What can I do to improve my bass?

jnevi9nr · #1 08-18-2009, 07:58 PM

Hello. I am a new bass player, been playing since...Saturday night. Never played any guitar before.

What can I do to enhance my new bass guitar and its sound?

I got a Fender Squier 4 string jazz bass guitar with active pick ups.

I also got a 20 watt Acoustic amp.

I am interested in playing music by the Dave Matthews Band.

Thanks for your feedback. Please be gentle ;-)

BigOldHarry · #2 08-18-2009, 08:05 PM

you have enough gear to learn. Spend *no* more money on equipment until a teacher or very experienced player tells you that your gear is preventing you from learning;

Make sure your bass is set up well - - This is something that is worth spending money on.

Don't expect that the little amp you have will do the trick in a band situation. Focus on practicing.

Get a good teacher. Again, money well invested.

Don't worry about "bands" or "Songs" - focus on playing. The bass bits you'll hear on Dave Matthews recordings are cool but doable - WITH PRACTICE. Learn how to play simple scales and it will come together soon... but nothing replaces long, hard practice and good instruction.

Don't forget the value of learning to read. Often times, the difference between a hobbyist and a professional is that one guy bothered to learn to sight read.

Don't get sucked into thinking you NEED NEW GEAR! So many young players think gear is all the difference; Most of us learned on beater basses (which is pretty much what you have) and there is *nothing wrong with that*. Learn to play, then spend your money. There's a saying I picked up on this forum that I like: Less Ebay, more Mel Bay. If you don't know what that means, google "Mel Bay" and all will be revealed.

Have fun and good luck!

Roadman · #3 08-18-2009, 08:10 PM

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but the truth is...the best way to improve your bass is to practice practice practice.

I guarantee if Stefan Lessard picked up your new bass and played it through your new amp, it would sound amazing.

jnevi9nr · #4 08-18-2009, 08:13 PM

thanks for the advice folks!

I have been doing scales and music theory every day for an hour and I will continue to do so. I also plan on getting a teacher. Ill keep you all updated on my progress. any other advice that experienced bass players like a lot of you folks here want to give, dont be shy!

depalm · #5 08-18-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Make sure your bass is set up well - - This is something that is worth spending money on.

+10

Pilgrim · #6 08-19-2009, 04:58 PM

Another vote to have your bass set up properly FIRST. This should assure that it will be kind to your hands and play as easily and smoothly as possible - all of which will make the practice experience more pleasant.

Sean S · #7 08-19-2009, 05:29 PM

You need a new $6,000 bass, $4,000 bass rig, and at least 17 effects pedals to get better.

(ok I kid, I kid)

RickenBoogie · #8 08-19-2009, 05:53 PM

I agree, have your bass professionaly set up right away, and have them install a new set of strings, too.. I doubt your Squire was set up when you bought it. It'll make a HUGE difference in how the bass feels to you, and make it easier to play. Then, keep practicing. An hour a day is alright, but 2-3 hours a day is better. Oh, and have fun.

jnevi9nr · #9 08-24-2009, 04:11 PM

where can I get this done (set up professionally) in the washington dc metro area?

RickenBoogie · #10 08-25-2009, 04:55 PM

Look online for a local luthier. Shouldn't be too difficult to find, and after it's set up, you will be amazed.

Im a sock · #11 08-25-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

where can I get this done (set up professionally) in the washington dc metro area?

You can also take it to a local Guitar Center (there's probably one close to you)

EDIT: By the way, hang on to that bass. It can grow with you as you get better. Pickups can be changed, electronics replaced, and on and on

Have fun with it!

Rocks · #12 08-25-2009, 10:31 PM

As already mentioned, a good setup, lessons and practice. One thing to keep in mind is when you practice takes breaks and give your hands a rest. You are going to use muscles in ways they are not used to, if you overdo it you can cause an injury that can takes weeks or months to heal. I overdid it one night and have had problems with my left thumb ever since. I still practice 2-3 hours a day but I take short breaks every few songs.

Greevus · #13 08-25-2009, 10:38 PM

Get some Black Sabbath records.

jnevi9nr · #14 10-27-2009, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I am now at the stage that I like to upgrade my bass for xmas:

Changes that I was considering are upgrading the bridge, nut, new strings, Bartolili pick ups.

I am also impressed with both the Warwick and Modulus Flea bass sounds so I hope that I can come closer to reaching one of those kinds of sound with my current bass. Or simply upgrading my bass to be comparable to a more expensive Fender bass.

millsbass5 · #15 10-27-2009, 11:02 AM

All the advice that everyone has posted is great advice.One more piece of advice:
Play music with other musicians as much as possible.There's no book out there that can teach you what jamming with other players can teach you.
And,have an OPEN mind for ALL TYPES of music.

This,too:

http://playbassnow.com/

jam.majors · #16 10-27-2009, 11:02 AM

No matter what, don't sell your first bass to fund the next. I did and miss it terribly!

I don't know exactly how much those upgrades will cost, but it may be worth it to just wait and get a second bass.

Fight the G.A.S. for a little longer! You have a pretty decent bass, as is!

jnevi9nr · #17 10-27-2009, 11:13 AM

im trying to fight the urge to buy a warwick or modulus by upgrading my current bass.

ubrnostrum · #18 10-27-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im a sock

You can also take it to a local Guitar Center (there's probably one close to you)

EDIT: By the way, hang on to that bass. It can grow with you as you get better. Pickups can be changed, electronics replaced, and on and on

Have fun with it!

Do not, I repeat, do NOT bring it to a local Guitar Center. In general the sales folk over at GC are just that: Sales folk. Most don't know how to properly set up a bass or guitar. Occasionally you'll find a GC with an actual Tech in it, but they're few and far between. Bring it to a repair shop. It's what those guys do.

Try Wooden Wizard in Fairfax station. Larry's a pretty good guy and he'll get you gonig.

as far as upgrading your gear, don't worry about it yet. Most of your tone will come from your fingers. Work on that first and you'll sound great on anything. Also, keep this in mind:

"Perfect practice make perfect."

jnevi9nr · #19 10-27-2009, 12:32 PM

I think I found a place over in Arlington to get it properly set up.

I have been practicing an hour or more a day every day. I rather not get a second bass if I can just upgrade my first one a little at a time.

I kind of wanted comments on what kinds of things I could do to upgrade it.

BigOldHarry · #20 10-27-2009, 12:39 PM

No. Do NOT buy a bass. DO NOT. Do not get sucked into that trap. JUST PLAY. 99% of players started with much worse gear than you have now -- Focus on playing.

You do NOT need to "upgrade" you bass - you need to upgrade your playing! An hour a day is nice, but at your age (I'm thinking you're a teenager - - yes?) you have plenty of time. When I was 15, I was playing 4 to 6 hours a day (I was kinda fanatic about it). No, you don't need to do that, but an hour a day isn't exactly setting the world afire.

Please - if there's anything you learn from this list, make it that buying new gear will NOT make you a better player. That and always buy used gear (that's my personal crusade).

Have you got a teacher yet? Are you using a book? Are you learning any theory / reading?

THOSE are the questions you should be considering.