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Beginner Advice Needed

A

anubisdoobies

Oct 24, 2020
27
9
#1
Hey!

I'm thinking of starting to play bass. I'm a total newbie. I'm 15 in November and if I'm still interested by my birthday(or sooner, if I see I'm into it I might get myself an early birthday gift) I'll probably buy one.

I'm thinking between the Music Man ray4 and schecter c-4 SGR.

What do you guys think? Any recommendations? Helpful tips?

If I do get a bass, how should I approach it all? About a year ago I started piano just a bit(have a small organ thingy from when I was really really young), and it was so much more straightforward than the reddit FAQ and wiki haha! So any help on that part would be appreciated. I heard to just start playing some bass lines I like and continue from there but idk.

Also, recommendation for a cheap amp? I think I fit the bedroom category :) I won't do any gigs I think, maybe in like a year or two(and I heavily doubt that, I just wanna play for fun), just play with my friend who has a guitar.

Thanks!

(btw, if this isn't the right forum let me know, I wasn't quite sure)
 
#2
anubisdoobies said:
Helpful tips?
Click to expand...
take some lessons to get yourself started. you don't have to go to lessons forever, but without them, you may never move beyond "newbie." also: hooking up with a teacher is a good way to get some advice about which instruments/features might be the most appropriate for you...and a teacher can help you define and set goals --- including playing with your friend! learning about music is a trip! ;)

good luck! :thumbsup:
 
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#3
JRA said:
take some lessons to get yourself started. you don't have to go to lessons forever, but without them, you may never move beyond "newbie." also: hooking up with a teacher is a good way to get some advice about which instruments/features might be the most appropriate for you...and a teacher can help you define and set goals --- including playing with your friend! learning about music is a trip! ;)

good luck! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thank you! I'll see about a teacher, I thought I might just learn online :) (In a course or something, actually learning)
 
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#4
JRA said:
take some lessons to get yourself started. you don't have to go to lessons forever, but without them, you may never move beyond "newbie." also: hooking up with a teacher is a good way to get some advice about which instruments/features might be the most appropriate for you...and a teacher can help you define and set goals --- including playing with your friend! learning about music is a trip! ;)

good luck! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I will 100% second this, even if only to show you how to hold the thing, how to position your hands and how to recognise and avoid some of the more questionable techniques that can lead to long-term problems. Good basic techniques learned thoroughly in early years will serve you well for a decades.
 
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#5
anubisdoobies said:
Hey!

I'm thinking of starting to play bass. I'm a total newbie. I'm 15 in November and if I'm still interested by my birthday(or sooner, if I see I'm into it I might get myself an early birthday gift) I'll probably buy one.

I'm thinking between the Music Man ray4 and schecter c-4 SGR.

What do you guys think? Any recommendations? Helpful tips?

If I do get a bass, how should I approach it all? About a year ago I started piano just a bit(have a small organ thingy from when I was really really young), and it was so much more straightforward than the reddit FAQ and wiki haha! So any help on that part would be appreciated. I heard to just start playing some bass lines I like and continue from there but idk.

Also, recommendation for a cheap amp? I think I fit the bedroom category :) I won't do any gigs I think, maybe in like a year or two(and I heavily doubt that, I just wanna play for fun), just play with my friend who has a guitar.

Thanks!

(btw, if this isn't the right forum let me know, I wasn't quite sure)
Click to expand...
If you mean a sterling ray34, its a great choice. Also, check out harley benton. They've got a great selection of very nice, very inexpensive instruments. Perfect for someone thinking about starting to play. As in, don't go spending a lot of money on something you don't already love. It's not necessary. You can get cheaper things that still sound and play great.

Amp, 210 or 115 combo. It'll be great for you now, and work fine later when playing with others. Cheap 110 combo if you don't have the money, and just want something to start playing on now.
 
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#6
JeezyMcNuggles said:
If you mean a sterling ray34, its a great choice. Also, check out harley benton. They've got a great selection of very nice, very inexpensive instruments.

Amp, 210 or 115 combo. It'll be great for you now, and work fine later when playing with others. Cheap 110 combo if you don't have the money, and just want something to start playing on now.
Click to expand...
Thank you for answering!
I mean the ray4, not 34. [This invalid link has been removed]
Pretty sure it's the beginner version of the ray34. Reddit says it's really good! However. I can't find info of the Schecter C-4 SGR.
I'll buy the bass itself locally, and the C-4 costs around 293$ and the Ray4 costs around 414$. Obviously, the C-4 is much better for me in terms of price.
I'll probably buy the amp online though, I'm thinking of this(it's not 210 or 215, but on the reddit FAQ it says this is a really good one that can actually create good bass tones): https://www.thomann.de/intl/il/ibanez_p20_promethean.htm
What do you think?
Thanks!
 
#8
In the price range you are talking about you will be fine, as you are out of the starter junk stuff. Go with the one that looks best on you -- it's your bass and you should enjoy playing it. Which one do you like?

I had a 15 watt amp at home and a 200 watt for gigging. I also had a 40watt, 100 watt and 150 watt amp. Kinda depended on the room and how far I had to lug it from the parking lot. Beyond 200 watt I plugging into the house PA system.

Teacher will save you a lot of time, however you can do it on your own there are all kinds of good sites on the Internet. I'd recommend you spend some time at How to get started? I found the book Bass Guitar for Dummies to have value. How to get started?
 
Last edited:
#9
anubisdoobies said:
Thank you for answering!
I mean the ray4, not 34. [This invalid link has been removed]
Pretty sure it's the beginner version of the ray34. Reddit says it's really good! However. I can't find info of the Schecter C-4 SGR.
I'll buy the bass itself locally, and the C-4 costs around 293$ and the Ray4 costs around 414$. Obviously, the C-4 is much better for me in terms of price.
I'll probably buy the amp online though, I'm thinking of this(it's not 210 or 215, but on the reddit FAQ it says this is a really good one that can actually create good bass tones): https://www.thomann.de/intl/il/ibanez_p20_promethean.htm
What do you think?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Oh, the little promethean? They're cool. Sound pretty decent too. Well, if you're looking at Thomann, check out the Harley Benton stuff. Thats they're house brand. A lot of good options.
 
#11
Any decently set up bass will do and, from what I have read on this forum your choices should be good. My first amp was an ampeg BA108 v2 which is perfect for the bedroom and includes a headphone jack for silent practice (although decent studio headphones add to the cost ~150 CAD).

I learned technique and basic theory with the Hal Leonard Bass method and got me to a point where I can play with others and most bass lines.
 
#12
Malcolm35 said:
In the price range you are talking about you will be fine, as you are out of the starter junk stuff. Go with the one that looks best on you -- it's your bass and you should enjoy playing it. Which one do you like?

I had a 15 watt amp at home and a 200 watt for gigging. I also had a 40watt, 100 watt and 150 watt amp. Kinda depended on the room and how far I had to lug it from the parking lot. Beyond 200 watt I plugging into the house PA system.

Teacher will save you a lot of time, however you can do it on your own there are all kinds of good sites on the Internet. I'd recommend you spend some time at How to get started? I found the book Bass Guitar for Dummies to have value. How to get started?
Click to expand...
Thanks for answering! I guess I'll go to the shop and try both the C-4 and Ray4. I'll decide, if I like the Ray much more, I'll pay the extra 100$ I guess.
 
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#15
Sean150 said:
Any decently set up bass will do and, from what I have read on this forum your choices should be good. My first amp was an ampeg BA108 v2 which is perfect for the bedroom and includes a headphone jack for silent practice (although decent studio headphones add to the cost ~150 CAD).

I learned technique and basic theory with the Hal Leonard Bass method and got me to a point where I can play with others and most bass lines.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your answer! This Ampeg is actually available locally, but I heard it has a lot of problems etc.
 
#16
I'm a Ray fan in general. OK.

BUT...
Go to a shop and/or borrow from your friends. The most important thing in my opinion to a beginner is to find a bass that feels good in your hands. I wouldn't even sweat the tone from the pickups as much as how it feels. There are a lot of different neck shapes that look the same from a couple meters away. So play as many as you can, don't worry about being able to play. You don't have to show off to the store employees. Just hold them and move up and down the neck and press the strings. What feels best to you will ensure that you stick with it. Good luck.
 
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#17
anubisdoobies said:
Thanks! How's the HB-20B or HB-40B? They are very very cheap, and I like that haha!
Click to expand...
That, I don't know. But, I just ordered a JB75, it'll be here in about a week. And, there are plenty of videos on youtube, and satisfied Benton owners, here on Talkbass. Do a search here for whatever you're looking at. You'll get the real scoop.
 
#18
Killing Floor said:
I'm a Ray fan in general. OK.

BUT...
Go to a shop and/or borrow from your friends. The most important thing in my opinion to a beginner is to find a bass that feels good in your hands. I wouldn't even sweat the tone from the pickups as much as how it feels. There are a lot of different neck shapes that look the same from a couple meters away. So play as many as you can, don't worry about being able to play. You don't have to show off to the store employees. Just hold them and move up and down the neck and press the strings. What feels best to you will ensure that you stick with it. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Will do. I also LOVE the Mint Green on the Ray4... that's a huge bonus haha.
 
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#20
anubisdoobies said:
Thanks for answering! I guess I'll go to the shop and try both the C-4 and Ray4. I'll decide, if I like the Ray much more, I'll pay the extra 100$ I guess.
Click to expand...
If you can get them in your hands, you'll have the answer.

Look at quality used combos in 210, 212, and 115 formats. Lots of affordable choices from GK (my pick from these), Ampeg, Fender, and others that tend to be widely available. Make sure you get a late enough model that it allows headphones-only practice and has an Aux input for you to plug a source into; most have for a while.

Welcome to the deep end, and to Talkbass!
 
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