bassbiscuits

Seriously - buy something mainstream and midpriced, which will be perfectly good enough for you to get started on and give you years of playing. Don’t get bogged down in custom builds or boutique stuff at this stage. There’s no ‘one true bass’ that everyone will like, so try some out if at all possible. I’ve had enough instruments over the years which people have sworn are brilliant but which I’ve absolutely hated, (and vice versa). In reality I’d say most jobbing bass players out there (including myself) use very mainstream, regular, mass produced stuff very happily. Its only worth forking out for boutique high end stuff if you can really appreciate the difference. As a beginner it’s just not worth getting into that. Good luck tho - there are plenty of good basses out there.

I wouldn't say short scales have more low end - the opposite is true in my experience (using a Fender Mustang and a Fender P). The Mustang feels more midrangy and aggressive, but the P wins in terms of overall poke and bigger bottom end. There's more of it, so the sound is slightly fuller. It's not drastically different, but its noticeable. They both sound cool tho.

Pub gigs are the bread and butter of my work. Function gigs are better paid and dare I say more refined, but a good pub gig is where all the fun is at. Plus they’re an evening out with your mates, unlike most functions which feel more like “work”.

The key to pub gigs for me is travelling light. As others have said you don’t need tonnes of gear. Sounds like you have a decent amp head and cab and that’ll be plenty for most gigs. I hardly ever go thru the PA and I’m a loud player. I use a 500w Markbass head and I’ve never run out of power at a small or medium sized gig. Pubs are often in city centres etc with difficult parking, poor load ins etc so bear that in mind. Keep it simple, travel light and just enjoy yourself.

Ive got kids so mine live in gig bags or cases standing up in an alcove when not in use. EDIT - the basses that is, not the children.

Ah it’ll be grand then. It’s a really useful bit of kit.

I’ll be honest I didn’t find it the best for using with bass thru the speaker. It’s decent but not massively loud or anything. My 20w Orange Crush combo (much bigger) is my usual practise amp with other people. For guitar sounds it is fantastic tho - much nicer than the Roland Cube I was using before. In terms of an all-round workstation for practicing, learning stuff, with really good effects for both guitar and bass I think it’s a great bit of kit that I use all the time.

These are really good. I play guitar and bass so my one of these is a great little workstation for learning stuff. Input for MP3 player / CDs etc to play along to. Especially in the current climate it’s my only chance of playing at home at any decent level or thru headphones.

Looks lovely. I love the black scratchplate I’ve gotta say, but as the owner of a very similar looking ‘70 with a tort plate I’ll happily admire either. Sounds like a good weight for a ‘76 too. Nicely done.

What the hell does the front look like?!

Cool. I only got on acoustic guitar and bass so when money got tight I flogged everything bar the one electric guitar I considered probably the most versatile - the MIJ Strat. But looking back the Gibsons (especially that 2011 SG Classic) were the ones that really floated my boat.

I love Gibsons with P90s. I had an SG Classic, a SG Junior and an Epi Casino all with Gibson P90s. Wish I’d kept them! That Pelham Blue is beautiful

I’ve spent the last 17 years playing the same cedar-topped 2002 Crafter GE-7 electro acoustic. We’ve done hundreds of gigs together over the years. I’ve got a little mahogany Tanglewood travel guitar as my spare. I’ve had lots of electric guitars over the years but currently just down to my 1995 MIJ Fender Strat. It’s recently had a refret and currently has a set of Alexander Pribora Traditional pickups. I’ve sold a lot of what I don’t need over the years including an E series MIJ 57 reissue Strat, a Gibson SG Special, a Gibson SG Classic, an Epiphone Casino Blak and Blu, a Bernie Marsden PRS Se and an American series HSS Strat. Here’s the Crafter and Strat anyway.

I’ve got the best hands. Everyone says so. My doctor says they’re the best hands ever on a president blah blah

And a short scale version could be a Trump Bass.

In massively tenuous link, the Joe Loss Orchestra played at a posh wedding I went to about 10 years ago. So I can now say I once saw a band who once had a singer who was Elvis Costello’s dad.

01 Many times when I’ve gigged on cajon and / or acoustic guitar. 02 Yes - see 01 03 Not quite but I’ve depped on bass for some really good players who are way better than me! 04 Nah 05 Not in a dressing room, but after a gig I had to sign some tour posters and CDs for fans. Embarrassingly I was depping so I wasn’t even anyone notable. 06 Nope. 07 Worn many hats on many stages. 08 Once gigged with a band I only met in the car park at the gig and worked out a covers set list there and then. The result wasn’t that good it has to be said. 09 No. 10 Yes ive played with one band in the afternoon and another in the evening a few times. 11 Once had a chair thrown at us onstage by a slightly unhinged party guest. He was aiming for the banjo player. I can’t blame him. 12 No 13 Have certainly left bands cos of their choice of material. 14 Nope 15 Thankfully no. 16 Yes, with various stomach bugs and colds when it was too late to cancel. 17 Yes definitely been in bands where the guitarist was the best company. 18 Yes played in a few stately homes. 19 Been smacked in the mouth by my mic many times when drunken punters have fallen into my mic stand. Which they seem to think is hilarious. 20 I’m not known for being quiet.

Not to undermine the very good advice on here at all, but don't fall into the trap of overthinking these things too much. There isn't one true bass or amp that's right for everyone, but most beginner stuff nowadays is pretty good (certainly compared to the junk i learned on). Any of these bass and amp combinations would work fine, especially if you don't yet play. Just start at the beginning and see how you get on - what you like and don't like about how something plays. Research is good, but actually playing and getting to know yur instrument is where it's really at. That said, a CV P bass is a good, standard bass that will see you through a lot of different styles. Good luck tho - and well done for taking up bass!

Not forgetting this of course...This was on A LOT in our house as kids.

Apologies for the poor pic quality (the original isn’t very good) but this image from the inside sleeve of New Model Army’s Thunder and Consolation made me want to swap the pointy 80s Charvel I played at the time (around 1990) for a Precision.

That’s a fantastic pic

Exactly the same here! I was 12 in 1986 and had the video and double LP of Live After Death, as well as the Scorpions Worldwide Live video and Alive II vinyl. I had a morning paper round and used the money to pay back my dad who’d agreed to stump up for my first bass - a Satellite - and a five watt practice amp.