Zalastar Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 So this is me..... I'm now, well in the wrong half of me forties, and having what can only be described as a mid life crisis. Many years ago, when I was a mere youff I played drums in a band for about 7 years, I have to say the music was fun, rehearsals enjoyable and I was with a good group of musicians. Sadly crippling stage fright made any sort of gig a nightmare. Funnily enough I always enjoyed the second half of the set, the nerves had had chance to settle and we had some real groove tracks in the second half, just listening now to Steve Miller Band - Joker and remembering how much I loved playing that track, once you lock into that bounce it's just a lovely song to play. So, my aforementioned mid life crisis... As I approached my, ahem recent, birthday I decided I wanted to start playing music again, however with a semi-detached house, wife and kids to consider I figured a drum kit was probably off the cards, I also couldn't afford the birch shelled Jalapeno kit I always wanted anyway 😉. After failed attempts to play guitar over the years I decided bass was probably a better option, it sticks to my rhythm section heritage, I love the warm sound of the bass and I loved the tracks that really grooved when I played before. So that is my journey to the bass, it's taken a long time and I feel at 40 something I'm probably not going to get to the gigging stage again , but I'm enjoying the journey so far and my internet quest for knowledge about all things bass has led me here. I'll lurk around for a while if that's ok, then start asking stupid questions as my journey continues. My current kit consists of a 1975 Antoria Black Eagle, plugged into a headphone amp (Vox AC30 thing for a guitar) with my phone supplying backing tracks to play to. That ruddy bass weighs a ton but I got as a part exchange for a Yamaha Pacifica back in my band days and from the research I have done so far I'm going to struggle to get anything better on a tight budget. And to be honest it sounds kinda nice and feels comfortable... when I'm sat down! Now, where do I find a guitar strap with integrated back brace!! :-) Zal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 Good evening, Zal, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 Welcome Zal There is a lot of affordable gear nowadays - you don't say what your budget is but £200 gets you a lot of bass nowadays. There are several threads about this subject with lots of good gear recommended. There is also a thread about double straps which will help with weighty gear. You're in the right place to get the guidance you need to get into playing the Bass.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 Welcome Zal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalastar Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 Thanks for the welcome all. @TheGreek Budget at the moment is all but none existent so for now it will be the old back breaker, however as I am early on my journey I have a way to go yet before I need to worry about the weight being an issue. For now I'll just sit on me arris' Next on my acquisition list will be a practice amp, the old Vox headphone thingy allows me to get 'a sound' but I think a proper bass practice amp will allow me to get more quality and tone. The fender rumble 15 looks to be a good option, seems to get some good reviews and is a reasonable price. For now though I'm content with enough volume to hear when i hit the wrong note, which is often :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Zalastar said: Thanks for the welcome all. @TheGreek Budget at the moment is all but none existent so for now it will be the old back breaker, however as I am early on my journey I have a way to go yet before I need to worry about the weight being an issue. For now I'll just sit on me arris' Next on my acquisition list will be a practice amp, the old Vox headphone thingy allows me to get 'a sound' but I think a proper bass practice amp will allow me to get more quality and tone. The fender rumble 15 looks to be a good option, seems to get some good reviews and is a reasonable price. For now though I'm content with enough volume to hear when i hit the wrong note, which is often 🙂 It might be worth taking a look at a kit build or even making one from scratch. I'm sure you will find the Build Diaries of interest even if you still intend to buy one off the shelf. Edited June 29, 2018 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalastar Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 Hmm, bass whittling.... now there's an idea ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Welcome - and it's never too late! I can give you 15 years 🙂 started a couple of years ago and my band is starting to get some fun gigs. Some encouragement here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hertsbass Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Welcome, as someone who has been through a similar journey! I've found BassChat a very welcoming bunch, support always here and no question too stupid. There are some seriously knowledgeable people on here so dive in and learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalastar Posted July 1, 2018 Author Share Posted July 1, 2018 Good to know I'm not staring too late, hopefully my drumming days will stand me in good stead for what is to come :-). Now off the the shed 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Boots Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Don't worry about your age, I'm 48 & only been playing 3years ago with no previous experience of any instruments. Now I've recorded an album, am working on a 2nd, play plenty of gigs including a big fedtival & I love every minute of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Welcome, thanks for joining in. Let me know if I can help with any site related questions. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) On 01/07/2018 at 10:36, Zalastar said: Good to know I'm not staring too late, hopefully my drumming days will stand me in good stead for what is to come :-). Now off the the shed 🙂 Now that you've moved up from drums to bass it's time to let you in on the big secret. The drummer is the only one who's kept in a shed despite what the rest of the band told you. Heeheehee. Edited July 5, 2018 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 On 28/06/2018 at 15:22, Zalastar said: Now, where do I find a guitar strap with integrated back brace!! :-) Have a look through the Build Diaries. There are a few builds by a member called @Andyjr1515 where he makes lightweight instruments with a full fat kick. It might be that a lighter instrument or a better fit for the one you have would be worth investigating. Many of the experienced players find that a move to a lighter instrument can keep them in the game for longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalastar Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 5 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: Have a look through the Build Diaries. There are a few builds by a member called @Andyjr1515 where he makes lightweight instruments with a full fat kick. It might be that a lighter instrument or a better fit for the one you have would be worth investigating. Many of the experienced players find that a move to a lighter instrument can keep them in the game for longer. I have been watching the latest build with interest, a true craftsman :-) My current bass weighs in at 12lb so hopefully I can get something lighter in the future without having to shell out on custom, for now I sit down a lot 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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