Top 5 nice to haves

[jnevi9nr]

You got a bass with factory settings and a standard amp. What are the top 5 essential things that you need to supplement your bass and amp, such as specific effect pedals, specific strings, maybe a preamp, a specific book or cheat sheet about music theory, etc.




*I am not talking about a tuner or metrodome. Lets assume they came with the bass and amp.

[dougjwray]

Strap, cord, strings, old t-shirt to wipe off strings every one in a while, chair to sit on when practicing.

[snyderz]

Passive bass, flatwound strings (Lakland Osborns). I don't use pedals or pres, and don't read, so I guess my other essentials are a strap, a cable, and comfortable shoes.

[RobertPaulson]

Tuner + Strap + Cable + Youtube + Time

[jnevi9nr]

can we name the specific brand that you use if you think its essential, such as strings, maybe cable if thats important.

we dont have to list stuff like chair. I am assuming everyone already has a chair to use when they buy a bass. maybe i am wrong. stuff that you would have to buy. not old t-shirts or comfortable shoes.

[J. Crawford]

D'addario Chromes, comfortable strap, YouTube, good cables, possibly a pick.

Yep.

[jnevi9nr]

good call on youtube. just as good as some books, but not all i would say. we arent including tuner either. its assumed we got it with the bass.

[jnevi9nr]

what kind of cables? what kind of pick?

[Dr. Cheese]

I say: bass, amp, chord, strap, teacher.

[jnevi9nr]

i thought this would evolved more into a list of specific strings and effects. maybe i should have changed it to "top 5 nice to haves".

[jlane72t]

Matter of taste. Everyone likes different picks or strings or straps or cables or whatever.

I personally like my fingers (no pick), Rotosound tapewounds, Comfort Strapp, Whirlwind cables.

But discussing these is really better suited to their own thread each. Search button.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

You got a bass with factory settings and a standard amp. What are the top 5 essential things that you need to supplement your bass and amp, such as specific effect pedals, specific strings, maybe a preamp, a specific book or cheat sheet about music theory, etc.




*I am not talking about a tuner or metrodome. Lets assume they came with the bass and amp.

A teacher
A spare set of the same strings you got on alreadyso you don't have to re-set up the instrument in case you need to change strings.
A good player to operate the equipment
A reliable cable
A strap
Means to get to any given gig ( a car, or a ticket for public transport , or anyone to give one a lift to and from the gig.)

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

You got a bass with factory settings and a standard amp. What are the top 5 essential things that you need to supplement your bass and amp, such as specific effect pedals, specific strings, maybe a preamp, a specific book or cheat sheet about music theory, etc.




*I am not talking about a tuner or metrodome. Lets assume they came with the bass and amp.

Over the last 20 years of playing bass there is without doubt one essential which was make or break for the gig!

A CAR - to transport myself and gear to the gig and back late at night when there is no public transport and anyway who's taking a bass rig on public transport!!

No drive - no gig!!

[bassteban]

Groupies- piles of them, slathered in bacon & honey.

[dougjwray]

Ears... memory... dexterity... taste... oh yeah, a case or gig bag... a guitar stand...

[eggfan]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Groupies- piles of them, slathered in bacon & honey.

Ummmmm, bacon!

[john nam]

A specific list of top five items? This is very subjective, but

Cables: George L's (angled)
Amp: New SWR headlite (400 watts, 3.8 lbs)
Stand: Hercules compact stand
Good teacher (better than dozens of books and videos)
Strings: DRs (people seem to favor DRs)
Strap: Comfort Strapp

Okay, that's 6.

[6jase5]

I would like to add duct tape to the list.

[dougjwray]

... comb & mirror ... breath mints ... package of condoms ... tools for setting intonation and adjusting truss rod (e.g. allen wrenches & screwdrivers) ... can of guitarist repellent ...

[jaywa]

Can I take it up a level?

- P.A. and lights provided
- My own monitor mix
- Roadies/stage crew
- Comp food
- Comp drinks

Any gig can be played without any or all of the above, but these make it extra fun.