get any books with tab in them, ignore it and read the notes

DBH_Bass · #10 08-25-2011, 12:35 AM

I started on guitar as well. The jump was fairly easy at first until I decided I wanted to focus full time on bass then it got a bit tricky.

when I got into bass I first used a Crate practice bass amp. I think it was a 10 inch speaker at 15-25 watts

really small but it served it's purpose.

always practice too. I learned to play a few of my favorite songs on bass. it'll help you kinda see how to really play bass and not just double the guitar parts.

kln_bc · #11 08-25-2011, 09:46 AM

All great advice. Im gonna go ahead and pick up the Bass Method to start with.

As for an amp, I dont really want to go the used rout. I really have no clue when it comes to bass amps, and if buying used I like to put an amp through the paces...maybe down the road if Im looking at a high end rig, but for now, I dont know what to look for.

So, weve established that I will be buying new...now would it be better to pick up a cheap combo such as the one I suggested, or should I invest a bit more so it lasts longer. Im thinking maybe something along the lines of the GK Neo 2x10, or maybe the SWR Goliath 2x10 (they are on sale here) with a basic head like the MB200 or something to start with...or maybe I dont need those cabs, maybe a cheaper MBX cab? Or maybe I should get a bit better head? I really dont know the difference.

Obviously, lower cost is preferred, but I also dont want to be upgrading 6 months down the road.

Definitely · #12 08-25-2011, 08:13 PM

like I said, fender rumble 350 combo is great quality, only $600, great for home practice and jamming I don't know about gigging, 2x15 speakers w/ horn, optional overdrive can use footswitch, and cd input headphone output and effects loop.

Ezmar · #13 08-25-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Don't agonize too much over what to get at this point. Find an amp you like the sound of and buy it. Even if you decide you need a bigger rig later on, you can always use a small combo that's easier to lug around for practices and quieter gigs. What's most important right now is practicing. And if you get any books with tab in them, ignore it and read the notes

+1, Jimmy's the man.

I know all about agonizing too much. It's my trademark. I just got a new rig, and I finally came to the conclusion that I just didn't have enough money to care too much about what I got. I'm convinced that differences in sounds of different amps become more apparent the more money you have.

I'd just get any 1x15 combo or 2x12 if you really want to, 1x15 is cheaper almost always, and try different brands out and see what's best for you.

Depending on how serious you are, you might want to pick up a modest head and cab rig. I'd ask somebody else about that, though, because I've only ever gotten one. :P

DBH_Bass · #14 08-25-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kln_bc

All great advice. Im gonna go ahead and pick up the Bass Method to start with.

As for an amp, I dont really want to go the used rout. I really have no clue when it comes to bass amps, and if buying used I like to put an amp through the paces...maybe down the road if Im looking at a high end rig, but for now, I dont know what to look for.

So, weve established that I will be buying new...now would it be better to pick up a cheap combo such as the one I suggested, or should I invest a bit more so it lasts longer. Im thinking maybe something along the lines of the GK Neo 2x10, or maybe the SWR Goliath 2x10 (they are on sale here) with a basic head like the MB200 or something to start with...or maybe I dont need those cabs, maybe a cheaper MBX cab? Or maybe I should get a bit better head? I really dont know the difference.

Obviously, lower cost is preferred, but I also dont want to be upgrading 6 months down the road.

I use a GK MB210 I picked mine up new for 479 and tax. You can get a GK MB115 for less but be warned there is only an extension out on the 210 combo.

both sound pretty awesome however

kln_bc · #15 08-25-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBH_Bass

I use a GK MB210 I picked mine up new for 479 and tax. You can get a GK MB115 for less but be warned there is only an extension out on the 210 combo.

both sound pretty awesome however

Ya I noticed that...I ordered in a 210 instead to try out because of that. Glad to hear you like it...Im pretty excited to try it out.

479 is a damn good deal...

Agraceiii · #16 08-25-2011, 09:44 PM

Rumble 350. All the way. And I love that it has wheels.

kln_bc · #17 08-25-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agraceiii

Rumble 350. All the way. And I love that it has wheels.

It doesnt have an out to add another cab though does it? Id think the GK mb210 might be better in the long run

DBH_Bass · #18 08-25-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kln_bc

Ya I noticed that...I ordered in a 210 instead to try out because of that. Glad to hear you like it...Im pretty excited to try it out.

479 is a damn good deal...

it really was. and you can always add wheels to it if lugging it around is an issue but it's light as hell. I'm only adding wheels to my ext when I get it and stacking the 210 on top.

kln_bc · #19 08-25-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBH_Bass

it really was. and you can always add wheels to it if lugging it around is an issue but it's light as hell. I'm only adding wheels to my ext when I get it and stacking the 210 on top.

Ya, I cant believe how light it is....it doesn't feel cheaply constructed does it? Sure will be different from my 80lb AC30.

DBH_Bass · #20 08-25-2011, 10:21 PM

it doesn't feel cheap to me. it seems like it can take a hit on occasion.

I know what you mean about tube amps too man. I had a Blackheart HD112 Combo. Small thing weighed nearly as much as my MB does. Thing was insane. My old Marshall JCM 2000 head was pretty heavy too.