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Post subject: Bass Questions
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:38 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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I've been thinking about taking up bass, I would like just to have one, I don't need to have lessons (my teacher does both bass and guitar) but I had a couple of questions:

1) Do you have to use your hands? Can you use picks? (I've seen McCartney do it)
2) amps I need to know a good beginer amp here are my requirements:

1) Has to be about 15-25 watts preferably 25
2) Light, around 5-25 lbs.
3) Affordable, $100-300 (MAX of 300)
4) of course I would like it to be a Fender (no marshalls please)
5) solid state amp
6) If this can help, I like blues and classic rock.

Please and Thanks!

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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:45 pm
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i have a jaco sig its frettless love it i only use hands right now i run it through a hartke 200watt but i just ordered a mesa 400+


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:53 am
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In my opinion, you need to ditch the pick.

Credibility....


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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:32 am
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Learn to play the bass fingers first, then pick, then thumb, the ...slap if you must. Finger plucking will get you more in tune with the differences between a bass and a guitar and how it works within music.

Niether picking or finger plucking is superior to the other. The more you know, the better you will be. They are just techniques, don't listen to snobs and geezers. You have no credibility until people know who you are...even then, worrying what others think of you is a waste of time and energy...artistically, and in general.


D

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:01 pm
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1) Do you have to use your hands? Can you use picks? (I've seen McCartney do it) YES, picks are okay.
2) amps I need to know a good beginer amp here are my requirements:

1) Has to be about 15-25 watts preferably 25
2) Light, around 5-25 lbs.
3) Affordable, $100-300 (MAX of 300)
4) of course I would like it to be a Fender (no marshalls please)
5) solid state amp
6) If this can help, I like blues and classic rock.

Fender Bassman 150 Bass Combo Amplifier (150 Watts, 1x12 in.)

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Don't leave home without it!


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:16 pm
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I have been playing bass for about 11 years now and I think I get a much better tone out of playing with my fingers. There are some songs that I use a pick for but its for a different sound. But when I play bass I like it to sound really thick and you just cant get that sound out of a pick. As far as an amp goes I would say take a look at the SWR working mans series. They are great amps and the company is owned by Fender so your not really leaving the family either. Good luck.
Steve


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:17 pm
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Picks are fine but if you already play guitar chances are you can already play with one (yeah it's a little different I guess but not hugely), so why not learn with your fingers and see it as yet another skill to add to your arsenal. It'll help improve your dexterity and maybe even fingerpicking on guitar and its much more fun (and cool) IMO 8)

I like fender bass amps but don't tie yourself down, try out as many brands (Hartke, Laney, Roland etc...) as you can to find the one that suits you!

Oh btw lots of good bassists play with picks apart from Paul - both sting and Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) use a pick primarily :)


Have fun learning, I'm doing it the opposite to you, I picked up a bass first and have slowly picked up acoustic guitar (though I'm rubbish :()


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:06 pm
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Well, I've found that geezers have a lot of decent information, so here's a clarification of my original post.

I have found that playing with a pick gives you a one-dimensional thin, plasticy sound. If that is the tone you're looking for, then use a pick for those times. I find that I can get a much wider array of tones using my fingers.

As a bass player primarily, when I see someone playing bass and only using a pick, I find that they are converted guitar players, and tend to approach the instrument differently. That's not a bad thing, just a different perspective.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:15 pm
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I can get a lot of nice tones with a pick even just using my jazz bass' vol/vol/tone controls (ie a flat on the amp).

Having said that I am deffo a fingerstyle man, I prefer the tones and the look and the feel and everything really. Problem is most people who you see in popular music playing bass with picks tend to be root note playing numpties, which is a shame really.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:42 am
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Well, okay. I was playing around with Roundabout by Yes this weekend, and realized it would be better with a pick.

I still prefer fingers though.


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Post subject: All is good - technique
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:41 pm
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I use a basic two finger pluck. As you play for a long period of time, you fingers will develop callouses. This will usually give you the 'phatness' of flesh along with the extra bite from the hard skin. This will come in time.

Slap and pop, and a pick is also cool and can be used depending on the the situation and the sound you want to hear. But learn to use your fingers, most recorded bass sounds use that approach.

This a great Fender Combo Guide link:

http://www.fender.com/products/probass/ ... _chart.pdf

:D


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:08 pm
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Drjohnthebassman wrote:
Well, okay. I was playing around with Roundabout by Yes this weekend, and realized it would be better with a pick.

I still prefer fingers though.


Chris Squire played with a tortise shell pick.

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:13 pm
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Quote:
Can you use picks?


Pick, fingers, toes, whatever works for you. I used to be one of those "fingers only purists" until faced with either using a pick or giving up the bass.
You can get more than one sound with a pick.
A few things you can do to add variety to your tone:
Picking location (closer to the fretboard= deeper tone, closer to the bridge=brighter)

Using the side of your palm to slightly mute the strings will give an old school tone.

Rolling off the highs with the tone knob works well also.

Grip on the pick.

Part of the pick used: instead of holding it the normal way, use the more rounded tips.

Pick material.

I could go on, but that's a good start. :)




Quote:
1) Has to be about 15-25 watts preferably 25

If it was me, I'd go for at least 100 watts. I can think of quite a few within your price limit, but I doubt you'll find a decent bass amp that you can hear that is 25 pounds or less(Could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time). I have a little 100 watt combo with a ten inch speaker and that weighs around 35 pounds.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:59 pm
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Location: Oregon
thanks, I'm not real amp technical, especially with bass

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Guitars: 2001 PRS McCarty, 1976 Hagstrom Jimmy Oval, 2010 Taylor Koa T5 Custom, 2009 Taylor 416 LTD, 2009 Gretsch Brian Setzer 6120, 2010 Taylor SBX-T, 2009 Daneletectro Baritone, 2005 Fender Kingman

http://www.facebook.com/blackandbluemusicnw


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:38 am
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Ive been playing for a while now, and all i can say is that playing with a pick is no crime. the option of playing with fingers VS pick, i will normaly choose the fingers, but there are some songs that i just cant keep the intensity and speed up with just my fingers, so the pick is a great choice. i agree with most everybody and it's good for a bassist to know how to do both.
as for an AMP. i used to use a fender BXR-25 as my practice amp until it crapped out(5 years of play time) and then switched to beheringer. for the price, the watts, and tonal options i found it to be a great little practice amp, and would reccomend it to anybody.
good luck and welcome to the world of bass playing.


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