Bass ambition

As my name should tell you, this is a subject I have an interest in. As for which bass to buy, I'd recommend the one I have: a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Jazz_Bass. Its a classic style, easy to hold, great tone and a very reputable brand. Plus: if you say you're listening to the bass line in a song over the other tracks, the J over the P will put your sound out in front a little bit. You can get a starter one for under $200 and a "real one" for about $300. I actually managed to get a non-squire for under $200 at one of Guitar Center's super kickass sale days. But no matter what, you've got to go try it out in person. And who knows? You'll probably be able to find a really decent bass used at a local shop and they love to make deals. My first amp was a used ampeg that I still have and use and unless I really crank it up, it still has a nice, rich tone. And quarterframer is right: if you can bring someone with you that knows a thing or two they staff isn't going to be like "oh you're beginning! Let me show you the section for rubes". As for "how many strings"? A five-string has three too many, and a four string really has two too many. So stick with the four-string, lest ye be judged by your fellow bassists. Headphones? Click on http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=bass+headphones. The Bass Ace is pretty awesome, but realistically there's not that big a difference between the cheap ones and the midrange ones, so just find one with a name you like and a normal design (I don't dig the round-y ones). You can, of course, just plug the headphones into whatever bass you get but I like the freedom of the self contained dealy. Learning? I have to agree: just messing around at first will be the best benefit (and it's free!) and you'll learn things intuitively that will come easy if you do decide to take lessons. Davey Darling has it right: there's a ton of free stuff out there on the 'tubes ("you" or otherwise) but I always think you get what you pay for. A real live in-person lesson can't be beat, but I wouldn't do that until I was comfortable enough with some basic stuff. And the best thing you can do, no matter what your skill level is http://www.cyberfretbass.com/scales/index.php. I still do it. Still don't like it, but it's the most helpful thing you can do, bar none. I personally never use a pick, but I think that's just preference. Maybe if I was playing some Slayer or something I would, but I mostly stick to things that are "groovy" if you dig what I'm saying. My personal problem is trying to put "stank" on everything, when many things require little to no stank. What can I say? I love it! So... yeah, sorry for writing war and peace down here but I just wanted to pass on a few things because I get excited when spreading the Gospel of Bass. Feel free to e-mail with any questions you might have. I'm on the opposite coast so I can't be real-life help, but I can offer advice at the speed of the internet and that's something. Good Luck! And don't get discouraged; keep at it and you'll be rocking sooner rather than later!

Hi. I play bass in a local gigging band as a second job. Everyone here is giving really good advice, in my opinion so I won't add anything to the 4 vs. 5 string, headphone jack, etc. Scales will vary on instruments, but I personally - unless you have really tiny hands - wouldn't buy anything that is specifically marketed as a "short scale" instrument. Yes, Craigslist. It is littered with teenagers that are selling their parent-purchased guitars for weed money. Definitely go to Guitar Center or local music shops and get some ideas of what you like, then find and buy what you like for 1/2 to 1/3 that price on Craigslist. Bring someone who knows what they're doing when you buy the Craigslist stuff so you don't get stuck with crap. Seriously, $300-$500 for brand new guitar and an amp is going to get you some equipment that you are going to want to ditch very soon if you actually like playing. When you ditch it, expect to get about $100-$250 back for it if you can actually sell it. The same amount on Craigslist will get you stuff that you probably won't want to sell as soon, and will retain a much higher percentage of what you paid. I've never met an amateur musician who didn't agree with this in the broad sense. Buy good condition used equipment.

Thanks, everyone, for the good advice and inspiration! I'll probably be MeFiMailing a few of you in days to come, so thanks for your kind offers of help. Rock on, my sister. SuperSquirrel, that brings a tear to my eye.

Yay for middle-aged bass playin' chicks! I am 45 and I still haul out my Fender on occasion. Only to be reminded of how much I suck at it - but it sure is fun. Anyway, my sense of rhythm improved quite a bit when I started practicing with a metronome. I don't know if that's what the cool kids do, but sure helped me. I'm assuming you took piano lessons way back when, yes? Do remember practicing your hand positions over and over and over, before you were allowed to play scales and whatnot? It's just as important to learn proper hand and wrist positions on the bass - and in fact may be more important for you with a history of wrist problems. (And face it - sometimes we lose flexibility as we age - it's happening to me.) Anyway, my point is it might help you to take a few beginner lessons with someone experienced at teaching beginners, just so you can physically get yourself in the right place for proceeding with the rock-out-itude. Rock on, my sister.

I'm 37 and (with a bit of MeTa advice thrown in), starting to rock out, very badly, on bass guitar. So go for it! I'm saving everyone's sanity by using one of http://www.behringer.com/LX1-B/, which are ace. I plug my Mac into the aux input so I can practice along to drum loops in GarageBand. But on it's own, it's still a really, really, great headphone amp. And very cheap, so you can throw more money at a decent, playable bass.

And my link to the auction is already dead. Sorry about that.

Long time bass player here, FWIW. I've been playing more than a decade and have been in and out of bands for years and years. 1) Standard scale is 34". I've got small hands and started on a short-scale 32" model and it was an easy bass to play, but I do just fine on 34"s, and that's what all my current basses are. If you can find in that price range a used Fender American Standard P-Bass (Precision) or Jazz Bass you can't go wrong. 2) Everyone says four but I play five most often. Unfortunately, Fender doesn't make great five strings. Well, the Roscoe Beck model was awesome but it's been discontinued (the five string version). So don't go Fender if you want five; the Roscoe five commands a pretty high price, at least on eBay ($1000+). But I do like the added range and miss it on a four, though that's driven to some degree by the fact that some of my music is written on a guitar tuned down a step. I don't find a five more difficult to play. My toughest bass is a twelve string but that's a completely different animal. 3) Most starting/practice amps have headphone outs. The only practice amp to get, IMO, is the Peavey Microbass. But it's also discontinued, which really sucks because it was the perfect practice amp. I'll never sell mine. You want the one that looks like http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM01/Content/Peavey/PR/Microbass.html or http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170189042247 (eBay). The Buy it Now on that auction is $45 and I'd hop on that if I were you, ASAP. 4&5) I took lessons for about a year when I started and I think it's generally a good idea. Sometimes self-taught people will have bad habits that are really hard to unlearn so a teacher is good to have. If I were in the Bay Area I'd show you the ropes and go to a store but I'm pretty far from there! 6) Have fun! Bass is a great instrument. If you've ever got questions don't hesitate to email or MeMail.

Thanks for all the good advice so far. I'm definitely planning to get good quality used equipment and have been keeping an eye on Craigslist but the variety of basses for sale is a bit bewildering to a n00b. Anybody in the Bay Area willing to hold my hand at a guitar store? I'll buy you lunch, or dinner, or a beer, or something. and I promise not to inflict my playing on you!

Strongly recommend you find friends to jam with; with a little practice, you will be able to contribute to an informal sit down in about 2 months, especially with your background. The Bass is a lonely instrument by itself; playing with friends (or at least records) makes it a lot more fun. Good luck, and welcome to the club!