I dont even know what i dont even know...where to start

[mcompton1973]

ok, first a quick intro.
I am 33, years ago(about 10 or 11) I played rythem guitar with a small local country band in NC while I was in the Marines. We had a great lead, who covered up how poor I was. But I could sing, that is why they kept me around I think. Our Bass quit, and I tried it for a month. Just long enough to realize that I could really enjoy it if I could get my fingers to not tire, and I could get a better idea of what I was doing. Then a double whammy of a transfer, and a divorce left me with no bass, no guitar, and no time to sing.

Today, I have a cheep acoustic that I play once in a while. I sing a little here and there, but my voice is no where near what it used to be...but I really want to be part of a band again. Seems to me that no one wants to play bass, or at least around here no one wants to be good at bass, and so since I enjoyed it before I have been thinking really hard about getting myself another one, and trying again.

so the question...where should I start? from a $$ stand point I am thinking of getting a soundgear or peavey...both would be near entry level...and a small combo practice amp. I realize that I will have to upgrade before long, but money is a bigger dictator than much else right now.

I can read music, well, I could 20 years ago when I played violin...I can still now, just slower.

so do I start like my 10 year old is starting guitar, learning basic notes, and playing mary had a little lamb. or do I just start practicing off of tabs etc etc etc?

I want to play with local bar country bands etc once I get going.

I would just like some advice on how to procede from here. Thanks.

[lomo]

My 02.
1) Buy used gear-put most of your budget into the instrument. If you have enough scratch, opt for a head and 112 cab to start. Make the head the priority-the goal being to get 300 watts. If there's not enough $$ for all this, get a small combo (GK have a great volume and tone to price ratio).

2)The hard part with being on a tight budget is that finding a good teacher will push you farther faster than all else, but will eat cash :-( If you can't get lessons, get a beginner book and start with scales, arpeggios and harmonic theory.

My preferences for inexpensive basses are Spector and MTD Kingston, but if you want to play mainly country, a Mexican Fender may be the ticket.

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by mcompton1973

ok, first a quick intro.
I am 33, years ago(about 10 or 11) I played rythem guitar with a small local country band in NC while I was in the Marines. We had a great lead, who covered up how poor I was. But I could sing, that is why they kept me around I think. Our Bass quit, and I tried it for a month. Just long enough to realize that I could really enjoy it if I could get my fingers to not tire, and I could get a better idea of what I was doing. Then a double whammy of a transfer, and a divorce left me with no bass, no guitar, and no time to sing.

Today, I have a cheep acoustic that I play once in a while. I sing a little here and there, but my voice is no where near what it used to be...but I really want to be part of a band again. Seems to me that no one wants to play bass, or at least around here no one wants to be good at bass, and so since I enjoyed it before I have been thinking really hard about getting myself another one, and trying again.

so the question...where should I start? from a $$ stand point I am thinking of getting a soundgear or peavey...both would be near entry level...and a small combo practice amp. I realize that I will have to upgrade before long, but money is a bigger dictator than much else right now.

I can read music, well, I could 20 years ago when I played violin...I can still now, just slower.

so do I start like my 10 year old is starting guitar, learning basic notes, and playing mary had a little lamb. or do I just start practicing off of tabs etc etc etc?

I want to play with local bar country bands etc once I get going.

I would just like some advice on how to procede from here. Thanks.

Get an good instruction book, like Hal Leonard - he has three volumes, take a look at Vol 1 and if your reading is past that, try Vol 2, but I expect you could take a lot away from Vol 1 - even people who have been playing for a while can.

Then, get some headphones, plug them into your stereo (or MP3 player) and along with your bass and amp start trying to figure out your favorite songs.

You need to develop your ear, and trust me, from experience - TAB is a filthy habit that you don't want to get hooked on. It's like smoking or heroin, you'll eventually want to quit and may not be able to. Figuring songs out by ear is the "best" way - not the easiest though.

Then - find a guitar player who knows a lot of songs - any style, just so he knows a lot of songs (to play as well as sing). You will learn a lot from playing with someone else, and he will or should enjoy having a bass player to add colour to his playing.

And yes - buy used equipment! Try ebay or Kijiji or craigslist. For basses, there are a lot of cheap but decent used basses available for $200. For an amp - I think you're looking for a 50-75 watt combo, at this point anything that moves is fine. Eventually, yes - you will want more power, and in this case, don't go for a big combo, get a head and a cabinet and then you'll really feel the earth shake.

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by BillMason

Then, get some headphones, plug them into your stereo (or MP3 player) and along with your bass and amp start trying to figure out your favorite songs.

I should also say you will need a tuner, and a metronome wouldn't hurt. Also, add a drummer after you learn some songs.

[K9Jay79]

Originally Posted by mcompton1973

so the question...where should I start? from a $$ stand point I am thinking of getting a soundgear or peavey...both would be near entry level

I started playing bass just recently. I have played guitar a little in the past. I bought an Ibanez Soundgear SR-505 for my first bass. I have been extremely happy with it. The feedback I got from everyone about it is that it can play just about any sound you want. It comes with Bartolini pickups as well, which I heard a lot of good about. The 4 string is $549 and the 5 string is $579. Personally, I couldn't be happier for the money.

[mcompton1973]

I will start looking at some pawn shops around. Omaha, NE has a pretty good music sceene but other than Pawn shops I dont know where else I would find a used Bass. I may have to ask you guys if something is a good deal or not.

I went to a music store over lunch. I have the Bass for Dummies book. The Hal Leonard has all 3 volumes in one book for 22.00 I did not buy it, but I will get that soon as well.

I am a commissioned Mortgage guy, so at times I have plenty of money for lessons, other times things are pretty slim. I will try to find a good Bass instructor around here as well.

[jsbass]

Originally Posted by lomo

but if you want to play mainly country, a Mexican Fender may be the ticket.

I beg to differ. Fender only for country?