How Did You Get Into Bass?

[BassistSVT]

I'm just interested in knowing why different people got into playing bass.

My story is that when I was 13, I started playing guitar. All my friends told me that since there were a lot of guitarists in the area and not a lot of bassists - and the fact that i have fat fingers - i should trade in my old Squier Strat and get a bass.

I finally caved. I went to the local music store and found the only lefty bass in the place. It was empty in the shop so when I plugged the thing into a 100 watt Ibanez combo the clerk said, "hey kid, crank the volume." I was sitting on the amp at the time.

As weird as it sounds, the thing about bass that I fell in love with at age 13 was the really strong vibrations you get off of it. Loving the tone and the thrill of the instrument came later on.

I'm 15 now and play in a couple active bands. Whether it's during practice or a show, I LOVE to stand next to my amp, as close as possible and feel the vibrations.

So yeah, what's the story, morning glory?

[bassteban]

30 years ago some clowns needed a bass player. I'm grateful. Keep playing. We get better women.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by BassistSVT

I'm just interested in knowing why different people got into playing bass.

My story is that when I was 13, I started playing guitar. All my friends told me that since there were a lot of guitarists in the area and not a lot of bassists - and the fact that i have fat fingers - i should trade in my old Squier Strat and get a bass.

I finally caved. I went to the local music store and found the only lefty bass in the place. It was empty in the shop so when I plugged the thing into a 100 watt Ibanez combo the clerk said, "hey kid, crank the volume." I was sitting on the amp at the time.

As weird as it sounds, the thing about bass that I fell in love with at age 13 was the really strong vibrations you get off of it. Loving the tone and the thrill of the instrument came later on.

I'm 15 now and play in a couple active bands. Whether it's during practice or a show, I LOVE to stand next to my amp, as close as possible and feel the vibrations.

So yeah, what's the story, morning glory?

You can get that same sensation by putting your cell phone in your pocket on "vibrate" and calling yourself from the house phone.

[sonic assassin]

i play guitar.. no one played bass. my neighbor let me loose on his 5 string, and i was hooked. bought a bass and joined a band playing it 2 weeks later. been pulling double duty for 3 years.

as for vibrations.. if i need a little "lift" in my day, ill sit on the dryer

[Tim Sevenfold]

I was sort of the same story as other people I guess. My friends and I were throwing around an idea of starting a band last year (we're seniors now) and I wasn't sure what i wanted to do in terms of instrument. We had our lead guitar slotted as well as drums so I was either gonna be bass or rhythm. My friend bought a guitar and I didn't care cause when I started thinking of it, I'm the tallest guy with the biggest hands, can handle a bigger instrument, and I'm cooler than them (lol). I've never looked back at the fact, I think I wouldn't be as happy playing guitar rather than bass. So to a point it was sort of forced but I think I would have sided the same way with time.

And P.S the floor shaking capabilities... first time I cranked it up at my house HOLY @*$#!!!!! I was hooked when my ceiling started to shake and the pictures fell off the wall. I love bass cause when everything else fades away, you're still pumping it out full bore down the street. And guess what? You're the only thing heard anymore. I love it

[Blown Cone]

For me, I started out in love with Sean Yseult of White Zombie , and I thought bass was pretty cool, from the usual alt. rock guys (ie: claypool, flea, et al). I wanted to do what she was doing. My buddy was about to sell his Squier p/j bass to Tom Lee music, they wanted it for $150. He sold it to me for $60 including amp with a blown cone (hence the username), and a carrying case. I was hooked. Three weeks later, unfortunately, he was killed.

I joined a band three months into practicing, and thus far (1 year after joining the band) I'm in a couple other projects, same bass, same amp (though for gigs, I use a friend's amp). I found that this was where it was at because there were gigs for bass players. Solid drummers and solid bassists are hot commodities. We're a good group!

[Solarmist]

I played [tried] guitar since I was 12, and never got any good due to somewhat fat fingers, and never could line up on just one string without hitting another on either side. I was ready to throw the towel in till a friend of mine let me try his bass out (a Ric). I thought this was sooooo cool with those fat strings, and long neck. That fret board felt so natural, and my fingers worked for the first time without over-shooting the strings due to the wider spacing - finally found my niche!

[Silver Hammer]

Well in third grade I started taking keyboard lessons from a guitarist (bad idea) and since he kept showing me melodies on guitar instead of piano I thought I mine as well just play guitar. Got bored of guitar quick. I wasn't even really into music at the time I just liked the idea of being in a band. Middle school I got heavy into underground hip hop and idk if you guys know anything about it but lots of groups sample old soul, funk, etc. and I kept hearing bass I liked and I was making beats with FL Studio to rap on and from messing around with the synths in there I noticed I really liked bass sounds over melody ones, even though you need both, especially once I got a woofer. Despite this I got another guitar in 7th grade to "get back into playing music". Got bored again, kept making beats. Finally I noticed I was retarded for not just getting a bass when I love low end and I got a bass and haven't stopped since. Though I barely listen to hip hop now with all the bands with great bassists I listen to...

[Joe164]

Guitar hero. Me and my mates would do guitar hero 2 player and i used to do bass. i loved the sound of bass from there..and i knew i had to take it up for real.

[wazzel]

My great uncle is a bass player (70 and still gigging). My dad and several of his cousins play guitar. When I was a kid they would have jam sessions and I always dug what my great uncle was doing. I started playing bass lines on one of my dad's guitars when I was 11, at 12 I got my first bass and never looked back. I am 37 now and still love the bass.

[Valerus]

6 1/2 years ago my two guitarist friends thought I should play bass. After noodling on their guitars, I decided the strings were too small for me, so I looked into it.
Best decision ever.

[fenderthrupeave]

I didnt want to be another guitarist and I cant break up my hands and feet from doing different things so I couldnt play drums so I picked bass. Has worked great so far. And even in my job I picked something most people dont want to do but I really enjoy it so it working good.

[fdeck]

I played 'cello but there was no school string program, so I picked up an electric bass to play in the junior high school jazz band. That was in 1977. I played in a rock band while in high school, but was never very convincing at it. There was always enough demand for a bass player who could read, to keep me playing. Today I have to admit that it's mostly upright bass.

[Faxxxy]

I got sick of lugging drum stuff around.
My fingers are too fat to get the precision I wanted on guitar, so bass was the obvious next step.

[uethanian]

i was looking for a new instrument to pick up at the beginning of high school. it was between bari sax *eek* and upright bass, so i ended up going with the bass. eventually my upright teacher convinced me to buy the jaco album, and i was pretty sold when i heard it.