At a crossroaads. Need advice.

Linus27 · #1 12-08-2007, 10:38 AM

Hi everyone, I am at at crossroads in my bass playing and I really do not know which direction to go in.

I have played electric bass for about 20 years and for about 5 years, profesionally in a band with a record deal playing guitar punk pop. I stopped playing for about 5 years and I am just starting up again because I think its a waste if I don't and to play for my own enjoyment.

However, the crossroads I am at is this. I have always wanted an electric upright double bass and I have been looking at getting an NS Wav 4. I love old swing jazz and pop music that has a jazz edge to it. However, I have no idea how to play this type of music and if I am honest, is not natural for me. I just enjoy listening to it from time to time. I don't understand jazz or techniques and despite willing to learn and put the time in, I don't know what I will get out of it and how well I will be at learning it and playing it. It's a kind of going into the unknown.

The problem is, my natural musical passion is energectic guitar music. Stuff like U2, The Killers, Paramore, Starsailor, Pearl Jam, Linkin Park etc. I hear this sort of music and it just egnites all the passion and energy in me and I just want to play this on my bass. Its very natural for me to play this style and I love playing it. I used to own a beautiful Musicman Stingray and I stupidly sold it which I regret everyday and I really want to buy another one.

I know I am not going to get to go profesional again and not even sure I will get into a band. I am 37 and so feel a bit old these days to get into a band so playing guitar punk pop is really going to be for my own ammusement at home. Just trying to be realistic about it.

I can only afford to buy one though and this is a big deciding factor as its one or the other only. Either the Electric Upright double or the Musicman. I am looking at the electric upright double bass as a challenge but is it a challenge worth taking. I would go for lessons I think so to try and achieve a goal. However, I don't have the same passion in playing jazz as I do for guitar punk pop but then I don't know as I have never played jazz or electric upright. I may love it to bits and fall in love with it. I could also do with a new electric bass so the Musicman would tick that box also.

So as you can see, a bit of a dilema. Take on a new challenge with double bass which I may get bored with or fall in love with or play it safe, buy a Musicman, stick with what I love playing and get the bass I have always wanted to own again.

So any advice or guidance is really really appreciated. Thanks.

coastward_kid · #2 12-08-2007, 10:52 AM

I say to heck with the notion that you are "too old" to play the punk/pop you wany. A 31 year old fellow from my city is in a band that just got signed to trustkill. I'm sure you've got a few year left.

In any event, I say you go both routes. you can never have too much gear. haha

applerocks · #3 12-08-2007, 10:55 AM

Seeing as you can only have one, I would personally go with the Stingray.

Although you have wanted a EUB for a while, and you occasionally like to listen to old swing/jazz you said your passion was guitar based music. With the Stingray you can play the swing/jazz , it may not sound exactly the same tone-wise but you can approximate it AND you can play all of the guitar based stuff easily. It'd be much harder to play guitar based straight 8th rock on an EUB.

Tslicebass · #4 12-08-2007, 10:56 AM

I think if you are at a crossroads you should battle steve vai in a chops contest and let the outcome decide your fate...

Just kidding
Anyways. You may want to look into getting a fretless music man. It would be a lot easier for you instead of picking up the EUB which will be a whole new learning curve. Also you could still play along with the guitar heavy stuff and then switch over to the jazzier stuff when you want to. Just a thought.

emblymouse · #5 12-08-2007, 12:02 PM

Hey, this sounds familiar! Having been a self taught pop rocker for many years, I also always loved the idea of having an upright but really had no outlet for it, and didn't even know if I could pull it off. I was finally able to get a very nice EUB 2 yrs. ago (see avatar).
From the other side of the fence, here's what I'd tell you: The upright is just a whole different animal. Until you get one in your hands you'll just never know. Once I heard the sound of a 40+ " string kissing that slab of ebony, I was inspired to play different things, and recreate sounds I'd heard all my life but could never make. I waited 20 years to jump and I kick myself for not doing this this long ago.
I definately benefited from having played fretless, and that may be a good compromise between the 2 choices you've laid out. The hand/ear skills will translate to full blown upright if and when you get there.

Linus27 · #6 12-08-2007, 12:23 PM

Thanks everyone so far for the replies. Not so sure on the fretless idea. i can see it being a good idea but I can see it being a half way house and I think I would just sooner go for a fretted Musicman if that was the case.

As for taking on Steve Vai, I think I would lose quite badly. Plus his guitar is broken. I mean it has 6 strings. Now that has to be wrong

Chebass88 · #7 12-08-2007, 12:29 PM

Good to hear you are beginning to play again (or at least want to!) I would suggest to buy the elctric bass (musicman), and take lessons on how to play jazz. You can (despite what the purists say) play jazz on an electric. Then, given a year or two into it (while still maintaining to play your punk stuff), if you are REALLY into it, buy an electric upright then (or 5 years, depending on your finances, etc.)

Best of luck, and show us pictures of whatever you buy!

imp

bradjonesbass · #8 12-08-2007, 12:43 PM

If you got the musicman could you swing for a cheaper eub? For a try at it without spending a fortune, those Dean Pace EUBs aren't bad for the $$.

MyUsernameHere · #9 12-08-2007, 12:58 PM

I got a Wav a couple of months ago and like it a lot. I generally use it for whatever I would normally play on a fretless EB, although like emblymouse said the EUB makes me want to play completely differently lines than I would if I were playing a fretless BG. Its a really fun instrument to play.

That being said, if I was in a situation where I had to make a choice between only having a EB or a EUB I'd go with the EB every time. The double bass is a very different instrument than a electric bass guitar. The action is much much higher, you need to use a lot more muscle when playing, the right and left hand techniques used are different, etc...

I'm not saying BG isn't a better instrument than an EUB, but it is more versatile in a lot of situations.

You could also consider buying a less expensive BG and wait for a WAV to show up used on e-bay. Lots of good MIJ Fenders and Lakland Skylines out there if you aren't dead set on a MM. That way you could have both.

RickenBoogie · #10 12-08-2007, 12:59 PM

Well. if you're too old, I'm way too old, so forget that. Get the MM and don't look back. Who knows, maybe you make a few bucks with a new band, and finance the upright with that.

Jim Carr · #11 12-08-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

Good to hear you are beginning to play again (or at least want to!) I would suggest to buy the elctric bass (musicman), and take lessons on how to play jazz. You can (despite what the purists say) play jazz on an electric. Then, given a year or two into it...if you are REALLY into it, buy an electric upright then (or 5 years, depending on your finances, etc.)...

+1

You CAN do jazz on a fretted electric. Many jazz players use electric. You also can learn the repertoire, styles, soloing, theory, etc. while playing electric. In fact, it is very practical because it builds on what you know.

Also, while EUB is really a great instrument (I play a loaned Eminence EUB a lot), IMHO, learning double bass is better because you can play so many styles on it, though I admit I have seen EUB in bluegrass bands.

A good double bass is more suited to arco (bowed) playing, and playng with the bow is a very good way to build the foundation of good upright jazz bass technique, intonation, tone, etc. IMHO.

Stuggi · #12 12-08-2007, 03:25 PM

A wav 4 doesn't cost that much. Treat yourself, if you don't like it after a year you can always shift it.

A great thing would be for you to learn walking bass, since it's a very central concept in jazz, and a pretty easy thing to learn, and it also gives you an idea of what you're gonna be playing. If you don't like walking, you can always look into more latin based stuff, which, while still having walking line concepts, is a whole different genre.

Jazz guys should fill in here since I really don't have any idea what I'm talking about, I just play walking lines over chordchanges until someone tells me to stop

jdombrow · #13 12-08-2007, 04:23 PM

I would look for a less expensive fretted electric and a less expensive EUB, and enjoy playing them both. Once you decide where your true passion lies, sell them both and buy the instrument you really want. And while you're going through this process, you can be saving a little money each month towards that dream bass.

Geddyfleaharris · #14 12-08-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus27

I am 37 and so feel a bit old these days to get into a band so playing guitar punk pop is really going to be for my own ammusement at home. Just trying to be realistic about it.

Never too old to play what you feel. I am 43 playing in a heavy metal band. It's what I grew up on. Why change now? You gotta play what you feel. Believe me once you get playing, especially with a band, the age issue drifts away. (Unless of course you end up in a group with 20 year year old girls playing Britney Spears. Then I can't help ya....you are on your own.

)

Linus27 · #15 12-08-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Unless of course you end up in a group with 20 year year old girls playing Britney Spears

I can probably live with that thought.

Linus27 · #16 12-10-2007, 04:31 AM

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Really appreciate being able to share this with you and get some thoughts from you all.

I think this is what I am going to try and do. For now, I am going to try and get myself a cheap secondhand Fender Mike Dirnt bass or a Fender re-issue P51 or P53 bass. I have always loved the Telecaster bass and it will do me for now to just muck about on. I will try and spend about £250 - £300 on it. Then, later in the year, say 6 months time, get myself the NS Wav 4. That way I will have the Electric Double Bass and an Electric Bass so both options are covered. Then and when I can afford it, get myself the Musicman. That might be in a year or even 5 years. Who knows but its a plan for the future.

I just need to try and find a secondhand Fender Mike Dirnt bass or a Fender re-issue P51/P53 bass for now.

Thanks again everyone for your help.

Jim Carr · #17 12-10-2007, 04:24 PM

It's a good plan.
I for one, like the Dirnt. It can pump some serious bottom...
Here's hoping some day you grab a bow and learn upright the old fashioned way!

agreatheight · #18 12-10-2007, 04:34 PM

I think you made a great decision. The Dirnt is a solid instrument as is the NS WAV4, and this way you get to exercise all of your demons!

As a 37 re-emerging musician I can tell you not to worry about jumping back into rock music. I am having a blast, maybe more fun that I did when I was younger as I don't take it so seriously now!

Good luck!

inasilentway · #19 12-10-2007, 05:03 PM

Also look into the Palatino EUB, it is a bit cheaper and you might be able to reach your goal of both a little sooner!

I am saving up for an upright, and am working my way through a few books about walking bass lines. It's all new to me too, but I think having prepared on electric will help out in terms of mindset and by the time I have an upright (long ways off!) it will just be a matter of learning a different technique to play a style I'm already comfortable in.

**T. B. Player** · #20 12-10-2007, 05:22 PM

Play on, Dude!!

Only start to question yourself when you reach 47 (like me). I started playing 4 nights a week (in a country band!) in addition to a full-time job when I was 42 after playing 1 gig a YEAR for the 10 years previous to that...burned out after three years though, and now I'm back to about 6 gigs a year (if I'm lucky).

I hate listening to good music (jazz, bluegrass, highland rock (LOVE Wolfstone!!)... anything that demonstrates musical artistry)...it makes me want to just

and not do anything else (and with two kids in college, that wouldn't be prudent).

Enjoy it!! I have to agree on the Fender. I'd vote for the MusicMan only if it was a vintage (one of the "real" ones). I've played the Ernie Ball ones, and they're not anywhere near what the originals were like...had both a fretted and a fretless and they could handle ANYTHING....(except a low D).

Z