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I'm starting to hate my bass
- Thread starter mankybass
- Start date
First of all, if you really do not like the instrument, it may be time for a change. But if that isn't possible....
Like mentioned above, string change can yield a tone shift, especially if you are changing to a different type, Rounds vs Flats vs Tapes. Nickel vs Steel. If that isn't possible.....
Have you tried everything you can to squeeze different sounds out of it?
In addition to whatever controls it has, by varying techniques, and picking location you may stumble on to a sound you like.
Standard fingers type, old school thumb plucking, old school thumb plucking with palm muting, plectrum, slap are some varying ways you could use.
Also where along the string you pluck can change the tone, towards the neck vs towards the bridge and all the areas in between. Also how hard you play can alter the sound.
If after exhausting all the possibilities, you still do not like it, take it as sign that the instrument doesn't suit your playing and try and seek out one that does.
Good luck.
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I had a Lakland 5502 I tried to bond with over a period of 5 years and finally did a couple trades and ended up with my #1 P bass. Or is it #2? I can't decide........
Ask your bank to give you a savings account that only lets you access it after a few months. Thats what im doing
I did something similar years ago. I sold basses that worked to afford a used Big Al, because I figured it could cover everything with one instrument. It was a great (although heavy) instrument but I never could bond with it. I got nearly as much for it as I paid and ended up with a couple nice MIM instruments that I could live with and had money left over.
Get a Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Musicians Friend etc. credit card and put a new bass on zero-interest multi-year payment plan. You can get a $500 bass for the cost of a couple of Starbucks coffees per month (and no penalty to pay off early so pay as much as you want each month).
And dump the bass you hate. The market for used gear sellers is pretty good right now - demand is very high. New instrument stocks are low unfortunately though so your choices may be limited.
And dump the bass you hate. The market for used gear sellers is pretty good right now - demand is very high. New instrument stocks are low unfortunately though so your choices may be limited.
I feel you. For about a 10 year period, my modded 76 Precision was the only bass I had. Didn't hate it, but got very jealous of folks with all these different more modern basses coming out in the 80's. So when I finally got some money I got a couple, and soon discovered that there really was a reason why people like Fenders so much, and it wasn't some sort of mass hypnosis like Fender haters like to believe. So now I just go with it. Do have a couple violin basses that I love very much, but only as side pieces and very specific uses.
Yes. Alleviate your feelings of antipathy by giving the bass to me.
P bass
I ignored them for years , now it’s my favorite flavor.
worth a look.
I ignored them for years , now it’s my favorite flavor.
worth a look.
Hummergeist
Commercial User
- Jul 21, 2020
- 1,269
- 3,084
- Disclosures
- Tutorials, reviews, and interviews for Future Publishing.
Maybe you just need a change - borrow another bass, or get a cheap one, just to give you a change of pace. It might make you appreciate your first one more. I have one bass that I basically play all the time, but I have a second, just because I like to know it's there.
Get it gone. Nothing will kill your love of music faster than trying to play on an instrument that doesn't love you back.
I don't even know your bass, amd I'm beginning to hate it too.
Violin basses are great for what they're good at . . . . which is sounding and playing like a violin bass. The short-scale, wonky pickups and box-kite construction kind of paint you into that corner. Great for 'that sound', not so much for other things.
Maybe Paulie Mac can get by with one as his all-rounder, but most of us can't. I'd keep it if you need that sort of tone, but otherwise, get thee to a 34" scale solid-body. Trade it, or when you can round up the coin (believe me, I've BEEN there . . . ) get into something you can use for most everything. The good news is these days you can buy a whole lot of pretty good basses in the $300-500 range, and even find the occasional great deal for less.
Good Luck,
JW
Maybe Paulie Mac can get by with one as his all-rounder, but most of us can't. I'd keep it if you need that sort of tone, but otherwise, get thee to a 34" scale solid-body. Trade it, or when you can round up the coin (believe me, I've BEEN there . . . ) get into something you can use for most everything. The good news is these days you can buy a whole lot of pretty good basses in the $300-500 range, and even find the occasional great deal for less.
Good Luck,
JW
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
ya the old Hofner design has limitations ...
Buy a cheap p-bass copy ... or an inexpensive Ibanez
Yes I've had that happen before.
I'm sure you could trade it ... it's unique enough that a similar value solid body or regular scale (or both, whichever interests you right now) bass will come up I'm sure as an offer.
I'm sure you could trade it ... it's unique enough that a similar value solid body or regular scale (or both, whichever interests you right now) bass will come up I'm sure as an offer.
When I wanted to get back into playing bass, I dug my BG (the one I could never part with, Warwick 5er) out of the basement and quickly realized it was not my instrument anymore. After a little search, of both fingers and heart, I found a new main axe, and sold my old best friend. It can be a little emotional, but if you love something, set it free, and all that.
If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with...
