• 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.

Possible to have bass too good for skill level?

#41
I'll echo that buying on credit and/or what you can't really afford isn't always the wisest of decisions. You can take a gander in the TB classifieds to see what happens when bills come up and force someone to sell their dream bass.

That being said, you can have any bass you want if you can either afford it or have the credit to get it. Just try to improve yourself cuz there's this guy who has a $10k bass but can't carry a tune in a bucket that gives boutique players a bad name. Don't be that guy. :p
 
#42
J Hud said:
If you like it, it feels & sounds "right" to you AND you have the cash, BUY IT.

This is your hobby/job/passion/whatever and it's all about what makes you happy.

A byproduct of all that happiness is you'll probably play & practice more if you really enjoy and appreciate the instrument that YOU bought with YOUR money.

End of discussion.
Click to expand...

Tough to argue with that.
 
#43
I've been playing about a year, I have a MIM J that is still "too good for me" I'd suggest having a pro set up your current bass, and taking it into a shop to demo some combo amps. I started out with a Line 6 LD15 which is great for me practicing in my bedroom. but a couple of months ago I started jamming with some guys and it just didnt cut the mustard, I worked some weekends and got together the scratch to pick up a Hartke LH500 and a SVT410. It was a whole different world. I don't get to play through my bigger rig enough to suit my tastes, but when I do it puts a smile on my face a mile wide each time. I'm not trying to sway you to my setup, go play a bunch of stuff and see what appeals to you. (and then try to find it on craigs list if you can :D)

If you have a rig that *can* keep up with a guitar player and drummer, pretty soon you will be thinking "I need to find some people to play with" and playing with other people has been both a motivation, and inspiration for me to improve.

As far as J V P, the only true answer is "both" I went J off the bat and now wish I had a P, but if I tell you P, it will be the opposite for you :P
 
#44
My take on the issue is buy what you really want if you got the money.I personally think that owning and playing on an instrument you always wanted and truly love will make you want to practice even more. Even if you decide that it's not your style of bass afterall, you won't take a beating if you decide to sell it.
With that said, I have only been playing & taking lessons for 3 months now and I have a MIA Jazz. But to tell you the truth, I'll probably be switching the neck out for a P-neck because it just feels more comfortable in my hands.
 
#45
I've only been playing seriously about a year, but bought a high quality instrument from the get-go. The way I see it, never buy "cheap". It only means you're going to pay more in the long run when your realize what a piece 'o crap you've got, and then have to go spend more for something nice. I apply the same principle when buying tools. I learned long ago that a cheap tool costs more in the long run too. Of course it does depend somewhat on commitment level. When I started playing, I committed to it seriously. It wasn't a "I wonder if I'm going to stick with it?" kind of thing. Perhaps someone who is only wanting to "try it out" should go for entry level instruments. But smart money is better spent on quality IMO.
 
#46
All of these basses are too good for my skill level:

IMG_9090.jpg


I guess I better go practice...

:hiding:
 
#47
HEADLE said:
YIKES! NONONONONONONONONO! Keep the Schecter. Get rid of the transistor radio you call an amp. The Schecter with a good setup and a nice 100+W combo amp will make you think you are Vic. You can't get any nuts out of 15w. I was all for you jumpin on the MIA train until I saw the Amp. I played through a little tiny amp when I first started and kept buying better and better basses and it didn't sound any better. Then I played through a nice rig and everything opened up. You can't hear good fundamental or harmonics through a tiny amp. Sure it reproduces sound but not good sound. Ok I think I've said the same thing like a hundred times. Go get an amp!

H
Click to expand...

+1000. A Fodera will sound like a Wang Industries Bass-o-Master through that amp. Any improvements you might recognize by upgrading a bass will be lost in that little 15-watter. Right now, you don't even know what your Schecter actually sounds like! Even something like a G-K Backline 112 will make such an enormous difference in what you're hearing that you'll feel like you're playing a totally different instrument.

Take it from an old fart... amp upgrade first, my friend! ;)
 
#48
This would be my first post on TB. I have been playing the bass for about 2 years now, started guitar 13 years ago. I've always enjoyed working with different instruments and developing my own technique. I got into bass only after a few friends of mine needed a new bass player and they thought I would fit the part as I have always been able to play by ear and pick things up quickly. So I started on a MIM P-bass that the guitar player had, worked with that for about a year until I had an idea of what I wanted. I researched a great deal as to what the differences were between each make and model I would see in the hands of my favorite players and bands. I love funk, I found a great 3-tone burst MIA J-bass one day at guitar center for $800. Jumpt on it.

Since then I feel like a bass player. Picking up the body of that bass makes me want to become a premier bassist. Not sure how quickly that will come, but I now know that I am a bass player. As a man once told me, your instrument should inspire you. Get what you want, but don't jump to conclusions, back it up with research.
 
#49
If anything, having a bass that is "above" your playing level will probably inspire you to play more often and improve quicker than a "beginner's" bass would.

The only thing that should determine how nice a bass you own is your wallet. If you can afford it, that's all there is to worry about. I would probably stay away from a custom job because, due to inexperience, you might not be able to say for sure what your tone goals are. But, a nice Jazz or Musicman or something equivalent is just fine. Buy the nicest bass you can reasonably afford and enjoy it.
 
#50
Dr. Cheese said:
Considering how many players I've heard sound wonderful on really cheap basses, I would have to say that every bass I have ever owned was too good for my skill level. :)
Click to expand...

I hear ya. :p I've seen *many* kick-ass bass performances on low-end gear. I honestly don't feel good enough to rate a boutique, but I get 'em anyway.

A minor but actual reason I've settled on Sadowsky ultra-vintage is that it's a "stealth boutique": to my mind it doesn't scream "fancy chops" like those blingy figured-top sandwiches and/or single-cuts! Please note that I say that with love: even though I prefer Sadowsky overall, I miss my old flamed/spalted-top MTD 535 very much!
 
#51
natw42 said:
I may get flamed (or +1'd) for this, but I personally find that getting a really nice bass, something that really makes you feel comfortable and enjoy playing, will help take your playing to the next level.

If you love your instrument and love playing it, you will be more inspired to play and perhaps try new adventurous things you wouldn't have attempted on a less inspiring instrument.

If you can afford it, go for it.
But since you are relatively noobish, it might behoove you to look for a used one; that way if it isn't exactly the bass you want, you won't lose any significant amount of money in reselling it later.
Click to expand...

+1
I learned how to play on a bass my parents got at sears in the 70's. It played like you would expect. Sure wish my first bass was something along the lines of a Mike Lull P, or something.
*edit* I forgot the important part, don't break the bank. Just get something good and rock it.
 
#52
MNAirHead said:
I'll say YES..

I've met tons of players who go VERY big on gear (spending thousands) then do not have money left for educational materials and/or lessons.

I can't tell you the number of guys I've met with $$$ gear who are in the suck realm.

Timmy
Click to expand...

This.

I've never once felt bitter that someone with weaker chops than me had a nice instrument. But I've definitely sighed inwardly at players who've clearly invested much more time and money into their gear than into learning how to play. I can understand how it might happen: the midlife crisis strikes. Guy tells his wife he is going to play bass again like he did in high school. She approves because its cheaper than buying a Ferrari (she thinks). Next thing she knows the house is filled with AccuGrooves and Foderas...

I saw a cat not long ago at a jam session. He was playing an NYC Sadowsky through a TC Electronics rig. All that tone, thousands of dollars worth of gear, did nothing for his time, groove, or note choice. You'd think you'd get a solid twelve bar blues under your fingers before making such big gear investments, you know?
 
#53
I wouldn't rush into deciding if you want to play a Jazz or Precision for your entire life just yet. I would give it more than a few months to make that decision. The Schecter is a fine bass, and there are many other options besides Fender. Give yourself some time to determine what your musical needs and interests are going to lead you. That would have saved me a lot money.
 
#54
MMailloux843 said:
Damn nat, inspiring to say the least. It's a community like this that makes me love the bass so much more.

The only thing is, I have to buy it with a credit card for this whole no interest deal going on. I wish I could grab a used one that's been played by others and such, but I think it will be real cool to break one in on my own :)
Click to expand...

How is it 'no interest' if you buy with a credit card? Doesn't the card have interest? Or will you pay the card immediately?
 
#55
Archaeobass said:
I saw a cat not long ago at a jam session. He was playing an NYC Sadowsky through a TC Electronics rig. All that tone, thousands of dollars worth of gear, did nothing for his time, groove, or note choice. You'd think you'd get a solid twelve bar blues under your fingers before making such big gear investments, you know?
Click to expand...
Bikers call folks who clearly aren't bikers but do own high-dollar bikes 'Rubs,' an acronym for 'rich urban bikers.' Works for bass players, too. Hey, somebody's gotta keep the boutique builders in business.........:hiding:
 
#58
natw42 said:
I may get flamed (or +1'd) for this, but I personally find that getting a really nice bass, something that really makes you feel comfortable and enjoy playing, will help take your playing to the next level.

If you love your instrument and love playing it, you will be more inspired to play and perhaps try new adventurous things you wouldn't have attempted on a less inspiring instrument.

If you can afford it, go for it.
But since you are relatively noobish, it might behoove you to look for a used one; that way if it isn't exactly the bass you want, you won't lose any significant amount of money in reselling it later.
Click to expand...

+1

Generally speaking If you love it, and you can pay for it why not buy it?
Although what you may find in time is that what you liked initially may or may not be what you want or need as your preferences and musical direction change. IMHO a good quality Fender will fit most musical situations as well as most players needs so buying one should be a safe investment. However, you may want to hold off on any of the more expensive boutique instruments until you have more knowledge, and have developed more personal incite with regards to your musical direction.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back