starting bass question

cowcowman0 · #1 03-20-2007, 08:49 PM

Hi im really new to bass but not guitar really. I've been playing for half a year now but I decided i really want to get into bass, but my parents dont trust me that i'll go through with it so i was wondering if practicing w/ my accoustic would work? Like jus use da first 4 strings

Depth_Charge · #2 03-20-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowcowman0

Hi im really new to bass but not guitar really. I've been playing for half a year now but I decided i really want to get into bass, but my parents dont trust me that i'll go through with it so i was wondering if practicing w/ my accoustic would work? Like jus use da first 4 strings

I don't know, maybe maybe not. But if I really wanted to play bass, I'd get me a bass.

Tin-Foot Paul · #3 03-20-2007, 10:30 PM

You should get a cheap bass. You could mess around with some general bass lines playing the 4 lowest strings on an acoustic guitar but it wouldn't be anywhere close to playing an actual bass.

scottice · #4 03-20-2007, 10:34 PM

You don't have to spend a lot to get a good beginner bass. Do a search on these forums and you will find many people with Squier, TBC, Ibanez, Peavey, SX, Brice or a good Yamaha that paid way less than $500 and love them. If you check here often in the Classified threads you might even be able to pick up something used from a fellow TB'er that is a steal.

eedre · #5 03-20-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowcowman0

......so i was wondering if practicing w/ my accoustic would work? Like jus use da first 4 strings

No.

Bass. · #6 03-20-2007, 11:09 PM

man... you can find a bass at a pawn shop for 100 bucks easy. all you gotta do is talk them down haha tell them it's not worth what they're selling it for... or soemthing
be smart about it

i got me a 425 p bass waiting for me that i can get from them for 250

you can get a cheap bass just about anywhere for less than 200 bucks Ebay man ebay

cowcowman0 · #7 03-20-2007, 11:39 PM

aight koo tanks for da replies

JimmyM · #8 03-21-2007, 02:01 AM

I don't know. I tuned down an acoustic to attempt to play bass when I was a kid. I did it enough that my parents saw I was serious about bass and bought me a cheapo.

Linkert · #9 03-21-2007, 02:37 AM

I started with my acustic guitar. I played bass line on it for a year almost.

**WillPlay4Food** · #10 03-21-2007, 09:49 AM

Bootsy started with a down-tuned guitar strung with only 4 strings and we all know how he turned out.

cowcowman0 · #11 03-21-2007, 07:43 PM

sry if this seems like a stupid question, but i honestly dont know.

who is bootsy?

and also, how would i down tune it to be like bass?

**WillPlay4Food** · #12 03-21-2007, 08:42 PM

Bootsy Collins. Got his start with Soul Brotha #1 and moved on to work with George Clinton. They say a picture's worth a thousand words, so here you go:

MBARTRAM · #13 03-21-2007, 08:48 PM

Using just the 4 strings on the guitar isn't real enough.
the string size is different, the string spacing and overall feel would be all wrong.

You can pickup a starter bass pack from Ibanez or squire or others for under $200.

that would be the best way

Depth_Charge · #14 03-21-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillPlay4Food

Bootsy started with a down-tuned guitar strung with only 4 strings and we all know how he turned out.

Turned out he learnt uisng an actual bass was better and got one

**WillPlay4Food** · #15 03-22-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

Turned out he learnt uisng an actual bass was better and got one

Actually, James Brown saw him playing his 4 string tuned down guitar and saw the raw talent in Bootsy. It was Brown who bought Bootsy his first rig when he hired him for his band.

DJ-Jazzy-Jay · #16 03-22-2007, 08:54 AM

It could work, but it wont be like actually playing a bass. just get a cheap squier (guitarcenter.com) and take some lessons.