#16
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I started on Bass long time ago. I can't think of any drawbacks other than playing by oneself isn't as fun as playing guitar but something about playing with a drummer is really satisfying.
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We've got some guitars. |
#17
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For your purposes, instead of the "acoustic bass guitars" some companies make, I would strongly recommend the Kala U-bass. Info: https://kalabrand.com/collections/ac...lectric-u-bass sound example from youtube (plenty more available): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfffmBWCry0 |
#18
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The biggest difference between bass and regular guitars is that bass doesn't work so well on its own. Without a band, a bass guitar player is just a lonely dude playing in his basement. That said, learning bass changed how I listen to music, and helped me get more out of my thumb when Travis picking.
It was nice to play bass for a few months, but I haven't touched one in decades. Don't miss it at all.
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1 dreadnought, 1 auditorium, 1 concert, and 2 travel guitars. |
#19
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I began playing six-string in 1964. In 1973, I took up the bass, electric, Fender Precision. Since then, I have continued to play both. They are distinctly different, but both worthwhile. Music theory, chords and scales, work the same on both. I can’t imagine how learning bass could possibly interfere with your guitar playing.
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-Raf |
#20
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i found that the acoustic basses that i tried just didn't cut it. really not a great acoustic sound and very difficult to record. they weren't loud enough with other acoustic instruments. so, i went with a electric fender precision and i'm glad i did. other than standup, there are a lot of acoustic acts that use an electric bass.
there are other threads on the AGF testifying to that point but please try it for yourself as everything on the AGF is subjective and you may love the sound. p.s. as someone mentioned above, the kala ubass or similar short scale basses have a pretty good electric standup bass sound. play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics Last edited by muscmp; 05-11-2018 at 07:27 PM. Reason: ubass |
#21
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Yeah do it. Bass is cool.
Ok, I've played bass since '69. My brain is wired as a bass player. Started paid gigs at 16 years old and still play 75 to 125 paid gigs a year today, mostly on upright. When I heard Jack Casady play solo bass before Jefferson Airplane started live I loved it. Then taking upright lessons with a symphony pro at 16 my teacher got the same punch, growl and power on a 150 year old Italian bass with a bow as Casady did with a wall of speakers.
Forget acoustic bass guitar and u-bass, unless somebody will pay and insist you play 'em. Uprights and electrics are where it's at. No acoustic bass, u-bass or electric really sounds like a good upright, they just don't. I have a room full of basses, uprights, fretless electrics, old fretted electrics, big dollar boutique basses, 5 strings, hand made uprights I got 'em all. All you need is any decent electric bass. I prefer long scale for a punchy sound. You have to get into the instrument as a bassist. Don't be a guitarist who plays bass 'cause a band needs a bass. That sucks. There is nothing more satisfying than playing great bass with a great band. There are no drawbacks to playing bass guitar.
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2002 Larrivee LV-03 2016 Larrivee D40re '60s Aria classical A554S serial # 00001 various basses and uprights Last edited by Casey86; 05-11-2018 at 08:18 PM. |
#22
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I started out on a double bass, then took up acoustic guitar, then electric guitar, and then electric bass. In my opinion, there are no drawbacks with playing any instrument. I've been playing guitar for 50 some odd years now, but I still think like a bass player. Best of luck, just play and don't over-analyze it.
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#23
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Try one more...
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The side effect of this experiment is a renewed interest in finger picking. I haven't learned proper bass technique, but with thumb and index finger I can keep the notes coming at medium tempo. Taking that right hand technique back to guitar, I'm trending into country blues directions now. Before this, I almost always used a pick.
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- Tacoma ER22C - Tacoma CiC Chief - Tacoma EK36C (ancient cedar Little Jumbo, '01, #145/150) - Seagull SWS Maritime Mini Jumbo ('16) - Simon & Patrick Pro Folk Rosewood ('01) - Godin Montreal Premiere Supreme - Ibanez Mikro Bass |
#24
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Exactly! Dabble by all means and if you find you like it then take it seriously. I have played guitar and bass more or less equally since I was a teenager and have worked professionally with both throughout the years: my next gig (paid of course) is playing bass!
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Gibson ES-335 Studio 2016; Furch OM34sr 2015; Fender MiJ Geddy Lee Jazz bass, 2009; Taylor 414CE 2005; Guild D35 NT 1976; Fender MIM Classic 60s Tele 2008; Fender US Standard Strat 1992; G&L ASAT classic hollowbody 2005; Ibanez RG350MDX 2010(?); Ibanez Musician fretless, 1980s; Seymour Duncan Tube 84-40; Vox AC4TV; Ex-pat Brit in Sweden
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#25
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I played an acoustic before I was invited to borrow my bestfriend's bass rig to be the bass player in the garage band he was forming with his just out of high school neighbor.
I'd already gotten pretty acquainted with the notes on the fretboard, but bass made me really think about it more. Made me see it in terms of root notes, thirds and fifths. And made me more creative in crafting bass lines around chord progressions. Now I own ~15 guitars, 20% of which are basses. It makes me a more complete player, and I write my own songs and record them on this laptop (Reaper or SoundLab) and I can record all the parts I need to make a song- using the drum plugin on Reaper to create a drum section, or use acoustic percussion and a mic to record parts. I say go for it, but realize that even the best acoustic bass guitar won't be heard over an acoustic. You'll still need some sort of amp. |
#26
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I can’t think of any drawbacks to learning another instrument.
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2010 Larrivee LSV-11e 2002 Jose Ramirez 4e 1998 Seagull S6+folk, Mi-Si LR Baggs acoustic trio 1986 Charvel Model 3A electric 2001 Fender Jazz standard bass 1935 A-00 Gibson mandolin 1815 JG Hamm violin Kelii soprano ukulele |
#27
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Can't imagine any drawbacks to learning ANYthing new... And, 'woof, I have always wanted a big ol' upright bass... |
#28
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I can't think of any drawbacks. If you get a 4 string bass they will be the same as the lower strings on your guitar - so nothing to learn there. The space between frets will seem ridiculous for a little while, but you'll obviously get use to that. If you don't read bass clef that will be a learning curve - unless you never read bass music (in which case it won't matter at all).
The only big obstacle is thinking like a bass player. Listen to a lot of music you like with the bass cranked and concentrate on bass lines. Try not to play a gazillion notes.
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Keith Martin 000-42 Marquis Taylor Classical Alvarez 12 String Gibson ES345s Fender P-Bass Gibson tenor banjo |
#29
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Personally I would skip the acoustic bass and go straight to electric. I bought an inexpensive Squire Jaguar bass and love it. For my needs, ( and my friends) to record and fill in the bottom end its great. You will need a dedicated bass amp, used would be fine for home use,other wise it does not sound too good. If you play already just getting used to the larger strings is the most trouble you should have.
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Free speech...its' not for everybody |
#30
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I have a couple of basses and use them for adding a little depth to the songs I record. I'm not very good, but I have fun! Ibanez makes a Mikro bass that's basically guitar scale. You can get one for under $200 and they are quite a lot of fun.
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |