Bass options

[Strat Kid]

I'm new to the bass, I've never wanted to play it, but now that school is forcing me into it. I guess I have to, what bass should I get and what kind of amp?

P.S: I've been playing the guitar for about half a year. And my bass knowledge is ZERO, I haven't put one in my lap and trudged around on it in...Ever.

[t_shirtsnjeans]

Oh how fun! You might look into Fender Squire since they are inexpensive for the most part, and still good quality. Possibly Peavey anything, they're good basses and most are USA made.
Amps, Peavey makes some good to great amps, from combo's to stacks, I have a Minx110 and it is a powerful little amp with an output jack to play through two speakers.
It is a different world to play bass, and expect to get reprimanded quite often if you start using your guitar knowledge on bass. You should know your notes already and they apply to the bass also (4 string anyway) and you can make sure to know the root notes of chords and your scales for any given key sig.
Also stay tight with the drummer. Drums and bass are usually called 'bottom end' or 'foundation' for songs and it is because of the strong lows that come through for feeling more than hearing.
Enjoy :D

[eexplorer505]

Peavy you cant go wrong friend had a peavey bass and little peavey 10 or 15w amp sounded great fender amps ive useed were ok i geuss but a fender precession bass are great. but got a store and find whats suit you s i love samash now they got a used gear section there getting better

[socialmisfit]

Godin makes sweet basses, for decent prices, although they can be very hard to find. not many retailers stock them. depends if you're goign to stick to bass or not...if you're just playing for school and arent really totally into playing it in your free time over guitar, maybe a squire or a jay turser fender copy.

[Strat Kid]

I might continue to play it due to the fact that my band needs a bassist anyway.

[tcook]

I have a Washburn force 4 which I really like. I tried the t24 and liked the way it played, but I wanted active pickups, so I traded it back in. My advise is don't cheap out on the amp. With a bass, this is everything. You'll need go keep up with the drummer and your egomanic guitar players who just love to crank the volume. At least in my experience.
I'm using Ampeg for my amp, really don't think you can beat them.

[PhantomLord]

yamaha also make good starting out basses. nice and full. i use a peavey firebass or whatever it is through an ampeg cab.

[Strat Kid]

I'm kind of eyeing the Fender P-Bass.

And no Yamaha, absoloutely, positively, insanely, no Yamaha!

[tcook]

Fender P is good if you can afford it.....I can't. So I opted for Washburn
I couldn't do Yamaha either....not that they are bad, I just hate the name Yamaha.

[Strat Kid]

Dude everything guitar related I have is mostly Fender. Fender Strat, Fender strap,Fender amp, so now I think I'll pass on the tradition to the P-bass, yes?

[tcook]

Dude everything guitar related I have is mostly Fender. Fender Strat, Fender strap,Fender amp, so now I think I'll pass on the tradition to the P-bass, yes?


excellent choice, except for maybe the amp....fender? don't like em for bass

[Builder018]

I am a bass player and have a Fender American Standard P-Bass (fretless). I love it! I am saving for a Fender American Deluxe P-Bass (fretted). Fenders are great! If you want to continue to play the bass as you mentioned, you can't go wrong with a Fender. They sound great for all kinds of music they are great in quality. It is worth the investment. Even the Fender Mexican Standard P-Basses are good. I used to have one of those. I would recommend the Mexican made one over a squire.

[Strat Kid]

What really are the diffrences between the ones made in America and/or Mexico? Sorry to sound dumb but I'm really a noob at this stuff...

And I'm not really fussy with amps, so I'll go with the Fender, either that or Randall, I love Randall.

Well now I ask, can I use guitar distortion pedals with bass amps into a bass?

[tcook]

you can use a distortion peddle with a bass, you can use any peddle you like, but I'm not sure why anyone would want to. The do make peddles just for basses for different tones.
If you are serious about playing bass, I would sure be fussy about the amp. Before I bought my Ampeg, I took a Hartke rig home to try and hated it. I've owned Fender before, and granted times have changed, but it was nothing but distortion at higher volumes. If your playing small venues, or you run everything through a PA, then the amp decision wouldn't be that important. If you want a clean, loud bass sound, I'd shop around. Just my opinion.

[Strat Kid]

Alright...So amps...Amps...We thinking Mesa here?

[Strat Kid]

And another thing, I can't seem to get avatars to work here....

[tcook]

Bass amp = Ampeg !!!
just a nice humble opinion .....hehe

[Strat Kid]

Okay, thanks, dude.

[Peaceful]

So, Strat Kid, how're y' doin'? Thanked the school yet for leading you towards the light?

Or, to put it another way: Are you having fun yet?

[Twine]

I have a Washburn force 4 which I really like.
I have the Force 4 too and I love it, I've been playing a (Mexican) Fender P. for about eight years and it's been a good bass but the force 4 just plays way better, to me anyway.
Strat Kid I started out playing guitar too and was kind of forced into playing bass, that was a long time ago and I'm still a bass player.Practice, practice, practice and be creative with your bass and don't just fallow the root notes, try to make your bass lines stand out and you will enjoy your bass.

[Strat Kid]

Alright, I just bought my bass, Fender P.Bass, Highway 1.