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Is my bass crap???

E

ericjschroeder

Oct 20, 2009
19
0
#1
Hi, all, I've recently become a bass player and am having alot of fun, except of course for building callouses and finger strength. I am also the recorder/producer (for now) for our band and play keyboards. I find it easier to create on the bass but have lots of ideas for overdubs, backtracks, harmonies, etc. Sorry.... I was given a Playmate, solid body, single pickup bass and wondered if it was just a cheap brand, and would replacing the strings help (still sounds pretty good through my Peavey keyboard amp), but I wonder if the strings might be too high off the neck, making me work too hard. And being an older geezer, I have a bit of arthritis in the thumb joint which really sucks, but, hey! If it don't Hurt, it Ain't Rock 'n' Roll! Anyway, just trying to learn if I need to fix/upgrade my bass to get a better sound or playability. In addition to the million other things I have to learn.... if only I didn't have a job...
Eric
 
#2
Your bass is only crap if you think it is. Some of here play on cheapo brands and manage just fine. Also, that bit about the string height, you should adjust it to what you think is comfortable. James jamerson played with incredibly high action, but I don't. It's all a matter of preference. Just keep holding down a groove and no one will complain.
 
#3
ericjschroeder said:
Hi, all, I've recently become a bass player and am having alot of fun, except of course for building callouses and finger strength. I am also the recorder/producer (for now) for our band and play keyboards. I find it easier to create on the bass but have lots of ideas for overdubs, backtracks, harmonies, etc. Sorry.... I was given a Playmate, solid body, single pickup bass and wondered if it was just a cheap brand, and would replacing the strings help (still sounds pretty good through my Peavey keyboard amp), but I wonder if the strings might be too high off the neck, making me work too hard. And being an older geezer, I have a bit of arthritis in the thumb joint which really sucks, but, hey! If it don't Hurt, it Ain't Rock 'n' Roll! Anyway, just trying to learn if I need to fix/upgrade my bass to get a better sound or playability. In addition to the million other things I have to learn.... if only I didn't have a job...
Eric
Click to expand...

How to set up a bass.
 
#4
I like Dean Playmates. They're medium-low quality starters, but they have character.

I also like their sound and they're lightweight.

Just play around with string types and action and attack style till you get the sound you want, and you'll realize how special your first bass really is to you.

If and when you decide to upgrade, go for something similar to what you have, or do research on sounds and styles, and try to find something that speaks to you. Also, play every single bass you can get your hands on. I recommend starting with Schecter - their Stilettos are nice, mid-level pricing, and have lots of maneuverability, sound wise. Also, you might like a Jackson Concert series or ESP B series, though their lower end B series are less impressive than a Playmate, IMHO.
 
#6
For years, I played with a Vinci, very low end Washburn $90 at Sears. I posted a pic on TB and got flamed. It had great action and sound but eventually the neck started pulling away from the body because of the soft wood was no match for the screws that held it in place. I did save the electronics because they were mid level quality Washburn and used them in a project bass. If you like it, play it and don't worry about a few snob's and their opinions.
 
#7
You don't say where you are from, but if in a city with music stores, as stated above, go play a bunch of basses, and get a feel for everything available locally. Compare them to the one you have, and you might like yours just fine.
 
#11
check out the settup link that was posted. things like string height and truss rod adjustment are easily accomplished on your own with a 10 dollar set of Home depot allen keys and can make a huge difference. My first bass was a Peavey Fury, at the time I thought it was a crap bass, but over the years I gained an appreciation for exactly how nice it was (still have that bass!). Lo and behold I found talkbass a couple of years ago and found out that these older cheapy US Peaveys are cult classics. Just because its cheap don't mean it cain't work!
 
#13
If you aren't comfortable with setting the bass up yourself, take it to a qualified tech and have them do it for you. It will likely feel like a totally different instrument afterwards (in a good way!). Keep on jamming!
 
#14
You've gotten a lot of good advice here. My own experience was mirrored by yours in that I started with a cheap short-scale Japanese bass with a high action. I played it for months while learning basic blues progressions and developing finger and hand strength and coordination. Then I went out and bought the best instrument I could afford. I still have the same model.

Setup methods are posted in the Sticky right here on TalkBass. You're lucky to begin learning now when there is so much information available for free on the internet. It wasn't like that when I began.

ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125382

I also bought a set of bass guitar setup tools from CruzTools.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125382
 
#15
J-Building said:
Your bass is only crap if you think it is. Some of here play on cheapo brands and manage just fine. Also, that bit about the string height, you should adjust it to what you think is comfortable. James jamerson played with incredibly high action, but I don't. It's all a matter of preference. Just keep holding down a groove and no one will complain.
Click to expand...
+1. I set up my own basses, but it would not hurt to take the bass to a pro to have it set up, that could help make playing a little easier. IMHO it is not my place or anyone here place to call your bass crap, it's what you feel about it. You could have a $ 3000.00 bass and feel it is crap, it's all about you.
 
#18
Hey, thanks for all the replies. I did actually lower the action myself without too much trouble and it feels better already, but I still have the issue of getting a "blat" out of the low E string if I hit it too hard or wrong angle or something. I guess that's because there's no other string to fall against which changes the way my fingers pick that string. Still, I haven't checked out the strings or replaced them since I got it, so will have my local shop look at it.

And since I'd never heard of the Playmate, I am going to get a Playboy Bunny sticker for it ;)
 
#20
ericjschroeder said:
Hey, thanks for all the replies. I did actually lower the action myself without too much trouble and it feels better already, but I still have the issue of getting a "blat" out of the low E string if I hit it too hard or wrong angle or something. I guess that's because there's no other string to fall against which changes the way my fingers pick that string. Still, I haven't checked out the strings or replaced them since I got it, so will have my local shop look at it.

And since I'd never heard of the Playmate, I am going to get a Playboy Bunny sticker for it ;)
Click to expand...

For the short time, not trying to advise not to working on your technique to fix it but... you could probably just lower the E string side of the pickup lower or raise the action higher on that string or even put electrical tape on the pickups so the pole pieces don't "clack" when you hit them.

And btw. Don't worry what you play. I own and played a Rickenbacker 4003 and MIA Fender Precision Bass for a while now but my "go-to" main bass is my SX Jazz bass that cost me around $125 before some upgrades. :)
 

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