Where to start??

[Grumpy]

I'm starting out on the road to playing bass and want some advice on whether to go and buy a 4 or 5 string, and also whether or not to go for a fretted or fretless instrument. I would appreciate any input

[neilb]

4 string, fretted, and a good music book................ and watch Standing In The Shadows of Motown.


THEN branch out with 5ers, fretless etc etc.

[queenofthedepths]

I'm gonna have to disagree with the "4 string, fretted" part - IMO it's no harder to learn a fretless 9-string if that's what you started on... the best way to decide is to look at what basses your favourite bassists are playing - more often than not that will be a 4-string fretted but if your ultimate aim is to play like Jaco or John Myung, you're probably choosing the wrong instrument! The fact that you've suggested getting a fretless or a 5-string implies that you would like to do something a bit different from the norm

[The Burpster]

Read this and then go to a shop having taken the advice.....

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8009"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8009[/url]

[Tait]

I'd say four string fretted or maybe five string fretted. you'll know about it if you feel the need for fretless or 7 strings or whatever. in my opinion, start basic, expand from there. I've noticed [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/country/frame_uk.html"]this[/url] has recently come out if you're looking for a starter bass - i think it was bass guitar magazine that gave it five stars for value.

EDIT: hmmm... that link just takes you back to the ibanez home page. if you find the SR300, that was the bass i was talking about. i cant get a link to it.

Edited April 12, 2008 by lwtait

[Buzz]

[quote name='lwtait' post='175174' date='Apr 12 2008, 02:04 PM']I'd say four string fretted or maybe five string fretted. you'll know about it if you feel the need for fretless or 7 strings or whatever. in my opinion, start basic, expand from there. I've noticed [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/country/frame_uk.html"]this[/url] has recently come out if you're looking for a starter bass - i think it was bass guitar magazine that gave it five stars for value.

EDIT: hmmm... that link just takes you back to the ibanez home page. if you find the SR300, that was the bass i was talking about. i cant get a link to it.[/quote]

[url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page2008.php?area_id=3&data_id=622&color=CL01&year=2008&cat_id=2&series_id=33"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page20...mp;series_id=33[/url]

And they look pretty, reminds me of the old Ergodynes.

[Tait]

[quote name='Buzz' post='175340' date='Apr 12 2008, 06:18 PM'][url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page2008.php?area_id=3&data_id=622&color=CL01&year=2008&cat_id=2&series_id=33"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page20...mp;series_id=33[/url]

And they look pretty, reminds me of the old Ergodynes.[/quote]

yeah thats the one i meant. i read a review in bass guitar magazine, it sounded like a great bass. i could just be biased because i love my SR500 so much, though.

[Faithless]

I'd suggest 5-string-fretted and Steve Bailey's '5string bass school' in .pdf

[OutToPlayJazz]

No matter how many strings you start out with, get a decent beginner double bass method book, like "Strictly Strings" or "Team Strings." Learn to read notation, then the world's your oyster! Also start figuring out lines by ear early on (from your favourite recordings.)

[Tait]

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='176033' date='Apr 14 2008, 08:40 AM']Also start figuring out lines by ear early on (from your favourite recordings.)[/quote]
+1, i've been playing bass about three years and only just started learning stuff by ear. I'm finding it really hard, but i'm sure i'd have found it easier if i started learning stuff from ear when i began.