Starting Bass guitar

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Cancer12

Senior member
Nov 30, 2001
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Last night I was inspired. I was having a great time at a Styx concert, which is of course my favorite band. Anyway, without me even knowing it, Glenn Burtnik walks right past me jamming out on his Bass. He turns around, and walks toward me. I send my hand right into the high five position, and it looks like he's going to acknowledge my existence! But instead of giving me a traditional high five, he does a sort of handshake thing, and I look at my hand and he just gave me the pick he was using! This was definitely a sign.

So now I'm stoked and really want to begin bass lessons. I've had a half year or so of piano in the past, and half a year of viola and trumpet, but thats where my music past ends. Anyone have any suggestions on how I should get started and a good bass I could buy?
 
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JMaster

Golden Member
Feb 9, 2000
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If you want a good, cheap starting bass guitar, look into Dean and Ibanez.
Bass guitar is most fun when you play with other people (guitar, drums, etc) Good luck!
 
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Swag1138

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2000
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Ive been playing for about five months. Got a Peavy 4 string with a small Crate amp for 300 from a friend I knew in high school. Seeing as how Im relatively new to the field, Ill let the more experienced tell you what you SHOULD get, but I will tell you that if you have a good ear for music, you should have no trobule at all getting good on the bass. All Ive done to learn is listen to music, and read some tabs, and Ive played in front of a pretty big group with my band, to a not too awful bad reception.

Ill also say that playing with a pic, while nessecary for some songs, is nowhere near as fun as playing using your fingers. At least once you build some substantial callouses that is :)
 
OREOSpeedwagon

OREOSpeedwagon

Diamond Member
May 30, 2001
8,485
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Wow, that must have been awesome! I'm more into lead, not really into bass, so I can't really help you there :( Take a pic of the pick, I'd like to see it :p

BTW, are Styx and REO speedwagon still doing that tour together? I remember hearing about it about a year ago.
 
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Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
7,721
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81
Been playing for the last....wow....been almost seven years. Off and on really though, started playing Acoustic 6-String last year and that is my primary focus now.

Anyways, for begining I would probably recommend an Ibanez. For the price, I believe they are pretty hard to beat. If you are broke boy like I was when I started out you may even want to look into Samick. Yeah, that's right for all you gear-heads, SAMICK! My first two basses were Samicks and they were great for the price. Hell, I still have my second one. Chips everywhere, the P-Pickup's glue came undone when it dropped one time and I was too lazy to fix it so now all I use the the J-Pickup.....haha, I don't think I have changed the strings on it in two years. I love it though!

But nothing can hold a candle to my Warwick Corvette Standard 4-string with active EMG's in it. Man it has some MAJOR thump to it. Great for funkin out. Picked it up for $650 in mint condition. This was when they sold for $1000 new, BEFORE they cut down on the quality of the woods.....

Amps.....hmm, ever since I bought my Nemesis (made by Eden) 2x10 Combo back in 1996 I haven't even thought about picking up a different amp so I cannot really help you there.

Good Luck and have fun!
 
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Cancer12

Senior member
Nov 30, 2001
510
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I dont have a camera at my house, but maybe tomorrow I'll geta pic of it. It has a dent in the side, and says styxworld.com 2002 tour witha blue flag on one side, with a styx logo and DEREK on the other side. Not too special looking, but way cool regardless.
 
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Cancer12

Senior member
Nov 30, 2001
510
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Yeh it was REO and Styx, but REO wasnt half as cool as Styx, and couldnt get the crowd like Come sail Away and Renegade did.
 
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Alex

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
6,995
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note:

although you may be really stoked right now, you dont know if youll be as excited next week... id recommend borrowing one from a friend or renting one or something before actually investing in one...

better be safe than regret it later when you try to sell your used bass on ebay... ;)
 
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Cancer12

Senior member
Nov 30, 2001
510
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Yeh I'm not starting off buying it, I'll probably rent one for awhile first and see if I like it. But I'm trying to get more knowledgable about bass guitars at the same time, in regards to brands and such.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
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StinkyMeat plays bass, in fact another one of his screen names for other stuff is SitOnMyBass
 
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yellowperil

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2000
4,598
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I would get one of the Ibanez Soundgear series (the GSR200 starts at around $200). They are light and have slim necks which make them easier (and more fun) to play. IMO they also sound as good or better than the comparably priced Squier/Fender ones. I'm not very knowledgeable about bass amps as I've only used cheap practice amps (b/c of apt. living). The Peavey Microbass and Danelectro Nifty Seventy are good for this purpose.
 
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SpongeBob

Platinum Member
Jan 16, 2001
2,825
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How long do you think it would take if I play religously until I can play in a band?

Well that's pretty subjective. You can learn to play simple stuff in a few weeks if you're willing to put some time into it. I've been playing for almost two years now and I still wouldn't feel comfortable playing with strangers. Good thing I have a few friends that play guitar and drums!

As for buying a bass. You definitely don't want to buy a new one right off the bat. Get something used. You can get a lot more bass for your money if it's used. Same goes for an amp. I'd recommend getting a cheap combo amp until you are sure you want to keep pursuing the bass. Then lay down the big bucks for a seperate head and cabinet.

Have fun:)
 
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Cancer12

Senior member
Nov 30, 2001
510
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Woah superfluousmonkey, your help was alot of help. Why did you get rid of it? Not many bands come around where I live, and I happen to like Styx. Oh well thanks anyway.
 
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