Guitar player looking to get into Bass.

[todd0864]

How's everyone doing? Great I hope.
Anyway, just found this forum today and I'm doing a little digging around on the web about bass guitars in general. I'm a 6 string electric guitar player, off and on for almost 30 years and I'm thinking about trying out the bass finally. I'm not great at the guitar but know enough to jam with friends and played on stage at a bar with a friends band once. I've played my friends basses here and there just messing around but never thought about getting one.

Now, as I'm getting older (42) I'm finding that I really enjoy listening to the beat more and cool bass lines and how they work together instead of just crushing guitar riffs and blistering guitar solos. So I'm thinking, hey, I have some spare cash to try something else and the bass popped into my head, why not give it a shot. I've been watching some vids on youtube about bass reviews, lessons, tips, and buying advice and I thought I'd ask you all as well.

I was thinking about 4 and 5 strings, had settled on 4, then no it should be a 5, then back to 4 again. LOL.
I've been looking online locally at the music stores and CL for good used deals. I figure I want to spend between 100 and 250 dollars on a used bass and probably the same or less on a 30w amp, give or take on the watts though I'm guessing I probably don't want to go lower than 30 watts. Like entry level stuff here just in case I don't fall in love with it. Just something that is decently made and with a good setup will play nice and allow me to progress and jam to some classic rock, old school metal, maybe funk and 70's pop.

I'm not looking for clear answers around bass brand names because I know that can be subjective, but maybe some tips on pickup configurations for those styles I listed, advice on number of strings, what kind of amp is good to start with, which string spacing should I start with (hands are probably normal size, finger tips are on the beefy side) and what should I look at when buying used like action height or neck cracks.
Thanks!

 

[Maxdusty]

Based on the kind of music you prefer, a Fender style Jazz bass sounds like it would suit you best. Maybe even a Jaguar (great for guitarists switching over to bass).
Not to go into brands as you mentioned, but reasons for recommending the Jazz- thinner neck than the P Bass and the dual jazz pickups have more bite to them than the P-bass pickups which are..well, thumpier for lack of a better word. I've had quite a number of basses, active and passive- but really for old school type music, it's a no-brainer, I pick up my passive Fenders- none of my other basses can get the right kind of sound.
Another thing I have to mention - don't get a 30w amp. Even the best, most expensive bass will sound like crap on them- it'll probably discourage you if you hear what kind of sound comes out of it. The speaker is too small and the wattage too low to get crisp tones and sound. You'll want at least an 80w-150w even for playing around in the home. Easier to turn down the volume than being underpowered to begin with. A used amp on CL can be very reasonable and should easily fall within your budget. I bought my 150w Fender Bassman for $80.

 

[kenneffdupriest]

Welcome to Talkbass and congratulations Todd because today is the first day of the rest of your life and you just might be playing bass during that time period. Play as many bass guitars as you can before you spend any money and just make sure it feels right.

Tell'm Kenny sent ya

 

[todd0864]

Seems the P bass pops up more than the J basses, at least atm. I've read nothing but good things on the Squier J basses. There is one Squier Vintage Deluxe V near me for $220. It's a 5 string but probably worth checking out. And a couple of Bassman 200's for less than $200 on CL. Thanks for the input and I'll keep looking.

 

[HomeRecordings]

I'm a guitar player - about 45 years now... I've also been playing bass on my own home recordings since the 80's. Most recently I have discovered the SHORT SCALE bass. I had a cheapo bass when I first started and then moved right up to an American Standard Precision Bass in the mid 90's. I had that for quite a while but always found it difficult to play (with such a long neck and space between the frets!). Last year I decided to sell the Precision. My original reasoning was that I didn't need an American Standard Precision to do my little home recordings. That's when I discovered the short scale bass. I'd heard of them before but always thought of them as kind of a "toy". Wrong. After selling the Precision, I bought a Squier VM Jaguar SS. When I got it, I was amazed at how much easier it was for me to play and it sounded (IMO) just as good as the Precision. I've been using that for the past year and now and have been very happy with it. I just bought a Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass and I really like it - so much so that I'm considering selling the Jaguar (do I really need two short scale basses?).

Anyway, check out a short scale if you get a chance. For me, as a guitar player, it made a HUGE difference in playability. PM me if you're interested in a used Squier VM Jaguar short scale!

 

[zontar]

I play both, started on bass-- but I started on bass about 2 1/2 years after I started guitar.

the main thing I would say as to bass & bass amp is to decide how much you can spend and then go play basses & amps--and buy what cries out to you to own--that is within your budget.

 

[todd0864]

I'm planning on playing with fingers instead of using a pick. I already know how to use a pick so playing with fingers is interesting to me. I think i'll be comfortable with either method. But, does a short scale bass hinder finger plucking at all? Do I want a wider string spacing? I have a couple 7 string guitars, and one is a 26.5" scale, so i'm used to playing different necks and scales. I guess i'm wondering if there are things i can do on a 34" scale that can't be done on a short scale. And, is it hard to find strings for a short scale?
Thanks.

 

[HomeRecordings]

I'm planning on playing with fingers instead of using a pick. I already know how to use a pick so playing with fingers is interesting to me. I think i'll be comfortable with either method. But, does a short scale bass hinder finger plucking at all? Do I want a wider string spacing? I have a couple 7 string guitars, and one is a 26.5" scale, so i'm used to playing different necks and scales. I guess i'm wondering if there are things i can do on a 34" scale that can't be done on a short scale. And, is it hard to find strings for a short scale?
Thanks.

I play with both fingers and picks. I have D'Addario Chromes on the Jaguar and playing with fingers is fine. With the D'Addario Chromes, the strings are not "floppy" at all, so plucking with fingers is no problem (at least I've found it so). Short Scale strings are not hard to find. I usually order strings online and there's a huge variety available. I don't know if there are things you can do on a 34" scale versus a 30" scale. Slapping, fingerstyle, picks all sound good. I'm sure other people will chime in...

 

[Maxdusty]

The Jaguar SS is a pretty nifty bass- 30 scale so it's not small like an Ibanez Mikro for example. You can play it finger style as easily as you would it's 34" scale brethren.
You can check out the specs and video in this link to get an idea of how it plays. I don't feel like I'm missing out on the extra scale length to be honest with you - in fact, it's even more comfortable. While I primarily play full scale basses that's usually only because they don't make my preferred models in short scale length. If you can find one at your local store, I would recommend giving it a try.
Finding strings aren't a problem for it.

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS (Short Scale) | Musician's Friend

 

[Maxdusty]

Forgot to mention, a number of "old school" basses were short scale.
Hofner Beatle basses and the Gibson basses of yore like the EB-3 were all short-scale (Jack Bruce). McCartney was transitioning from being a guitar player to the bass and found the switch much easier with his Hofner.
When I first heard of short scale basses, much like HomeRecording mentioned in his post above, I was expecting a bass more suitable for a small person or a kid- couldn't be farther from the truth, the bass is longer than a guitar so it won't feel like a ukelele on you (which was what I was envisioning lol). I guess I was thinking of Half-scale.
The Squier SS Jaguar is also very reasonably priced (they make full scale versions too, way to tell pretty quickly is the headstock- short scale Jags have black headstocks).

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Ibanez SR500 four string. Slimmest neck out there, so an easy guitar transition. Excellent electronics, well balanced. Available used for around $350 all over the place. More versatile than a P and better balanced than a J. If you want a 5 string try SR505, best 5 for the money IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

+1 on the Jag SS. Love mine. Another to look at would be Gretsch Junior Jet, also short scale. Plays very nicely, great tone. About $300 bucks too, so it won't break the bank. I find I reach for it more than the Jag or my full size P.

 

[Rick Abshier]

I'm a guitar player - about 45 years now... I've also been playing bass on my own home recordings since the 80's. Most recently I have discovered the SHORT SCALE bass. I had a cheapo bass when I first started and then moved right up to an American Standard Precision Bass in the mid 90's. I had that for quite a while but always found it difficult to play (with such a long neck and space between the frets!). Last year I decided to sell the Precision. My original reasoning was that I didn't need an American Standard Precision to do my little home recordings. That's when I discovered the short scale bass. I'd heard of them before but always thought of them as kind of a "toy". Wrong. After selling the Precision, I bought a Squier VM Jaguar SS. When I got it, I was amazed at how much easier it was for me to play and it sounded (IMO) just as good as the Precision. I've been using that for the past year and now and have been very happy with it. I just bought a Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass and I really like it - so much so that I'm considering selling the Jaguar (do I really need two short scale basses?).

Anyway, check out a short scale if you get a chance. For me, as a guitar player, it made a HUGE difference in playability. PM me if you're interested in a used Squier VM Jaguar short scale!

I'm 64 now and have played guitar (on and off) since my teens. I now play drums as well (at church) and also just got the Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass and am having a lot of fun with it!

 

[buldog5151bass]

A P or J (or clone) will give you the most purchase options, and most bang for your buck, including resale options. It's a buyer's market, so look used. As to neck width, everyone is different - play different basses and see what seems comfortable to YOU. Conditions issues are no different than with guitars.

As to amps, are you looking to play alone, or with others? I don't think 30 watts is going to cut it with a band. Since many bassists are looking at the new lighter gear, if you don't mind doing a little muscle flexing, you can find plenty of cheap options. Again, look used.

 

[bolophonic]

Welcome to bass. There's nothing else like it.

 

[dabbler]

I started out kind of like you, I had been playing guitar for about that long, and then was asked to double on bass. I would say try both longs scale (34 inch) and short scale, and go with what you prefer. I'm a J bass kinda guy, but I have violin basses, Ps, PJs and PPs some active and some passive. The P is the grand daddy and IMO every bassist ought to live with one for at least a while, but I agree with the person who said that, given your musical tastes, a J would be a good place to start. I also agree that you want at least 30 watts for your practice amp. I know you didn't want brands, but, if you ever run across a Kustom KBA30 you should check it out.

 

[lankyloo]

A lot of good points already made. I would also recommend going the 4 string route. The bass and guitar are very different instruments, which it sounds like you already know, and nothing will make that more apparent than having to work with only 4 strings. Good luck on what should be a fun journey!

 

[theinfamous]

I agree that you need more than 30 watts for your amp. In my opinion, buying a 30 watt amp would be a waste of money. If you get to the point where you want to play around with your friends, 30 watts won't be enough. Buy a used peavey with as much power as you can afford. They may not sound the best, but you can drop them down several flights of stairs and they will still function, plus they tend to hold their value, so you won't lose a whole lot of money if you decide you don't like bass.

As far as bass selection goes, don't automatically gravitate toward a short scale, since they sound quite a bit different. Fret spacing is something you can get over. Play what sounds good to you.

 

[progrockbass]

Welcome to the world of bass mate! You will find lots of great information and a plethora of opinions on this forum.... a lot of it really helpful. For what it's worth I agree with Jaguar idea as well. I also would highly recommend the Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe Jazz bass. They both are great entry level basses and very playable and durable. You should be able to find either used for a good price. As far as amps go I recently purchased my kid an Ampeg BA110 and was blown away by how good it sounded (loud too). You should be able to find a used one for around $100. This would be a great starter kit for you to get going and should only set you back around $400 or less.

 

[dukeandrews]

Welcome to Talkpbass! Here every thread will degrade to why you need to have "at least one P in you fleet" no matter the topic.

With that said, here is your shopping list:

1 (one) P bass (You will refer to this as your "P" from now on. Any P will do, but the subtleties of ALL Ps will be called into question.)

1 (one) set of flatwound strings. (You will refer to these as "flats" from now on. Start with Chromes. Buy a bunch of different brands of flats and then go back to your original set of Chromes.)

1 (one) Tortiseshell pick guard (you will refer to this as "tort" from now on), no matter the color of your bass.

1(one) Taco.

Follow this advice and you'll get along fine here and would make this thread less complicated. Here is my $35 Tort P with flats and I couldn't be happier.