Laguna LB224 Electric Bass

[KrZyJr]

I purchased my first bass guitar 2 months ago along with an amp and other accessories. I bought the Laguna LB224 Electric Bass and Acoustic B10 amp. I didnt want to get those packages because after reading alot of reviews i wasnt too convinced but the guy at GuitarCenter told me this would be a nice start up set up. In your guys opinion is this an ok set up? Im barely Learning and i noticed there is no pick up towards the middle of the bass so i bought a thumb rest to add but i need to take it to the repair shop so they can put it on, so overall is this ok? I need some opinions because im a big beginner, thanks in advance

 

[stflbn]

As a beginner, more than anything, you need to simply play and learn.

Your rig is fine.

 

[KrZyJr]

i also got the habit of playing alot of songs with my thumb rather then with my fingers, is that a really bad habit that i need to break?

 

[Space Danish]

You could drop that habit and pick up a new one, or maybe develop a cool banjo-style bass technique...

 

[GeneralElectric]

Its not necessarily a bad habit, but it is a restrictive one.

I still play with my thumb, its a different vibe, though nowadays I just use my index. Ideally you should use your index and middle fingers to play, but I can play most things at speed with just my index (took a lot of practice)

 

[my.self]

most people play with alternating ur middle and index finger or pick. some people actually use their index, middle, and ring finger so that they play faster and alternate with all 3 fingers, but thats more advanced where im not even close to yet.

one big important tip i can give u is that since ur starting out, no matter how hard it is right now or how slow u play, play with alternating ur index and middle finger. dont constantly just use 1 finger to play. i learned it the hard way by starting out playing with just 1 finger and then later on i realized that in order to play bass, i really need to learn how to play with alternating fingers. so the best thing to do is start out with a good habit even tho playing with just 1 finger may seem better/easier right now. later on youll regret it.

and enjoy ur bass!

 

[sound of bass]

most people play with alternating ur middle and index finger or pick. some people actually use their index, middle, and ring finger so that they play faster and alternate with all 3 fingers, but thats more advanced where im not even close to yet.

one big important tip i can give u is that since ur starting out, no matter how hard it is right now or how slow u play, play with alternating ur index and middle finger. dont constantly just use 1 finger to play. i learned it the hard way by starting out playing with just 1 finger and then later on i realized that in order to play bass, i really need to learn how to play with alternating fingers. so the best thing to do is start out with a good habit even tho playing with just 1 finger may seem better/easier right now. later on youll regret it.

and enjoy ur bass!

What he said! Ive been playing bass just about 20 yrs now with only my index finger, BUT the last 2 years or so Ive learned to use index and middle fingers. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Im much faster and my right hand is much more relaxed...natural it seems. And as far as "tone" goes, dont worry about it right now...learn your instrument and proper techniques, scales etc. You'll develope a "tone" over time, throw yourself into the music first so you can even "notice" tone ranges. Good luck.

 

[KrZyJr]

your guys advice definitely helped me out alot, i was looking at some old videos on youtube of how some of them played i saw Marshall Grant use his index and middle finger and i saw bill black doing the same with his fender, and i seen others so thats the way i'll try and learn, im going to take my bass to a shop so they can install the thumb rest because my pick up is too close to the bridge and the sound there is too ugly and its not smooth like it is in the middle, thanks alot guys i really do appreciate it

 

[Zenin]

I have the same set up (bass and amp) but I have a problem with my bass, the hand I pluck with goes right over the pick-up and everytime it try and play it doesn't sound like I would like it to. I'm thinking about selling my bass for at least anywhere from $100-$200 and it is in very good condition there are some scrtches here and there but nothing to major.

 

[edbass]

most people play with alternating ur middle and index finger or pick. some people actually use their index, middle, and ring finger so that they play faster and alternate with all 3 fingers, but thats more advanced where im not even close to yet.

one big important tip i can give u is that since ur starting out, no matter how hard it is right now or how slow u play, play with alternating ur index and middle finger. dont constantly just use 1 finger to play. i learned it the hard way by starting out playing with just 1 finger and then later on i realized that in order to play bass, i really need to learn how to play with alternating fingers. so the best thing to do is start out with a good habit even tho playing with just 1 finger may seem better/easier right now. later on youll regret it.

and enjoy ur bass!

I guess there wasn't any anybody around to give that sage advice to James Jamerson.
What a shame, he might have been great if he only knew...