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New Bass player, need help buying the right gear

S

seanx24x

Aug 6, 2013
3
0
Bristol, UK
#1
Hey guys, hope you're all good

I'm new to the site so I hope this is the right place to post this, I've recently become interested in playing Bass, and I need help with buying the right gear, I have a very distinct sort of style and sound that I would like to go for.

If you could point me in the right direction for::

1. Bass Guitar
2. Bass Amp/Head
3. Strings
4. FX Pedals

I've had my eye on this bass but Im unsure if it would be right for the music I want to play, and also a Cab combo I'll post the links below for them

Bass : Invalid Link Removed

Amp: Invalid Link Removed

FX Pedal: Invalid Link Removed


The sort of style and sound is in the video below from the band Norma Jean

Sound & Style:

Any help would be awesome thanks a lot guys
 
#2
That setup looks fantastic for a semi pro, off the hook for a beginner. You might look at getting a Zoom B3 instead of one effects pedal. Not only do you have a wide array of pedals, but you also have a a DI backup in case your amp would have an issue. Listening to Norma Jean, you are going to either have to tune that bass down or get a 5 string.

Welcome to bass.
 
#4
I've heard good things about the bass, I would recommend a fender rumble 350 head and the 410 cab to go with it. It has a good distortion channel built in and I've never had to turn mine past five for summerfest, warped tour, house of blues.. basicly anything short of a stadium itl do no prob.
 
#5
i know norma jean used to play in drop C# though i wouldn't be able to say if that has changed or not... you can get away with this on a four string. i'd recommend .105-.045 gauge strings to start you off. i like DR's but ernie ball or whatever will get the job done!
 
#6
A friend of mine used to play this same bass in a band called "The Holly Springs Disaster". He tuned it to drop C with heavy strings and ran it through a Mesa amp and cab. Sounded great. The TC rig will probably work just fine although you might want to try something with a tube preamp I you are planning on using a lot of distortion.
 
#7
Fender Precision Bass, (with flat wound strings).
Ampeg amp, PF-350, (or PF-500, or PF-800).
Ampeg PF410HLF, (or PF-115LF).
Speaker cable, and instrument cable.
No pedals needed.

Edit: Oh, I just checked out the link to the sound style you are looking to play. Please disregard my suggestions.
 
#8
The gear all depends on how thick your wallet is.
If you can afford the TC gear and an Aerodyne, I wouldn't suggest it until you knew you wanted to keep the playing going.

My advice: Buy a nice quality but cheaper combo amp, the Fender and the ODB, play for a couple months and if you feel like you want to keep going buy the TC and join a band. If not, the Fender will hold its value and you can get most of what you paid out of it should you want to sell it.

The Aerodyne should cover more styles than just Norma, so if you decide to play other things you won't need to buy another bass.

Strings? I'd say D'addario ProSteels 105-45. But you need to experiment with what you like best. Dunlop's site sate that NJ use their strings so I'd atart with them.
 
#10
Mad Love for the Aerodyne! It was my very first bass too!!

That being said, I don't know if it would be, as they say 'round these parts, "the best for metal". It's got a lot going for it; versatile, lighter weight, sleek, Sexy As Hell. Also, Hipshot makes a de-tuner specifically for Japanese Fenders (BT10).

If asked to play my most aggressive bass, I'd go to my Blacktop Jazz in a heartbeat. This beast is a sonic cannon!

Invalid Link Removed
 
#11
Decided to see if I could figure out what Norma Jean's bassist uses... found these

Link Removed

Link Removed

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So it looks like Fender jazz basses (is that a Blacktop in the first pic?), and the older bassist used some variety of Thunderbird (the final pic is from a couple of years ago, they seem to have gone through a few bassists). Ampeg amps. I wouldn't say it's a terribly "distinctive" rig - Fender basses and Ampeg amps are rock band standard issue. Now, that's what THEY'RE using - not what YOU have to use.

I guess the real question is how much money you want to spend when you're just starting out. Are you testing the waters, or committed to performing? How much can you afford? I'd especially advise caution in spending when you're just beginning and don't really know what you want yet. Also, on the amp, portability is an issue - do you want to be hauling that whole stack to every band practice (is there a band on the horizon already, btw)?

The bass and amp you linked to are both great, and gig worthy. Have you actually tried them out in a store, or are you just browsing online? Go get your hands on some and buy what speaks to you, not what looks good on a computer screen. If you've tried them out and like them and are confident about spending the money, go for it.

If you decide you're better off saving some money while you get your feet, a cheaper rig that will still be strong enough to keep up in a band would be, say, a VM Squier '77 Jazz - http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=10070716204229 - and a strong combo amp - http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=12031312324332 (250 watts through a 1x15 should be enough for any gig you'll be playing any time soon). That will save you something like £900, that you can spend on other gear later when you know more about what you like and need. Buying used will save you more still. It's up to you.

As for distortion, I was trying to figure out from that track if the bass itself is actually distorted or if it's playing clean in unison with a distorted guitar. In the third pic he doesn't seem to have any pedals at his feet, which makes me think he plays clean, or just cranks the gain on his amp. But let's assume it is distorted. The boss might be OK, but there are lots of other options. I've heard good things about Aguilar's Agro pedal (http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/pedals_s_detail.asp?stock=10081315222629). Myself, I would really recommend the MXR M-80 (http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/pedals_s_detail.asp?stock=07062712180828) - that gets you a preamp with EQ, distortion, and a DI all in one package. Mine is pretty much always on.

Good luck choosing, and enjoy bass!
 
#14
Malak the Mad said:
Hah! Called it!! :smug:

Yes, that's a Blacktop Jazz. The Hi-Mass bridge was the final giveaway.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought so - I only hesitated because I don't remember them making a white one, I thought it was only black or silver. So I was wondering if it might have been something else re-routed for the double-P p/ups.
 
#15
Oh strings... lots to try out there. I like DRs, I was using LoRiders but just met a DR rep at a store promotion and she said they're really pushing the DDTs to cover the ground the LoRiders used to. DDTs are designed for drop tuning, too, so if you're getting a four-string and tuning it down (common in heavy music) they'd be a good choice.
 
#16
That gibson bass in the picture is a Gibson RD.

For Bass distortion check out an EHX Bass Big Muff or if you want to spend extra coin either a Z Vex Wooly Mammoth or a Blackout Effectors Blunderbuss/musket fuzz.
 
#18
hrodbert696 said:
Yeah, I thought so - I only hesitated because I don't remember them making a white one, I thought it was only black or silver. So I was wondering if it might have been something else re-routed for the double-P p/ups.
Click to expand...

That's the White Chrome Pearl color. It's not exacly white and it's not exactly silver, but more of a somewhat-sparkly white with a grey-ish/silver-ish undertone. An odd color, to say the least. Not ugly, but not to my taste either. That's why I got the black model. I figured I could give it a more effective "facelift".
 
#19
I. Don't play that style so I don't know what will work. I will give you a few general tips though.

Firstly re the bass the right bass is more about feel and a sound that will appeal to you. You sound like your gonna want a heavily over driven tone, so I'd go for a schecter bass something with active emg pickups. Other than that find a shape u like and feels comfortable to play and hold.

Re amp get something solid state. It will be lighter, cheaper and will do what you're looking for the higher watt fender rumbles actually have a button to over drive the signal and seperate master and gain knobs to saturate the signal even more. There is no point going tube for your application because you won't be using the advantages that make tube amps worthwhile, dynamics, ramping etc.

Strings what ever feels comfortable.

Pedals, don't need them I don't use them, its up to you to find what you think sounds cool.
Get the bass get the amp learn how to play and setup your eq, then worry about fine tuning tone with strings and pedals.

Learning how to play especially with that style is gonna take you at least 2 years.
You may want to start using a pick from day 1.

Good luck
 
#20
Good luck with your bass venture!

The equipment you picked looked great.

If you are 100% committed in making this musical project work and want to make sure you get the best bang for your buck, I would look into the second-hand market as well.

After playing guitar for +20 years, I switched to bass a month ago but wanted to make sure I got a quality piece of gear to start with.
I bought an US-made Music Man Sterling 4H in great condition (9/10) for the price of their import model.

Keep in mind that if you want to trade/sell your gear you want to get something that still have a good resale value so you can get even better gear!
 

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