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First Bass Today

TheCapt

TheCapt

Mar 28, 2019
31
31
Minnesota
#1
Greetings. A few clicks on Guitar Center's website, and my first bass guitar will be here in three business days! Need to do a little more research on which amp to click on next, but that'll hopefully get done soon today too.

I ordered a Gretsch Junior Jet II in tobacco sunburst. That wasn't easy, because there are two different tobacco sunburst colors, and I wanted the darker one. I took the time to read a few DIY articles on set up. At least I learned how to see if it is properly set up, and if not, G Center has a $50 set up.

I am in my 70's, so I wanted to do this before I became an old man. I have played keyboards, sax and drums for decades, but was never able to hold just one guitar string down without touching the one next to it. But at least I do know what note any string/fret is.

I sure could use some advice on an amp, but it would have to be today. And I can't get over what a great, useful website this is!!!

See you around.

TheCapt

p.s. Anybody want to buy a concertina?
 
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#2
Wattage. 15 for a home practice rig. 200 watt for a starter gigging amp. No need IMO for those 500 watt jobs as in that area you will be plugging into the house sound system. What brand? No one makes junk and stays in business. Try several out and get the one you like.

And at 70 I really do not see you playing death metal... so a 200 to 300 watt job will do fine -- IMO.

I used a 150 watt that I left at our church and a 75 watt to carry around for gigs (weight came into the picture). It never went upstairs, at home I had a 15 watt in my upstairs pout/music room.

Welcome to the bottom end.
 
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#3
MalcolmAmos said:
Wattage. 15 for a home practice rig. 200 watt for a starter gigging amp. No need IMO for those 500 watt jobs as in that area you will be plugging into the house sound system. What brand? No one makes junk and stays in business. Try several out and get the one you like.

And at 70 I really do not see you playing death metal... so a 200 to 300 watt job will do fine -- IMO.

I used a 150 watt that I left at our church and a 75 watt to carry around for gigs (weight came into the picture). It never went upstairs, at home I had a 15 watt in my upstairs pout/music room.

Welcome to the bottom end.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Malcolm.
The Behringer is a cute little thing but needs to be cranked at max just for me to hear it, so I spent days researching something else and bought a new Eden EC210 which will be delivered tomorrow (Sat. 4/13).
 
#5
Welcome! You're musical background should make learning the bass quick and easy (of course, it's what you put into it). Rock on. Chances are good that any gear you buy now will not be your last, so don't sweat getting it perfect first time. Also, if you stay on TalkBass, you'll end up with 23 basses (trust me on that).
 
#6
Only had my gear a few days but have spent several hours with it. I am amazed as to how the notes are positioned. You go up one string in the same fret, you're in the fourth of that key - slide two frets from the fourth and you are in the fifth. Two over and three up it's the same note in a different octave. And here I always thought the open guitar string notes were randomly selected. I can actually play along to a few songs, although my tone is not really pretty and jeez those strings are scratchy. Thanks all for the encouragement.
 
#7
Yep, you got it. For the whole story of where the notes are located...

If you find your root note on the 4th string - from that root...….
  • It's 2nd is same string and toward the bridge two frets.
  • It's 3rd is up a string and back a fret toward the nut.
  • It's 4th is up a string same fret.
  • It's 5th is up a string and over two frets, or down a string same fret.
  • {Moves in 4ths going up the strings and moves in 5ths going down the strings.}
  • It's 6th is up two strings and back a fret. Over the 3rd.
  • It's 7th is up two strings and toward the bridge one fret.
  • It's 8th or octave is up two strings and toward the bridge two frets.
  • Flats (b7) are toward the nut one fret. Find the 7th then move back one fret. Sharps (#4) are toward the bridge one fret. Yep find the 4th then move to make it a #4.
Major scale box showing scale degree numbers
and the root note on the 4th string.
……...Index...Middle...Ring...Little
G~~|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
You will want to run your scales about a zillion times
so once you have identified something your fingers are
already on the way to where that something is located.
​
That pattern repeats itself up and down your fret board which brings up the question; how are you going to use all that? Have you been introduced to Nashville numbers? Do a Google. video nashville numbers, chas williams - Bing video

Standard notation and chord names find them in first position (first 5 frets) If you go up the neck and catch your C-F-G at the 8th fret then NN may be of value. Things to think about.

I think in A, B, C's and 1, 2, 3's then use the one that gets the job done. For example I may find the chord name and use that chords root (A, B, C), but, If I want to fill out my bass line I know where the R-5-8-5 is located. My point don't be a one trick pony.

Welcome to the bottom end. Have fun.
 
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