Very basic bass questions

[Toolll]

Hello, TalkBass.

Introductions, first. I am a short-time, self taught keyboard player. I have been playing on a rather old keyboard inherited by my grandfather for about a year now, teaching myself music theory through books and other sources of information. Learning from the keyboard was rather useful and helpful to learn the basics of music alone but I feel now that I want to move to the bass, as a long time instrument; I have been fond of the bass for a long time but little do I know about the actual instrument, so I need some help in some topics.

First, what should I look at and for when buying a beginner bass, so I can buy a decent instrument without having the fear of buying something that will not work with me? At which parts should I look at and what questions should I make? What are the qualities of a good bass for a beginner like me?

Also, where can I find a explanation of the anatomy of the bass as a whole, and the details of its parts? I feel like I need to know it piece by piece to feel comfortable while playing it.

And last and most important, what are the parts and care that I have to take with a bass, normally? What are the things that I will have to maintain and replace and how often will I have to? The financial side is rather important, for I would spend what I have to be able to keep a bass, but alas, I do not have much.

I thank any answer in advance, and apologize if these questions have alredy been asked and answered somewhere else in the forums. If so, please direct me to them for I did not found them while looking for answers. Any other help or tip for someone like me, especially regarding the very basics and studies for bass, would be more than welcome. Thank you for the attention.

[Staccato]

Welcome!

You'll find advice on various posts from well intentioned TB members recommending inexpensive models. You might consider spending a bit more to get better materials or craftmanship.

Spend an amount that will get you plenty of inherent value for the dollars spent. Also, consider that a reasonably priced 'used' instrument may hold (most of) its value (the price tag) as compared with new models that may loose as much as half their value-during the first six months of ownership. Please visit stores, and play both new and used models. Look at the posts that compare models that you've demo'd in stores. Keep in mind that salesmen move products, and some of those are less interested in whether a purchase is a good fit for you, and more interested in when their next break is...

[fu22ba55]

Howdy and welcome.

The obvious place to start is Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar

Then there's a fair amount of info in the FAQ and Newbie links:

NEWBIE LINKS--Updated--Please Read

But, to cut to the chase and oversimplify things...

"Squire" by Fender is an entry-level instrument.

Rondo Music (SX Basses) makes some quality inexpensive entry-level instruments

But if you can find something on your local Craigslist or a pawn show for $100 or less, you'll be able to quickly get a feel for the instrument.

Most inexpensive basses need to be adjusted (or "set up") by someone knowledgeable in order reach their full potential.

[BigOldHarry]

All the above I agree with...

When I was teaching, I'd tell parents to get their kid a CHEAP bass to start, then if he sticks with it, I'd help him pick something decent out. So get a teacher - he/she'll help quite a bit.

[Toolll]

I have been searching for the cheapest instruments in the local instrument shops, but I did not find any used instruments for sale where I live.

Also, what does adjusting or setting up a bass consists of?

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Toolll

I have been searching for the cheapest instruments in the local instrument shops, but I did not find any used instruments for sale where I live.

Also, what does adjusting or setting up a bass consists of?

A nice entry level bass is the Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe series. They come in Precision, Jazz & Jaguar models, and are very popular amongst TB'ers for around $300.
Setting up your bass consists of adjusting the action, or distance between strings & neck. Intonation, or the fine tuning of each string at the bridge so that the notes ring true on each fret.
A set up also includes a truss rod adjustment, adjusting pick- up height and possible neck pocket adjustments for optimal playability. Try as many brands / models in your price range and see what you like. Have fun!....

[MalcolmAmos]

A setup will normally cost $35 +/-. And with an inexpensive bass is money well spent. IMO that inexpensive bass is going to play better than you can for several years. Just go find what fits you and you will like being seen playing. You'll want to up grade in a couple of years anyway.

Other things you'll want:
Of course the amp. For the bedroom. 15 to 30 watts in the $200 to $300 area. For gigging 150 + watts.
A short and a long cable. $20 to $30 I like a short spiral cable, but, sometime you need a long one.
An electronic tuner $ 15 to $35
A guitar stand $15
A how to play book $20
A gig bag $35 not necessary till you start taking the bass out of your studio (bedroom) - can stay on the guitar stand while home.

Have fun and welcome to our World.

[rickl289]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

When I was teaching, I'd tell parents to get their kid a CHEAP bass to start, then if he sticks with it, I'd help him pick something decent out. So get a teacher - he/she'll help quite a bit.

This is what I did. I got a teacher and he helped me get an used Squier p-bass. And every few months, he will check the setup and see if it needs tweaking. I'm using the same bass three years later.

As a beginner player, it is nice to have someone to check setup and not just assuming high action, buzzing frets, ... are normal.

[Toolll]

I see testing the bass in before actually acquiring it is very important but to what extent must I know how to play it to know it is fits me or not? How well must I know to play before I actually play it? I remenber before laying a finger on the keyboard, I knew how to read and interpret sheets of piano but I do not know how far I have to know in the case of a bass.

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Toolll

I see testing the bass in before actually acquiring it is very important but to what extent must I know how to play it to know it is fits me or not? How well must I know to play before I actually play it? I remenber before laying a finger on the keyboard, I knew how to read and interpret sheets of piano but I do not know how far I have to know in the case of a bass.

When you find one that is appealing to your eyes, hands & wallet, you will know.
Experience is one thing, and you will gain that, but how a bass "feels" to someone is just as important. Everyone is different and have their own likes & dislikes as to instruments. You will know when you find it, even if it's an inexpensive model. You gotta start somewhere...

[MalcolmAmos]

Ditto - you will know. How does it fit? Can you reach everything? Is the neck too long, too short, in general are you comfortable wearing it. Mine is 24 frets I seldom go above 15. I should have bought a shorter neck - but I'm use to it NOW. I know you do not know if you want a 24 fret neck. Take a bass player with you, if you can, he/she will point out things like that. Try everything in your price range. Take an afternoon......

Have fun.

[KingRazor]

When it comes to picking a starter bass, you need to get your hands all over it. Is it too heavy? Too light? Does the construction feel solid? Is the neck comfortable to hold?

After that? Plug it in and see how it sounds. You don't need to know how to play it, just pluck the open strings. If it doesn't sound bad, it probably sounds good enough.

This is how I chose my first bass and now after going to a number of guitar shops trying a variety of basses I'm still very pleased with my choice for my first bass.

[mambo4]

-1 to "you'll just know"

Do none of you remember how awkward it felt to first play a bass?
The ability to judge playability, weight and balance, tone, and identify what 'feels' right for you requires some experience first.
I think you are rightly suspicious of your own ability to judge a bass on your own.
I doubt I would have known how to pick out a decent beginner bass from a total mess when I first started.

There is no substitute for experience here: If you can have a teacher or experienced player join you shopping, do that.
hopefully who is aware enough to consider what you may need and weigh it against the quality/price, and not simply express their own preference.

Barring that, a Squire or Rondo SX + paying for a setup is a safe bet.

[AMp'D.2play]

I agree with those who've said to try and get your hands on as many instruments as you can. As a beginner, you may not yet know what you like, but there's a good chance you'll know what you don't like. In my case, every Schecter I tried that was in my price range felt like it weighed a ton. Rightly (or wrongly) I may never look at a Schecter again based on my initial impressions.

At the time I was looking, I asked a friend who plays the bass to come along and help me out. Stay away from "cheap", i.e., department store crap. "Inexpensive", otoh, is a different matter. Many of the bass companies you've heard of offer an entry-level model(s). One of these, plus a good setup, and you're good to go.

Malcolm overstated the amp price range a bit IMO. A 20w acoustic B20 is a good practice amp and new goes for ~ $150. Maybe even less with any promotions/discounts.

+1 on a tuner, gig bag &/or stand, cable (obviously), and don't forget a strap. Instructional books - either provided by a teacher or bought on your own.

Looking back 40 years ago, I wish I had some guidance when I began playing the guitar. I was given a used electric, the action was so high I could barely fret a note, and a bar chord was impossible. It became so frustrating, I gave it up after a brief time. Would've been nice if my instructor at the time was able to identify the source of my difficulties and suggested a setup.

But then again, that would've meant I may have been a guitard for the past 40 years, so maybe there was a silver lining in there after all!

Good luck!

[hrodbert696]

I don't know where you are located, Toolll, but if you go to Craigslist chances are you'll find a number of people selling cheap used starter basses -- "got it for my kid to play, he lost interest blah blah blah." My advice for the first bass would be to get something cheap and standard -- four strings, 34" scale, and a cheap practice amp to match with probably 15 or 20 watts, plus your cable, tuner, and strap. Get an amp that lets you plug headphones in if you live somewhere that family or neighbors are going to complain about hearing you practice. If you're not having luck with craigslist, you can get what you need at http://www.rondomusic.com/ursa2rnbkpack.html for $140 plus shipping.

It should be basically playable out of the box, but it doesn't hurt to spend the extra $20 or $30 for setup. The only thing I can think of that a setup would do that a beginner would really notice is change the action (that's how high off the fretboard your strings are, basically) -- high action is more work for your fingers but makes for fewer buzzes and clacking of the strings on the frets, lower action is less muscle soreness in your fingers but more of those buzzes and clanks until you learn how to control them.

Your goal with this instrument is just to learn your way around the bass - how to move your right hand to pluck strings, how to fret with your left. You'll figure out what you want for feel and tone after you've picked up those basics. For instance, do you like a slim ("fast") neck that your fingers can reach around easier, or a broader neck that spaces the strings out more? P-bass or jazz bass tone? A nice heavy piece of wood on your shoulder or something lighter? Would you like to stay with a standard 34" scale length, or stretch out to 35", or go with a short-scale 30 or 32" length so you don't have to stretch your arm out so far? Stick with four strings or move on to five, six, or more strings? Active or passive electronics? Etc. etc. etc. Like Mambo says, you probably have no idea what the differences are at this stage, so just get something standard and basic and cheap to start, then as you learn more start hanging around music stores and trying out their stock until you fall in love with something. When you can afford it, you can then buy THAT instrument to really find your voice as a bass player and either keep your first bass as a backup or sell it on craigslist to some other beginner.

I'm surprised no one gave you the link yet, but www.studybass.com will tell you everything you need to get started, including the parts of the bass and how amplifiers work and all that tech stuff. There's no substitute for a live teacher, though.

Have fun!

Edit: you also asked about care and maintenance. There's really not a huge amount here to worry about. Get a decent cloth and a polish at your guitar store to keep it clean. It's a good idea to store your bass in a bag or case, but lots of guys hang theirs on the wall or put it on a stand without any problems. From time to time put new strings on it -- a new set will run you maybe $25. If you poke around the forums here, you'll find some guys who change strings every month, some who do it once a year, some who only buy new strings when the old ones break. Have the store redo the setup (that $20-30 service) when you change the strings, at least until you get confident doing it yourself. Beyond that, it's largely a matter of if something breaks and needs replacing, which depends on the part, but that's pretty random.

[ksandvik]

Get something from Rondomusic.com -- those are cheap and quite usable. Many bass players gig with SX basses.

[bassman1987]

One more piece of advice when playing different basses to see if they fit and feel good to you: play them both sitting down and standing up. I neglected to do this when I was a total beginner and looking for my first bass; I just played it sitting down at the store and it felt fine, but when I got it home and played it on a strap standing up for the first time, I discovered that it felt different (and I also learned the hard way about something we bass players call "neck dive").

Great advice from everyone else so far too, welcome to Talkbass and the low end of life!

[Chris K]

A very important warning. Like with all instruments, health issues come along with playing the bass:

http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html

Basses with neck dive are a health risk. A well-balanced bass will keep hanging in a 30-45 degree angle if you take off your hands.

+1 on the setup, light strings and low action to start with (I never got any further )

A good teacher will teach you proper technique to avoid RSI.

[Jpeachbass]

I wouldn't buy a cheap bass to start. If your instrument feels like crap and sounds like crap it will discourage you from practicing. I feel very strongly that any beginner should buy something middle of the road to start with. If you don't continue just sell it. If you take care of it you wont have a problem. And play a bunch of basses. Take a pro with you to test them out as well. Ive watched a lot of beginners quit because of the stick with and get a better one method.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by Jpeachbass

I wouldn't buy a cheap bass to start. If your instrument feels like crap and sounds like crap it will discourage you from practicing. I feel very strongly that any beginner should buy something middle of the road to start with. If you don't continue just sell it. If you take care of it you wont have a problem. And play a bunch of basses. Take a pro with you to test them out as well. Ive watched a lot of beginners quit because of the stick with and get a better one method.

Depends on what you mean exactly by cheap. There are plenty of "inexpensive" basses that are of very good quality, Squier, Ibanez, SX, etc. (I personally have had GREAT success with both my two Squiers and my SX) Again read up as many comments as you can here on TB and you'll have a better idea of what brands have a decent rep and what ones don't.
And, to reiterate, if you can find a teacher or some other knowledgable person who is willing to help you with a purchase, that is the way to go, especially if you try buying a used bass. (keeping in mnd they sometimes have their own biases) And don't necessarily listen to a salesman in a store who might try to steer you away from a particular instrument saying something like "You don't want that, that brand is crap. Here try this much more expensive bass, it's much better".
And yes, a setup is usually an absolute requirement with any new bass regardless of brand name or price.