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Beginner Advice Needed

#21
anubisdoobies said:
No Craigslist where I live :(
May I ask which Rumble? They are quite costly compared to the Harley Benton I was recommended in an above post.
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They don't have HB on this side of the Atlantic. Smallest I would get would be the 40. You don't want anything smaller than a 10" speaker on these cheaper bedroom amps.

But definitely check whatever used options there are bear you. Lots of people try playing, then end up dumping it when they don't stay with it. Good luck.

I've heard decent things about the HB basses. I think there is a "I play a Harley Benton" club here - look it up, pop in there and ask questions. People here are always welcome to discuss basses (and enable your purchase).
 
#22
buldog5151bass said:
You don't want anything smaller than a 10" speaker on these cheaper bedroom amps.
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I don’t necessarily agree with this. My 8 inch was perfect as a beginner and I still use it today when I need something small and light. I have even used it as a monitor when playing through a PA.

That being said I never found my tone until I got my Mesa; but I ahead a 15 inch combo and that never did it for me.
 
#23
I was 15 when I started. What kind of music do you like and want to play? I learned best by watching YouTube vids like Scott’s bass lessons and MarloweDk, there are many others out there. Learning scales, then learning them at different parts of the neck and how they connect was something that really opened up my playing. Don’t be too worried about “right and wrong” ways to play, it’s your bass! Best of luck and don’t give up if it gets tough!!
 
#24
anubisdoobies said:
No Craigslist where I live :(
May I ask which Rumble? They are quite costly compared to the Harley Benton I was recommended in an above post.
Click to expand...
The Rumble 15, 25 and 40 are all good candidates for beginning to learn as are the Ampeg BA-108, BA-110 and BA-112. All these are under $300 new; in fact, the Rumble 25 and BA-108 are $120 new. Many others will serve as well.
 
#25
i love the sterling ray4 and recommend it highly.

bedroom amp on a budget? rumble 25 or hartke HD15 or ampeg BA108. they're all good. i was going to get the rumble 25 but ended up with the rumble 40, but the 25 is versatile and sounds good.
 
#26
It's difficult to choose an instrument for you.
It's really something that you will ease into and change your thoughts about the more you learn about the bass and how it feels in your hands.

But if I were to pick something for a beginner, I really would choose and Ibanez, something like an SR300 or SR400. I picked up and played an SR400 the other day at Guitar Center and true to form, it has a nice smooth thin neck, good pickups, small body, and looks good.
You could spend more, but just starting out not knowing, why do that when you can get a good sounding, good playing bass at a nice price, then you have more to put towards your amp, which something like a Fender Rumble 200 would be a great amp to start with.
 
#27
southpaw723 said:
I was 15 when I started. What kind of music do you like and want to play? I learned best by watching YouTube vids like Scott’s bass lessons and MarloweDk, there are many others out there. Learning scales, then learning them at different parts of the neck and how they connect was something that really opened up my playing. Don’t be too worried about “right and wrong” ways to play, it’s your bass! Best of luck and don’t give up if it gets tough!!
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Thank you for your answer! I guess I like rock and some pop, but mostly rock. I also find playing Jazz to be quite cool, so I definitely want to try that. Thanks!
 
#29
jdh3000 said:
It's difficult to choose an instrument for you.
It's really something that you will ease into and change your thoughts about the more you learn about the bass and how it feels in your hands.

But if I were to pick something for a beginner, I really would choose and Ibanez, something like an SR300 or SR400. I picked up and played an SR400 the other day at Guitar Center and true to form, it has a nice smooth thin neck, good pickups, small body, and looks good.
You could spend more, but just starting out not knowing, why do that when you can get a good sounding, good playing bass at a nice price, then you have more to put towards your amp, which something like a Fender Rumble 200 would be a great amp to start with.
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Thank you for answering! The Ibanez SR300/400 aren't available here :(
 
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#30
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#31
It’s great you’re going to try out the basses. Even if you can’t play a note, you can run your hand up the neck, see how the thing feels to you and get a gut-reaction as to which feels better. Try it standing up on a strap, and see how it balances. Either bass should serve you well.

You should definitely learn about bass setup. With a cheap tool kit, you can maintain your bass yourself. These micro adjustments can make or break your bass playing experience
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

I heartily endorse the rumble 25 and Ampeg ba108; but if you’re set on the HB I bet that would serve you well.

have fun!
 
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#32
You gotta go and strap a few basses on man. How does it feel? Some smaller body basses hang differently than larger ones. Long scale necks feel different than others. Strap one on, put your left hand (assuming you are right handed) on the neck like you are playing and feel it. If the neck feels like it is trying to pull you toward the floor put it back. Some guys wear their basses REALLY low, like below the belt line and some wear theirs really high up on their chest. Put the center of the body a smidge north of your belt line. Reach with your left hand to the 1st fret then the 12th on the neck and see how your arm and body feels. You will know. BTW..nothing wrong with wearing it low or high but guys who do that change stance and strap width as well as how your hands pluck notes and fret notes. Its different.

Playing Bass in my humble opinion is one of the most satisfying things around. When you get in your head and heart where your note fits in a song and WHY ....man there ain't much better. You may prefer listening to a certain genre of music but when you really GET bass guitar the bass line becomes so much more important than the type of song it is within.
Groove is King.

Enjoy!
 
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#33
CallMeAl said:
It’s great you’re going to try out the basses. Even if you can’t play a note, you can run your hand up the neck, see how the thing feels to you and get a gut-reaction as to which feels better. Try it standing up on a strap, and see how it balances. Either bass should serve you well.

You should definitely learn about bass setup. With a cheap tool kit, you can maintain your bass yourself. These micro adjustments can make or break your bass playing experience
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

I heartily endorse the rumble 25 and Ampeg ba108; but if you’re set on the HB I bet that would serve you well.

have fun!
Click to expand...
Thanks for answering! The Ampeg is much cheaper, and I can buy it locally, I just thought it isn't strong enough for bass. Thanks!
 
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#34
BassDad1964 said:
You gotta go and strap a few basses on man. How does it feel? Some smaller body basses hang differently than larger ones. Long scale necks feel different than others. Strap one on, put your left hand (assuming you are right handed) on the neck like you are playing and feel it. If the neck feels like it is trying to pull you toward the floor put it back. Some guys wear their basses REALLY low, like below the belt line and some wear theirs really high up on their chest. Put the center of the body a smidge north of your belt line. Reach with your left hand to the 1st fret then the 12th on the neck and see how your arm and body feels. You will know. BTW..nothing wrong with wearing it low or high but guys who do that change stance and strap width as well as how your hands pluck notes and fret notes. Its different.

Playing Bass in my humble opinion is one of the most satisfying things around. When you get in your head and heart where your note fits in a song and WHY ....man there ain't much better. You may prefer listening to a certain genre of music but when you really GET bass guitar the bass line becomes so much more important than the type of song it is within.
Groove is King.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Thank you! I will try.
 
#35
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#36
anubisdoobies said:
Thanks for answering! The Ampeg is much cheaper, and I can buy it locally, I just thought it isn't strong enough for bass. Thanks!
Click to expand...
It’s all debatable and personal preference- but IME those little 8” amps sound pretty good in the apartment. Plenty of volume and bottom end for solo playing. (I even roll a little bass off of my Rumble- but if you want a really thick bottom end, it’s there) I’ve also used the Ampeg for drummer-less rehearsals and bluegrass gigs
 
#38
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:
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I totally agree with the above. OP: In the meantime here is a useful link (see below) for getting started. While it's very exciting and enjoyable sussing out amps, cabs, strings etc., don't neglect to also suss out safe technique. Starting off from ground zero with good habits will save you time in not having to unlearn any bad ones later. Safe technique is touched on in the link.

Best of luck...and welcome to the low end. :bassist:

How to get started?
 
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