Bass

I''ve played bass years ago. And yes it''s much easier to learn than the guitar (but to be a real pro is just as hard of course).

The only thing about the bass is that unless you know someone you can jam with it can be a bit borring since it''s not (normally) a lead instrument.

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Well, I have plenty of friends who play the guitar so I would have plenty of friends to jam with. Also, what is a good cheap company who makse bass guitars so i can get one just to learn on. I eventually want to be pretty good and get a BC Rich Warlock bass guitar.

I started playing last year (October) on a bass I got from a friend for cheap. It''s a Fender squier P-Bass, which will run you about $180 for a new one, but I got mine for $100. You could get a similarly cheap bass and a small amp for around $125. Places like Guitar Center usually have deals on used equipment, which I would suggest. The used stuff is still in good condition, but people got rid of it for whatever reason.

As for learning to play, it was relatively easy for me, but I''ve got an extensive background playing jazz trombone. The first thing I did was buy a little "How to play bass" book which gave me some tips on how to hold the guitar, where to put my fingers, etc. You can also find tons of stuff online at sites like activebass.com which is an awesome resource for online lessons, scales, tabs, and general information.

I''m going to recommend a bass starter pack which will coem with a bass, an amp, strap, case, and maybe a tuner. Both Fender and Ibanez make them and they''re pretty good deals.

Bass is a pretty easy instrument to pick up and learn the basics, IMO. I''ve been playing for about 5 years now and as I''ve found that as you build finger strength and dexterity you can pull off just about anything on a bass that you can on a regular guitar, it''s just more difficult. The deeper tone of the bass is delightful to me, but the fact that in most music the bassists usually just "play along" annoys the shit out of me. You can shred and rock out on a bass just like you cn on a guitar. Listen to some old Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Tool and you''ll hear can slick basswork.

My first bass was a Washburn. As far as starter basses go, it wasn''t too bad, but it was heavy as hell. I suggest starting off with passive electronics as well, most starter basses are passive. It''s less to deal with and paying for batteries sucks.

As far as starter packs are concerned, some people like ''em, but I never got one. Seriously now, how much fun can you have pushing 10-15 watt RMS through a single 8 in speaker? Bleh. I played threw a small cheap starter amp for about a year before I finally got a Gallien-Krueger 400RB head and an old Kustom 2x15 cab. I played through that for awhile, but the head got stolen after having it for about two years. I gave one of my old guitarists my old cab when I moved away. I went without a stack for two years and recently I picked up an Ampeg B-2R head and an SWR Workingman''s 4x10. I need to get me a 15 to couple with it.

All in all, bass is a hell of alot of fun. It''s the most fun when you have other people to play with (which you said that you do). Playing bass by yourself kinda sucks.

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Tiffany_Smith fanboy

I''m a good bass player - I play jazz, rock, everything.

I''ve played for 5 years or so, have a $200 bass (but a really good one... took a lot of looking), a $450 amp, and I love it. I play horn ($2000) as well, but I''m better at bass.

You can go get a Mexican made Fender J or P bass cheap (what I have) but look hard to find one that sounds good. Make sure the knobs/electronics work, check to make sure the neck is straight (look down it from the top. this can be fixed, but you have to pay to do so - get it "set up" or intonated). GHS bass boomer strings are good (and cheap). I can get two sets for $20, and these are my favorite (better than elixer or anything else). 45-105 are a good thickness.

Ampwise, a small SWR will do you good, but the Peavy''s are awesome, too.

Anyways, enjoy - its a lot of fun!


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