Hello - new bass player with a new rig

[lokerola]

Hello everybody - how's it going? I thought I'd drop in a and say Hi and let you know how much I appreciate this site and all the reviews, fun, and feedback every one gives about basses, amp, effects, artists, and everything in between.

I've doodled around mostly on guitar, and somewhat on bass for years. I own an entry level Yamaha bass with a 20watt practice amp and I've managed to play it and sound bad (to really bad) over the years.

Have you ever had a revelation? Sort of like Jake in the Blues Brothers scene when they're at the church and Jake sees the light come down and James Brown shouts out "Do you see the light?!" and Belushi screams Yes!

Well, my fellow bass players, I've been sucked into watching VH1's Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and thought to myself - Get off your a@@ and learn how to play! Quit doodling - quit messing around - PLAY Rock and Roll!!!!!!!

Man I love so many different kinds of music; from Ray Charles and Metallica to Wes Montgomery and Parliment Funkadelic, from Chicken Foot and AC/DC to Loudon Wainwright to The Clash - and to everything in between. But most of all - I love The Beat. I want to serve The Song. I want to rock the house - whatever I play.

So, after reading testing out gear in local shops, reading your posts, threads, do's, dont's, and awesome reviews I decided to replace the old Yamaha and the crappy practice amp with a new bass and amplifier.

I have also decided I'm going quit doodling, start a rock and roll band, and go to Rock and Roll fantasy camp in 2 years, when I turn 45.

This long and self-absorbed post (thanks for sticking with it) has 2 more parts.

The new rig and a question.

1. I bought an American sunburst P Bass. New. And it's freaking glorious. And smooth. And did I mention glorious? And it came with the really nice Fender flight case as well.

2. I bought a Fender Bassman TV Duo Ten Combo Amp (floor model - but with the full warranty).

Holy freaking tone of the tone Gods! The creamy Fender tube preamp through the P Bass melts my soul into little pieces. I'm not even that good on bass (or even know what I'm doing). But when I lay down a simple I-IV-V blues bass line - it was good - ohhhhh. so Fenderific good.

And now for the question my fellow bass players - Are there and guitar players, drummers, or other musicians in the Alexandria VA/NOVA area who can put up with a 40 year newbie who wants to jam some blues and classic rock (who knows next to nothing yet)? PM me and we'll jam!

PS. I'm starting lessons with Anthony Wellington next week - whoo hoo!!!!!

PPS. I got the P Bass, Guitar Case, Amp, Strings, and floor tuner with power supply - with taxes - out the door under 2K. Includes no questions asked 30 day return and 5 year Fender warranty on the Bass and Amp.

Sometimes in life - you do get what you want! Whoo Hoo!

[lokerola]

a few more pics.

[JoeVictim]

Welcome to bass! Welcome to G.A.S. central. Just wait til you see a Trans orange/maple bass on here. You will be assimilated.

[Robotsatemygma]

Welcome to the bass brotherhood! Glad you're enjoying yourself so far! Stick with the lessons, they will take you very far and help you appreciate the bass even more then you already do!

[dminer]

Welcome and good for you! Are those flats on that SB Precision of yours? You are certainly off to a good start.

[esa372]

Sweet bass!

Welcome to TB!

[Dethrats]

Nice post! Really heart-felt!

[crazy_bassist]

Nice post! Congrats on the gear and your revelation!

[lokerola]

JoeVicitm - yea, GAS hit me at the music store. I played a MIM bass through the Fender TV duo and it was all good - I thought it sounded great. Then, oh boy - then..then, he handed me the MIA P Bass. I'm not a bass geek, not a guru, and not a snob - but the tonal difference was immediate. The playability and feel in the neck was immediate. That darn sales guy! I could not buy the MIM P Bass after hearing and playing the MIA bass through the new Bassman.

Robotsatemygma - (damn your name is hard to type)..yes, thanks. I plan to make the most of my lessons. I think if I apply myself I can learn theory; major vs minor, modes, etc. I'm ready to buckle down and learn it. I've also got a BOSS drum machine on the way to help me with keepin the beat.

dminor - whatever strings were on it in the store tonight are on it now. The strings they threw in for free are D'Addario stainless rounds (not flats).

esa372 - thanks!

Dethrats - yea man - I'm feeling more alive tonight than I have for a while. It's sort that light from the sky thing again - giving me inspiration (or maybe it's those 2x10's & 350 Watts of Fender power)! Either way I'm feelin good, hah!

[DBTOYS]

Congrats Enjoy the Ride!

[Zitch]

Sweet stuff, love the classic look.

[Scatterblak]

Welcome to *always* having a job, and not appearing in the videos!

[busta_bird]

Originally Posted by lokerola

Hello everybody - how's it going? I thought I'd drop in a and say Hi and let you know how much I appreciate this site and all the reviews, fun, and feedback every one gives about basses, amp, effects, artists, and everything in between.

I've doodled around mostly on guitar, and somewhat on bass for years. I own an entry level Yamaha bass with a 20watt practice amp and I've managed to play it and sound bad (to really bad) over the years.

Have you ever had a revelation? Sort of like Jake in the Blues Brothers scene when they're at the church and Jake sees the light come down and James Brown shouts out "Do you see the light?!" and Belushi screams Yes!

Well, my fellow bass players, I've been sucked into watching VH1's Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and thought to myself - Get off your a@@ and learn how to play! Quit doodling - quit messing around - PLAY Rock and Roll!!!!!!!

Man I love so many different kinds of music; from Ray Charles and Metallica to Wes Montgomery and Parliment Funkadelic, from Chicken Foot and AC/DC to Loudon Wainwright to The Clash - and to everything in between. But most of all - I love The Beat. I want to serve The Song. I want to rock the house - whatever I play.

So, after reading testing out gear in local shops, reading your posts, threads, do's, dont's, and awesome reviews I decided to replace the old Yamaha and the crappy practice amp with a new bass and amplifier.

I have also decided I'm going quit doodling, start a rock and roll band, and go to Rock and Roll fantasy camp in 2 years, when I turn 45.

This long and self-absorbed post (thanks for sticking with it) has 2 more parts.

The new rig and a question.

1. I bought an American sunburst P Bass. New. And it's freaking glorious. And smooth. And did I mention glorious? And it came with the really nice Fender flight case as well.

2. I bought a Fender Bassman TV Duo Ten Combo Amp (floor model - but with the full warranty).

Holy freaking tone of the tone Gods! The creamy Fender tube preamp through the P Bass melts my soul into little pieces. I'm not even that good on bass (or even know what I'm doing). But when I lay down a simple I-IV-V blues bass line - it was good - ohhhhh. so Fenderific good.

And now for the question my fellow bass players - Are there and guitar players, drummers, or other musicians in the Alexandria VA/NOVA area who can put up with a 40 year newbie who wants to jam some blues and classic rock (who knows next to nothing yet)? PM me and we'll jam!

PS. I'm starting lessons with Anthony Wellington next week - whoo hoo!!!!!

PPS. I got the P Bass, Guitar Case, Amp, Strings, and floor tuner with power supply - with taxes - out the door under 2K. Includes no questions asked 30 day return and 5 year Fender warranty on the Bass and Amp.

Sometimes in life - you do get what you want! Whoo Hoo!

This is one of those posts that forces me to quit doodling and practice in more a more constructive manner.

[tinman 1967]

Id say you did great my friend!


I am gassing for one of those basses with a maple fretboard also.

Bet it sounds great through that amp!

Good for you!

[dave64o]

You did very well with those purchases - and you have the right attitude! I'm 46 and am only slightly beyond the stage where you are and I'm finding lessons to be a lot more fun than when I took drum lessons when I was in middle school. Now I know why I'm doing this, I'm motivated, and I appreciate it far more than I did back than. Just wish I had the free time that I did 30+ years ago! Adult responsibilities make it tough to find the time to practice, but I do what I can and am slowly making progress. But the key is that, however slowly, I'm getting there. With the attitude you have, you will too!

BTW, I love that bass! I have her 5-string big sister and absolutely love it!

[timbledum]

Hahahaha sounds like someones on cloud 9!!! Awesome! Keep it up.

[tinman 1967]

Originally Posted by dave64o

You did very well with those purchases - and you have the right attitude! I'm 46 and am only slightly beyond the stage where you are and I'm finding lessons to be a lot more fun than when I took drum lessons when I was in middle school. Now I know why I'm doing this, I'm motivated, and I appreciate it far more than I did back than. Just wish I had the free time that I did 30+ years ago! Adult responsibilities make it tough to find the time to practice, but I do what I can and am slowly making progress. But the key is that, however slowly, I'm getting there. With the attitude you have, you will too!

BTW, I love that bass! I have her 5-string big sister and absolutely love it!

I feel exactly the same way about playing now also!

[bass_snake]

Great, congrats! I love your bass.

Fred

[ebonalley]

I'm right with you bro. Fiddled with the bass for 2 years in highschool, broke the nut while trying to apply some flats and it sat in my closet for the next 20 years. This year I picked up a new rig and put down some money for lessons. I'm now a daily TB'er with a GAS problem. Keep pluckin'.

[FatCity]

Very nice- congrats!