Have any of you went through a situation where circumstances render you with only 1 bass, which you grow to hate the more you play it? I've forced myself into thinking that this (violin) bass' shorter scale and 14mm string spacing are beneficial to easier playing but I've grown to hate how it sounds. A new bass would be nice but my money's playing tag, and I'm it. It's been with me for almost 2 years but I just can't seem to get along with it. Can you all offer me words of wisdom?
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I'm starting to hate my bass
- Thread starter mankybass
- Start date
Sell it or trade it for something else.
Get out and play as many assets as you can and figure out what you want and make it happen.
Life is too short to live with regrets and waste time playing a bass that isn’t a fit for you.
I’d trade it. If it’s not working it’s not working. Plus the upshot for you is it’s the kind of thing everybody seems to like to have one of, because, Beatles, so you never know what might be offered.
As has been said, get out and play as many options as you can get your hands on and find what you want.
Been there. Nothing wrong with having only one, but it’s nice if that one can cover a broader range of sonics. Worse if it’s not comfortable or generally just doesn’t good. When it comes time to get something new, ask yourself how well it will serve you not just now, but as your tastes evolve and your playing progresses.
You can get some decent playing, decent sounding basses used for not much money. If money is tight, consider putting a little bit aside each month / week / paycheck / loan from parents (not sure how old you are, but I did this some in my late teens/ early 20s). There's stuff out there for $300 or less.
It's not worth playing a bass you hate. It'll do nothing for your enjoyment of the instrument.
It's not worth playing a bass you hate. It'll do nothing for your enjoyment of the instrument.
the group is right: go play a bunch, new and used, and get a feel for where you should be heading re: a different ax. you know what you don't like --- the difficulty is in discovering what might be better...really better! then get going on a plan to finance your 'discovery'. in the meantime: at least you have an instrument, right?! 
and FWIW: a new glarry P-bass/J-bass starts at less than $100 and they have upgraded versions for $160 --- with little to no effort = killer axes! (and you can modify them later on if you want to upgrade parts or personalize them!)
no matter the source: good luck with your quest to find an instrument you love!
and FWIW: a new glarry P-bass/J-bass starts at less than $100 and they have upgraded versions for $160 --- with little to no effort = killer axes!
(and you can modify them later on if you want to upgrade parts or personalize them!)no matter the source: good luck with your quest to find an instrument you love!
I was in that situation back in 2015 to 2017. I bought a new bass (not gonna say what it is because I’m not bashing the manufacturer) which cost quite a bit, and being that it was supposed to be quite a versatile instrument, I foolishly sold off my two existing basses to pay for the new one, believing that the new one would supersede the old ones anyway.
Boy, was I wrong. The new bass did sound great, and I enjoyed it for a few months, but even before I had it for a year, I started to miss the sound, feel and design of one of my original basses, and over time I began to feel that the new bass didn’t exactly suit me anyway, which gradually made me dislike that bass. Eventually retired it after managing to get back my original bass.
As a couple others have mentioned in this thread, trade your current bass or sell it and save enough to buy a new one. Whichever route you opt for, just gotta make sure the next bass you get is something you really like and will definitely put to good use.
Yeah I hate short scale violin basses too but thankfully a lot of other people don’t for some reason so you can get rid of it.
I don’t know where you are or how close your area is to the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, but the trade suggestion makes sense if you’re in an area with enough bassists that somebody will want a violin bass. I would probably have a hard time moving one of those here in Bigfoot Country. If money keeps successfully eluding you, you might have to sell it (and ship it) before you can get another, but fighting a bass that makes you hate playing bass is simply not an option. In a position like yours, I would price to sell quickly and get something less specialized than a violin bass. I like @JRA’s suggestion (I like his suggestions just generally 
) of a Glarry in this situation, and there aren’t too many players out there who can’t at least get along with either a Precision or Jazz style instrument. But if we know more about what you do and don’t like about the violin bass, other options might come to light, and of course this gets really fun when we can make recommendations
) of a Glarry in this situation, and there aren’t too many players out there who can’t at least get along with either a Precision or Jazz style instrument. But if we know more about what you do and don’t like about the violin bass, other options might come to light, and of course this gets really fun when we can make recommendations
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These days there are so many options.
Back in a day, I had Aria/Greco/kasuga, Whatever, something Jazz bass (Made in Japan!!!) with Maxon pickups and almost no access to the string market... After 6-7 months, I managed to get me Rotosound 66 and I had a sense I've got almighty for the balls... That thing sounded the same whatever strings you put on...I hated it. I did not want to take it in the hands. But, I had no choice, We had a gig 3 times/week.
At this point, I am thankful to those pickups. Because of them, I never become professional bass player.
I saved every single dime to get a Ric and, finally, to sound like real Glenn Hughes... Some 40 years later, to learn that he used P bass on Made in Europe. Not surprise, Ric did not work. Sold both and never touched and instrument for next 20 years.
These days, life is easier. Sell it. Get a rid of it. After 20-30 years, you will want it back. Either from nostalgic reasons or to try again. Meanwhile, try something else.
Back in a day, I had Aria/Greco/kasuga, Whatever, something Jazz bass (Made in Japan!!!) with Maxon pickups and almost no access to the string market... After 6-7 months, I managed to get me Rotosound 66 and I had a sense I've got almighty for the balls... That thing sounded the same whatever strings you put on...I hated it. I did not want to take it in the hands. But, I had no choice, We had a gig 3 times/week.
At this point, I am thankful to those pickups. Because of them, I never become professional bass player.
I saved every single dime to get a Ric and, finally, to sound like real Glenn Hughes... Some 40 years later, to learn that he used P bass on Made in Europe. Not surprise, Ric did not work. Sold both and never touched and instrument for next 20 years.
These days, life is easier. Sell it. Get a rid of it. After 20-30 years, you will want it back. Either from nostalgic reasons or to try again. Meanwhile, try something else.
It's kindda hard to advise with so little info.
What is it about the bass you don't like?
What bass do you think would work for you that's in your budget, if you sold yours?
What strings are you using?
Could it be your amp rather than the bass?
057912
What is it about the bass you don't like?
What bass do you think would work for you that's in your budget, if you sold yours?
What strings are you using?
Could it be your amp rather than the bass?
057912
Words of wisdom? Hmmm.....
Life is short. Sell it and get what you want. It's been two years.
Life is short. Sell it and get what you want. It's been two years.
If it's tone that you don't like then strings and eq but I'm sure you already tried that so that leaves you with playability.
The good thing for you is that with the rise of cnc machining you can get an import bass nothing short of great brand spanking new.
People like to boohoo on it around here but affinity Squiers are wonderful nowadays. Sterling by musicman has the SUB line that is remarkable
I'm not a fan but Ibanez has offerings that tons seem to love for not a lot of money.
Jump into the used market and your options open up even farther.
You've got options. Just gotta sell that turd.
The good thing for you is that with the rise of cnc machining you can get an import bass nothing short of great brand spanking new.
People like to boohoo on it around here but affinity Squiers are wonderful nowadays. Sterling by musicman has the SUB line that is remarkable
I'm not a fan but Ibanez has offerings that tons seem to love for not a lot of money.
Jump into the used market and your options open up even farther.
You've got options. Just gotta sell that turd.
What kinda strings are you using? Can make a big difference...
It's all relative of course, but that style of bass is, IMHO, not exactly the most ergonomic design, far from it. And while narrow string spacing and short scale are often suggested to be "easier" to play, it just depends. For example, I have shorties and long scales with skinny necks, wide necks. I'm a smaller dude without big mitts and my most comfy bass is a regular 34" scale P with the "wide" 1.75" nut width. So yeah, just try some other basses. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if you discovered that a Fender-style bass - P, J, Mustang, Jag - is more comfy and "playable" than a violin style bass, and more versatile. As far as the sound, you'll find something that gets closer to the sound in your head - lots of affordable options out there these days.
I totally agree with @DwaynieAD about the Affinity,
my AFN P is one of my best basses, although I have modded the holy crap out of it.
But I would NOT have if it wasn't solid to begin with....057912
my AFN P is one of my best basses, although I have modded the holy crap out of it.
But I would NOT have if it wasn't solid to begin with....057912
This is a great idea. String types and brands can make such a dramatic change to your sound, like putting round wounds on a Hofner bass. It's like a different instrument. Have you tried that?
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