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Buy a second bass or . . .?

#42
jacolyte said:
there's a lot of good advice in this thread, but i want to say something i haven't seen anybody else saying: if you do decide to get a second bass, for the sake of variety, don't get another lakland; get something really different. a rickenbacker or something.
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I think that makes sense. Plenty of great basses out there . . .
 
#43
Sweet Willie said:
I played bass for 3-4 years before getting a second bass. I had a 4-string Ibanez Roadstar P (was terrific!) and used some hard-earned summer bucks for a fretless 5-string. (I don't have either bass any longer, but now have others.)

I have had two instances in my life when I had the time to take lessons regularly and put in reasonable practice time. Once was during high school, when it was easier to make the time to practice and I could take lessons through school. The other was when I was in graduate school when my daily schedule was more flexible so I could fit in lessons and make time to practice. As I've gotten older, the time available to really benefit from lessons has become harder to come by. (I have taken a few lessons here or there since then when it's been possible.) Thus, if you have the time now, and not too many competing obligations, take advantage of it. It's easy to buy another bass (or two or twelve) later if you have the resources come your way. It's harder to make time happen for lessons and practice and such if it's not your career or a valuable contributor to your overall income stream.
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My kids are out of the house, and I have a very understanding wife, so I have all the time I need for practice, and I'm trying to make use of every minute :-)
 
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#44
Jhass said:
My kids are out of the house, and I have a very understanding wife, so I have all the time I need for practice, and I'm trying to make use of every minute :)
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There you go! I'm transitioning into that phase now, and hoping that I'll make some time for lessons and practice in the not too distant future.
 
#47
For me lessons every week is too much, once a fortnight is good to cement the ideas, and still have a life/enjoy playing. YMMV.

What about some practicing tools? Could you benefit from a looper? Or an ipad/tablet? What about a small keyboard to learn chord voicings?
 
#48
Having actual paid lessons sounds cool (I never actually got that). My gut reaction is to say go with more lessons until you're very competent. I will say that unless you're gigging a lot, you probably don't need a second bass. That being said, I am a believer in having a back up bass in case one ever has to go to the shop. If you're going to get another bass I recommend getting something very different so you can cover more tonal bases and I recommend buying USED. A looper would also be very helpful. Really, its up to you because you know exactly how well you're doing right now.
 
#49
Lessons, but try to find some other good teacher, just for the different approach on bass playing and generally about music.
Sometimes describing even the same stuff in another way that may develop a whole new idea.
 
#54
I'm 100% self-taught on bass, although I started on piano and learned theory, etc. Over the years, I have become a competent bass player. With lessons, I might actually be a good bass player and would have been there a long time ago. As nice as it is to blow money on a shiny new toy, and lord knows I do that, lessons are a better idea if you can organize the time. That's what it boils down to for me more often than not these days. If you have the time, lessons are the priority.
 
#58
I started playing bass in July, 1984. I got my second bass for Xmas, 1985. See the parallel between us?

I've learned something important since then: The better a bassist I become, the happier I am with one good bass.

Now, try that on for yourself: The better a bassist you become, the happier you'll be with one good bass.

Focus on your playing, allowing yourself to develop as a bassist.

Don't let GAS distract you from focusing on playing well.

Besides, you can only play one at a time and student debt can be a b*tch.
 
#60
Well I have gone for the bass instead of the lessons a bunch of times now. I was looking for "the sound" by getting different basses hoping that mystically I would get the right bass and everything would sound better. Only problem is I still suck and no bass in itself can change that. So now after countless expensive experiences I am getting lessons. Now I suck a little less every week....
 

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