After 20+ years playing the guitar...my first bass!!!

Hi guys

Just picked up a used MM sterling 4H from my closest GC (great deal and that 30 day satisfaction guarantee that I could not get through a private seller).

I will send pics later on but the bass looks super clean, comes with the MM case and strap/strap locks.

I chose the Sterling because I think it is a compact, solid quality instrument without being "too much" bass for me. I have had serious GAS for a Thumb 5 NT but would rather work on some chops on a cheaper bass.

My biggest influences bass-wise are definitely Jonas Hellborg and Flea (BSSM period). I rediscovered Tal Wilkenfeld recently and am in love with the River of Life tune.

My plan to get started is the following:

Slap: start with Flea type exercise and then move onto more technical parts a la Wooten. I have always slapped on my electric guitars so this won't be an issue just need to get used to string spacing.

"In the pocket bass lines": work on Led Zeppelin tunes ("fool in the rain"), the Police etc. my goal is to lock with the drummer and just groove. Big crush on "I want you back" (Jackson 5) and "Englishman in NY" bass lines too...

Jazzy lines: "River of Life" from Tal and YouTube videos of her jamming at NAMM or on stage with J Beck. Work on my Hellborg tunes too.

I don't have a real amp just an old SWR workingman 10...if I can't get a good sound I will use the Apogee Jam in the meantime. I live in a condo so will try to check out condos or mini stacks (the Aguilar 500 looks sweet). Once I feel I play decent bass I will go ahead and "invest". Wife is worried I go with an SVT 8x10 stack

I will post pics and videos...so I you guys can see my progress (or lack of). I want to be able to Jam ASAP so I know this is an ambitious program!

Cheers!

P

 

Thanks! I think I can hold my own playing rock, metal, funk, acoustic and world music styles. I just have this urge to lay down some bass lines! For the story, I always wanted to play bass but my dad told me as a kid: the guitar has more strings, you will transition faster lol (he had no clue!).

Currently listing to "oriental bass" from Renaud Garcia Pons... It's double bass but I am adding this to my list!

 

The pics are in! I have NOT cleaned the bass yet but I think it is in pristine condition (despite one chip at the bottom and one of the hum bucker's pole that is worn out).
I did some search online to try and date my bass...Looks like it is from 2002. I was shocked to find this out as it seems that it was barely used.

Also...I was mistaken that tiny amp I had in storage was not a workingman but a SWR LA Series 8. Havent plugged it in yet but I read good reviews about this tiny practice amp!

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Started goofing around with it unplugged...WOW....I am in love!

 

When goofing with basses in the past I have always done so without a pick. I play guitar with a pick but since Keziah Jones was a big influence of mine in the early 90s I have also played a lot with my fingers.

Unless I am looking for a specific sound, I plan to use my fingers only.

 

One week later....

The SWR LA Series is an awesome practice/learning tool: plugged in the iPod and already jamming with my favorite tracks!

Right now I am not getting all bass lines at 100%...just trying to have fun with the songs.

Glad to have Youtube for some pointers though!

 

Thanks guys for the comments!

Joe: I hear you on the different mindset! Back when I was in full guitar mode, I would play guitar licks on basses I would pick up randomly (ex: tapping part from Eruption). I would not make sense today.

I love as much simple stuff ("Stir it up", "With or without you") as more complex Hellborg/Wimbish licks...as long as it serves the song.

Loss: One thing I do to work on fingerstyle consistency is in my car! I keep the right hand on the shift with my thumb resting on it and my fingers keep on galloping!

 

^I am trying to play some guitar now & then so I don't lose the feel for the guitar...

String spacing & gauge different can be tricky for sure!

 

Alright guys...Here's a quick update (still video shy though!).


As far as the bass goes...It plays like butter. My electric guitars have different neck profiles (EJ Strat, MM Luke, Jackson RR, Washburn "Workhorse" N2 and Taylor CE214) and making the switch to the Sterling was super easy despite (obviously) heavier strings.
It's been more than 2 weeks and while I am focusing on the bass, I still grab the guitar so I don't lose the feel for the instrument.

As far as the playing and techniques are concerned(and thanks to youtube isolated bass tracks) I can now play songs like:

-The Trooper (to practice 3 finger techniques)
-Give it away, Suck my kiss, higher ground for my Flea fix


So far so good I guess!

I am trying to work on the TM Stevens harmonics groove...Kinda tricky!

Also working on Doug Wimbish and Tal W. NAMM demos.
Does anybody know how Wimbish does his trademark fast slap? On the following video, it starts at 0:24. Sounds machine-gun like...