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Whiplash4ever

Feb 24, 2010
7
0
#1
I'm looking to start the long trek of learning to play the bass. The problem is, I have no idea on where to start. Although I understand I will most likely NOT reach his talent level (I'm 43 years old), I'd like to play a similar sound to Justin Chancellor of Tool. I love the hard, bass driven riffs he has been hammering out for a long time now. Obviously I'm not going to be dropping thousands of dollars on a custom build Wal. What I'm hoping for is a guitar off the wrack to come close. For all you fine people who have been playing for years, where should I start. The local guitar place has me currently steered towards an Ibanez SRX470 with a Line 6 Lowdown 15 amp. I have a couple friends who play guitar, but no one who plays bass, but they say that it doesn't look like to bad a set up for a first run at this.


Whip

_________________
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: Ah, hell, Shepherd, I ain't looking for help from on high.
That's a long wait for a train don't come.
Shepherd Book: When I talk about belief, why do you always assume I'm talking about God?
 
#2
If you are starting out dont even focus on trying to sound like Justin Chancellor or someone famous because you will only get frustorated with yourself and quit.

Learn all the basics first and I am sure some other members will be along to point you in the right way for good starter gear.

After a year or so if you are still playing then go for upgraded gear and trying to get that tone your after.
 
#3
Black gave some good advice, it is very important to learn the basics. Learn your scales! Learn theory! Understand what you're playing, don't memorize how to play something. I've only taken a few lessons in my playtime but one of my biggest regrets was when I took my first lesson. I walked in knowing nothing, only how to play a few songs (memorized from tabs), and told my teacher I wanted to learn to play like Geddy Lee. He responded by saying I could learn the bass, the way the notes worked together, or I could learn a few songs. I chose to learn a few songs, and now I realized I should've picked the first! Don't make the mistake too many of us made.

43 is not too old to start!
Good luck and have fun!
 
#4
Whip I took up bass at 51 and although I'll never be the best, I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience! Be prepared to be addicted from the first note you play!

Start with online sites like studybass.com and get one of the few good Bass Method books out there (http://www.bassplace.com/BE060.html). If you can, get an instructor - even if it's only for a couple of lessons.

Be careful to use the right techniques and start off with short-ish practice sessions, otherwise you'll be hampered by injury.
 
#5
BlackElan said:
If you are starting out dont even focus on trying to sound like Justin Chancellor or someone famous because you will only get frustorated with yourself and quit.
Click to expand...

The exact opposite worked for me when I was starting. When I was a beginner and getting frustrated and wanting to quit, it was hearing the great bass players show me what was possible that kept me going. There were a few times when I was going to hang it up but then I would hear Geddy or Jamerson or Burton in my head and go back at it twice as hard until I nailed it. Just be patient, there is a lot to learn and the only way to get there is to put in the time and practice practice practice.
 
#7
theres a reason ive been doing drills for weeks. its because my teacher is quite unforgiving about time. in all honesty i know i will look back at this point in my playing and thank everything i can that i took the time to master the groove and the rest of the foundation of bass before running wild with it
 
#9
Ah you should never shoot yourself down. By saying you'll never be great is putting a massive glass ceiling on your development.

Don't worry about things, learn everything you can and have fun playing, noone really cares if you can sweep pick harmonic minor chords at 250bpm apart from the internet.
 
#10
Welcome to the bottom!

Justin's sound (if I may be so bold), like any of the current players, stands on the shoulders of giants. There is a history, an evolution of electric bass (particularly) that, I think you will find, will be helpful for you to learn. So many great names! Jamerson, Bruce, Entwistle, Kaye, Dunn, Jaco, Clarke, and many more, have contributed to what bass is, what it does, and how it's done. Study that, especially when you can't be playing.

Nothing will make more of a difference than time spent with your bass in your hands. Practicing skills, playing along, informal jams, formal performances--play play play!

As for that equipment, well, eh. I'm not blown away by their suggestions. What calls to you? What feels good in your hands? (What feels good to me tends to say "Fender" and "Jazz", but that's just me!) If there's something you like that's maybe a bit pricey for you, check the used market (start local) or do some more study, there are often entry level versions of higher-end stuff that are adequate starter models. Don't compromise any more than you have to: bad equipment will simply discourage you. I also like to be able to feel the bass, and I'm not sure you can feel 15 watts and I'm sure a beginner doesn't need modeling. Find something more straight-forward with more balls; $50 more gets you 100w through 15" in an Acoustic, and again, check the local used market.

Stick with TB for all your bass questions, as well as legal advice and weather predictions! (I wonder if mike_v_s has any suggestions...)
 
#11
fearceol said:
+ 100.

Good technique is almost always overlooked. It is the very first thing to master IMO. Also, as mentioned, be patient with yourself and have fun with it.

Good luck. :)
Click to expand...

I would definitely find a REAL bass teacher to shape and monitor your technique, and to avoid harmful or hampering habits. Once you have the basics straightened out, you can go your own way.
 
#12
Okay, I get what most of you are saying. Go slow, learn the basics of playing before trying to move on to bigger and better things. However, I have never tried to play anything before so I'm completely lost when it comes to the gear a beginner should be looking for. Is a Fender a better guitar than the Ibanez? Is there a model out there better than another? Maybe I should start a new post asking "What did you start off with?"
 
#14
Whiplash4ever said:
Okay, I get what most of you are saying. Go slow, learn the basics of playing before trying to move on to bigger and better things. However, I have never tried to play anything before so I'm completely lost when it comes to the gear a beginner should be looking for. Is a Fender a better guitar than the Ibanez? Is there a model out there better than another? Maybe I should start a new post asking "What did you start off with?"
Click to expand...

HeyWhip, see how fast things get off track here. I can't tell you the bass I started on, I think it was a cameo. Anyway, I've owned Ibanez,B C Rich, Epiphone, and others. I now play a Fender. My point is they all make noise. I suggest you play several different basses and find what's comfortable.(How high the strings are-action). Your fingers will hurt just starting so pick a guitar that you feel good with. I also suggest not spending much money in case you don't stick with it. As far as amps go, the same applies; they all make noise/money. I suggest a combo w/ a 15" and at least 100 watts if you're going to jam w/ guitars. Guitarists have a way of overtaking the jam session which you'll find out. My rig is 1100 watts, but it costs $$$$. I agree w/ the others about learning. It's practice, practice,practice. I suggests Pink Floyd's "Money". It's a simple 1-4-5 chord structure and you can practice hitting every string while breaking in those "new" fingers. Good Luck!
 
#15
JLP said:
I suggest you play several different basses and find what's comfortable.(How high the strings are-action).
Click to expand...
Excellent suggestion BUT I know that when I stepped into the music shops to look for a bass, I've never had one in my hands before. So how do you 'play' if you don't have a freekin' idea what it's about? I did not want to make a fool of myself so I let the salesmen play various basses for me until I heard the sound I liked most. It felt good in my hands so I bought it straight away (an Ibanez SR900).
 
#16
I started playing bass about eight months ago. I started out at studybass.com and while learning theory on that I started getting some tabs and sheet music and started playing along with them. Then I just started playing more songs learning theory and jamming with people and records. The best advice I can give you is to jam with musicians that are better than you. You will learn a lot.
 
#17
And again: a teacher can give counsel on purchasing a bass. But, as JLP says, it's no big deal. My personal opinion for a pretty ideal beginners' bass would be a Dean Edge 4. It's lightweight, well balanced (no neckdiving), with a very sleek, comfortable neck. Worth your money. Once you have developed your playing, know your way to go, the style you like etc. you can step up to a real quality instrument.

Anyway, basses are like pets. Allow one of those into the house and they keep coming in.
 

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