Hi from North London, UK

[Newer Dave]

Hi all

I'm Newer Dave (there's already a Dave and a New Dave). I just bought a bass from ebay. I wanted to play since I was a teenager. I'm now 52 and about to start. I feel like a kid waiting for Xmas waiting for the thing to arrive.

Mind you, I've probably bought a dog - we'll see. I hope not.

Looking forward to learning from y'all.

Newer Dave

 

[MalcolmAmos]

It will play better than you can for quite some time. Very little junk being sold now days as everyone is in competition with each other and the junk stuff weeds it self out of the market.

When it does not do what you ask of it, time for another. Lot of good instructional material on the Internet. On this site I would recommend a look at the General Instruction section and the Getting Started string. I also recommend a month or so with an instructor. Knee to knee instruction will save you a lot of time, and get you started on the right foot.

If the instructor is out of the picture then the book Bass Guitar for Dummies will have the getting started stuff like how to hold the beast, how to get sound from it, how to mute some of the string rattle, and then all the other things you need right at first like how to tune the thing, etc.

Good luck and welcome to the bottom end, ask specific questions and someone will answer.

 

[Newer Dave]

Wow! Grown-ups on the internet.

This is great.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[bass12]

Hi Dave! As Malcolm pointed out, getting a teacher would be a great idea if you have the means to do so (I would imagine there are quite a few qualified teachers in your area). If not there are lots of tutorials on YouTube (Scott's Bass Lessons would be my first recommendation). You can always post questions here on Talkbass. In general we're a pretty civilised bunch here. Looking forward to visiting England for the first time in the fall.

 

[1bassleft]

Hello Dave (don't think I've said hello to the other two, my apols to them).

I just bought a bass from ebay. I wanted to play since I was a teenager. I'm now 52 and about to start. I feel like a kid waiting for Xmas waiting for the thing to arrive.
Mind you, I've probably bought a dog - we'll see. I hope not.

Don't forget the old sticker on the back of the car, "A dog is just for Christmas, not for life" (or something like that). If it turns out you've purchased a hound of Baskerville proportions, don't bang your head and drag your knuckles with it, life's too short (I'm a year older than you). Some lessons with a teacher would have the added advantage of an experienced eye checking over for any shortcomings but, as said, there are few planks on the market these days. Did you purchase new or used? Either has its advantages but might benefit from a tweak. For example, if the action (height of strings above the fretboard) is needlessly high it will make it more difficult to hold that note. Too low, and you'll get a horrible rasping and think you're doing something wrong.

On Youtube, there is a series of four videos by Aguilar on how to set up a bass. I'm not suggesting you jump in and DIY, but it's a worthy watch with a cuppa to understand what makes everything feel and sound right. There are lots of learning methods, but the one that keeps you motivated and wanting to pick it up often is the right one for you. Hopefully, you'll soon be chiming in with amp angsts, wondering if a tortoiseshell scratchplate will improve it and asking advice on how to sack the drummer if he wears cargo shorts again.

 

[Newer Dave]

Hopefully, you'll soon be chiming in with amp angsts, wondering if a tortoiseshell scratchplate will improve it and asking advice on how to sack the drummer if he wears cargo shorts again.

I hope so too.