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Any Bass Dads Out There?

JJ Honeycutt

JJ Honeycutt

Sep 9, 2021
59
139
Post Falls, Idaho
#1
New member here. New to bass as well. I never imagined myself at 42 learning to play an instrument yet here I am at the behest of my 15 year old son. Any bass dads out there?

This summer I surprised him with an inexpensive electric guitar and amp after multiple hints to me that he was interested in learning. The kid has picked it up quickly and is shredding for only having a couple months under his belt. I had a feeling that might happen because he is quite gifted at piano (classically trained and competing at a high level).

He later mentions to me about how cool it would be if I played the bass and we could jam together in the basement. Well frick yea, I am learning the bass. If my teenager wants to actually spend time with his old man, I am gunna roll with it.

So I bought me a Fender at GC and am currently hunting down something loud and economically friendly to play it through (any advice would be helpful in this department). My son says to get something loud, because we enjoy a variety of different types of metal (Doom, Prog, etc).

Anyhow, I have been perusing this forum for the last couple weeks and have learned a great deal from the folks posting on here. Thank you all. Excellent resource, especially for beginners trying to learn the ropes. Wish me luck.
 
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#2
Welcome, JJ! I don't post much, but I lurk a lot. I'm a father of 7 kids - and the bass player for our family band. We've converted our garage to a studio space & love to play together as a family. You're in for a treat! Hopefully you & your son will "lock" in to each other and begin a whole new way of communicating through music.
 
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#3
SerfBass said:
Welcome, JJ! I don't post much, but I lurk a lot. I'm a father of 7 kids - and the bass player for our family band. We've converted our garage to a studio space & love to play together as a family. You're in for a treat! Hopefully you & your son will "lock" in to each other and begin a whole new way of communicating through music.
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Family band!? Now why didn't I think of that? I have a large family as well (6 kidlets ranging from ages 2 months old to 20). My oldest son has actually showed some interest in learning drums but I doubt he decides to do that as he has little time between college and running his own business. But that would be cool!

Thanks for the comment and encouragement.
 
#4
I am a bass and synth dad, but my 7 year old is more interested in Legos at this point. He flirted with drums for a bit when he was younger, but I'm not sure the music bug is going to bite him like it did me. My wife loves music but is not 'musical'. She's a talented artist though, and the kid loves to draw so I think he's likely to follow more in her footsteps. I'm okay with that, better working hours and less heavy lifting.
 
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#5
JJ Honeycutt said:
New member here. New to bass as well. I never imagined myself at 42 learning to play an instrument yet here I am at the behest of my 15 year old son. Any bass dads out there?

This summer I surprised him with an inexpensive electric guitar and amp after multiple hints to me that he was interested in learning. The kid has picked it up quickly and is shredding for only having a couple months under his belt. I had a feeling that might happen because he is quite gifted at piano (classically trained and competing at a high level).

He later mentions to me about how cool it would be if I played the bass and we could jam together in the basement. Well frick yea, I am learning the bass. If my teenager wants to actually spend time with his old man, I am gunna roll with it.

So I bought me a Fender at GC and am currently hunting down something loud and economically friendly to play it through (any advice would be helpful in this department). My son says to get something loud, because we enjoy a variety of different types of metal (Doom, Prog, etc).

Anyhow, I have been perusing this forum for the last couple weeks and have learned a great deal from the folks posting on here. Thank you all. Excellent resource, especially for beginners trying to learn the ropes. Wish me luck.
Click to expand...
Good for you! You'll love it and you will build a bond between you and your son.
I would suggest a Fender Rumble for your amp. "Something loud" is subjective, so it is hard to suggest which one. I think a 100 combo would do what you want. Check out the Fender Rumble Club Fender Rumble Club and the Fender Rumble Wiki pages Fender Rumble Club Wiki Page | TalkBass.com
They are very economical, have great tone, and can be very loud. Last night I played my 100 with a drummer and a guitar player. We were not really loud, but loud enough and my 100 was plenty.
Best of luck to you, sir.
 
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#6
WG Plum said:
I am a bass and synth dad, but my 7 year old is more interested in Legos at this point. He flirted with drums for a bit when he was younger, but I'm not sure the music bug is going to bite him like it did me. My wife loves music but is not 'musical'. She's a talented artist though, and the kid loves to draw so I think he's likely to follow more in her footsteps. I'm okay with that, better working hours and less heavy lifting.
Click to expand...

It could change overnight. My mother in law bought a small keyboard for the family some years ago and one day my son just took a shining to it. This is my 14 year old (soon to be 15) now after only about 4 years of serious practice. He can read any piece of music you set in front of him ***which really blows my mind***
 
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#7
Gravedigger Dav said:
Good for you! You'll love it and you will build a bond between you and your son.
I would suggest a Fender Rumble for your amp. "Something loud" is subjective, so it is hard to suggest which one. I think a 100 combo would do what you want. Check out the Fender Rumble Club Fender Rumble Club and the Fender Rumble Wiki pages Fender Rumble Club Wiki Page | TalkBass.com
They are very economical, have great tone, and can be very loud. Last night I played my 100 with a drummer and a guitar player. We were not really loud, but loud enough and my 100 was plenty.
Best of luck to you, sir.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I keep hearing over and over how nice the Rumbles are. One of my favorite bass players plays a fender bass and amp (one of the reasons I actually bought a Jaguar). I need to head to the city to try one of these Rumbles out.
 
#9
Steve88 said:
Father of three here...ages 5, 3, and 1. I'm hoping they get into music. The oldest sings lots of songs from memory, and can recognize and repeat lyrics from songs on the radio...I have high hopes :thumbsup:
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I have a 2 month old, 6, 10, 15, 16, and 20 year old. We home school and that has been beneficial for the kids to have the time they want to do the things that interest them. It seems like every kid Ive ever met has had some sort of musical interest but for whatever reason never pursued it later on. Thats why I throw all sorts of stuff at the kids and see what sticks and encourage them the best I can without becoming one of those "Music Tyrant" parents that Ive seen at some of these piano competitions.
 
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#10
We've got 7, as I mentioned. 10, 11, 17, 19, 20, 22 & 22 (twins). Amongst them are two drummers, a guitarist, a pianist, an accordionist & 3 singers. Plus my wife on keys & me on bass.

Our twins were born the morning of Columbine (4/20/99) -- which solidified our decision to homeschool. Never a day in school for any of them. Graduated 5 of the 7 so far. Earliest graduated at 15. Oldest at 18.
 
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#11
SerfBass said:
We've got 7, as I mentioned. 10, 11, 17, 19, 20, 22 & 22 (twins). Amongst them are two drummers, a guitarist, a pianist, an accordionist & 3 singers. Plus my wife on keys & me on bass.

Our twins were born the morning of Columbine (4/20/99) -- which solidified our decision to homeschool. Never a day in school for any of them. Graduated 5 of the 7 so far. Earliest graduated at 15. Oldest at 18.
Click to expand...

Thats just awesome!
 

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