Playing electric bass guitar, without amp - Page 2

bassgod0dmw · #21 11-19-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

If you want to try something really different, try resting your chin on the upper horn of the bass. The bone in your jaw will transmit the vibrations to your ear.

Yes, I've used this.

That's actually what I do a fair amount of the time I'm just noodling around.

ErnieD · #22 11-19-2012, 10:40 AM

If you really need both for first time bass learning, maybe one of those suggested starter packs will work for you. I think you get bass/amp/cable maybe a strap too. Especially if you are just trying bass out for first time. A few options for you.

ALSO, WELCOME TO TALKBASS fmachia.

You'll find alot of good (some bad

) information here. Stick around.

spufman · #23 11-19-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

If you want to try something really different, try resting your chin on the upper horn of the bass. The bone in your jaw will transmit the vibrations to your ear.

I do this a lot - nice also to hear the differences in various basses' inherent timbres. Just don't think you need to pluck the bejeezus out of the strings - your amp will do that work once you get it. Playing without an amp I think helps get a handle on controlling fret and string noise that may ugly-up your amplified sound.

SquierJazz72 · #24 11-19-2012, 10:43 AM

Same boat for now. Could afford the bass, but not an amp. Luckily, I do have a small guitar amp, since I play guitar on occasion too, so I just use it on a low volume for home recording and when I want to be amplified. Low end response does suck a bit, but it works for now.

Others have mentioned plenty of options, so see what you can do. Many headphone amps are great and not too much. Might be able to look at a package deal and get both for a decent price. Or start looking around locally for used, which is the way I'm headed, to see what turns up.

xUptheIronsx · #25 11-19-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

If you want to try something really different, try resting your chin on the upper horn of the bass. The bone in your jaw will transmit the vibrations to your ear.

Yes, I've used this.

I do this all the time as well...

xUptheIronsx · #26 11-19-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieD

ALSO, WELCOME TO TALKBASS fmachia.

You'll find alot of good (some bad

) information here. Stick around.

+1 !! Welcome to it. No such thing as too wordy of a post...

Geroi Asfalta · #27 11-19-2012, 10:59 AM

Welcome to TB! Your straitjacket will arrive shortly.

For my first year or two of bass, I played through my dad's old Fender Sidekick 10W guitar amp....man that thing makes some awesome OD sounds.

Some post mentioned resting your chin on the bass, and it works. It's how I tune up at work (not allowed to bring my amp). I like to try to get the sound coming from the amp to sound the same as whats going through my jaw.

If you have a stereo, all you need is an aux cable and a 1/8 to 1/4" adapter. EQ is hit and miss but it works. If you're in SoCal, I have an old Fender rumble I don't use that I'd be willing to give to any beggining bassist.

Burialist · #28 11-19-2012, 11:05 AM

Thanks for your help and warm welcome.
What sound i am looking for ?
Well to be honest i dont really know how bass players name that sound.
Something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ6Up-6js4c
I know its funky, but how would you guys name sound that is coming from that bass ?

Burialist · #29 11-19-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

If you have a stereo, all you need is an aux cable and a 1/8 to 1/4" adapter. EQ is hit and miss but it works. If you're in SoCal, I have an old Fender rumble I don't use that I'd be willing to give to any beggining bassist.

Yes i have an very good stereo

Great suggestion, its getting better and better , but im not SoCal, sadly.
Fill me whit bass knowlage @talkbass !

Burialist · #30 11-19-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

If you have a stereo, all you need is an aux cable and a 1/8 to 1/4" adapter

I also have aux cable and 1/8 to 1/4 adapter

So i just connect aux cable to stereo and adapter, and then adapter directly to guitar ? No regular "guitar to amp" cable needed ?

Burialist · #31 11-19-2012, 11:27 AM

Sorry for so many questions.
But i got one more that is offtopic , its to "small" to open new topic i think.

Is it possible to learn to play bass on your own. What i mean by that is, can i learn
to play bass guitar good, if i dont take personal lessons.
Lets say i have some talent, much will power, and internet resourses (web lessons, tabs, talkbass

...)

ntenny · #32 11-19-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burialist

Sorry for so many questions.
But i got one more that is offtopic , its to "small" to open new topic i think.

Is it possible to learn to play bass on your own. What i mean by that is, can i learn
to play bass guitar good, if i dont take personal lessons.
Lets say i have some talent, much will power, and internet resourses (web lessons, tabs, talkbass

...)

I think you need to play with other people for it to come together well. There are a lot of good bass players out there who are more or less self-taught, but I think they'll all tell you they learned most of it in band settings rather than solo practice.

If you're interested mainly in slap-and-pop stuff like the clip you posted, though, it's probably helpful to get someone to help you with the mechanics, whether that's a professional lesson or just a friendly conversation or something in between.

As a non-slapper, I don't really know---is the OP going to be able to find a dirt-cheap amp that can do a modern slap sound in a reasonable way, or does he need to adjust his expectations? All the cheap "starter" amps I ever experienced sounded like mud, but that was 25 years ago.

-NT

Art Araya · #33 11-19-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

If you want to try something really different, try resting your chin on the upper horn of the bass. The bone in your jaw will transmit the vibrations to your ear.

Yes, I've used this.

You can also rest the head of your bass against the wall. Now the entire wall becomes an "amp". Hey, it works!

Art Araya · #34 11-19-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ics1974

I have the VOX headphone amp and it works well.

love this unit! use it all the time when i travel.

fmachia · #35 11-19-2012, 12:04 PM

Thanks guys for the welcome! I have been reading the forums for months and found tons of info on music theory and tecnique and lots of stories about gear and gigs. I am thoroughly enjoying TB!

I am teaching myself how to play. I picked the bass up 3 years ago, at age 29. I have never played anything before. Even though I absolutely loved music in all forms, I always felt I was not going to be able to play anything correctly. But never made an effort really.
So one day my little brother, who was living with me at the time, comes in with a yellow fernandez 4 stringer. I though it looked gorgeous. I also felt it wighed a ton and was really uncomfortable! Anyway, he was trying to learn on his own but never made much progress. In the meantime I was starting to practice as well and loved it right away. I was hooked from the very first day. Didnt expect to actually play in a band or anything (and I never did yet), just started to practice for fun. 3 years later, I can play along to songs on the radio or on my stereo, and have picked up pretty decent tecnique. I have my own repertiore, so to speak, just get a back track on the PC and play away. I will probably try to get together with other musicians sooner or later, but with a full-time job and school I could never keep up with a couple of rehearsals a week.
The most difficult part of the learning process for me is finding the time and the perseverance, I just practice for a couple of hours a week, tops. So, if you have the time and are willing to put some effort into it, I´d say you´ll be just fine starting bass on your own. Just make sure to get a teacher if you feel you are not progressing in some respect which holds you back. Fear not the 4 strings!

Burialist · #36 11-19-2012, 02:24 PM

Thanks fmachia,
that was very inspiring.

**cfsporn** · #37 11-19-2012, 04:05 PM

I do 99% of my playing unplugged. I think it has helped build finger strength as well as a better feel for each of my basses. Occasionally, I will plug into my computer or my Sansamp, but not often.

Blankandson · #38 11-21-2012, 09:40 AM

Assuming you are typing this on your own computer or laptop? Get an adaptor from Radio Shack for less than $5 to plug your bass into your mic input. Go directly to your sound-card software and click a few places where it asks you input / output questions. Download music from I-tunes or just put a music CD in. When you play the music plug your bass in and start playing. With most soundcards you will hear both the music and your bass. You will need to make some adjustments, mainly on your bass, but it works. Cheap headphones work but the more you spend the better they get. Not the best but it is cheap and it can work. I'm on a Dell now and it has a RealTek HD sound card, which will work fine. As stated above, this is NOT a long-term fix. But for a few months it's OK. The only downside is after 3-4 months of listening this way, if you plug your bass into a real rig and turn the knobs up, you will crap in your pants.