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Hi newbie here with newbie question

bsman

bsman

Apr 25, 2020
39
65
#1
FellowKids.jpg


I'm a long-time guitar player and have only briefly dabbled in the low end, but am looking for a way to incorporate bass into my recordings (something I'm getting more into under the SIP routine). Anyway - I've been looking at entry-level basses and was sort of interested in an A/E bass, because that would allow me to practice at noise levels not annoying to my 'cellmates', and noted that there is a Dean EAB listed on MF's SDOTD today for $170. I had been thinking about going well over that mark (perhaps a Fender Kingman, Guild B-240, or something comparable), but wonder if it makes sense to start out with the Dean? Any suggestions? FYI, I don't currently own a bass amp as such, but have a Blackstar ID:Core Beam that will also amplify a bass. I know it's insufficient for anything outside the house, but I don't really have plans to do much of that, because I have a cousin up in Santa Rosa who plays bass better than I possibly could even if I spent the remainder of this life and the next practicing. Anyway - cheers, and howdy from Santa Clara! :)
 
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#3
Welcome to Talk Bass, bsman. I would respectfully differ with Bass V. There are some acoustic basses with very good tone IF YOU DONT NEED TO SOUND LIKE AN ELECTRIC. Acoustics sound different. So, first step is to get where you can play some alongside some electrics, plugged in, and see what sound you're after, especially since you plan to use it in recording. Dont buy an abg because it's cheap or because it's quiet...you can find decent cheap electrics, and the volume knob turns both ways.

A Dean can give very good tone depending on the electronic suite and amp. The Guild and Fender both have decent packages as well. None of these will give you big power unplugged, but it sounds like that's not what you wanted anyway.

About amps...anything that's good for acoustic guitar or vocal can do a respectable job amping an abg...the tone curves are similar. If it's for home use, one of the small Fender Rumbles is a good choice, and not expensive. I have a Rumble 15 that I snagged open box on MF for $35.
 
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#4
I'm probably not going to invest in a dedicated bass amp at this time, because I have the previously mentioned Blackstar ID:Core, plus a Blackstar Super Fly (use it for unplugged voice and guitar) and don't plan on playing out. For recording, I would likely just plug right into my Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, so I don't really need (nor do I have space) for a dedicated bass amp at this point in time (our adult daughter is locked down with us and has taken over my music room as her office for doing pediatric occupational therapy telehealth-style appointments.) I also have two condensor mics (an iRig mic studio I use for garage-band into my iPhone, and a Rode NT1-A for the Scarlett) so I could conceivably simply use those to record acoustic bass or plug directly into the scarlett (it's good to have options!)
 
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#5
I've met very few acoustic electric basses I liked the tone of, especially in the budget range. I'd recommend a jazz bass. They sound good, have a slimmer neck, and suit the role of all-purpose recording bass. Squier's step-up models are surprisingly good quality for as cheap as they can be had. If you get a good player, upgrade options are plentiful and affordable. Playing through your existing amp will be fine, as long as the volume is controlled. Should sound pretty good direct too.
 
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#7
bsman said:
One other piece of advice I'm looking for (don't want to open Pandora's box, however): Since I'm coming at this as a guitar player (and a lefty playing righty at that) I wonder: would a short-scale bass make more sense??
Click to expand...
It might, you'd have to A/B em and see what you think. Needing a lefty is another check in the J Bass column, should be plenty available.
 
#9
I own that Dean acoustic, and I’ll tell ya the body is very big and not the most comfortable thing to play. If you’re set on acoustic I’d look for something with a smaller body. If that’s your budget, I’d probably be looking at electric basses by Ibanez or Yamaha. Excellent QC at that price point. Maybe the Yamaha bb234 or Ibanez TMB100. Happy hunting! :)
 
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#12
bsman said:
Anybody have an opinion on the "Offset Series Mustang PJ"? I'm thinking it might be a nice option, because it's short-scale...
Click to expand...
I think they’re killer. I’m not too comfortable on a SS so I wouldn’t buy one, but the one I tried sounded great and was very well put together. I think everything Fender Mexico is putting out these days is very nice, and that would make an excellent first bass
 
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#13
Hi bsman, I'm a relative newbie to this forum - I love first bass discussions!
If your goal is recording - I'd go with an electric first. It's so much more practical and versatile for this purpose. Use headphones for practice if sound levels are a problem. I play double bass mainly, but for doubling purposes I got two electrics before even my first A/E. So many half-decent instruments out there now on a budget compared to when I bought my first electric - MIM J - in '93. I don't want to get into the J-vs-P style chestnut, but you could do either and pull whatever sound you're likely to need. Never had a short scale and not about to start - you'll be fine with standard scale if you can handle yourself on guitar.
 
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#14
bsman said:
View attachment 3802023

I'm a long-time guitar player and have only briefly dabbled in the low end, but am looking for a way to incorporate bass into my recordings (something I'm getting more into under the SIP routine). Anyway - I've been looking at entry-level basses and was sort of interested in an A/E bass, because that would allow me to practice at noise levels not annoying to my 'cellmates', and noted that there is a Dean EAB listed on MF's SDOTD today for $170. I had been thinking about going well over that mark (perhaps a Fender Kingman, Guild B-240, or something comparable), but wonder if it makes sense to start out with the Dean? Any suggestions? FYI, I don't currently own a bass amp as such, but have a Blackstar ID:Core Beam that will also amplify a bass. I know it's insufficient for anything outside the house, but I don't really have plans to do much of that, because I have a cousin up in Santa Rosa who plays bass better than I possibly could even if I spent the remainder of this life and the next practicing. Anyway - cheers, and howdy from Santa Clara! :)
Click to expand...
Dean's got a few good cheap basses. Dont get an acoustic...not yet at least. Maybe some day down the road. But, if you want to add bass to your tracks, get a P. Or, a PJ. Squire affinity pj in racing red. 225 bucks brand new. Done deal.
 
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#15
If you're looking to not annoy your cell mates, you want an electric, a small mixer and some headphones. A solid body electric played that way (I always practice at home in headphones) is far less loud than an acoustic, and if/when you get to playing with a band or doing recording, a solid body electric is usable in a lot more situations - an acoustic bass is really a niche thing in terms of places where it works, and even then, you'll need an amp - acoustics aren't loud enough for anything but playing on a couch or maybe around a campfire. An acoustic guitar will drown out an acoustic bass easily if you don' t have an amp to help you out.
 
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#16
bsman said:
One other piece of advice I'm looking for (don't want to open Pandora's box, however): Since I'm coming at this as a guitar player (and a lefty playing righty at that) I wonder: would a short-scale bass make more sense??
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome to TalkBass!

A short-scale bass has a diffent timbre than the standard 34” scale bass. Most players characterize it as rounder, “tubbier,” “a 60s vibe,” etc. It’s got its own sound and feel.

That said, shorties work well, sound good, and may ease the transition between guitar and bass. But a standard scale bass is no more difficult to play than a short scale bass if you’re playing it with proper technique.

If you’re looking for a good yet inexpensive bass in a short scale as your first, I can recommend you give the Les Paul sized Gretsch Electromatic Junior Jet a try. New they run for $299 at all the usual places. You can find them used for under $200. Great sound. Easy to play. And very versatile. Highly recommended.
 
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#17
You may want to try a short scale hollow body bass, kind of an in between. Like a Hofner clone or a Hofner Icon. Short scale, real bass, small, compact, and marginally louder un amped than a solid body.

Or, if you want to roll the dice with a 45 day return, you could try this from MF https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bas...parlor-acoustic-electric-bass/k82304000001000

Or, thinking "outside the box," you could try a Uke bass. Clearly not loud, but fun fun fun, and can be had for not a lot of money. Like this: Hadean Bass Uke UKB-23-33 Long Scale Rondo also has even shorter scales. More of a thumpy upright sound that wehdn recorded will definitely sound like a bass, just not a traditional fender bass.
 
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