Newbie Advice & Questions

wbrebb · Newbie Alert Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 1

Greetings,

I'm a new lurker here, so please forgive me if I am posting a redundant "newbie-needs-help" topic.

I have always wanted to learn bass and guitar and would like some advice from people w/ experience. I'm not looking to be in a band or anything -- just want to begin a life-long hobby, finally.

*I'm not sure where to start -- bass or guitar. I love the bass and think it suits my personality, but I would also like to learn guitar and think it might be more rewarding in the short-term while teaching me a lot (and could even help later when I learn bass). I don't want to spend a few hundred on bass-guitar gear only to get tired of not being able to play anything recognizable songs. Any thoughts? Would starting on guitar slow my ability to learn bass because of different techniques? What about 5 string vs 4 string?

*If I start w/ a bass guitar, I am considering the Ibanez GSR200. Should I go w/ an acoustic bass to learn instead of an electric? If electric, what kind of amp (and I'm thinking low-price here, too). I like the idea of pick-up and play anywhere of an acoustic, especially away from an amp.

*And if anyone has general guitar advice -- if I do start w/ regular guitar, any advice (besides the Washburn & Seagull)? Would an acoustic-electric like an Ibanez AEL20 guitar be able to reproduce normal/unplugged acoustic sounds similar to an unwired acoustic? Any other model suggestions?

I plan to take lessons after soaking up info from the web and from some books. Thanks in advance for your help & advice. Take care.

BassMan02 · Tiger Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 848

I somewhat wish I would have started on guitar. It depends on what you want to do though, but for me, looking back on it, I wish I would have started with guitar. In my opinion, I think acoustic basses/guitars are better to learn on because they are more unforgiving than electric guitars/basses and therefore make your playing a lot more precise and cleaner. And by the way...once you get started at playing what ever it is you are going to play...you will want to be in a band. Welcome to Bassmutherphuckindogs.
_________________
Sometimes we ride on your horses
Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear
are just songs of our own

-"Eyes of the World" Grateful Dead

Mkuk0 · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 3:01 am Post subject:

Greetings yourself, and welcome to the doghouse. I cant say which would be better for you for starters, all I can say is that when you stand in front of your own 15" pushing big air, you ain't gonna want to play anything else!!!!!! Twisted Evil

Mkuk0
_________________
Visit http://www.planetrock.co.uk/default.asp You KNOW you want to!

GreyFox · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:16 pm Post subject:

Shockland · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:44 pm Post subject: Yeah

I'm a newbie lurker my self, 2 weeks ago I started saving up for a bass sold some crap I think I might get a cheap piece of crap thing to learn on, but then again I have a friend who plays bass that will let me borrow his 7 string I dunno if that would be awful to learn on or not, but if I do borrow hi I can save up for a WARLOCK! woo
the dilemma:
a)buy the crappy bass
b)save up for wicked bass learn on 7 string
_________________
sweet sweet blood candies

Neil Gray · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:06 pm Post subject:

Before I run to a secret undisclosed location to protect me from the fallout that may result from my suggestion, I suggest you buy the crappy bass! It's probably gonna be a little while before you can safely play in a band, unless it's a garage job, and as was mentioned before, playing on a crappy bass will condition you in much the same way an acoustic will. If you learn to play something that's a little harder physically, you jump on something with prestige, and it's a breeze... kinda like buying a little VW bug for your first car and then upgrading to a Porsche! I also suggest this line of attack, because if you go borrowing other people's equipment, you really don't get that ownership feel/relationship thing going on. Eg, my bass guitars name is Kate, my flute is Madelaine, my guitar is Talula, my drums are named Sussana, and my keyboard is Winsome. I have relationships (not the kind you're freaking out about) with all of them. You just don't get that kind of "oneness" with other people's gear.
I'll be quiet now. Smile

_________________
Alright!
Who siphoned the blood out of my cat?

Theta · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 11:58 pm Post subject:

Ha ha ha....indeed you are right. You have to spend time together, you know, to get aquainted and be comfortable in each others company.

I mean, you are going to be spending a LOT of time together, so your bass is no different from your missus, you need to put quality time in with her to keep her sweet #Crazy

!!

seracis · Tadpole Joined: 23 Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Location: Oklahoma

being a newbie/lurker myself, I can say that there is nothing wrong with buying an inexpensive bass to start. I borrowed a junker to see if bass was for me, and it took a whole 3 days to realize that I already had GAS. It was time to head to the music store. 6 days after borrowing, I spent just over $500 (I know, it ain't much compared to what some have invested) on an Ibanez GSR200, Crate MXB25 combo, strap, stand, tuner, gig bag, warranties, strings, and cable. I could have gotten the Ibanez Jump Pak for $299, but the bass only had 1 set of pickups, the amp was a 10 or 15 watt, thin gig bag, and puny cord. My gear is not the best or the loudest, but I AM just getting started. As for the relationship thing, watch out! As soon as I got mine home, unpacked, and plugged in, I knew I was in for a long night. The next day, my wife said "Don't you need some headphones?" (Hint, hint) So, in closing, buy an inexpensive bass, take extra care of it, then if you don't like it, sell it. But if you do like it, you'll have something to look forward to every day.

Neil Gray · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject:

Once again, I must comment on the whole price issue. $500 wouldn't have even gotten you the bass over here!!
From what I am seeing from other posts, a good reliable bass over there in the States isn't that pricey. I don't think you could go wrong unless you wanted to. Certainly the pack that seracis picked up sounds like a kickass starter kit.
Just so I can work out the conversion rates and all that, can someone tell me what a BTB 406QM is worth over their? I paid $1575 over here, which I think was a good price (don't freak out yet!!! The $$$ are very different, and I'm just trying to get an idea of HOW different).
_________________
Alright!
Who siphoned the blood out of my cat?

Shockland · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 3:41 pm Post subject: I got my bass

Yesh I got my bass!
Yamaha 4 string
tell me
which each string is in notes
whichfingers should go first you know on which string
good books for learning
which frets do which
I got a good idea of these just wanna know what you guys say
_________________
sweet sweet blood candies

Rufio · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 3:47 pm Post subject:

From low to high EADG are the open string notes.

For a book, try out the Bass Logic Book.

What do you mean which frets do which? Like what the notes on the fretboard are?

Also, are you planning on using a pick, or your fingers?
_________________
Hey.

Theta · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 11:52 pm Post subject:

www.activebass.com
www.cyberfretbass.com
www.harmony-central.com/Bass
www.musictheory.net

Check out some of these sites as they contain a wealth of information wbrebb, also search the old threads on this forum. I think there is an answer to every bass , or music theory question imaginable on this forum.

Being a relative newbie myself, I would reconmend that if you cant find an answer somewhere else, just ask on here as the guys here are fantasticly helpfull. Someone will always have an answer Exclamation

And welcome Very Happy

_________________
What kind of a world do we live in, when passing rufians can say 'NI' to old ladies?

Shockland · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 11:48 am Post subject: yeah

thanks for da help
_________________
sweet sweet blood candies

SteveJazz · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 3:21 pm Post subject:

Neil Gray: In the USA, your bass has a list price of $900, and can be purchased through mail order from Musician's Friend for $670. Guitar Center, a large discount chain, usually matches MF's prices.

It sounds like a very nice bass, I read the specs.

SJ Cool

_________________
Current gig: http://www.philbrownguitar.com

CaptainSaveAHo · Bear Cub Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 647

wbrebb: *Whichever you start with, your skill pretty much transfers over to all stringed instruments. You'll just have a new set of tricks you'll need to learn. Some bands actually have the bass guitarist playing the lead parts (Chilli Peppers come to mind, blink 182 is split 50/50), but you're right, most riffs we all know and love are on the guitarist side. Starting one instrument will not slow progress on another, it will compliment it. Get 5-string if you want to play low stuff (Korn, System of a Down, etc..), 4 strings can be down-tuned to some extent but there are limits ^_^.

*You're right, acoustic you can bring with you anywhere, it won't be super loud though, you'll still need to plug it in if you want it loud. If you go electric,
grs200 is alright, the strings from the factory are really dull sounding and kind of low quality on that model (I have it). Get some use out of them, then change to some different strings, it'll sound so much clearer! Amp: There's $70-$100 practice amps, haven't used them though...

*Yes, acoustics with pickups play just fine without plugging them in. No advice here, I have a Washburn :p.