I am sick of redundancy.

[blastoff99]

I may have missed this somewhere in all the discussion about spelling, careers, lousy "colleges," and all that, but OP, what did you mean by "redundancy" in the thread title? I confess to being somewhat confused.

Not trying to pick on you, just trying to clarify.

 

[Hobobob]

OP, I'm only a little farther along than you. I suggest you do what I'm doing - go to community college and get your gen ed done cheap, then transfer to a nice university with a great music program and then either major in music and minor in your backup degree (or vice-versa, which might be a smarter choice) or double major if you can handle it.

As for basses, check out Carvin. You can get an almost completely customized instrument done in a month for around 1500.

The Brubaker Brutes are nice too, if you dig the looks of em.

Sorry about the piling on over your english, but I try to think of it this way: if it spurs you to write more clearly, correctly, and eloquently, then it's a win for all involved!

 

[superblues]

OP, quit listening to all the advice in this thread. Spend whatever you want on a bass and your "collage" education.

You're 17. You already know everything, anyway.

 

[vince a]

Right, but take an elective in "Spelling!" J/K . . . anyway, I recently picked up a 2010 Squier VM 5 string. The previous owner installed SD pickups . . . it is a very sweet 5 string, and I CAN favorably compare it to a Fender MIA Jazz bass and a Lakland 55-60 (Joe Osborn) Vintage Jazz, as I own both!

 

[Munjibunga]

Well, yes but in my defense I have always been a terrible speller. But that's beside the point what I am more focused on is what college I am going to attend and become successful in the career path that I have chosen for myself. So be as critical as you guys want to. It will not drive me away of the dream that I am trying to accomplish. To all those people that gave me suggestions thank you, to those that are still rambling about because of my spelling well please get a life rather than picking on a 17 year old kid who just asked for help among his fellow bassists. So please excuse me for trying to live the dream I have and asking for a simple suggestion. If this was suppose to teach me a lesson. I learned that people outside of harms way can be ******** and such huge critics. Now if I asked you in person you would have understood what I have said completely. But since I spelled one measly word wrong you guys want(not all just a few) to have a bitch moment and go out on a 17 year old. Also before anyone of you guys ask me. Yes I fully understand what a collage is and what it isn't I just didn't know that was how is was spelled.

Much better. You've got to remember that there are a number of us here at TB dedicated to helping young people express themselves in an articulate fashion. Do you see the improvement in your writing already? That's going to help you in college, and there's no charge for this service. What could be better?

 

[wobble man]

EBMM Stingray 5. Try one. It costs a less than 3,000, it may not be "boutique", but its is definitely professional.

 

[wobble man]

grammar police please

 

[Pilgrim]

If you look at their site... This is NOT a(n accredited) college.

At the end of their curriculum the student earns a "certificate of musicianship". (limited edition, suitable for framing, sure to increase in value!)

SlapBass....there is good advice in this thread. But first, and most important, do not spend money on this place. Go to an institution that is accredited and at which you can earn a legitimate degree, even if it's a 2-year rather than 4-year degree. You want to go to a school which is "regionally accredited". That's the top level of accreditation. The classes you take at a regionally accredited institution are respected by other schools and can generally be transferred for additional study.

A "Certificate of Musicianship" isn't worth the cost of the paper it's printed on. You would be wasting your money. There are many good options at legitimate educational institutions which not only will help you become educated, but which will help you gain skills and knowledge in addition to learning to play an instrument well.

In today's world, most musicians are not making a living as musicians. You need to become prepared to earn a living as well as gain proficiency with the instrument. I'm a parent and I have more than 30 years working in higher education - I'm trying to give you the straight story here.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Maybe think about trying upright. It will open up a lot more opportunities for you as a bassist and it will give you many more choices for schools.

 

[wobble man]

Slapbass, your question was about a good bass, so just look at the posts that address this. **** all the internet guidance counselors.

 

[FourBanger]

Slapbass, your question was about a good bass, so just look at the posts that address this. **** all the internet guidance counselors.

Ignore at your own peril. Internet reviews by former students report the top two careers of recipients of the Certificate of Musicianship from AIM are waiter and GC salesperson.

 

[Blue_Whistle88]

Get a custom-made Warwick fretless 12-string, adding as many custom features as possible to make it cost so much that you become bankrupted, can't afford to go to collage, and have to spend years working in a mediocre job just to pay off the debt. That way you'll learn to make independent decisions, rather than depending on others to think for you, especially in situations where you don't don't give them enough information to give you a proper answer anyway.

 

[Feral Feline]

Slapbass1440,

You wish to communicate with others through music, as many of us here do. Don't take it hard when people address your spelling issues, rather heed their advice and here's why:

Say you try for a cruise ship gig. If the hiring agency sees that you don't care enough to spell well, then perhaps you don't care enough to play the music as written on the page – so after honing your playing chops you get passed over for the job by a mediocre player who dressed nicely at the audition, had good people skills and made sure all "t"s were crossed and "i"s dotted on his/her application/CV.

What if your band gets a record contract and you're asked to write the lyrics?

The kidding about your spelling here is nothing compared to the hard knocks and a**meisters you'll meet in your adult life – grow some callouses on your ego in addition to those on your fingers.

+1 to all who suggested backup plans. My cousin makes his living through music, but he was smart enough to have a backup and trained as a carpenter as well as studying music. I helped him build his freestanding rehearsal studio (a "garage" according to bylaw officers ); whenever his family was tight he got odd carpentry jobs to get them through tough times. He renovated his own houses, bought and sold same and is now at a point where he no longer does/needs-to-do carpentry, just music.

Lastly, since you're tired of redundant styled basses:
Dingwall Combustion.

Good Luck!

Maybe think about trying upright. It will open up a lot more opportunities for you as a bassist and it will give you many more choices for schools.

+1

 

[SirMjac28]

This is one weird thread.

+1

 

[ajpaul59]

Ignore at your own peril. Internet reviews by former students report the top two careers of recipients of the Certificate of Musicianship from AIM are waiter and GC salesperson.

+1 There's a lot of widom and experience here. Take the advice...

 

[GeoffByrne]

If you want a differnt looking bass, look at Fret King and Italia - both backed by Wilkinson.

G.

 

[dalkowski]

To the OP, what follows is meant to be constructive, not to rip you.

The expiration date on "I've always been a bad speller" is fast approaching, if it hasn't already passed. Unless you are dyslexic or have an LD or other impairment (and if I missed that in the thread, please forgive me), there's nothing to stop you lmproving your spelling, grammar and overall writing skills except lack of effort. If you can learn to play bass better, you can learn to write better. Lose your excuses now, because they are liabilities—worse than worthless—when you're an adult.

No one's asking you to be the next Hemingway (that guy had so many demons, you don't WANT to be the next Hemingway). But good writing still matters in the big world. How do I know?

For one thing, my wife has worked in Human Resources for more than 20 years. Numerous times, she's told me how she's rejected job applicants because of poor writing skills. We're talking college-educated people here. If it's between you and another guy for a job (remember, they're scarce), don't you want to have every advantage?

You're 17. That's awesome; you have SO many opportunities ahead of you, including lots that you don't even know about yet. I wish you success in whatever you do.

PS: Re Wobble Man's remark about "internet guidance counselors," many if not all of the participants in this thread are wise (really) adults whose remarks are based on their first-hand knowledge and experience. Some are, have been, or will be parents of 17-y.o. sons at a similar crossroads. Some of us have been that young man. There may be some ball-busting going on, but I don't believe for a moment that anyone participating in this discussion wants to see the OP piss away his time or money. TB is a brotherhood that way.

PPS: +1 to Bongo 5 or Brubaker Brute

 

[mcm]

Just play a 4 string like most bass legends

 

[Stumbo]

To the OP, what follows is meant to be constructive, not to rip you.

The expiration date on "I've always been a bad speller" is fast approaching, if it hasn't already passed. Unless you are dyslexic or have an LD or other impairment (and if I missed that in the thread, please forgive me), there's nothing to stop you lmproving your spelling, grammar and overall writing skills except lack of effort. If you can learn to play bass better, you can learn to write better. Lose your excuses now, because they are liabilities—worse than worthless—when you're an adult.

No one's asking you to be the next Hemingway (that guy had so many demons, you don't WANT to be the next Hemingway). But good writing still matters in the big world. How do I know?

For one thing, my wife has worked in Human Resources for more than 20 years. Numerous times, she's told me how she's rejected job applicants because of poor writing skills. We're talking college-educated people here. If it's between you and another guy for a job (remember, they're scarce), don't you want to have every advantage?

You're 17. That's awesome; you have SO many opportunities ahead of you, including lots that you don't even know about yet. I wish you success in whatever you do.

PS: Re Wobble Man's remark about "internet guidance counselors," many if not all of the participants in this thread are wise (really) adults whose remarks are based on their first-hand knowledge and experience. Some are, have been, or will be parents of 17-y.o. sons at a similar crossroads. Some of us have been that young man. There may be some ball-busting going on, but I don't believe for a moment that anyone participating in this discussion wants to see the OP piss away his time or money. TB is a brotherhood that way.

PPS: +1 to Bongo 5 or Brubaker Brute

^^^This.

 

[Tassie Devil]

I find it difficult to believe that you graduated a year early from high school as you have very limited writing skills. If you're going to make it in this world you need to learn how to write.

Go back to school and take English 101. Your local junior college can help you in this regard and you may be able to use any cash financial aid they give you for bass guitar lessons.

Is there a like button on this forum? The OP comes across as having limited intellect.