Old/Noob Disappointed in first bass--options/advice?

[Old_Noob]

Hi all:

So, I am an older, new bass player (mid-life crisis and all the stuff) and bought an Ibanez gsr200 (I know, i should know better than to buy a cheap musical instrument---but, wife).

I have a prior music background in wind instruments (former [failed] music major) and (very little) guitar. I have only been playing for about a month and a half, but I really dislike my bass. I had a pro set-up that involved a bunch of fret sanding due to the neck "ramping up"; but even after that, I still get a ton of "clacking"/buzz. I hate the electronics. The "Phat II" preamp just cuts the mids and makes the whole thing sound distorted and rummbly, so I never use it. The tone control has very little effect other than boosting gain and due to the aforementioned fret buzz and clacking, I basically leave it off. I can't seem to get a clean tone out of it.

So, with that said...and considering I have been at this for only a month, I need advice.
Option 1: Just live with it and suffer through until I have been playing enough to justify something better. --not like I am going to be playing in public anything soon.
Option 2: replace the pickups/pups---but I don't know how to solder and EMGs + new preamp would come close to the cost of a new guitar
Option 3: Try my hand at one of those DIY kits over the winter while cooped up.
Option 4: Replace now with something nicer (but, wife--"you just started").

 

[bholder]

Sounds like the action is set way too low for your playing technique. Should be fairly easily fixable by a good tech (either at the bridge saddles or truss rod nut). Sounds like you don't like the electronics either, unfortunate. Any way you can shop around and try other kinds of basses to find what suits you?

Edit - If you have any decent music stores nearby, you should be able to trade that in for something you actually like for not too much more cash. There are an awful lot of really great inexpensive basses out there right now, new and used too. Can't really give further advice without a little clearer picture of what you want.

 

[RandalPinkFloyd]

Sounds like he set the action too low. That happens to me if I don't specifically tell a new luthier "as low as possible with no fret buzz or clack, I only play semi-aggressively." That usually does the trick, but if I really dig in, I'll still get some clack and buzz, but that's only when I play hard. Not sure if he just set yours low, or if you dig in, something to consider though in the future.
As for that bass, that was my first bass, and can confirm, the electronics are definitely cheap, I was ok with mine until I tried to play in a band with it, then I got that a hum or a 60 cycle hum. Rather than fight it, I traded it away and bought something else. You're not happy with it, so I'd start looking for something better on the used market. If you're unhappy with it, you're likely to quit and the world needs more bass players.

 

[Bass V]

when buying at any price there's always risk in some bummer mucking up the fun, you got a possible lemon, a surprise cos those are generally consistent quality for a cheapo. just accept the Ibby problem as another lesson opportunity, you know it's part of the journey, a cheap way to learn what happened and ways to fix / overcome the issues. you may end up with a cool little bass after all, meanwhile, take a few more bux and spend it wisely, a nice basic bass that I find mirrors a fine vintage P is the Samick LB11. there are many more great cheap options, the trick is knowing yer stuff and getting educatedly lucky, that takes time ...and more $$ lol show the wife this thread, she'll understand the concept of saving money by spending money.
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[Old_Noob]

Sounds like the action is set way too low for your playing technique. Should be fairly easily fixable by a good tech (either at the bridge saddles or truss rod nut). Sounds like you don't like the electronics either, unfortunate. Any way you can shop around and try other kinds of basses to find what suits you?

The guitar shop closest to me (where I had the GSR set up) has very few bases, and they were at either extreme of Fender/squire lines. Plus, you have to make an appt. to come in and I am still really new at this, and really nervous around others.

 

[arbiterusa]

Playing for only a month a half and getting fret buzz? No shock. You need practice and if you don't have one, a teacher. You'll learn to hit the strings right in time.

EDIT: replacing parts or basses at this point with your playing history and ability is sheer madness. Set everything flat and just play.

 

[bholder]

Just for inspiration - the bass player for up-and-coming genre-defying pop-funk-rock group Khruangbin still plays her SX Jazz bass clone (still available at Rondomusic.com for around $200):

SX Ursa 2 RN C Alder VWH Advanced Order

Not saying "that's the one for you" - just an example of what can be done with a really inexpensive bass. Just gotta find what fits you.

 

[Old_Noob]

Yeah, maybe I will try raising the action a bit (half turn on the saddles all the way across, so I can put it back).

The thing that drives me nuts is the clanky clanky clanky sound when doing anything moderately aggressive.

I suppose no reason I can't just cut the treble and "bass boost" and leave it like that. As I am not playing in public anytime soon, my main concern is getting a clean tone so I can tell how back I am effing up.

 

[bholder]

Plus, another inspiration - she really hasn't been playing bass all that long, either! Really cool back story there.

 

[JW56789]

I always advise against buying the very cheapest 'beginner' instruments: It's hard enough when you're starting out and don't know anything, and to have an axe that may sound bad and/or fight back makes things even harder. I wouldn't give one of those big-box-store 'Bass Starter Pack' monstrosities to a dog.

This was common when I started out in the 70's, but there is utterly no need for it these days. There are lots of fabulous basses available between 250 to 500USD that would be far more pleasing, useable, and something you could reasonably resell if you stick with it and want to move up.

I wouldn't spend another dime on the GSR. Now that you have even a little time under your hands, I'd try other basses in the price range I mentioned (not to mention even better basses that are selling used that have eased down into that price range), there's lots of good ones, and see if you find something that suits you better.

 

[Old_Noob]

Thanks for the sage advice all.

 

[Old_Noob]

Playing for only a month a half and getting fret buzz? No shock. You need practice and if you don't have one, a teacher. You'll learn to hit the strings right in time.

EDIT: replacing parts or basses at this point with your playing history and ability is sheer madness. Set everything flat and just play.

1. The issue isn't so much fretbuzz from improper finger placement (I mean I get that sometimes, but I know its a technique issue. Its the incessant clacking on the pickups and humming anytime I play something with a remotely fast tempo).
2. Thanks for your edit.....Someone needed to smack some sense into me.

 

[arbiterusa]

Its the incessant clacking on the pickups and humming anytime I play something with a remotely fast tempo).

This is a problem with your right hand technique. You can lower the pickups a little (that's easy) but you're hitting the strings with a downward motion, not a sideways motion. A teacher can really help with that.

 

[bholder]

If the strings hit the pickups in any way, gotta lower the pickups. Easy adjustment, just pay attention to which way is "down". Tech might've raised them to go with ultra-low action. Not for hard players like us.

 

[bholder]

This is a problem with your right hand technique. You can lower the pickups a little (that's easy) but you're hitting the strings with a downward motion, not a sideways motion. A teacher can really help with that.

That, too - think "side to side" not "up and down" when you pluck. Also improves tone (some of us think).

 

[arbiterusa]

Also improves tone (some of us think).

I subscribe to this notion. It does sound a bit fuller.

 

[arbiterusa]

Also, some weird snobbery going on in this thread. An Ibanez GSR200 is not only a perfectly acceptable beginners instrument, it's a perfectly acceptable instrument, period.

I'd gig one if I had any gigs on the horizon!

 

[bholder]

I subscribe to this notion. It does sound a bit fuller.

Although as a side note, not to derail, if you're on fretless electric and want the mystical elusive "mwah", that's more in the "up and down". Different tools mean different techniques.

 

[Killing Floor]

Hi all:

So, I am an older, new bass player (mid-life crisis and all the stuff) and bought an Ibanez gsr200 (I know, i should know better than to buy a cheap musical instrument---but, wife).

I have a prior music background in wind instruments (former [failed] music major) and (very little) guitar. I have only been playing for about a month and a half, but I really dislike my bass. I had a pro set-up that involved a bunch of fret sanding due to the neck "ramping up"; but even after that, I still get a ton of "clacking"/buzz. I hate the electronics. The "Phat II" preamp just cuts the mids and makes the whole thing sound distorted and rummbly, so I never use it. The tone control has very little effect other than boosting gain and due to the aforementioned fret buzz and clacking, I basically leave it off. I can't seem to get a clean tone out of it.

So, with that said...and considering I have been at this for only a month, I need advice.
Option 1: Just live with it and suffer through until I have been playing enough to justify something better. --not like I am going to be playing in public anything soon.
Option 2: replace the pickups/pups---but I don't know how to solder and EMGs + new preamp would come close to the cost of a new guitar
Option 3: Try my hand at one of those DIY kits over the winter while cooped up.
Option 4: Replace now with something nicer (but, wife--"you just started").

I wouldn't spend a dime upgrading a bass you don't like playing. DIY kits are fun but mostly terrible. You can get prewired preamps and electronics or units that use quick connectors instead of solder but soldering isn't that hard to learn, still wouldn't upgrade if you don't like the feel anyway.

So here's what you do:
1 - don't get frustrated and quit.
2 - go to music shops and play stuff off the wall, no pressure, just figure out what you like and don't.
3 - friends with any bassists? Borrow theirs for a spin if that is an option.
4 - when you are ready get what you like that you can afford. Pro tip, keep one in the case under the bed so it looks like you only have 1. You can always sell the other.

Maybe there are things you can get used to when you have played longer, maybe not. But the neck is the big giveaway, find the kind of bass that feels good (neck, weight if that is a concern, scale, etc.) Then you can change pickups easily, any time if you want to.

 

[Old_Noob]

This is a problem with your right hand technique. You can lower the pickups a little (that's easy) but you're hitting the strings with a downward motion, not a sideways motion. A teacher can really help with that.

yeah, I struggle with the side to side thing because my fingers get oily and sweaty and tend to just "roll off" without much articulation at all; so on faster passages all I hear is "rumble rumble rumble" rather than 8th notes. I recorded myself, and I am basically coming at the string at an angle. I am using the "two soldiers walking" technique, rather than "the claw," which I can't seem to do.