If you were starting over...

[yukon]

and with the knowledge that you have now, what advice might you offer me? I'm a guitar player who wants to learn bass and although I love the guitar, there seems to be 5 of us for every bass player around. My interests are mainly in the church/praise band realm but I also enjoy listening to prog rock (Rush and Dream Theater mostly), jazz, etc.

I was thinking about the 4 string in particular in the Stingray or Bongo. Being new to the bass, I don't have a lot of preconceptions about what a bass is supposed to look like. I'm more concerned with build quality and good tones.

As a beginner (but one who plans on sticking with it), would you suggest a 4 or 5 string? Also, any suggestions on good Bass DVD's for practice help and inspiration? Any suggestions on pickup configuration?

I've spent a fair amount of time reading the archives but wanted some personalized help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Slamzilla]

You can't go wrong with any MM bass it just depends on your style. If you want a
"do it all bass" you can't lose with a Bongo. If its straight rock with mids like Geddy, go Sterling. The Stingray 4 and 5 are classics that cover alot of ground and have pretty much done it all. I have owned all but a Stingray 4 and I will own one some day. Try them all and see which one fits your style. That said there is supposed to be some killer new stuff coming down the pipe from Big Poppa and the gang for 2007. Stay tuned.
Zilla

 

[maddog]

Pick what speaks to you.

 

[phatduckk]

all the MMs are awesome. if you get an MM you'll be a happy guy and you'll have a bass that is pro quality at a great price w/ amazing customer support.

as far as some buying tips... i only have 2:

1) buy the bass that has the neck that fits your hand best. all the MM bass necks are slightly different. so try em out and see which is most comfortable to you.

2) learn that the preamp on an MM bass is amazing. lots of folks new to MM (or active) basses (me too back in the day) just crank all the knobs on the bass to 10. thats just gonna boost everything and make things loud and make your amp beg for mercy. set all the knobs to the center and go from there. so when trying out basses remember not to crank the knobs on the bass.

in general - play a bunch and the one you cant out down is the one you should buy

good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm an old dog who only plays 4's, but if I were starting over as a beginner I'd start with a 5'er, since they seem more versatile in the long run.

In terms of pickup configuration, buy something with 2 pickups, purely because of the range of sounds you'll be able to experiment with.

For teaching books/CDs, anything in Ed Friedland's series is great.

 

[Colin]

avoid that clicky bass sound these young ones seem to favor these days. practice with a good drummer, especially drummers that can swing even if you don't play that type of music

 

[PzoLover]

"Ya gotta wanna"

and with the knowledge that you have now, what advice might you offer me? I'm a guitar player who wants to learn bass ... Being new to the bass, I don't have a lot of preconceptions about what a bass is supposed to look like.

Join an oompah band

See the world

If there's a bass player inside your skin, only you know that - it has to come out - everything else is a matter of course; good teachers can help; the Jaco video is educational and inspiring; MusicMan basses are the genuine article.

Good luck

 

[Jim_F]

All the advice above is good.

As a 6 stringer who moved to playing bass, I recommend getting the right bass for you. Play as many different instruments as you can to find the right bass for you. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a Stingray 4, but I am sure we all have different opinions here Certainly for build quality and tone any of the MusicMan range is pretty unbeatable ...

Technique is v important too, particularly when changing from guitar, are you a pick player or a finger player?
Listen to as many of your fave bass players as possible, try and work out what they are doing and how they are going it, and as people have said in their posts, tuition vids and DVDs are a great way to learn good playing technique. You will probably find at least some of your favourite players have produced tuition material.

 

[AnthonyD]

Lots of good advice here...

As far as bass selection the EBMM line-up has something with a soul for everyone - hold them, touch them, feel them... The right bass in your hands will do wonders for you and will serve as a catalyst to your learning.

Like AussieMark, I might try a 5 from the start if I was starting today, but I am quite comfortable on a 4 and don't see myself making changes now. My little guy will likely start out on a fiver in a few years...

Imitate - then understand what it is you've just "figured-out". And play a variety of styles - they all relate to one-another and will help to round-out your playing.

Bottom line - have fun!

 

[koogie2k]

I was in the same boat. I just happened to get a bongo for Christmas several years ago from my wife.

Around here, guitarists are a dime a dozen as well...bass players are hard to come by.

I applied some guitar techniques to the bass. I do the scales and what not. I did take lessons as I still do. The bass is a completely different instrument in a band setting.

I still use a pick as I am used to holding one, but my instructor is really giving me some good finger exercises and it is a matter of time being able to do with my fingers what I do with a pick. I am just not confident with the finger picking yet...but I am getting there.

Play the different models. I happen to love the bongo. But, personally, I would go with a 4 stringer as opposed to a 5. That's just me.

All the advice given above is excellent and you can't really go wrong....

 

[82Daion]

I don't think I would have done that much differently-I might have ordered my Bongo as a fretless, but that's about it. I'm happy with the path I've taken so far-but who knows what the future holds?

 

[syciprider]

IMO, when P&W music is in the cards, a 5 string is a nice place to start.

Build quality: I initially strayed down the Fender path. After discovering EBMMs I don't even look at other brands' catalogs. First, the build quality is probably the best in the price range, second, the level of commitment of the company to the customers and the products is very high. I mean, we have EBMM staff who hang out here with us. All the way to the CEO (who throws nice parties for all).

Bongo or SR5?: I've never owned a Bongo but if my SR5 is any indication of what the average MusicMan 5 string is capable of, then the former should be an excellent 5er.

Instruction: I bought a bunch of used Hal Leonard books on blues and jazz lines. I prefer books because I can lay them on my music stand and not have to rewind the parts I didn't quite get.

Pups: It's kinda hard to pick between the models. You will NEVER get caught with a bad setting on a MM bass. It will sit in the mix nicely. Where that seat will be is up to you.
The double humbucker array is very versatile. IMO there is no classic bass tone you cannot approximate with it. The bucker+single coil is just as versatile and IMO offers the most Fenderish tone for folks who prefer that. And of course, the single humbucker model is by far the easiest to get into. A quick twist of a knob and you instantly change your bass' character.

HTH

 

[bassmonkey]

Someone posted a link some time ago to a DVD called "Soulful Bass Styles" I think. This is an instructional film featuring a guy called Wes Stephenson who is a gospel bass player. I think you may be able to see a trailer for it at http://www.soulfulproductions.com. I have only seen the trailer but it seems to cover a lot of ground and it is also the style of music you want to play. Also Wes plays a SR5, so you will get a feel for what these basses can do in the right hands.

 

[Jason Hebert]

Norm Stockton has a 4 DVD series called "Groving 4 Heaven", and they are fantastic. Not just for worship musicians, but for everyone. Of all the videos and books I've used, they are by far the best. You can get them on his site, www. normstockton.com , or a couple of other places. I got mine from Low Down Sound in Detroit, and The Perfect Bass has them also.

5's are good for P&W. I played 5's exclusively in church for several years. I just recently switched back to a 4, and I'm enjoying it. It may last, or it may wear off and I'll end up with another 5. Who knows.. I've used both a Stingray and a Sterling HS in church, and they sound great. The group I play with love when I have a MM bass on hand.

 

[bovinehost]

Something you didn't have to do when playing chords on those skinny strings: learn to mute the sympathetic ringing string or the accidentally struck string!

 

[tkarter]

If I were starting over. I would take up the bass knowing my hearing was what made it possible. The guitar may have taught you chords but not necessarily how to hear chords.

Chords are three notes.

It hasn't been all that long since I did start over. Boy has it been a journey.

tk

 

[Psycho Ward]

Great advice from the forum once again, and welcome by the way.


I can't say any more than what has already been said; that said, you could take my approach to playing bass.

I play for spite!

 

[tkarter]

Great advice from the forum once again, and welcome by the way.


I can't say any more than what has already been said; that said, you could take my approach to playing bass.

I play for spite!

I thought you might say play it backwards Chuck.

tk

 

[Alvabass]

Something I always tell my students: If someone told me about the importance of not depending 100% on looking at the fingerboard for playing when I was a beginner, I think I'd be a better player now. I learned that lesson some years ago and it's been very helpful to me. I'm not talking about NEVER looking at the fretboard, but just try to develop some muscle memory when playing. If you use exercises from a book for practicing, always look at the sheet music. Challenge yourself to play some big shifts in your rehearsals and gigs without looking. That's an extremely big asset, specially for sight-reading and for fretless bass.

About basses, well, you can't go wrong with any MM bass. I have two Bongos and I'm extremely happy with them.

 

[Lazybite]

+1 alva bass. this might sound silly but from the point of veiw of a punter.. watching a player that always looks at there fret board is a little less interesting than a player that doesn't always.