I've never seen anybody mention something like this before. It feels like (just like my hands) my timing is worse when I first pick it up for the day and it starts to feel good later on in my session. It's weird.

If I hit the metronome / drum track right away I feel so off sometimes lol. Hopefully I'm not just tweaking

For context here, I played exceptionally average guitar for many years until too many Steely Dan chords combined with the perils of aging combined to give me a whopping case of wrist and elbow tendinitis. I still love music and miss being able to play, so I was thinking of giving the bass a try (and yes, I do understand that role of a bass and the role of the guitar are vastly different and need to be approached that way).

I was trying out a few basses at a local music store (which only has a very limited selection), and I quickly realized that the medium scale on the Squier Affinity Jaguar was working a lot better for me ergonomically than the full-length P and J basses they had. However, although I loved the shorter scale length and the feel of the neck, I wasn't particularly digging the tone (but I could learn to live with that), and--most importantly--the neck dive that I've seen in almost every Affinity Jaguar review really was incredibly obnoxious.

So, here's the question. Are there other medium or short-scale basses that people would recommend for a beginner (I'm not looking to spend a large amount of money until I see if my arm will cooperate) that are good ergonomically and don't have a tremendous neck dive? I don't want to make a 60-mile one-way trip to GC to find "well, they all do that". For playing style, it would be simple "guy in the background smiling politely and serving the song"; I'm not interested in slap and I don't have an interest in playing down-tuned metal.

Anyone start playing bass guitar and get the bug to learn upright? If so, how hard was the transition (aside from the significant cost of getting an upright)? Any advice?

I'm not a traditional professional that needs to use sheet music at all, nor do I play classical or with wedding bands. I just play in a band, write, practice, and play shows.

I'm wondering the benefits of knowing it just to know it on bass? I've been playing for around 7 years and haven't read sheet music since woodwinds in high school

I loved my Acoustic B200 head. I liked to run it as the "clean" amp to compliment two other Peaveys running dirty mid/high end and dirty mid/low end. But I'd run the Acoustic with all knobs at 12:00 except: gain max, 350hz 3:00, 800hz 3:00, 5k off. It gave the bass a good chunk kinda like a Rickenbacker or a little like the Berry Oakley "Tractor Bass" sound. It was the glue that held together the dirty amps. However, that head just isn't built to be run that hard. Its gotta have enough power to push two Peavey 3620 cabs and retain the kind of sound I'm looking for. What should I replace it with?

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for "headroom" clean, I'm looking for "start the volume at 11 and back off until it stops sounding like I have a distortion pedal on" clean.

For background, I'm a relative beginner on Bass. Been playing less than a year. (I do play other instruments and have a developed musical ear, and experience playing)

I started playing on a Samick P type full scale (borrowed) Nice bass too, but not mine.

It felt difficult with the fret spacing to me, so I wanted to try a short scale.

I bought a used Gretsch Streamliner 30" scale, and have been practicing on that.

I quite liked the Gretsch, but to my ear the E string felt somewhat weak.

I had set my mind on buying a Fender Mustang II, so I sold the Gretsch to make space and budget for the Mustang.

I've since had a chat with a buddy who is a seasoned excellent bass player, and he suggested I look into the Jaguar Affinity. At 32", it's still not a full scale, but medium. He played one on a tour, and liked it so much it's his go-to electric. I've been practicing on an electric upright since I sold the Gretsch and am now a little less concerned about scale being 30 inches. The upright being more than 34".

My friend's comments on the Mustang is that he'd prefer separate volume controls to mix the two pickups (vs the toggle switch). He also just likes the Jaguar humbucker. Simple, and uncomplicated controls. He loves the sound, and he loves the scale.

Since I've not yet replaced the Gretsch, I am now considering his advice re: the Jaguar. Obviously the squire fits in a smaller budget, but I could manage the the Mustang $$ if I choose that route.

Please reply with comments re: the choice given these two basses. Thanks

..

...I really struggle to get into it.

Heads up so that you can leave before it ruins your day (sorry about that), it might be a weird post, a vent even, but I'm not sure where else I should get advice. I might really use some, or a harsh reality check. Sorry if it's too emotional or cringe for this subreddit!

I attended music school at 6-12. Learned piano and theory. I really wanted to do this. I liked it.

Then, I took a break for one year. At 13, unfortunately, highschool happened, and the environment has made me severely depressed. The details are irrelevant, but the time frame kinda is, I think. I stopped playing, even if I kept telling myself "I still want to do this". Yet I did nothing to make my words reality.

I noticed having memory issues from the age of 15. I got my first bass guitar at 17. I'm 19 now and I barely know what I'm doing. I don't exactly remember why I chose bass, but around that time, I started dreaming about founding a band. The thing is, I'm currently not into anything at all. I'm not a fan of a particular band. I can name some that I like, very few. And I wouldn't be able to tell you their whole discography. Hell, I'm barely even oriented in the most popular bands in the world.

I think that's the problem. I love music, I love bass more than myself, but I'm too hollow to do anything about it. I listen to music all the time, but really getting into it makes my head hurt. It was never like that before I turned 14. I try to practice piano, and it's hopeless. I practice bass and I can't improve. I try composing and it gives me migraine and it frustrates me. I can't name popular bassists. I can't name or distinguish basic terms. I don't like jazz. I don't like blues. I don't like to groove. I don't know what I like and yet I still won't give up on music, I don't know why.

Is there a hope for me to still learn to like all of these things? To really get into the community? Because honestly, there's nothing I want more.

I want an inexpensive 5 string around the same price range of 640 or less but I still want similar quality for metal. Any suggestions?

Had some friends jam during my house party and I unknowingly left my amp on for two full days afterward. Is there likely any damage to the amp other than the fuse that blew?

Hey guys. Looking for my first J Bass and I found two I'm torn between (hell, who am I kidding a may get both) one is a Bacchus Global I found on eBay for ~$525 including shipping. I also know of a sire s7 for around the same price, due to dents and finish cracks. Can't play either before I buy. Thoughts on both and which one would you go with? Was about to pull the plug on getting an active squire j bass (which I did play at local shop, and liked) but looked at other option so I don't have to support you know who. Thanks.

Also- I play a little bit of everything from jazzy stuff to metal if that matters all that much.

What's your opinion in these ? Thinking about getting one of those for christmas this year but I ve heard they don't sound like Spectors and are sterile sounding + there are issues with quality control. Is that true ?

Hi all, my partner and I are doing a tour of music shops on Saturday, and this will be my first time actually going into them to look for new gear/try out new basses.

My dad is a bassist so if I ever needed help with specs, amps, etc. I’d just ask him, but I’m now trying to do this myself too and go and try things out. I put this off for way too long and feel a bit behind because of it.

This may seem incredibly basic, but I’d appreciate any tips on questions to ask, what to look out for in terms of pricing (are they hiking prices or should I just compare to eBay prices etc?), usual atmosphere, etc.

I’m going in looking for a lightweight and/or short-scale bass, and a new amp (potentially a rumble), but as a highly anxious autistic this is new territory for me and I like to be prepared :)

For context, I've already got a pretty nice distortion pedal and a decent preamp pedal. I just started playing in a band again and i'm gigging a lot more. We do indie/rock covers if that makes a difference.

I don't really have a specific budget or anything. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't really know what to look for or what to avoid so i appreciate any advice

Hello all, I know there have been probably hundreds (if not thousands) of posts on this subreddit about learning how to slap, but I just want to get an up to date opinion/help.

I’ve been playing bass for roughly 12 years, and I love it. It’s my main instrument, and I’ve been playing in a band the past two years, which has helped me improve tremendously. I have an extensive music background, and I’ve played a lot of different instruments in a lot of different official and unofficial capacities. I’ve got scales, improv, finger style, using a pick, reading sheet music, and reading tabs down. The one thing I can’t seem to gain any ground on is slapping.

I’m not sure why I struggle so much, but I can’t get the hand motion down, or even understand what the motion is supposed to be completely. I’m just curious if anyone has any pointers or videos that helped them. Much appreciated in advance

I'm potentially in the market for a new 5 string bass. I've tried a 34" scale 5 string and the low B just sounds too washed out, so I want 35". These are the two basses that have caught my eye. The M6 is easily within budget, but the 55-01 is a bit of a stretch.

I know these are very different basses, and on paper the 55-01 looks like the clear winner, but I'm really drawn to the versatility and overall size of the M6; feels like it can suite nearly everything. Main styles of music I play are jazz, gospel, pop and alternative rock and hopefully more funk in the future.

I also have a Marcus Miller P5 and _love_ it, it's my workhorse, but I've run into occasions where having that low B would be really useful.

Unfortunately it's not easy for me to try either of them out before I buy, so I'll likely need to order from Thomann for this.

What questions should I be asking myself? Am I being dumb by even considering the M6?

I’m trying to wrap my head around how bass functions in these super low guitar tunings like in bands like Loathe, and it’s hard to make out distinct instruments with all of that distortion, although the bass is fairly prominent as far as metal goes. Are bassists tuning down to E0, or are they doubling the guitars and essentially playing a standard tuning bass? (Actually tuned UP if it’s drop E).

so, gotta friend that's setting up a homestudio and we always wanted to make a band just for fun. I was looking over here to find a good starter bass(because im an absolute newbie) and i found in a local store a really cheap brand new solar ab4.4c that looks nice. Is it good for a newbie? i ask like this because i genuinely have 0 idea about this topic, so no insults intended to the owners of a Solar Bass :p

Got a call from the tech. Going to cost $200 to repair, including $20 parts.

As I guessed, the output transistors blew.

But wait...there's more...

It would have been ONLY the transistors, except for the way it was made. They glued the capacitors to the circuit board, and when the caps blew it took out some of the printed circuit. So, it has to be wired.

I was looking at a Peavey Mark IV for $200. Since I know what my amp has been through since day 1 I decided to repair it. There is also a $65 deposit, so it will cost $135 more. Maybe I'll get another 20 years out of it, if I get another 20 years out of me...

I was thinking about getting a Hartke 300 Class D, but that's another $200 more.

Hello everyone, first time posting on this sub. Ive never modded any of my instruments and ive been looking for a video on how to properly swap out a neck. It seems relatively simple, but id feel more comfortable if i had a visual. If anyone has any links/advice it’d be greatly appreciated ! Planning on doing this to a Fender 75th anniversary precision bass.

Heyo!

So I have this old Yamaha TRBX174 pj bass and I was thinking of swapping out all the electrics including the pickups. I was looking for a pickup with a bit more beef than the stock ones but one that doesn't lose all clarity.

Im a bit on a budget and Ive been seeing these three brands cited as cheap alternatives that are surprisingly viable. So anyone who's used any or all three of these picks up please tell me how all of that went for you.