Good Songs to Play when trying out a new bass to buy

ninthwondernj · #1 07-05-2005, 05:29 PM

im going to test out some Fender P basses and Jazz,what are some good songs to test out on the basses to help me to decide

McHaven · #2 07-05-2005, 07:12 PM

The Chili Peppers cover of Higher Ground. Guitar store owners love to hear bassist play that all day.

Correlli · #3 07-05-2005, 07:32 PM

I would have to agree. Higher Ground is a good tune to test an instrument too.

Ask the tech-person if the strings are old or new. It can make a big difference when trying to understand the type of bass you are looking for. You may want to take along a spare set of new strings.

Dan1099 · #4 07-05-2005, 08:54 PM

Ramble On by Led Zeppelin. Covers most of the frequency range, and slow and fast parts, as well. Plus, it sounds cool!

DaftCat · #5 07-05-2005, 08:57 PM

Outside of tunes to try.......

Never buy a bass until I heard it on your own gear. Ask if you can try before you buy.

Hope this helps,

The Clap · #6 07-05-2005, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan1099

Ramble On by Led Zeppelin. Covers most of the frequency range, and slow and fast parts, as well. Plus, it sounds cool!

This wouldn't have occurred to me, but yes, John Paul Jones plays a sweet line on that tune and I find myself playing it often.

f'nar f'nar · #7 07-06-2005, 01:30 AM

I play three songs always:

Tool- 46 & 2 for the higher frequencies.
Marcus miller- Rio Funk for the slapability
Metallica- King Nothing- Lower frequencies (could also be replaced with Megadeath- Angry again or Iron Maiden- fear of the dark for all round coolness.)

Most of these people in the store will like also, exept the Megadeath one

bassbully43 · #8 07-07-2005, 02:24 PM

Only one! MONEY by Pink Floyd...Holy diver if the metal heads are hanging around

KPJ · #9 07-07-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan1099

Ramble On by Led Zeppelin. Covers most of the frequency range, and slow and fast parts, as well. Plus, it sounds cool!

+1

I always use "Ramble On"! The verse part gives you a good idea of how the bass plays up high, found many a dead spots and high frets with that, and the pre-chorus gives you down low and the chorus lets you grind it out!

Joe Turski · #10 07-07-2005, 03:05 PM

Moved to Misc.

Discgraham · #11 07-08-2005, 01:21 PM

Scales are your friends. They don't sound flashy, but they give you a good feel of how the bass plays. As for songs I play, frequent ones include...

Man who sold the world
Around the World
Money

I also like to throw in some walking Jazz basslines and some 12 bar blues walks.

**Blackbird** · #12 07-08-2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninthwondernj

im going to test out some Fender P basses and Jazz,what are some good songs to test out on the basses to help me to decide

The best songs to play are the ones that you know. I mean, what's the point of testing a bass you never played by trying to play songs you don't know? It's a bit like playing golf with a hockey stick and a blindfold, don't you think?

Play what you always play. If it sounds better than on your old bass, it's better.

BassGod · #13 07-08-2005, 04:40 PM

I really like to get a good feel for the bass so I categorize my songs (nerdy, yes?)

All-Around Feel:
Major/Minor/Chromatic scales

Fingerstyle:
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Iron Maiden - Phantom of the Opera
Tool - Forty-Six & 2 (yes, I realize it's supposed to be played with a pick)
Primus - Wynona's Big Brown Beaver

Tapping:
Moonlight Sonata
Nuclear Rabbit - Truth's Ugly Head
+ some hammer-on tapping

Slapping:
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Aeroplane
Fractured - Cure For The Common Soul (my band)

Pickstyle:
Megadeth - Peace Sells
Metallica - My Friend of Misery
Green Day - Longview
+ some chords

Along with playing several of my band's songs and some improvising, this list usually gives me a good idea of how the bass sounds and feels.

Graeme

syciprider · #14 07-08-2005, 04:43 PM

I play blues and swing scales. It's just my thing

Guitar shop employees love to hear Smoke on the Water too!

jenderfazz · #15 07-08-2005, 05:42 PM

Fingerstyle, I just improv a lot. Try it out, whether it's bluesy, jazzy, or just a simple rock line. Slapping, I just slap a few octaves and double thump a little. If I'm really feeling it, Power from Marcus Miller is an awesome song to slap to. Pickstyle, it's gotta be Roundabout!

Ethon · #16 07-08-2005, 05:51 PM

I like playing My Friend of Misery (Fingerstyle tho, since I dont really ever play with a pick), Ramble On, some Sly and the Family Stone, and Pigs (Three Different Ones) by Floyd

edit: Can't forget Money...stupid me