Do I need a new bass?

[machine gewehr]

I've been learning bass for 2 years now and I feel I'm a little behind.I had a wrist injury that made me start from the beginning last year at these times but thats no excuse anyway.

I'm trying to learn slap 'n pop but man my bass doesn't have a slap sound,its just booaaawwwwwwwww
Tapping sound is also a pain in the ass!!!

It has a fingerboard that is so hard to play,I mean the frets,I have to push so hard on some frets to make it sound right and with the pinky thats a problem. I'm not even talking about the buzzzzzz on every fret.

It has an unbalanced sound,on E and A its blowing and D and G its like a little kitty...

Now I know about the pickup height and a good setup can make a difference but nothing is working believe me!I've tried everything.

I'm playing in a heavy-metal band and my dudes started to make fun of me lately because of my "MUDDY" tone,I'm losing their respect.My guitarist used to follow me but now he started not to because he says he understands nothing,ıts just BOOAAAAAA I used to make the band sound good,now I make us sound bad! We're planning having gigs this summer also!

Are these excuses for buying a better bass or should I practice with it all the way?Can I learn to slap on a bass that hass NO slap sound? I want to learn everything,finger,slap 'n pop,tapping...
I have a Washburn xb-120 BTW...

[rumblinbass]

Do you need to buy a new bass? Of coarse, we all need to buy new basses!!

Seriously, I'm not going to say you need to buy a new bass because I'm not familiar with the model you have, but I will assume that it is a beginner bass. I which case you have been playing for two years and you have probably learned a thing or two...so why not? Go buy a new bass!

You may want to consider that your problem may not be your bass. Sounds to me like it could be an eq'ing problem.

[machine gewehr]

Yes it is a beginners bass,and eq. can't do much about the slap sound,while slapping is BOOWWAAAA,poping is pituwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I see people slapping while playing fingerstyle and the tone is so nice,but I can't simply get a slap sound. When unplugged it sounds more like slap

[d8g3jdh]

Have you tried giving it a proper setup?

[machine gewehr]

Yes I did,but it has an unstable neck,needs adjusting once a week or sometimes twice a week.

I wonder how many years did you spend on your starter bass and how good were you playing when switched to a better bass.I feel I don't deserve a better bass,but if I buy a better bass,I'm going to improve my playing faster than this one... What do you think?

Thanks for the answers BTW!

[Oysterman]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

Yes I did,but it has an unstable neck,needs adjusting once a week or sometimes twice a week.

If that's the case then yes, you need a new bass. Nobody deserves to play a worthless instrument.

[rumblinbass]

Originally Posted by Oysterman

If that's the case then yes, you need a new bass. Nobody deserves to play a worthless instrument.

+1!!!!

I wonder how many years did you spend on your starter bass and how good were you playing when switched to a better bass.I feel I don't deserve a better bass,but if I buy a better bass,I'm going to improve my playing faster than this one... What do you think?

Not long...I spent a lot of time and money buying, selling and trading basses until I found my Ken Smith Burner 4 string. It's not an extremely high end bass, but it is the best sounding and playing bass I have owned...and still beats almost any bass I pick up. That and a lack of disposable income keeps me from having a small arsenal!

Yes, there is something to be said for a better instrument and improved playing. A better instrument is easier to play, therefore your playing improves. Not to mention, you will enjoy playing more! IMO...

I cannot stress enough the importance of eq'ing! Not a bad eq, but bad eq'ing on the part of the operator. So many people start boosting and cutting frequencies before they plug and turn on there amp! They haven't even heard the bass yet! Bad eq'ing can made the best rig sound like s**t!

I would say that it is time to buy a new bass though. But please don't make the same mistake I did...don't waste time and money buying yet another cheap bass. You will save money in the long run spending more now on a good quality bass.

[whitedk57]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

Yes I did,but it has an unstable neck,needs adjusting once a week or sometimes twice a week.

I once rode bicycles with a guy who had to re-true his back wheel after every ride. Seemed like a huge hassle, but he did work at a bike shop.

I would save up and get a better bass, or build your own. I built my own bass, and I like the overall sound that I get from it. I have picked up similar basses at the music shop, and liked mine alot better.

[IanStephenson]

You don't NEED a new bass.

On the other hand you've been playing a few year - you've decided its something that you enjoy doing, and want to continue doing, so there's no reason not to spend some money (assuming that your finances allow) on a decent bass. Just look on it as a treat for yourself that you've earned, rather than trying to justify it.

I'd second holding out for the bass you actually want rather than another (slightly better) cheap bass. When I was dabliing on guitar I picked up a whole load of mid range guitars. They were just in my price range for impulse buying, and while I do have some OK guitars I don't have a GREAT guitar. When I got picked up bass and got serious I very quickly spent a LOT on the bass that I really wanted.

15 years later and it was the best money I ever spent. From that day forward I could walk into ANY music shop, look around, and walk out again without the slightest temptation to buy another bass.

I have added a couple of other basses since then, but thats only been in the last few years when I could aford a fretless. The "expensive" bass from 15 years ago is still my main bass, and I have every expectation for it to be my main bass in another 15 years. its saved me a fortune in impulse buys, and for the hours of playing I've got out of it has been a bargain.

Ian

[d8g3jdh]

Definitely buy a new bass. It doesn't need to be magical, just something that doesn't suck.

[lilboo77]

I think it is more of an eq situation...........I would get someone else to play your bass while you sit there and try different stuff on the amps eq section.............start with it flat dial in presence and drive to get close to the sound you like and go from there tweaking the eq.

A good amp will do more for a bad bass than a bad amp will do for a good bass........

[anonymous278347457]

I was generally bad at slap until I got my jazz, and FINALLY figured out how to work out the mid control on my amp(after 2 years)

[labgnat]

do your strings suck hard or what? how old are they? a new set of strings always adds something nice

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

Have you tried giving it a proper setup?

don't listen to scott!

you are a TB'er now! if you ever find yourself considering a new bass, the answer is always yes!

[Munjibunga]

Dude. I didn't even have to read the text of your post. There is and always will be only one legitimate answer to your title question: YES!

[Freddels]

It's not a matter of NEED. It's a matter a WANT.

Get a new bass.

Look at the Musicman basses and the Musicman Sub basses cost a bit less. Also the G&L basses and the G&L Tribute line cost less too.

[machine gewehr]

I forgot where I was,asking a question like that on TB??pfftt
Its the joy of my life (more than that indeed) so why not buying a better bass?Life is not that long to think about if I deserve it or not,I believe.So I shouldn't be spending my time on a cheapo any more,what the hell "I love bass" man.

Thank you for the answers people!!!

[Dash Rantic]

First off, I'd say yes you need a new bass.

Second off--if your tone has been getting really muddy, it might be time for new strings. Can't beat the sound of fresh strings, it'll probably clean up your tone a lot.

-Dash