A Four String for Lessons?

[Dr. Cheese]

I am once again taking lessons. Specifically, I am working on reading and attempting to break a number of bad habits that stem from years of being self- taught mainly by ear. I know I don't need one, but I am thinking of picking up a cheap four like a Peavey Fury for some exercises to help me focus on the traditional positions and not think about B string note choices. I know I can do this on a five, but I can probably pick up a decent four at a very low price.

[Roy Vogt]

Probably not a bad idea-when I came off the Road and started to take more private students I bought a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass for $165 and put about $75 work of electronic rehab into it. I still use it for teaching 10 years later.

[jim777]

Definitely Squier I think.

[Dr. Cheese]

If Roy Vogt says its a good idea, I will do it! I will be on the lookout for a decent and cheap four string.

[Sartori]

Go with a used Peavey. Those are solid.

[cleary]

I play an Ibanez RD300 as my fulltime thing, and I see people have been picking them up around here for under $100 (used)

[Adub311]

Peavey Millenium BXP

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Sartori

Go with a used Peavey. Those are solid.

I could see me picking up a Fury or a Foundation, or some other MIA Peavey.

[StuartV]

Doc, it sounds like you're rationalizing your GAS.

I say, as a general rule, practice how you're going to play.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by StuartV

Doc, it sounds like you're rationalizing your GAS.

I say, as a general rule, practice how you're going to play.

I guess, but GAS has me wanting something like a 55-64 Lakland. That said, any time I buy another bass, I enjoy it.

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I am once again taking lessons. Specifically, I am working on reading and attempting to break a number of bad habits that stem from years of being self- taught mainly by ear. I know I don't need one, but I am thinking of picking up a cheap four like a Peavey Fury for some exercises to help me focus on the traditional positions and not think about B string note choices. I know I can do this on a five, but I can probably pick up a decent four at a very low price.

Not wanting to pour water on the GAS, but you could just not play the B string.

[Baird6869]

I am considering starting lessons again as well (after 30+ years!) as I have forgotten too much theory/reading and also want to break a few bad habits.

I will Definately start with a 4 string even though I predominantly play 5ers at gigs/rehersals.

[mebusdriver]

My main gig requires me to read 90% of the time. I play a 5'er because of the song selection. We play everything from funk, jazz, blues, rock, and some Latin style stuff. The B makes getting around the tunes 10 times easier. Just a little view from the other side of the road. I prefer a 4, but for that gig I always bring the 5.

[Fishheadjoe]

As a fellow admirer of all things Yamaha, might I suggest keeping an eye on the local CL...
Fishheadjoe

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I am once again taking lessons. Specifically, I am working on reading and attempting to break a number of bad habits that stem from years of being self- taught mainly by ear. I know I don't need one, but I am thinking of picking up a cheap four like a Peavey Fury for some exercises to help me focus on the traditional positions and not think about B string note choices. I know I can do this on a five, but I can probably pick up a decent four at a very low price.

Well I can't rave enough about my Modern Player Jazz bass, so I'd suggest that as a good student bass. It's only $500 new and you can gig for a long time with it afterwards because of its sound. Or I would, anyway, if I could still gig, I'd drag it everywhere with one of my Carvins.

And the build quality is actually pretty decent. I got mine very close to the gnat's a$$ after only about an hour's work on it with the nut files and allen wrenches (once I got it out of the clutches of the store I bought it from lol). In fact, better than any of my previous fretted basses.

So it would be a useable investment for quite a while after your student days...

LS

[Shardik]

I have a Peavey, a Cort and an Ibanez. I love them all, and I bought them at a price that would probably be like $200-300 in the US. The only one I got completely new was the Peavey Millennium BXP, which needed a complete setup to be good. All of them needed strings for my preference. Those are all solid brands. Personally I am actually partial to Cort. Lots of bass for your money, especially if you find a slightly used Artisan.

[SteveC]

I'm not quite sure how playing a 4 string for lessons will help you break bad habits any more than playing the 5 string that you play regularly on gigs? I can MAYBE see using a 4 to teach lessons as to make it easier for your 4 string playing students, but wouldn't you use a 5 string to teach a kid who plays a 5 string?

[InternetAlias]

Get an SX or a Squier till you decide what exactly you'd want

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

Not wanting to pour water on the GAS, but you could just not play the B string.

I said in the very first post that I know that I need only to ignore the B. I do think a four would be great for practicing reading, scales, and other things in the traditional positions.

I also enjoy playing fours sometimes. On Wednesday, I checked out a new model G&L, the JB4, an active version of the JB-2. It was a killer active J-bass. I don't think I want to shell out $1,300, but it would be worth it considering how good G&L build quality is. I suspect that bass is on par with a boutique Jazz. That bass probably gave me some four string GAS, but a four would still be a nice addition for the tool shed.

[agreatheight]

If your teacher is teaching on a four, I think it could/would help.