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US: West Colorado Club
- Thread starter JSK5String
- Start date
Had a good time with Dan, took him some DVD's and we watched Steely Dan's 2 Against Nature concert. He was feeling better and was moving around. He said thanks for everyone's thoughts....
That is hilarious! I've always been fascinated by electricity and electrical equipment. I am an amateur tube amp fixer/destroyer. When I was young I occasionally got some nasty shocks messing with outlets, sockets and fooling with home appliances...tried making a large filament with tie-wire and sticking it in an outlet. Yikes! Fortunately my teenagers have not been keen to do foolish electrical experiments.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Yeah, it was almost a "hold my beer, watch this!" moment. But I had friends with older brothers and sisters who did really crazy things involving getting samples of explosives from chemical supply houses and making their own fireworks. One day they somehow conned the school department out of a 1lb brick of sodium which they chucked in the Charles River. And there was that little matter of my attempt at nitro glycerine in jr. high school. I was very lucky I didn't quite understand the finer workings of the catalyst in my recipe. I'm glad those types of things are much more under lock and key in the science room these days. We were pretty mischievous and even the music room was fair game. A friend of mine and I got terrorized in gym class by the football jocks (it was the 70s, not too far off from Dazed and Confused in some ways) and so we skipped gym and he had the keys to the music room off the auditorium. We went down and dragged out the drum set and the tympani and started going at it on the auditorium stage at a pretty good volume. About 10 minutes later, the principal, vice-principle, the music teacher and the gym teacher all burst in, furious as hell. Apparently you could hear in about 40% of the classrooms. Jr. High was fun!
I hope to be part of this club one day. Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. I drove through and stayed in the Springs for three days with an ex, and it def made an impression on me. I was just amazed at all I saw. LOVE Colorado!!
Hey Coloradans! So, which store is best for bass players in the Arvada/Westminster realm of influence? I ask because I'm having a heck of a time finding that first bass guitar and amp to go with it. GC on 88th is a letdown, as is the Musicians Superstore on 120th.
Appreciate any help getting started on bass.
Appreciate any help getting started on bass.
Well, thats a tough question. You'll be hard pressed to find a store in this state that has a nice bass selection. We used to have Premier Bass up your way, but it closed. You can read back in the thread about that if you want. So what are you left with? Guitar Centers.
There is one up near you, one in Denver at I-25 and Colorado blvd, and one down near Park Meadows mall. They are all about the same IMO. I'd suggest finding something that you like at one of those then buying something used here out of the classifieds. Maybe you could tell us what style of bass your thinking and we may be able to help more.
There is one up near you, one in Denver at I-25 and Colorado blvd, and one down near Park Meadows mall. They are all about the same IMO. I'd suggest finding something that you like at one of those then buying something used here out of the classifieds. Maybe you could tell us what style of bass your thinking and we may be able to help more.
I did the same thing in high school, in Colorado Springs... A paper clip into an outlet in science class. Shut down the whole wing of the school.
Maybe the jokes about bass players are true!
Hey thanks! Well, I play guitar and pretty much stick to late 60's hard rock and psychedelic. I'm almost certain a Fender Jazz bass is going to be my starting point. I am 100% certain I want to make the switch to bass though so an entry level or intermediate bass is not appealing at all. But with amps, I really have no clue. they are a totally different beast than what I'm used to.
The guy at the GC near me is talking up what he has in stock obviously.
I'd like to get an amp that can last for a while, is gigable but isn't too heavy or big(I'm subject to back spasms and have a small car). My guitar amp is a 50w tube head and 2x12 closed back cab and it's about as heavy as I'd like to go for bass.
Well Jazz basses are pretty easy to find. If you want a US Fender Jazz you can get a nice one here in the classifieds for around $800. I'd stick to 2008 or newer as they made some nice changes in the production line in '08. Lakland Skyline is another good choice for that price range. A precision bass is also a good choice for 60's rock. The same info above applies to the Precisions, 2008 or newer IMO. There are some nice "boutique" jazz basses that can be had in the $1600 range. Sadowsky, Mike Lull, Nordstrand are some good boutique jazz basses, but it may take a little waiting to find one that you like at that price.
There have been huge steps in the bass amp world in the last few years. Micro class D amps have become very popular. They are small and light, most can fit in your gig bag. Bass cabs have also gotten very light compared to the past. Neo cabs, cabs with neodymium magnets, are the lightest you'll find. Picking an amp depends on price range. Lower en, but still nice, would be GK, MarkBass. You can get a small 500 watt head and a couple 112's for $700 or so. Or you could go higher end and get a Genz Benz, Aguilar, TecAmp or several others and spend $2000 for a rig with 2 112 cabs. Let us know what type of money your looking to spend and I can help more.
There have been huge steps in the bass amp world in the last few years. Micro class D amps have become very popular. They are small and light, most can fit in your gig bag. Bass cabs have also gotten very light compared to the past. Neo cabs, cabs with neodymium magnets, are the lightest you'll find. Picking an amp depends on price range. Lower en, but still nice, would be GK, MarkBass. You can get a small 500 watt head and a couple 112's for $700 or so. Or you could go higher end and get a Genz Benz, Aguilar, TecAmp or several others and spend $2000 for a rig with 2 112 cabs. Let us know what type of money your looking to spend and I can help more.
I'd like to stay under $2k until I become proficient enough to start auditioning for gigs. Then... maybe throw another $1k into my rig if needed. I have a day job so I'm not looking to fund my entire life by playing out but I would welcome a regular 2-3 nights a week not including practice. Point being, I want to make sure my gear is up to par and won't fail at the wrong time.
It just so happens that I have a 2008 sunburst fender American standard jazz w/ hardshell case that I'm thinking about putting up for sale. Funky Mcnasty's price is right in the ballpark... PM if you want dibs 
As for amps I'd look at the micro series heads from GK, especially the MB Fusion. I'd feel pretty comfortable telling you to buy the GK stuff off the internet- it's all solid, sounds good and it's fairly cost friendly, and they are quick to cover warranty work.
Since I worked at Premier Bass Guitars, I really haven't set foot in any other store for the last 3 years except GC, and then only when I had to buy a music stand... In and out in 10 minutes. Last time I went in musician's superstore was when they were on Sheridan, saw an SX on the wall with a $400 price tag and just turned around and walked out.
Robb's in Boulder was pretty decent once upon a time. I still haven't been to Drum City Guitar Land.
As for amps I'd look at the micro series heads from GK, especially the MB Fusion. I'd feel pretty comfortable telling you to buy the GK stuff off the internet- it's all solid, sounds good and it's fairly cost friendly, and they are quick to cover warranty work.
Since I worked at Premier Bass Guitars, I really haven't set foot in any other store for the last 3 years except GC, and then only when I had to buy a music stand... In and out in 10 minutes. Last time I went in musician's superstore was when they were on Sheridan, saw an SX on the wall with a $400 price tag and just turned around and walked out.
Robb's in Boulder was pretty decent once upon a time. I still haven't been to Drum City Guitar Land.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Robb's does have some decent instruments and they will do a setup for you. It's Boulder pricing, but it's kind of nice to have a store that's not a huge chain.
Drum City was pretty cool last time I was there. Not only did they have a good selection, but they had a great selection of parts and supplies.
However, if I were in the market, I'd be looking at Craig's List or the classifieds on TB first.
Drum City / Guitar Land does have a range of basses and bass amps but it is more guitar and drum oriented. They are a family-owned store and they are friendly and helpful however. Their tech is good and they will order equipment for you. They appear to specialize in Schecter, ESP, Fender, never bought a bass there but have bought bass effects and strings there many times.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Hey, it occurs to me that I've got Garret Sayer's old Euphonic Audio iAmp sitting in my basement, where it's been for a while. Get in touch if you might be wanting something like that for a head. I'm sure it's available.
As everyone says, not much here anymore. Used to be 1st Bass in Denver decades ago, that was the best. My favorites are Robbs and Spotlight Music in Fort Collins (Harmony and College/287). For a light 60/70s sound with minimal weight you should check out the Orange Terror Bass and it's SP212 cabinets. Very loud and real tube like sound. Has the same preamp as the big AD200. One cab or two your pushing 500 watts, very portable.
Is that the one I borrowed from you years ago? If so, it's a great head and sent me on an EA chapter of my own, which itself has long passed...
