Heavy guitars or basses aren't really my favorite thing sorry
But I get what you mean lol thanks!
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New to Bass :P
- Thread starter peps1enjoy3r
- Start date
But I get what you mean lol thanks!
Best advise is to learn how to be a bassist and not a guitarist who plays bass. Learn the function of the instrument, learn the neck and where all the notes are. Don’t just learn shapes like a guitarist. Forget about pedals for now as has been suggested already. Learn to play finger style. And make it your default style. Grab a pick when the tune calls for it.
I’m a drummer first but I’ve been doing way more gigs on bass for some time. But, if I’m drumming I can instantly smell a guitarist on bass from their second note. Learn to groove and lock in with the drummer, learn to play more than roots, learn challenging parts, learn to solo…learn to be a bassist.
I’m a drummer first but I’ve been doing way more gigs on bass for some time. But, if I’m drumming I can instantly smell a guitarist on bass from their second note. Learn to groove and lock in with the drummer, learn to play more than roots, learn challenging parts, learn to solo…learn to be a bassist.
wintremute
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Do you need a physical amp? Not sure how the boss katana go's bass mode works, but i assume it sounds much better (and has built in effects and lots of guitar modes also) than any bass amp similar in price. Depends on if you are ok practicing with headphones
Your location is way bigger than mine and on FB marketplace I could find a decent practice amp and a nice used bass that would last me until I wanted to upgrade. Or just be happy with. I tend to like parts basses. I get what I want that way.I have some money saved up but I'm not trying to spend more than like 400$ for a starting bass (amp included maybe) and yea I'll make sure to check out my local stores thanks!
Welcome peps1enjoy3r! While you’re here, take a look at the classifieds for a bass, maybe a small bass amp, too. Consider becoming a supporting member so you can place a “Want to Buy” ad - plenty of ppl want to help a new bassist get started right, & there’s a good chance you’ll get a well-maintained instrument in great condition.
EDIT: Also stop by a local music store and hold some basses, you can get a better idea of what you like & don’t like. You may find a good deal on a comfortable bass, too.
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I had just assumed there'd be some that OP was personally interested in. I got those reccs when I started too but instead went with Arctic Monkeys because that's what I was listening to at the time. Not that you can't do both with a Fender type bass.
I like how tame impala does his bass lines if you've ever listened to him. I like that indie sort of sound (also really into the strokes, arctic monkeys sort of style). I've been trying to write my own songs on guitar, and bass would be a good sound to add to that, I also really like the slap bass sounds of Japanese bands/artists like yorushika, zutomayo etc.
atk is ibanez right? we also have garage sales here sometimes so i might wait till they start to see if i can find something cool then
FullumMusic
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For sure. If you like the Fender aesthetic, and you just like the Squiers, go for it! I did mention the Sires because the Sire V series has that Fender Jazz aesthetic and the Sire P series has the Fender Precision aesthetic, and they're really well made instruments for the same price as Squiers. Just an option. But if there's something about the Squier that speaks to you, that's the bass for you.OK I did in fact read all that
I agree with getting what you think looks the best LOL I just love how fender guitars look, I'm not saying other brands look bad but I just love the fender aesthetic.
I haven't really been into the local music scene sadly, I've been to a couple local shows with my friends but I only ever talked to one of the singers to get a picture with him, I'll make sure to pay more attention and talk to the bassist next time I go tho!
I've seen some smaller music stores near where I live but I've never actually been to any, I got my tele at guitar center but I never knew you had to set it upI'll probably head to guitar center when I can just to check out the basses. I'll make sure to get my bass properly set up!
I'm just starting lol and my budget isn't at that point where I can actually buy pedals yet >< but I've heard from many people that physical pedals aren't super necessary so I'll take that advice (As of right now, I've been using my amp's built in overdrive thing, and my korg synth for reverb on my guitar, ik its embarrassing but it works
Anyway I appreciate those words of advice tho lol
This sounds like a great chance to not only start playing bass, but also start getting involved in the local music scene too! Have fun hunting for a new bass, and have fun at shows. And also, bassists will probably be excited to have someone talking to them. Nobody talks to the bassists.
And don't be embarrassed by the gear you have. We've mostly all been there, with limited gear and limited money and making what we got work. Keep doing what you're doing and using what you got!
(And get your Tele set up by a decent tech in your area, and your bass set up when you get it and be amazed at how much nicer they play!)
being in a band would be soo cool but for now ig I'm a solo act
thanks tho gl to you too!
yea lol I'm also rlly interested in bass because I've heard its kind of hard so it would be a cool challenge but thanks!
I've seen those little amps at like garage sales before I'll probably look for a used one if I can. I sometimes just play at home without an amp so I don't bother anyone and that would be a cool thing to use
I looked on offerup but I haven't checked FB marketplace I'll make sure to check those out tho!
Also by parts do you mean you build your own bass?
Where you live, it shouldnt be hard to find a decent used bass for not many $$$ - if you have a bass-playing friend, bring them along to help you evaluate how it plays. Also, I'd second what others say about pedals - don't bother with any right now, they're best used for bass when you have a specific purpose in mind, unlike guitar pedals that seem to be widely used by most all players. FYI, I have a decent bass pedalboard, but just finished doing 4 gigs in a row without any pedals - just a headstock tuner. So as a beginner stick to learning the instrument, and worry about pedals and bigger amps down the road, if/when you start with a band.
Right on, I was in a very similar position starting out. I really loved my Ibanez Soundgear which was my first bass after switching from guitar. Had soapbar pickups and was active. The neck was very slender which as a converted guitar player was closer to what I was used to (and I have small hands). I did eventually go to a Jazz bass for about 10 years (and nowadays have a multitude of different types of basses with different feels), but I absolutely loved my soundgear.
For the indie sound I don't think you could really go wrong with most basses as long as the feel is right in your hands. As for slap in a lot of Japanese bands I've seen a lot of J basses there as well and ibanez's
What I've personally found with bass is that the proficiency curve starts out more gradual than guitar but at a certain point it ramps up rapidly (at lease from what I was doing). The hardest part switching for me was thinking like a bassist. The role is different. The role of the instrument can be melodic like a guitar but it's more supportive generally. Like marrying the rhythm of the drums into the chord tones of what the treble instruments are doing. I ended up overplaying a ton because I wasn't focused on supporting the tune as much as I was focused on being flashy.
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https://www.boss.info/us/products/katana-go/I've seen those little amps at like garage sales before I'll probably look for a used one if I can. I sometimes just play at home without an amp so I don't bother anyone and that would be a cool thing to use
The go is a headphone specific model, fairly cheap at about $120, newly released & probably out of stock everywhere - i dont think you could find a used one, but more power to you if you can! Should be able to bluetooth in from your phone and play along. I wouldn't play a bass through the katana physical guitar amps for the previously mentioned concerns (may sound bad and likely to blow the speaker)
Welcome to the bass guitar world!
