Good solid starter bass?

[Prrthd81702]

I'm new to this forum, and I'm interested in starting to play bass. Can anyone give me any tips as to what would be a good one to begin with? I've got a good handle on music and I've played rhythym guitar for about 10 years, but I never really learned much about the bass guitar. Thanks for any help you guys could give me.

[Staceman]

I recently started playing bass myself, and while I can't give you a real clear answer as to what is the *best* thing to start out with, here's what I'm using:

http://www.switchmusic.com/ProductCart/ ... roduct=251

It's a "starter kit". The amp isn't all that great, but may be the way to go if you're not totally sure you want to stick with bass, and just want to screw around with it to see how it feels. Also, the bass itself in that kit is a "short-scale" bass, which has a shorter neck than most. I'm not quite sure what the advantages/disadvantages are to using one of these is, but it works for me.

You can find that kit, as well as others, on the Musician's Friend website. Rogue also makes a starter kit that comes with an amp.

Since getting the initial kit, I've moved on to a bigger/better amp, a 60watt Behringer BX600, which I'm totally lovin'.

[Prrthd81702]

Since you recently started, any tips or practice techniques you could offer me? I think I'm going to start taking lessons in the spring, but I'd like to be better prepared than some goofus off the street so the teacher doesn't want to kick me in the face.

[Staceman]

Yes. Go to google.com and do a search for "online bass lessons", and it will turn up a plethora of links. But, the one I found and use, that seems really helpful, is here:

http://www.guitartabbooks.com/freelessons/bgi.htm

Take your time, and play slowly until you feel you can speed up. Learning and practicing the pentatonic scales really helps, since most stuff is built from those, and you'll be using scales in a lot of songs. Also try and learn where all the notes are on the fretboard, you'll be thankful for this later when you start looking up tabs online, and find that a lot of them are either more complicated than they need to be, or are just plain wrong. Knowing the notes makes it easier for you to improvise.

The best advice I can give, is practice like hell; every day, several times if possible. Live and breath the bass; keep it handy and ready so that it's ready to go when you feel even the slightest urge to play. Make it the first thing you pick up in the morning even, if you have the time!

[DMFJ03]

I can't stress it enough: Schecter's! Schecter's! Schecter's!

Even if it is a blue-collar priced one, Schecter makes one hell of a product! I'll never buy another bass unless it is a Schecter. I'll sure take a donation, but I myself will never by something that isn't a Schecter.

Speaking of AMP - I just saw a sweet combo amp (SWR) for under $200.00 in the Clearance Section of Musicians Friend.

[bassist_25]

I've been highly impressed with the basses put out by Essex. (www.rondomusic.net) I bought a Jazz Bass as a backup, and it's not uncommon for it to get played 1 - 2 sets a gig. The quality is comparable to a Mexican-made Fender. I would recommend going this route over a lot of the "budget" line Squiers/Samicks/Rogues/etc. You're getting a professional level bass at the price of an entry level instrument.

Once again, that URL is www.rondomusic.net

[bassist_25]

Also, the bass itself in that kit is a "short-scale" bass, which has a shorter neck than most. I'm not quite sure what the advantages/disadvantages are to using one of these is, but it works for me.

Short-scale (32") basses have a more punchy sound to them as opposed to standard scale (34") basses. Often times, 5/6 string basses are 35" inches to increase string tension and provide a more solid B string.

[bassist_25]

Since you recently started, any tips or practice techniques you could offer me? I think I'm going to start taking lessons in the spring, but I'd like to be better prepared than some goofus off the street so the teacher doesn't want to kick me in the face.

The most important tip I think I could give a beginner is to ALWAYS PLAY WITH YOUR THUMB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK OF THE NECK!!!! I see a lot of players with their thumbs up over the top, and I honesty don't know how they can do it; speed, cleaness, and the economy of motion just seem to go out the window. You should be able to play a one octave scale without switching positions.

And in the words of Jeff Berlin: No metronomes!!!!

[Prrthd81702]

I have heard pros and cons about the Mexican made Fenders. I'm not exactly sure what the problem would be, but I've heard that the pickups suck. I was actually thinking of buying a Dimension IV, but I believe that is made in Mexico. Would that be too much bass for a beginner? Thanks for the tips, too.

[bassist_25]

The American made Fenders are of higher quality build and usually have active electronics as opposed to their Mexican and Japanese made counter-parts. As far as the quality of pickups: the pickups are pretty standard of any bass in that price. I wouldn't expect Bartiloni-quality from anything under $800.

I really wouldn't worry about the bass being "too much bass". I think it's best to get a professional grade instrument if you can afford it. The bad fretwork, high action, and shoddy necks that are normal for many budget line instruments can actually impede one's progress. The Dimension looks like a solid instrument.

[MOONDOGGY]

I completely agree w/ Bassist25 about the thumb in the middle of the neck thing. Starting out w/ good technique is essential. You can get away with wrapping your thumb on guitar and still play great, but with bass, you can only do so much when wrapping your thumb. Also, it is good to do a LOT of streching exercises, so you can play moving your fingers up & down the neck more so than moving your whole hand. Try to use your pinky on your fretting hand too; don't let your other fingers develop and leave your poor little pinky lagging behind just as dead weight. Lastly, I would start out using your fingers instead of a pick. Once you get good at using your fingers, then you can easily switch to a pick. It can be a little harder the other way around. Blah Blah Blah...I'm done rambling! Have fun.

[Prrthd81702]

Thanks for all your help and tips guys. I'm going to start practicing scales and learn technique before I go get lessons. Hopefully I'll be proficient within a year!

[bassist_25]

Try to use your pinky on your fretting hand too; don't let your other fingers develop and leave your poor little pinky lagging behind just as dead weight.

*LOL* Oh man, that brought back memories of when I first started to play. I couldn't fret anything on the E or A string with my pinky.

But my bass brother Dan is correct: Learn how to use all of your fingers and be able to stretch. This is called the economy of motion: using the most efficient means to play a passage, phrase, scale, etc.

[Prrthd81702]

My poor pinky finger is starting to shake just thinking about it!

[Staceman]

Oddly enough, the first 3 or so weeks I played, I used my index finger and pinky the most, enough to where my pinky is calloused, and my middle and ring fingers are still soft.

After reading around on many bass forums, I realized that it would be better to try and use all my fingers though, while it was still early and not as hard to break the bad habit I was developing. That's coming along OK so far, just have to be patient- I get a lot of fret noise from my ring and middle fingers being so weak, which should improve over time.

As for keeping my thumb behind the neck, that's not a real problem for me, although keeping it right in the center can be a struggle. I also tend to use a lot of pressure, to where the space/muscle between my thumb and index finger is sore as hell after a whole song. I'm hoping that's just growing pains, and not a sign of something bad, like carpal tunnel or arthritis something. (late starter here, at the age of 33!)

[bassist_25]

Oddly enough, the first 3 or so weeks I played, I used my index finger and pinky the most, enough to where my pinky is calloused, and my middle and ring fingers are still soft.

After reading around on many bass forums, I realized that it would be better to try and use all my fingers though, while it was still early and not as hard to break the bad habit I was developing. That's coming along OK so far, just have to be patient- I get a lot of fret noise from my ring and middle fingers being so weak, which should improve over time.

Stace, try this scale exercise to build strength in all of you fingers:

I'll use a G major (ionian) scale as an example (though you can use any scale/mode).

Start by using your middle finger to play the 3rd fret G, use your pinky for A; then drop down to the A string and play B with your index, C with your middle, and D with your pink; drop down to the D string and play F# with your ring finger and the octave with your pinky.

If that seems unorganzied:

(E String)
G = middle
A = pinky

(A String)
B = index
C = middle
D = pinky

(D String)
F# = ring
G octave = pinky

There's another popular way to play scales by starting on your index finger, but I suggest first starting with the middle finger, because you've just set yourself up to play a lot of common runs. For example, you can easily play a triad (G, B, D) without shifting.

Stay away from any gimicks that claim to build finger strenght. i.e. finger weights or any programs advertised in the back of Guitar World/Bass World that claim they will help build strenght. You build strenght and technique by playing; anything that's advertised is just a money making racket.

As for keeping my thumb behind the neck, that's not a real problem for me, although keeping it right in the center can be a struggle.

They say you should imagine a line running down the back of your neck (if you don't have one) and keep your thumb there. I'm not saying that it always has to be exactly in the middle; it's just best if you keep it on the back of the neck. Pounding out root notes with your thumb over the top is alright, but once you start playing walking lines or anything that requires dexterity, the thumb's going to be an impedment. I know there's going to be some cat that comes along and says, "I play with my thumb over the neck and I can outplay Victor Wooten". I'm not saying that one can have bad technique and still be a good player; I'm just saying that having bad technique is going to slow your progress in the long run. Being electric bass is not a classical instrument (as opposed to double bass), there aren't a lot of rules that are written in stone, but there's definatley evidence of what works and want doesn't.

I'm primarily a finger player, but I have been known to raise my thumb up over the top in order to mute strings while playing with a pick. The reason for this is I usually mute strings with my right hand.

I also tend to use a lot of pressure, to where the space/muscle between my thumb and index finger is sore as hell after a whole song. I'm hoping that's just growing pains, and not a sign of something bad, like carpal tunnel or arthritis something. (late starter here, at the age of 33!)

Actually Stace, the reason why you might be tiring your fingers out may be due to high action. It's very rare that guitars and basses are setup when you buy them (and if you bought yours through mail-order, it's almost doubtful that it was setup). On top of each saddle, there are two screws. By tightening or loosening these you can raise or lower the string action. I suggest lowering the strings as much as possible without making them fret out (have dead spots on the neck). If you don't feel comfortable setting your own action, any music store tech would be more than happy to do it for you. Plus, they can also set your intonation (which may also be out of whack). It would only cost a few dollars.

Since you said that you're applying a lot of pressue to your fretting hand, it's also important to note that you should be playing with a light touch on your plucking hand (assuming that you're playing finger style). A double bassist playing pizzicato often times digs in - an electric bassist doesn't have to. A lot of players spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on buying new rigs and basses in an attempt to "find their sound" when the truth is that a player's sound is problay about 65% in their hands. If your not producing a desirable timbre with your technique yet, don't worry. It will eventually come, and it's not something that can really be taught. A light touch will give you much more control over your instrument; allow you to play cleaner and faster; and save your amp a lot of head room.

Wow, I didn't mean to ramble on so much. *LOL*

[DMFJ03]

I find it uncomfortable to play with my thumb behind the neck. It is there if I am playing on the E or B, but any other time, it is over the neck. However, I can still play scales just fine. I don't think it matters, but then again, I have big hands. ::Shurgs::

[Matt_22]

I'm kinda in the same boat as DMFJ03. If its a simple song, I'm not gonna keep my thumb in the middle of my neck to demonstrate proper technique. I'm gonna wrap my hand around the neck and get intense. Playing is only so much then the showmanship has to be put on. On the other hand, in songs with runs and fast changes I will have my thumb in the middle of the neck to get a cleaner sound so everything doesn't just flop together. my 2 cents

[bassist_25]

Like I said, one can still play well with their thumb over the top, but speed, cleaness, and stretching distance are going to be much more difficult.

[lonewolf]

I have heard pros and cons about the Mexican made Fenders. I'm not exactly sure what the problem would be, but I've heard that the pickups suck. I was actually thinking of buying a Dimension IV, but I believe that is made in Mexico. Would that be too much bass for a beginner? Thanks for the tips, too.

The super cheap Squier models have the really sucky pickups. The mexicans have cheap knockoffs of the American models' pickups, so they're similar, but not as good. If you can get a bargain on good piece of wood with bad pickups, you can always upgrade the electronics later. I never thought much of most stock pickups anyway (except those big Phat humbuckers on my Fender Starcaster).

[MOONDOGGY]

Since you are just starting, it would be wise to buy a used bass. Even if you're a pro used is the way to go. There is no use spending $$$$$$ on a new 'crappy' or 'just okay' bass when that much money can get you a used bass of twice the quality. If you don't mind a quality bass that maybe has a few scratches let me know. I have been Ebaying basses for a couple years and I know what to look for. If you let me know what you want as far as sound, style, electronics, brand, etc.. I'll find you a bass to fit your budget.

[Prrthd81702]

Do you have anything Ibanez?

[bassist_25]

I have an SR305 and a fretless SR400. I like both bassses, but the SR305's bottleneck would be its preamp. I think they should have just made the bass passive. It doesn't have a full parametric EQ like the SR400; instead it has a bass boost and a normal tone knob that you would find on any passive bass. They're both nice basses, but for the price range I would first check out a Schecter. Also keep in mind that the Soundgear series basses have very narrow necks, so if you're into the Jazz Bass string spacing (which I am) you may like them. The Ibanez BTM series is supposed to be pretty awesome, though I haven't tried one.