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Post subject: Just getting started...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:07 pm
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Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:48 pm
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I am very honest about the fact that I really don't know what I'm doing. Right upfront, I'm admitting it.

But the point is, I want to learn to play bass, but I have no idea where to start. I have no help from friends or family since no one is musically inclined, and family at least believes it is something I will spend a lot of money on and give up on it. I guess I really just need some opinions and someone to point me in the right direction.

This is what I can tell you so far: I DID play acoustic guitar when I was... oh, eight or nine? I hardly remember any of it at all. I still have my old guitar and I'm actually trying to sell it so I'll have a bit more money toward a bass. My guitar is a 20th Anniversary Squier MA-1, in case you wondered... Anyway, at the moment, I don't have much money saved to even buy an instrument, but I do want to get an idea of what I want. I've only briefly spoken to a couple of people about it, and they seemed to steer me toward a Squier model.

I've read some pretty negative things about Squier bass though, so I'm a little iffy even if I can't really judge since I don't know much of anything. They also threw in something about a "shortscale"? Since I am somewhat small in general and have kind of small hands? One of these people also pointed out that he doesn't personally care for Fender, but that it would probably be a good place to start, so I sort of wondered how a Fender bass measures up against others?

I don't know, I probably have tons of other questions that I just can't bring back to mind at the moment. I have a small fear of sounding like an idiot about all of this, but in truth, I may as well be right now :P I just need help in general with all this.


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Post subject: Re: Just getting started...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:29 pm
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Roadie
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Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:08 pm
Posts: 253
Location: New England
Everyone has started from somewhere, so don't worry about sounding like an idiot. I think your best bet, even though you're starting out is just go to a shop and get the feel of a bass. Even though you might not be able to do much with it yet, if it feels right, then it should be good. Don't necessarily let other people tell you what to get, because they might be just telling you what they like on their own tastes, and not what might be right for you.

Squiers aren't the worst thing you can buy, as long as the neck feels smooth, without sharp fret ends poking out to cut your hands and the action isn't extremely high (although, you can adjust it,) then you shouldn't have to much problem with those. If it feels right to you, then you'll be more likely not to get frustrated with it. If a long scale bass feels too awkward or overwhelming to you, then try out some short scale basses, and see how they feel.

Most of all, just have fun with it and don't worry about it so much. If it's meant to be, then it will come. Good luck.


Last edited by BassPaulL on Sat Jun 08, 2013 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Just getting started...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:05 pm
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Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:13 pm
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Location: Illinois, USA
Welcome to the Forum snowstorm2991, here is a short scale solid body electric bass guitar from Squier, just a couple of videos so you can see and hear for yourself

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Just getting started...
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 3:29 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:29 am
Posts: 937
fender/squire produce decent guitars at every price point, but some are better value than others. the very bottom end squiers arent worth bothering with. if you buy second hand, you will get more for your money.

if a squier is where your price point is, get the best one you can, bear in mind you'll probably want a little amp aswell though. however these little practice amps always seem to come up on second hand sites for next to no money.

ultimately, you need to get to a shop and try some. seen as you cant really play anything yet, you will be basing most of your decision off how it feels in your hands - rough fret/neck edges, the scale, body size, how it looks and the neck size/shape. the only way you will find out whats comfortable and what isnt is by picking them up in a shop or finding people you know who have one.


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Post subject: Re: Just getting started...
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:29 am
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Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:31 am
Posts: 176
If you are concerned about the potential that you might spend a lot of money then give up I'll add this bit of advice. Take lessons from someone who knows how to teach beginners and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to invest in learning (say, 6 months) before you decide whether or not to continue.

A formal regime (i.e. weekly lesson followed by daily practice) will go a long way to keeping you on track.

Best of luck to you.


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Post subject: Re: Just getting started...
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:45 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2010 3:54 am
Posts: 268
my favorite bass has always been the t40 peavey i had in the 90s. i forget the brand but i used copper wound strings on it. it was heavy though. it had phase shifting like the t60 guitars.. i got it in trade for a 3/4 no name bass. a friend of mines wife was playing the peavey and it was to heavy for her. anyhow that was what i liked.

now i have a hofner and ive had a few in between but the peavey sounded the best to me


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Post subject: Re: Just getting started...
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:15 pm
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Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:56 pm
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It's hard to tell someone else what instrument they should choose...I told a friend of mine I couldn't choose the best underwear for him because our butts are different. :P

The same is true of an instrument, because there are a hundred little things that make an instrument "fit" our hands, bodies, aesthetics, musical styling, abilities, etc.

If you can make friends with someone who is an open-minded, experienced bassist or guitarist, do so. Have them go with you to a music shop with a large selection of basses, and start picking out what is comfortable for you--weight, neck shape/size, scale length, tone/sound and looks/styling, of course.

After you find out what is comfortable for you to play, have that friend check out the instrument itself, to see if it's well-made, set up properly and doesn't have any other problems (construction, tuning, electronics, etc).

Don't get too hung up on labels like "short scale" or "budget/beginner instrument" or even what the brand is; if it feels right, sounds good and stays in tune, it's a good instrument for you...the rest of it is just personal preference and prejudice.

Welcome to the Forum, by the way...

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