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Practice bass....

T

TheBlueFalcon

Inactive
Sep 17, 2009
183
138
#1
After a few issues with getting a "new" bass, it's also given me time to think and I've slowly moved my focus from an entry level model to something a bit more substantial. I haven't yet pulled the trigger, but I'm extremely tempted.

So what I'm wondering is if people generally have a practice bass to learn and mess about with, rather than put their prized possession through daily torture.

Part of me is saying I should get something dirt cheap for practicing and messing about etc, but I don't know if I'm just being overly cautious.

Any thoughts?
 
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#3
To me, the only scenario in which buying a cheapo instrument for "practicing and messing around on" is if you're getting into modifications or set-up work and you're worried about ruining a "good" instrument.

As far as playing goes, I do not see why you'd want to practice on a lesser instrument. If you're willing and able to save up for a more substantial instrument for daily play and practice, do that.
 
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#4
TheBlueFalcon said:
So what I'm wondering is if people generally have a practice bass to learn and mess about with, rather than put their prized possession through daily torture.
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No. Unless you are not capable of taking care of your bass, I don't know what would happen to it from daily practice. I have a 25 year old strat that I gigged with for years and it looks pretty much like new because I took care of it. It's the longest I've ever had an instrument. Frankly, I think a well worn neck is much more comfortable than a brand new one.
 
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#6
Well, I wouldn't really call daily practice "torture", unless your practicing in the shower in the freezer or something. Practice is way less torturous than dragging it around to gigs!

That being said, I do have an old cheap bass in another room I will sometimes pick up and play unplugged so I don't have to go to my music room if I just want to have quick play.
 
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#7
Thanks for the replies.

In all honesty I haven't really learnt to play much at all yet. After considering entry level models, my mind took over and I started looking at the next model up, then the next, and so on... I'm currently considering an Ibanez Premium model at a very tempting price. Having not owned and played a bass over many years, I don't know how long they would last under different types of usage. I doubt I'll be gigging, and if I did it would be quite some time before I'd be at that stage. I do intend to look after whatever bass I own, which is why I started the thread.

If buying a cheap Ibanez to learn and practice on would mean that my expensive bass would last longer, then I'd consider it to be a worthwhile investment. But if I'm just being too cautious and daft, I'd rather save money and enjoy the best bass that I can afford.
 
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#9
TheBlueFalcon said:
Thanks for the replies.

In all honesty I haven't really learnt to play much at all yet. After considering entry level models, my mind took over and I started looking at the next model up, then the next, and so on... I'm currently considering an Ibanez Premium model at a very tempting price. Having not owned and played a bass over many years, I don't know how long they would last under different types of usage. I doubt I'll be gigging, and if I did it would be quite some time before I'd be at that stage. I do intend to look after whatever bass I own, which is why I started the thread.

If buying a cheap Ibanez to learn and practice on would mean that my expensive bass would last longer, then I'd consider it to be a worthwhile investment. But if I'm just being too cautious and daft, I'd rather save money and enjoy the best bass that I can afford.
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Buy the best bass you can afford. You're creating a false economy buying a cheap bass now and putting off getting the one that will serve your needs far better for longer. You'll enjoy playing it more, it'll be more satisfying and you won't have to have gear panic if you do get called up for a gig.
 
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#10
TheBlueFalcon said:
After a few issues with getting a "new" bass, it's also given me time to think and I've slowly moved my focus from an entry level model to something a bit more substantial. I haven't yet pulled the trigger, but I'm extremely tempted.

So what I'm wondering is if people generally have a practice bass to learn and mess about with, rather than put their prized possession through daily torture.

Part of me is saying I should get something dirt cheap for practicing and messing about etc, but I don't know if I'm just being overly cautious.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
For $500 or so you can buy something substantial to learn on.
At that price, I wouldn't really worry about wearing it out practicing an hour or so a day. For that matter, I would have no concerns with a $1,000, if you're thinking of spending more money.
The only thing I'd worry about is buying a cheap bass that you can't bond with, something that will keep you from practicing every day.
You're better off finding something that sounds good and feels better, no matter the price. Something that makes you grab it the minute you have an hour to spare.
If it happens to be a low-priced bass, fine, but if it's an expensive bass, all the better.
Believe me, you're not going to damage it just by playing it.
 
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#11
jd56hawk said:
The only thing I'd worry about is buying a cheap bass that you can't bond with, something that will keep you from practicing every day.
You're better off finding something that sounds good and feels better, no matter the price. Something that makes you grab it the minute you have an hour to spare.
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I think you have summed it up right there. This is why I have been talking myself into moving up the models. I just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing.
 
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#19
Blue Falcon, how much is that Prestige you are looking at? What model?
I had a MIJ (Made In Japan) SR800 for years and played the absolute crap out of it. Only issue it had was the ground wire solder connection was damaged when I changed the battery. Easy fix.
 
#20
AudioTaper said:
There are good deals here and there, but I've never seen a 'killer deal' for that cheap. Or my definition of killer deal is different than yours...
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TheBlueFalcon said:
Again, if "virtually perfect" was available for $100 we'd all be extremely happy and I wouldn't be asking such questions.
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does a vintage Fender clone float your boats?
does something even studlier do it for you?
I got'm both within reach! I've answered the same old question so many times I'm sick of it, the proof should be stickied lol sheesh, somebody here can probably quote me, if I say it yet again I risk being banned!
maybe the tb gods will forgive me...
LB11
LTD B-50
those flourescent Dean Ps are said to be great as well
 
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