Bass guitar contemplations

You all know I'm an acoustic player, and I've dabbled in a couple of electric builds, but have yet to play one of them on stage.
The conversation I had with my mother the other day brought to the fore some contemplations I'd been having towards getting a Bass guitar to muck around on.
The only time I've ever picked up a Bass guitar was when I was doing the sound check work for a college concert as part of an Audio Technician course that had just been introduced that year. We got to set up the gear for concerts, and play around with the mixing desk occasionally. All the roadie stuff without the poor pay!!:rolleyes:
You may have also seen, or listened to a couple of my videos/recordings of my singing, and know that I've been getting a few gigs around the place over the last year or two.
When playing live, I'm always on my acoustic 8-string, and I sometimes have a band behind me, or just my friend Mick on his Pedal Steel(BTW, Mick wants me to look at his lapsteel design soon for some assistance. Should be interesting!) but when Mick is on stage, playing with band, more often than not he is on Bass guitar, since it's only a 3-piece group. He's just as good on Bass, as he is on acoustic/electric guitar, but he really shines on the Pedal steel.
My mother picked up on this over the weekend when we were at a 70th birthday on Saturday night. She suggested I should start learning Bass guitar, so Mick could spend more time on Pedal.
Typically, since she'd had a couple of drinks by then, and she hadn't discussed this with anyone, but then and there she thought it would be a great idea to contact one of her friends who used to teach Bass, and was going to keep an eye out for a cheap bass!
So, what's the actual point of this thread apart from telling a weird story??!!
I want to hear from those who have transitioned from Electric to Bass, and what their experiences have been?
I've had a quick look on Gumtree, (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/pros...tar/1150777453) and there is a cheap one available about 1&1/2hrs away. They're advertising it for $75, it looks in decent condition physically, but I don't know anything about them. The brand is completely unknown to me, not that it's an issue.
There's plenty of videos on Youtube on how to learn bass, but if there are any other sites people know of, I will gladly look at them.
Thanks in advance!

Build one or....
https://www.pitbullguitars.com/basses/

I started on Bass, left, came back and went to guitar, left, came back to guitar and am now considering a bass again ;D It's OK because I suck equally on either ;D

I didn't even look at the prebuilt basses!
Hmmm, they're all 5 stringers......What's the standard tuning on a 5 string base?

Hey Zandy, yes build a bass kit will be more fun than buying a cheap one. I've mainly played electric guitar but have mucked around on basses for a while. I found once I'd built a few bass kits I am spending more time playing them. Great for increasing your finger strength and finger stretches with the heavier strings and wider fret spacings.
Have a look at Scott's bass lessons are pretty good. I haven't spent much time learning from him but am keen to sit down and learn some new scales and techniques. Link http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/

There are also heaps of his vids on Youtube. Also last year bought a big Hartke bass rig has got me more motivated to play when it shakes the whole house hahha

Tuning for a 5 string is the heaviest string is a B (lower than low E) so B E A D G

If you have some time and have built guitars then you should just build one from a kit. I got a quick lesson from my buddy and then spent the next hour playing his Wal bass. I was really enjoying that bass and told him that I had to get one. Then I learned that it cost as much as a months rent, groceries, gas for my car, a car payment and if I got a raise on half my moths income lol. So the Wal bass was definitely out of my league for price of a bass guitar. So I went to the local shop and tried out a 3/4 size bass since I don't have the longest digits. I regret not buying one. Last summer I walked in on my teacher practicing his 1970's Fender Jazz Bass during lunch break and asked him if I could play it. It was awesome and I got the Bass bug again. He was the Bassist for a famous band back in the 70's but went in to Gunsmithing and became one of the top custom competition rifle builders in the world. The guy excels at everything he does in this world lol. Anyways I have been thinking about buying a bass too lately and I think I am going to end up just building one from one of the Bass kits. Also some of the best Bass players that I know, started out playing guitar first and it really helped them pick it up faster. I like playing with my fingers and slapping but mostly play with a pick when I pick up a Bass off the wall at a guitar shop. There are a lot of pretty decent basses out there for under $200.00 that you could get by on but if you have the time then you should just build one and add some pickups that you like the sound of. I don't know how it is where you live but some shops here in the US have basses and guitars that people can use during their lessons for free. But if you are playing live right now then you must be pretty good at guitar so you will probably pick up playing the bass guitar pretty quick. I can do some blues stuff and certain rock and metal bands songs on the bass but I am not spectacular at playing it. When I finally build one, I see myself playing it a lot. I would put my bass playing level at a guns n roses and alice in chains level lol. But I want to be at a Steve Harris / Cliff Burton level hahahahaha! Keep me posted and let me know how it goes for you please. Have a great night!

Thanks for the comments guys, most appreciated.
A kit would be ideal, but I'm not the most financial at the moment. The IB-5 has my attention, now that I have an idea of the tuning, thanks for that Wokks!
Rick, I'm not a lead guitar player, even though I've been playing for over 25yrs. Rhythm acoustic, and the occasional finger style playing is as good as it gets or me!

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Originally Posted by Dedman

Build one or....
https://www.pitbullguitars.com/basses/

I started on Bass, left, came back and went to guitar, left, came back to guitar and am now considering a bass again ;D It's OK because I suck equally on either ;D

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Isn't that why we build kit guitars? If we build enough of them we might find one we sound good on?? :P

I like your theory Frankie
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps90c2e45b.jpg

I built an IB5 and I'm now almost playing more bass than guitar... what's happened to me???😀
Only issue is that that 5th string always confuses me when reading tabs... in the heat of things I forget it's not the E string...

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I would have thought you could go with either a low B or a high B with a 5 stringer, bear in mind that the ear don't hear much below a low B on the bass guitar.

When you are mixing anything below 40Hz is usually just mud that you feel rather than hear and it takes away headroom, I hi pass all tracks at 40Hz for that reason

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Originally Posted by Dedman

I like your theory Frankie
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps90c2e45b.jpg

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Given the kit logjam in the Frankenlab I reckon opits less theory and more like my ground state of reality Deddy!

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Originally Posted by FredA

I built an IB5 and I'm now almost playing more bass than guitar... what's happened to me???😀

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Your transition to the dark side is complete...
Welcome to the dark side. :)

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Originally Posted by Zandit75

I didn't even look at the prebuilt basses!
Hmmm, they're all 5 stringers......What's the standard tuning on a 5 string base?

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Having played one of the prebuilt basses, they're on my must have list. Sustain goes on and on and on and on and on and ... you get my drift.

Hi Zandy, I started out playing rhythm guitar late 1970's and when the lead guitarist left in 1980 had to step up to the plate for some of that action. Needless to say most of the solos were short and not so sweet. Fast forward a couple more years and due to being unable to find a compatible Bass player thought I would give it a go, as hey, it's only 4 strings, how hard can that be? Wow, massive understatement as once you start listening to those parts in songs you begin to realise there is a lot more going on than just playing root notes.

Hardest part is your left hand action where playing on finger tips as you do on guitar will hurt like hell for quite a while due to the thicker gauged strings. Being on the shorter side and having a smaller hand as a result, playing in key of G or F is a huge stretch which is where I learned to use the flat fingerprint part of my fingers to fret the strings rather than tips which is what I revert to when playing guitar. If you know your scales it makes things a lot easier as everything is in patterns across the strings. Same deal on a Fiver which I reckon is better if you do play a fair bit between E & A as you can jump up a string to lessen the stretch as you get nearer to the nut. Pink Floyd's Money is easier to play on a fiver than on standard 4 stringer all because of being able to shift everything up to 7th fret for root B note on E string rather than 2nd fret on A string as there is a low G note to be played that is slightly off the beat too.

Right hand style comes down to what you feel comfortable with and how much effort you are prepared to put in with practicing. I am more comfortable with a pick as that is where I started out on guitar nearly 40 years ago but have got better with fingers over past few years but really suck at Slap and will have to spend a lot of time and effort perfecting that style. Big tip if you plan to use a pick, I have always used Jim Dunlop Nylon 0.73mm or 1.00mm ones as they don't produce as much of the 'click' that a harder pick produces and thus sound a bit softer. In fact my preference is 0.73mm as there is lots of flex that helps in many different ways and yet still allows for fast picking too.

Lessons.....Scotts Bass Lessons as Woks mentioned are good. I have subscribed to his Youtube videos but yet to find time to seriously sit down and learn some of the things he teaches. There is so much more out there on Youtube but this guy is entertaining and not too over the top. Don't fall into the trap of trying to read tabs or charts as that will dampen your enthusiasm as quick as anything. Bass is all about feel and groove, and ultimately keeping perfect time, things you probably already possess.

A decent cheap Bass from fleabay, gumtree, or crime converters for less than $100 may be hard to find and reckon these kits on PBG site would be better way to go...
https://www.pitbullguitars.com/shop/...ss-guitar-kit/
https://www.pitbullguitars.com/shop/...-kit-ash-body/
https://www.pitbullguitars.com/shop/...ss-guitar-kit/

Good luck buddy. You won't regret it plus you can still pick up your guitar any time too.

Cheers, Waz

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Originally Posted by FredA

I built an IB5 and I'm now almost playing more bass than guitar... what's happened to me???😀
Only issue is that that 5th string always confuses me when reading tabs... in the heat of things I forget it's not the E string...

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

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That's easily fixed, I have no idea how to read tab!

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Originally Posted by dave.king1

I would have thought you could go with either a low B or a high B with a 5 stringer, bear in mind that the ear don't hear much below a low B on the bass guitar.

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That might be less confusing having a high B instead of a low one. Would that lead to less tension on the neck?

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Originally Posted by Brendan

Having played one of the prebuilt basses, they're on my must have list. Sustain goes on and on and on and on and on and ... you get my drift.

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That's good to hear Brendan, thanks for the heads up

Waz, thanks for the short novel!!😂😂
I'll check out those lessons you and Woks suggested.
I'll keep you all informed on how this journey progresses!
Please keep the suggestions coming!

Hi Zandit, the word count was up there alright!!!

I should add that as you probably play by ear suggest that you begin playing Bass along with songs you know so that it will be easier for you to pick up the lines being played. Far easier than trying to follow charts or tabs, and there are lots of tabs that are close but also contain wrong notes/left hand positions and end up way too confusing. If all you are concentrating on is following someone else it will be surprising how quick you can pick things up, at least to begin with. As you feel more at home you can then venture out onto some of the YT videos but remember to also play along until you get the hang of what is being taught. I tend to pause the video a bit when practising tricky bits until ready to move on to the next part of a song or lesson.

Also forgot to suggest a short scale Bass as an option such as the PBG SGB-34 for $219 is pretty good value. Upside with a short scale is exactly that....it is 4" shorter and not as big a stretch on the left hand, hence why a lot of kids & females play short scaled Basses. In fact my 1st Bass was a SG Copy, only because it was all I could afford and the genuine 1970's Fender Jazz Bass I drooled over was just too expensive for a mere school student at the time.

Life is too short to only play 1 style of musical instrument. I bought a LTD B-10 bass from JB for under $200 after I had my first cheap store bought Strat and it is a learning curve but you already have the skill base so I would say your 80-90% there. The last 10% should be easy with all the books and videos that are out there plus help from the people around you. The first time I nailed the bass riff out of Fleetwood Macs The Chain was as good as it gets and seeing as the 4 strings are the same as the low 4 strings of a guitar playing the intro of Creams Sunshine of your love is great. You can put a set of light strings in and lower the action so the experience isn't as painful as my first time being the noob I was. Take the plunge and you will never look back.

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Originally Posted by wazkelly

Hi Zandit, the word count was up there alright!!!

I should add that as you probably play by ear suggest that you begin playing Bass along with songs you know so that it will be easier for you to pick up the lines being played. Far easier than trying to follow charts or tabs, and there are lots of tabs that are close but also contain wrong notes/left hand positions and end up way too confusing. If all you are concentrating on is following someone else it will be surprising how quick you can pick things up, at least to begin with. As you feel more at home you can then venture out onto some of the YT videos but remember to also play along until you get the hang of what is being taught. I tend to pause the video a bit when practising tricky bits until ready to move on to the next part of a song or lesson.

Also forgot to suggest a short scale Bass as an option such as the PBG SGB-34 for $219 is pretty good value. Upside with a short scale is exactly that....it is 4" shorter and not as big a stretch on the left hand, hence why a lot of kids & females play short scaled Basses. In fact my 1st Bass was a SG Copy, only because it was all I could afford and the genuine 1970's Fender Jazz Bass I drooled over was just too expensive for a mere school student at the time.

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Thanks Waz, those are actually good tips, and I was going to ask about short scale basses. An interesting concept!
Having a shorter reach than the average guy, this would be very workable(I'm only 5'6")

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Originally Posted by Dikkybee007

Life is too short to only play 1 style of musical instrument. I bought a LTD B-10 bass from JB for under $200 after I had my first cheap store bought Strat and it is a learning curve but you already have the skill base so I would say your 80-90% there. The last 10% should be easy with all the books and videos that are out there plus help from the people around you. The first time I nailed the bass riff out of Fleetwood Macs The Chain was as good as it gets and seeing as the 4 strings are the same as the low 4 strings of a guitar playing the intro of Creams Sunshine of your love is great. You can put a set of light strings in and lower the action so the experience isn't as painful as my first time being the noob I was. Take the plunge and you will never look back.

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Thanks Dikky. Technically, I guess, I already have three instruments in my repertoire, The Guitar, Vocals and the Bass Trombone(I'm already fluent in Bass clef reading, but translating it the Bass guitar would be an interesting challenge).
I surprise myself enough when I get something right on one of those instruments, so if I get something right on the Bass Guitar, I'm going to be beaming!!!

My daughter plays the trombone in the school junior jazz band.
She got the option last year to add another instrument and chose the bass guitar (thanks to her uncle Marty).
After trying out a few she wanted the Fender Mustang but it was out of the budget range.
Got a Squier Bronco bass from Pat's Music instead.

They held a bass/percussion evening at her school and there were a couple of Squier P basses, one Squier Jaguar and one lucky kid had a Fender.

Hearing them all through a decent sized amp the Squier Bronco sounded just as good to my ears.


cheers, Mark.

Must be something about playing a trombone that leads to becoming a Bass player. Same thing happened with my eldest son in his school band too.

Hey Zandit, I am only 4 cm taller than you and have adapted my playing style on a long scale bass to compensate for 1st to 3rd fret stuff where 5th to 7th fret positions seems to be the best place to hang out. Gotta say that short scale is around 5" longer than your LP compared to 9" longer to a Jazzy or something similar. Suggest checking out both at a local music store to see and feel the difference before diving in at the deep end.

Cheers, Waz

I jam with the 34" scale and record with the 30" because I make less mistakes, prefer the sound of 34" with the heavy strings through the amp but into the mixer there's little difference.

Obviously you are going to be a 6 stringer first and foremost so I would lean towards the shorter scale with heavy round wound strings. ( don't like flats on a bass to my ears the are not as harmonically rich )

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Originally Posted by wazkelly

Must be something about playing a trombone that leads to becoming a Bass player. Same thing happened with my eldest son in his school band too.

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Probably due to already learning to read in Bass clef, and not keen on learning treble.
I've had many attempts at piano and baulked at mastering the Bass end myself.

Can't see myself performing on the bass outside the confines of the house so 34" will be a dream unless...

Still $75 for a bass guitar is hard to knock back.

cheers, Mark.

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Originally Posted by king casey

Probably due to already learning to read in Bass clef, and not keen on learning treble.
cheers, Mark.

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One of my bands did a lot of backing floor shows which of course required sight reading.

At the time I was studying violin and the first song we backed I read in the treble clef, let's just say it didn't sound too good and the singer who was a real up herself diva went mental

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Originally Posted by dave.king1

I would lean towards the shorter scale with heavy round wound strings. ( don't like flats on a bass to my ears the are not as harmonically rich )

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Not a fan of flats either but did put a set on the fretless conversion and they feel great, just don't sound as bright. On my previous fretless used same Rotosounds that I had on the Ric 4001 with no issues and it sounded much better.