Practice bass....

[Watchootognbout]

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.
Any thoughts?

What is this "daily torture"that you imagine??

 

[Leo Thunder]

Therefore, right now I am considering the SR1800E. I did have the opportunity to get an SR1820E at a similar price, but I have a gut feeling that the pre-CITES model could potentially be better - or maybe it's just wind!!

Beauties, both of them.

The wood will make no major difference, maybe a subtle one. Get the one you prefer to look at.

The black SR670 looks nice too and the Bartollini pick-ups would be just fine, I'm sure, but this is another class if you value the object itself in addition to the pure music instrument.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I don't think there is a need for practice bass. Practice with the same you gig.

Do bass players practice?

 

[cnltb]

anything that is virtually perfect and will outlive 2 player's lives

Define 'virtually perfect'.

 

[40Hz]

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.

Simply put: No. They don’t.

As a beginner, your best bet is to do your practicing on the instrument you intend to be performing with. You won’t wear it out by practicing on it.

 

[40Hz]

Do bass players practice?

Bass players who are also musicians do.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The thought that a quality instrument won't hold for to daily playing defies logic. I've played my two basses regularly for 15 and 35 years. My friend plays a 58 Strat daily. My wife has a violin from the 19th century that plays and sounds so sweet it is incredible.

 

[40Hz]

When I got my first Precision, my parents' suggested plan was that I would use the Precision for gigs only and use my little Framus Stratostar bass for practices. That went out the window immediately

Sometimes kids are a lot smarter than their parents about some things.

 

[zubrycky]

I believe it's better to practice with the instrument that will be played on the actual recording/gigging/rehearsing situations. The more you play an particular instrument the more you will used to its ergonomics.

BTW, for live situations, I recommend to always practice in standing position because different body positions create different bone angles.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I practice on the bass I'm most apt to play the song on stage with. It allows the subtleties of the instrument to come through practicing as well as in the gig. Another no surprises.

Only time I practice with another instrument is when I use my acoustic to just fart around without having to plug up, or in different areas of my home, or even sitting outside.

 

[Junker Bruce]

The biggest mistake I ever made was spending too much time listening to gear snobs and looking at bass guitar "porn" on ebay/reverb. (I should of spent more time woodshedding!!) Go with your gut instincts and remember we all have to learn from our inevitable mistakes and we all keep going cause of our inevitable success. When you get it right (in my opinion) you don't get what ya want but end up with what you need - eventually

 

[nilorius]

Do bass players practice?

Only at 1st. year. Then they mosly keep in shape. Some don't do anything.

 

[AudioTaper]

Oh - one last thought - Sir Macca still takes his Höfner on the road. With its own seat on the airplane and a body guard, yes; but he still takes it on stage, now 56+ years after getting it. That should say it all.

Pro level instruments usually get their own seat on a flight. I know some people have an issue with it be ause it could have been another passenger, but the owner bought the spare ticket for it so who really cares.

This was a big deal a few years ago with some pro cello players I knew. 'No, my $20+K cello is not going in the cargo bay...'

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

I even gigged my Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") collectible in the extreme after Mr. John Hall himself said, "4002? They are rare as hens' teeth!" This added a zero to the numerical collector value of the bass, but I gigged it regularly until I completely wore the frets out. So I had a local luthier who reveres Rickenbacker refret it to factory fresh, and I still gig it. No, not every gig, as I now play in different bands that the repertoire requires different instruments and tunings (5-string, down tuned, Uke bass, etc.). But I don't leave it in its case under the bed to deteriorate, either.

It is kind of like driving a rare collectible car and parking it in the mall parking lot. Do I park it under the lights a couple of spaces down to avoid door dings? Yes. Do I worry about it getting stolen? No, because it is just too obvious. Do I keep it parked in the garage on days of inclement weather? Yes. Do I refrain from driving it on good days, just to let the seals dry out and the gasoline turn to varnish and the oil to sludge? No. I drive it. It was made to drive.

Purchase a nice bass that you like, take care of it, play it every day like it is your last gig, and enjoy it. If it breaks or wears out, fix it and rock on. You can't enjoy the music if you are always worried about the bass.

Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
What did you dream?
It's alright we told you what to dream.
You dreamed of a big star,
He played a mean guitar,
He always ate in the steak bar.
He loved to drive in his Jaguar.
So welcome to the Machine

View attachment 3563400

+100 for the Welcome to the Machine lyrics!

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

It's just a bass, regardless of price. Play the @$& out of it. I've seen fodera to Yamaha in dive bars.

/

 

[Ostie]

I see no reason to get a cheap bass just for practicing. If you have two basses, you’re going to reach for the one that plays and sounds the best anyway. So if you are looking for an excuse to get another bass, get one because it plays and sounds great. Otherwise, play the snot out of the one you already have. And if number two ends up being number one, so be it.

 

[TheBlueFalcon]

Beauties, both of them. The wood will make no major difference, maybe a subtle one. Get the one you prefer to look at.

The black SR670 looks nice too and the Bartollini pick-ups would be just fine, I'm sure, but this is another class if you value the object itself in addition to the pure music instrument.

I know that wood grain is going to be luck of the draw for the 1800/1820. I'm not a fan of gold hardware, but I can replace them with black at some point, if I really feel the need to.

10 years ago I briefly owned a Prestige SR1000EWN NTF, which I regret selling.

Although the SR1800E doesn't have the neck-through design, I feel like it's a Premium version of the SR1000EWN.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

I know that wood grain is going to be luck of the draw for the 1800/1820. I'm not a fan of gold hardware, but I can replace them with black at some point, if I really feel the need to.

10 years ago I briefly owned a Prestige SR1000EWN NTF, which I regret selling.

View attachment 3563445
Although the SR1800E doesn't have the neck-through design, I feel like it's a Premium version of the SR1000EWN.

It seems like you have your heart set on the Premium Ibanez.

That should be all you need to to know--GET THE BASS!

 

[Rib 13]

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.

often called 'beater basses", yes i have two as grab-n-practice instruments and don't care if the dogs knock them over

 

[Old P Bass Guy]

WWWNS. What Would Willie Nelson say about wearing out a instrument?

I have heard of replacing strings, frets, and a few other parts but never "wearing out A bass".