Me: The wannabe bass player.

[Voliminal]

Hello people. Im a new guy in bass world

I had to try to play bass cuz in my group we dont have a bassist for long time and its hard to find one. I am the vocalist and i liked the thought of learning bass and do both at the same time

Well for now its a little hard to sing along when i play. I hope with practise i will fix that. (Will I? )

A friend of me gave me a Aria 4-string Bass. And im using it with a guitar amp. Its good to start.

But i started searching basses on the net.

And i found some reeealy beautiful basses.

The shape i like is Ibanez SR. Its the only one i like on a bass and i like pu color.

Here's a pic!:

Well i have a lot of questions and I might be boring for u guys.

In my band we play metal and mostly metalcore.

I just dont know which basses are for each kind of music. I dont know if the shape matter or the wood of the base.

I realy like this white SR bass.. so badly! If it had a black neck also

I think its called Ebony neck right? Does it matter in sound or its just color? Cuz i would realy like whit white SR with black neck

Are ibanez basses good overall? Any other good basses? What basses are for metal genre?

Also, since i play bass for like... 5 days, how much time should i spend one this Aria bass before i buy a new one?

I would realy like to be able sometime to see differences in basses sounds so i can decide on my own what fits me. It's realy early for that now right?

Ill post more answer in next post (sorry for being so noobie and so idio asking all that stuff.. but i dont know where to ask.. that's the reason i joined this forum ) (also sorry for bad english ^_^)

 

[Antares]

Before you go and start looking to get a new bass i would suggest getting a bass amp.

As for your other questions. There really isnt a right or wrong answer for basses for metal. Plenty of metal bassists use Ibanez SR series. Play a bunch of basses and get whatever is most comfortable for you and sounds how you like.

 

[illidian]

First of all, welcome to the low end!

Playing and singing is tough. There's a reason you don't see it often. However, it can be done with enough practice. For the times when I sing backup, I have to go on autopilot with my playing. I'll practice those parts with a million distractions and won't stop until I nail them without thinking about them once.

Honestly, just about any bass can be used for metal. It all depends on your preferences, what you like. Some will be inherently more popular, but they aren't the only ways to get the job done. I also recommend choosing a bass because of the way it plays first, sounds second, and looks third.

Body shape doesn't matter for sound, just looks. The choice of wood (both type and quality) does matter.

Fingerboard wood plays a role. Ebony is a popular choice.

Ibanez basses are solid and very popular. They tend to be light with very slim necks.

The bass you have is as capable as you make it to be. Unless there's anything totally wrong with what you're doing now, it's probably fine for quite some time. I wouldn't rush to replace it if you like how it feels in your hands.

It's never too early to start figuring out what you like and what works best for you.

As Antares mentioned, something you may want to invest in ASAP is a bass amp. Speakers designed for guitar usually don't handle bass well at high volume levels. Better to get a bass amp now than have to replace the guitar speakers and buy a bass amp in a month or two.

 

[Voliminal]

Before you go and start looking to get a new bass i would suggest getting a bass amp.

As for your other questions. There really isnt a right or wrong answer for basses for metal. Plenty of metal bassists use Ibanez SR series. Play a bunch of basses and get whatever is most comfortable for you and sounds how you like.

Hmm I think I have to test some basses so i can see the differences.

First of all, welcome to the low end!

Playing and singing is tough. There's a reason you don't see it often. However, it can be done with enough practice. For the times when I sing backup, I have to go on autopilot with my playing. I'll practice those parts with a million distractions and won't stop until I nail them without thinking about them once.

Nice to meet you all guys!

You are right, i figured out 2 days ago that, when i don't think what i play, i can sing normaly. But to do this i have to learn to paly the bass line with closed eyes

Honestly, just about any bass can be used for metal. It all depends on your preferences, what you like. Some will be inherently more popular, but they aren't the only ways to get the job done. I also recommend choosing a bass because of the way it plays first, sounds second, and looks third.

Right, well do u think that an Ibanez SR300 for beginner is good?
Is it the whole idea of buying something which is for beginner good?
Will the quality be good so it will get more interesting so you can move on?

Body shape doesn't matter for sound, just looks. The choice of wood (both type and quality) does matter.

What is the difference between body woods?

Fingerboard wood plays a role. Ebony is a popular choice.

Oh so its not only the colour right?What are the differences?

Ibanez basses are solid and very popular. They tend to be light with very slim necks.

The bass you have is as capable as you make it to be. Unless there's anything totally wrong with what you're doing now, it's probably fine for quite some time. I wouldn't rush to replace it if you like how it feels in your hands.

It's never too early to start figuring out what you like and what works best for you.

As Antares mentioned, something you may want to invest in ASAP is a bass amp. Speakers designed for guitar usually don't handle bass well at high volume levels. Better to get a bass amp now than have to replace the guitar speakers and buy a bass amp in a month or two.

Ok so playing with bass amp is realy important.
Thanks for ur time
(sorry for stupid question again)

 

[illidian]

Right, well do u think that an Ibanez SR300 for beginner is good?
Is it the whole idea of buying something which is for beginner good?
Will the quality be good so it will get more interesting so you can move on?

There are many folks on these boards who play $100 SX basses who have over twenty years of experience. Everyone has their own theory, but I don't believe in "beginner basses." You buy the best you can within the budget you've allotted. And "best" is often a subjective thing–it's what you find best.

What is the difference between body woods?

They all sound different. The best way is to get out there and play as many as you can and form your own opinions. I believe Warmoth has some good descriptions online, since they have so many options, if you're really into that.

Oh so its not only the colour right?What are the differences?

Again, at this point my best recommendation is for you to let your ears be your guide.

 

[idoru]

One heads-up: I found the SR300 (and 305) pre-amps to be pretty noisy. You'd probably be better off with a more traditional passive bass in the same price bracket.

As for a bass suitable for metal or metal-core, I've seen guys play anything from Ibanez, Warwick, Spector and other high-end modern brands all the way "down" to the humble Fender Precision. Some of my favourite bands use P basses, like Glassjaw and Underoath (you'd have heard of them, I'm sure).

c-

 

[DarkArwen]

I like the Ibanez, my only issue with it is a dead spot on the g string from 5th to 7th fret, but as long as I keep it in mind, it's not a huge issue. Happy singing and playing!!

 

[Voliminal]

One heads-up: I found the SR300 (and 305) pre-amps to be pretty noisy. You'd probably be better off with a more traditional passive bass in the same price bracket.

As for a bass suitable for metal or metal-core, I've seen guys play anything from Ibanez, Warwick, Spector and other high-end modern brands all the way "down" to the humble Fender Precision. Some of my favourite bands use P basses, like Glassjaw and Underoath (you'd have heard of them, I'm sure).

c-

I think i've heard 'em yeah.

I like the Ibanez, my only issue with it is a dead spot on the g string from 5th to 7th fret, but as long as I keep it in mind, it's not a huge issue. Happy singing and playing!!

When you say dead spot what do you mean?

 

[MIJ-VI]

Hi Voliminal.

Welcome to TalkBass!

Some reading...

'Dead Spots?????': http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8056

 

[Voliminal]

Oh I'm sorry for not searching

Thanks by the way

 

[BassBob185]

I've never been able to get neck action lower on any of the basses I've owned to match that of my SR. Great playing and sounding bass.

 

[codsack]

Welcome to the bass world! As a converted drummer I was surprised at how difficult it is to sing and hold down the bass line.I did not have this problem when I played percussion.It will take practice and must become second nature.I still struggle with it.

 

[geodeath]

Hi!
"Καλησπέρα απο Ελλάδα!"

other than saying hi in Greek, my suggestion would be to get the best possible bass you can (best being very subjectional here of course) cause a lot of times, companies use this whole "metal bass" hysteria to sell cheap basses in big prices. I should know, i bought one of these back in the day.. Wouldnt do it again.

most of the times, cheap basses and not so cheap metal basses are budget basses made in korea, indonesia, china etc and while you can certainly hit a good deal sometimes you are in a blind spot if you cannot understand the differences by playing each and every one that you can pickup at a store. My first bass, which is not good by any standards, STILL sells for 650 Euros which is a ridiculous price, since at this price you can get B or C name instruments that are made well though. Not a big fan of those either but well better than getting an "esp" wannabe that wants to look good.

My suggestion is either go for B or C name as good as you can go, after you try first, OR go for a good instrument, either used or stock (check ebay, thomann.de). As for which basses are good for metal.. i can only suggest you think of other things changing your tone and not your bass alone. Of course the bass plays a huge role, but dont forget that most metal bassists (at least metal in the brutal way) probably use effects or a specific amp to get that sound you like.. So while you can buy a 2000 euros ultra metal bass, you can make it sound like a childrens toy with a 50 euro amp while on the other hand, you can get any good instrument to output a great tone just by choosing the amp you want..

to prove this to yourself, check lots of youtube videos with an instrument you like, paying attention to the amplification they use. You will see great differences between the tone they get. So, choose your bass by holding and playing the ones you like, make sure you like the sound you hear THEN decide for the amp and everything else you will use on top of your bass to get the metal tone you want. I would certainly get a bass i would like to look at, but it would need to be top class for the kind of money i put into it. If you only need a 300 euro instrument then a good instrument for that kind of price would be good for you. Dont forget that each one has his own upper and lower limits on every kind of purchase

*youtube will not offer the best acoustic experience to judge a sound, but it will give you a good idea of how different things can be

 

[blowinblue]

Welcome to the bass world! As a converted drummer I was surprised at how difficult it is to sing and hold down the bass line.I did not have this problem when I played percussion.It will take practice and must become second nature.I still struggle with it.

I would think that playing drums and singing would be more difficult than playing bass and singing. I've been fooled again.

To the OP...learning to play bass and sing lead at the same time can bring you to tears, but it's worth the struggle. Then you can threaten your bandmates like I do on a regular basis, "Go ahead and fire my butt. It will take two people to replace me. Make my day."

M. M.

 

[jefkritz]

i'd say, as a rule of thumb, until you can hear a difference between the bass you have and the bass you're thinking about buying, you don't really need to buy a new bass.

and while body and neck wood do matter, the tone coloration from the wood is relatively minor. much more important is the type of bass (ie the electronics and the style and placement of the pickups), the strings, and especially the amp.

 

[ksandvik]

Yes, get a used Ibanez SR or SRX. Can't go wrong with those as the first bass, easy to play, too.

 

[Beginner Bass]

Hmm I think I have to test some basses so i can see the differences.


Nice to meet you all guys!

You are right, i figured out 2 days ago that, when i don't think what i play, i can sing normaly. But to do this i have to learn to paly the bass line with closed eyes

Right, well do u think that an Ibanez SR300 for beginner is good?
Is it the whole idea of buying something which is for beginner good?
Will the quality be good so it will get more interesting so you can move on?

What is the difference between body woods?

Oh so its not only the colour right?What are the differences?

Ok so playing with bass amp is realy important.
Thanks for ur time
(sorry for stupid question again)

Welcome to the paradise that is everything that vibrates at under 82.4hz (That's a guitar's low E by the way).

If you're trying to power through a drummer and guitarist, you'll probably need at least 200W, though 300W would be better. At that kind of volume, a guitar amp, no matter what, will get it's speaker shredded to pieces with that low frequencies.

Also, back to the first part of my mini-rant, many people will tell you the most important part of your tone is your amp. And a little trend here for whenever you ask about "What is the best (Insert gear here) is for (Insert genre here)" You will get a torrent of "Whatever works for you". You will probably have to go out and try a barrage of amps and try to figure out which you like most. The same applies for pedals or basses. It's a bit more of a hassle, but it will pay off eventually. It's like asking about the best kind of pizza, or the best car, or the best jeans; it's all personal opinion!

 

[scottice]

Dude, a white bass is so NOT metal.
LOL ;0

 

[nutso42]

You are right, i figured out 2 days ago that, when i don't think what i play, i can sing normaly. But to do this i have to learn to paly the bass line with closed eyes

^ not as hard to do as you might think!

 

[Voliminal]

Wow! I think i got some nice answers here

I've never been able to get neck action lower on any of the basses I've owned to match that of my SR. Great playing and sounding bass.

Which SR do you own?


geodeath Καλημέρα!(At this time it's morning here in Greece ^^) and thank you for your time!

to prove this to yourself, check lots of youtube videos with an instrument you like, paying attention to the amplification they use. You will see great differences between the tone they get

Hmm yeah good info there, i also have to start understanding differenet bass tunings so i won't get missguided.

while on the other hand, you can get any good instrument to output a great tone just by choosing the amp you want

About amps, let's say that i bought the bass i wanted and then its time buying an amp.
I have to test a lot of amps so i can choose the one that fits with me and my bass right? Gonna be hard?

About the Ibanez SR300 I've read a lot of good stuff about it, that for its cost its realy good bass, and its great for entering this world.


Another thing

Last night i played with a peavey bass and damn its was reaaaly heavy... I still get a lot of pain in my shoulder (yes i was standing all the time for 2 hours :/ ) Also, we practiced waking the demon and i had no problem with playing and singing, but when we try playing 4 words (these 2 are bullet for my valentine songs) it was realy messy i couldn't synchronize I didn't know what to do first, play or sing xD

I think i can get used to it since i could make it with Waking the Demon.
(easy songs, but im new )

To the OP...learning to play bass and sing lead at the same time can bring you to tears, but it's worth the struggle.

You do it?

Then you can threaten your bandmates like I do on a regular basis, "Go ahead and fire my butt. It will take two people to replace me. Make my day."

rofl i laughed a lot at that!! hah!

i'd say, as a rule of thumb, until you can hear a difference between the bass you have and the bass you're thinking about buying, you don't really need to buy a new bass.

Agree

and especially the amp.

Another guy saying that! allright i got it, so amp got a big role there

Yes, get a used Ibanez SR or SRX. Can't go wrong with those as the first bass, easy to play, too.

I don't realy wanna buy a used bass, and 300 euros are not much.

........

Nice one there, i got it

Dude, a white bass is so NOT metal.
LOL ;0

Hah! Maybe, but i don't care, i LOVE that colour!! It's the colour of my moto too, TTR 600 ^_^


(Quoting so much is annoying? should i stop doin' it?)