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I know NOTHING!!! HELP

B

brianna545

Guest
Nov 16, 2011
2
0
29
Tulsa, Oklahoma
#1
I have played the upright bass for almost 5 years now, and I am interested in getting and electric bass guitar!

I would like a four string, something good for beginners, I have smaller hands, I want something cheaper.

I know absolutely NOTHING about bass guitars so any knowledge about them would be great! And any recommendations for a good bass will help so much! :help:
 
#2
HI

Depends on your budget. Look for a new or used Fender or Squier Jazz bass or an Essex. Both are inexpensive and if you grow into a different type of electric, you wont lose alot of money because little will be invested. Good luck and have fun

Rob
 
#3
If you have small hands but can make it by on an upright you should be fine with almost any electric bass selection. Best thing to do is go into a music store and try out basses in your price range. Squier is a good affordable brand but most importantly: If it feels good it is probably a good bass for you.
 
#4
You know more than you think. The electric bass will be easier physically to play. I'm assuming there is a music store in Tulsa. Go play some (dozens if you need to) and you'll soon get a feel for what suits you. Buy something in your budget. Have fun.
 
#6
If you can play an upright, you can play any electric bass made.

What's important is to get one that feels good to you - so get to a music store and play some. Worry about sound second, because you can manipulate sound quite a bit with strings, effects and amplifier EQ....all of which are different discussions.

My recommendation having come from upright to electric is to go with a 34" (standard) scale instrument, and I would get a conventional model such as a Jazz or Precision - style bass. Those are proven to be popular, they work well ergonomically, and they are quite versatile.

Used basses are a better buy - just get a nice clean one, and if you buy from a store have them check it over and set it up for you. Setups on electrics are CHEAP compared to uprights!
 
#9
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/best-beginner-bass-758613/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/beginner-bass-guitar-recommendations-740255/

Beginner bass under 0

Good Mid-rang priced basses (0-0)

Newbie buying ~ 0 bass

Need help - good bass for under 0

Best all around bass under 0?

Best bass guitar for 0

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/good-starter-bass-learn-717148/

Is it worth the price?

First bass, less than 0

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/bass-newb-starting-bass-789475/

What is a nice beginner bass?

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/new-bassist-please-help-780170/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/good-begginer-bass-778748/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/first-bass-ibanez-squier-cort-esp-775513/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/advice-please-help-772703/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/kn...-eager-play-need-help-getting-started-736024/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/honest-opinions-needed-starters-like-me-768583/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/hard-time-choosing-first-bass-768594/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/buying-first-bass-guitar-766519/
 
#11
Buy a USA Peavey Foundation. This is one of the most versatile basses around. Keep it for 6-8 mos as your main player. Spin the knobs. For $2-300 bucks you will own a bass that a lot of boutique bass owners continue to GAS about. A bunch of them learned to love bass on a Peavey.

This bass will do a lot in terms of different sounds. A low end that you can fake for a P, and a slap sound you can live with.

Upon paying your dues you will have an opinion regarding the sound you want, and the gear that will get you there//hear in your head. your tone. Feel free to spend all of the money then on the appropriate gear .

This is becoming a soliloquy and sorry. You already know how to play... take care of it

-e
 
#12
I wouldn't get caught up in try this brand or type. Like others have said goto a music store and try everything you can. Try an Active try a Passive and listen for "your" sound. You have played bass for 5 years and you'll know what you want to hear.

I fretless may even be something you would really dig. Just a thought. Happy hunting!
 
#13
If you can comfortably play upright, then the vast majority of basses should present no problems whatsoever for you to play, even with your small hands.

Just go to a music store (preferably one that sells both new and used) and try out every bass you can get your hands on. Whatever feels the best, get that.
 
#14
The majority of basses are fretted. Going from DB I went right to fretless electric bass and wouldn't have it any other way. I don't like playing fretted bass.

When e-bass players talk about pbass (precision bass) necks versus jazz necks, a jazz neck has a slimmer profile and a pbass neck is more platform like.

For finding a good deal with a used bass, Peavey USA Fury and Foundation are commonly sold on eBay and CL and are very good bang for the buck. I have one of each.
 
#18
Pilgrim said:
If you can play an upright, you can play any electric bass made.

What's important is to get one that feels good to you - so get to a music store and play some. Worry about sound second, because you can manipulate sound quite a bit with strings, effects and amplifier EQ....all of which are different discussions.

My recommendation having come from upright to electric is to go with a 34" (standard) scale instrument, and I would get a conventional model such as a Jazz or Precision - style bass. Those are proven to be popular, they work well ergonomically, and they are quite versatile.

Used basses are a better buy - just get a nice clean one, and if you buy from a store have them check it over and set it up for you. Setups on electrics are CHEAP compared to uprights!
Click to expand...

+1 Couldn't have said it better. Fender Precision and Jazz Basses are standards in the electric bass world and coming from an upright you should find either of them pretty easy to play.

Their Squier line has some great quality product for a very reasonable price new and if you look around you can probably save your self $100 or so buying used. Try a few out at a music store and find the one that says "take me home". That's where you start.

After you've got the feel for the instrument you can look into boutique basses that may interest you more.
 
#20
Yes, you know more than you think. Yes, a used bass from almost any builder, one that appeals to you in a store. But you'll need to understand a bit about strings too, which can radically alter the sound of a bass. See if you can try a bass with flatwound strings and one with newish roundwounds. And finally: you need amplification. More potential confusion than in picking an instrument! Plenty here will advise you not to get a small practice amp: I'd say find or borrow something used and small and you'll learn faster what you really want than you will whether you need a different instrument.
 

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