• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My very first bass!!

Forty-Thirty

Forty-Thirty

Guest
Feb 22, 2015
399
1,208
Arkansas
#1
I just bought my first bass!! I had been learning on a P-bass I borrowed from a friend, but it was waaaaaaaaay too big for me and I was struggling to reach notes. I bought a Squier VM Jaguar bass special (the short-scale version), and it is WONDERFUL! It fits me so well--it's so comfortable. It has the Jazz neck and both P and J pickups. His name is Charlie. :)

I replaced the crappy stock strings with some Chromes (not pictured--this was taken before). This is my first experience with flats, and I'm not sure how I feel about these in particular. The E string is HUGE (I knew 105 was a standard size, but I didn't expect it to be that big when I bought them), and they are pretty hard to play. Additionally, they sound kind of tinny, and I don't care for that. I know flats take some time to break in, but I'm not sure how long I should give them before I decide they're not the strings for me. Weeks? Months?

Anyway, admire Charlie the Bass! Ooooh, aaaaah. I am so excited.

Also, sorry the photo is so giant. I don't know how to resize it!

IMG_1765small.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: placedesjardins, vmabus, Gilmourisgod and 48 others
#5
Rotosound makes a short scale flats set that comes in at a paltry .95 for the E string. They are probably super easy to play and I think they are only about 25 bucks.

Congrats on the bass! I saw a guy playing one at GC Studios and it sounded really nice.

This may be the first time I've seen a bass given a man's name! We need more women here!

Now where is Tal Wilkenfeld, I have a proposal to make...
 
  • Like
Reactions: MattyH, tuba_samurai, 47th Street and 4 others
#13
I also have a SS Jag. I second any suggestion about new strings. I know it sounds fine now, but just about any new strings will launch your sound into the stratosphere. I put GHS Bass Boomers on mine. I got
'em from bassstringsonline. The owner is on TB. I have no affiliation except as a satisfied customer.
 
#15
In my experience, Chromes take about a month to settle down. And keep getting better for about a year. At this point, they sound petty consistent for at least another two years or so.
I have them on three of my four basses so clearly I've learned to like them, but my first impression was the same as yours. I find that compared with other flats, they have more of a top end which helps give the notes a bit more definition and attack.
Congrats on the new bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 47th Street and macmanlou
#16
I have a silver one and it is a good bass. Congrats on your new bass. I think the red is a much nicer colour on those basses, although the wife seems to find the silver appealing.

I also second the idea of lighter flats. Mine is strung with GHS Precision Flats with a .095 E string. Sounds great and much more playable than a .105 Chrome. Even the LaBella flats on my SG with a .104 E are easier for me to play than Chromes in the gauge you are using.

As for the thin sound I also recommend turning down the J pickup and solo the P pickup for a much brighter sounding Jag. The J pickup is the Achilles heel of these basses. If you check out this thread, Squier Jaguar Short Scale Club Part 3 | TalkBass.com you can see several remedies for that pickup. I believe TB'er @AltGrendel has an inexpensive mod referenced in his signature that is worth exploring.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Forty-Thirty

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back