My 9 year old daughter has decided to, well..

[flipper35]

I am not sure how to put this so I will come right out and say it. After 3 years of piano lessons and learning some guitar she has decided she wants to be a...




BASS player. She filled in for our bass player last August for the praise team at VBS when we played a bunch of re-worded Beach Boy's songs and really enjoyed it. It was her first time playing bass and she played without music but she has had some guitar lessons and played a piano Christmas concert for my in-laws last year by ear.

So, my parents bought a smaller used Yamaha bass for her to play on and I have a couple questions. I can set up my guitars fine but don't have a clue on a bass. It does sound like it lacks bottom end punch but she currently plays through my guitar amp (Crate CR112 20w/50w overdrive). It has a bad connection on the 1/4 jack (I can fix that part at least) but I don't think that is the cause. The pots are a little dirty as well and I can do those. The neck pickup is considerably closer on the 2nd and 3rd string than on 1 and 4 and the bridge is canted as well. It looks like the neck needs a little adjustment as well but I don't know the proper specs there either.

If anyone has some guidelines to help set this up properly it would be appreciated.

Also, what's a good practice amp for bass?

[Seahawk]

She'll need a hat...

[rouxroux]

Very good! Many great female bass players out there (going back to Carol Kaye). Too many variables as far as set-up is concerned without actually seeing the instrument. As far as good inexpensive practice amps, might I suggest the little Hartke Kickback 12. also has XLR line out and a headphone jack...Pretty lightweight and affordable.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

She'll need a hat...

I forgot about that, thanks.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by flipper35

I forgot about that, thanks.

Brent, I think it is great she plays...

[crustychief]

Awesome!!

[Superman]

I am quite happy for her. Honestly, I feel sorry for guitar players. There is no way they can impact the songs like the bass player does. It's a unique instrument and only a few musicians "get it." We call them "bass players." If she develops good ability, she will have no trouble finding work. 'Course, almost nobody makes more than gas money playing in a local rock band, but the point is that she will be sought-after. Drummers and bass players are kinda hard to find. Guitarists are dime-a-dozen.

Anyhoo.......virtually all basses need to be taken to a good luthier for a professional 'setup.' Some musicians know how to accomplish a decent setup. It makes a world of difference. Truss rod adjustment, bridge adjustment, fret dressing, blah blah.

And she will need a small amp that is designed for bass. I really like my Ampeg BA-115HPT, but they are around $300 on Craigslist when you can find them. The Hartke that rouxroux suggested might be better for her anyway. Smaller, less spendy.

Congrats. This is good news. Bass players are very cool, and playing bass is a WHALE of a good time. I can't imagine playing any other instrument.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

She'll need a hat...

....also will need to start chain-smoking and learn to slouch.......

[nostatic]

Electric Bass Guitar Setup Guide

Not a bad start on setup information. The lack of low end could be due to a number of things. If you post a pic or two maybe we can help. Playing through a guitar amp is part of the problem - they generally have little in the low end. When you say the pickup is closer to the A and D string, I assume it is a split pickup (Precisions style)? That should be easy to adjust.

There may be issues beyond what you can do though. Some/many inexpensive basses have fundamental problems that require more than just a tweak. They generally are playable but might not be that fun to play. The good thing is that we live in a time where new cheap instruments are actually pretty darn good. You can get a perfectly serviceable bass for $200 no problem, less if you buy used.

[flipper35]

Don't feel sorry for us guitar players, well me anyway since I have a good day job and play for a hobby.

She couldn't stop grinning when she filled in for us but the big fender was too much to stand with for the poor kid so she sat most of the time.

I will clean the pots (gotta do the Strat anyway) and fix the connection for the jack and take it in to have it set up. I will see if they have the Hartke there and see how it sounds. The Crate is my practice amp from nearly 30 years ago.

Need to find a good instructor as well. If she sticks with it I am sure a better instument will be on her list. She still wants a Strat Mini to play around with, go figure.

Strings? I like the Danelectro on mine for the 50's and 60's sound but several different brands depending on the mood I am in. She likes classic/hard/metal rock and classical music.

[Superman]

I recently scored a Squire (low-end Fender) Jaxx "Vintage Modified" maple-body, maple-neck, maple-fretboard with those cool black rectangular fret markers (I am told this is a copy of the 1962 Fender Jazz). I will post a pic one day. She's a looker. Anyway, apparently Squire is getting an excellent reputation for some of these lines, like the Vintage Modified. This bass is made in Indonesia, but is notably higher quality than my Made in Mexico Fender Jazz. It is my new favorite bass. Got a screamin' deal on Craigslist for $140.

Truss rod adjustments are tricky. You need to know what you're aiming for. Some folks like a perfectly straight neck, and some folks like a little 'relief" bow in the neck. A long straight-edge and some feeler gauges is really the only way to assess neck straightness. Yes, musicians can learn how to accomplish a 'decent' setup but it takes some research and practice.

I still don't have a hat, but I'm on the lookout for one.

[nostatic]

D'addario are relatively cheap. Be prepared for sticker shop on bass strings vs guitar. The good news is you don't need to change them nearly as often.

Is the amp just for practice or will she use it to play out? That will impact your choice. Also, imho avoid Behringer stuff. In the smaller/inexpensive bass amp world the Hartke would be cool (though possibly pricey), and cheaper Ampeg, Acoustic, and Fender is ok. If she really wants to be cool find an old GK 400rb head and a 1-12 bass cab and rock out.

[Superman]

For strings, I am becoming a round-wound guy. They sound better. Without a doubt.

As far as becoming a good bass player goes, I am not a good bass player so I am unqualified to give advice, except to say that it takes a fair bit of work. She needs to really LISTEN to the original songs and figure out those original bass lines. Practice practice practice. If she enjoys practicing, and if she does it often and long, she will get good. As she develops proficiency, there are lessons and books and videos that can help her. Time. Lots of hours practicing. Jamming with other musicians, and by herself.

[flipper35]

I really like the Schecter guitars (my next purchase) since they play like my Strat but have active EMG pickups for a little grungier tone and I can keep the cleaner bell tone on the Strat but my neice thinks the Schecter bass has too heavy a tone for her. A lot of players here like the Fenders.

I will probably just take it to the local shop as I doubt it would really cost much and I really don't know what I am aiming for. Straight enough neck with no buzz I guess.

[scottmandue]

Small bass = no bottom... get her a used P-bass, will not loose value if you need to flip it.

+1 on the Hartke Kickback... I have the 10... great sound and doubles as a monitor that can plug into the board if you need to play for a crowd.

Strings = Rotowound, nothing else.

[flipper35]

I have no doubt she can pick up the lines, it is the technique I would like for her to learn. Fingers, slapping, picking...

I was hoping that she will have strings last longer than me. I go through sets pretty quick on both the acoustic and electric but the acoustic strings don't last long at all.

Looks like Ernie Ball and D'Addario aren't too bad price wise.

[flipper35]

[QUOTE=scottmandue;6458855]Small bass = no bottom... get her a used P-bass, will not loose value if you need to flip it.
QUOTE]

Big bass = long reach for 9 (10 on the 19th) year old girl.

Now that she has a bass she wants a 10/22 for her birthday. Kids.

[nostatic]

Depending on the tone you like you can easily go 6 months or a year on a set of strings. I change mine about 1-2 months but I have grown fond of a fairly "piano" type of sound at least on my Fodera. On my Rob Allen I still have the original set (almost 2 years old) but they are nylon tapewound flats - different beast.

Actually you can get some great low end out of a short scale bass. My Rob Allen Mouse was 30" scale (about the size of a guitar) and it had huge booty. For a 9 year old, see if you can find a Gretsch Electromatic Junior. I almost bought one of these - easy to play (though you'll need to set them up) and they sound pretty awesome.

Gretsch G2202 Electromatic Junior Jet Short Scale Bass Ebony Burst

[Roosterrusek]

My take...don't get a P-Bass...I would get her a Jazz Bass if you must stay with Fender. Ibanez also makes a s-load of great basses that have some great attack, sustain and low end for great prices.

The other thing about the Ibanez basses are that the neck size is smaller and more manageable for a womans smaller hands...a bigger neck might frustrate her.

Last, technique....when you look for a teacher, you should ask what their thoughts are about technique. It's really REALLY not just strap it on and start wailing. Look at the left hand, it should be curved with ALL 4 fingers above the fretboard and not have that little pinky curled up like so many players do. It lessens your ability to play fast and clean if you have to move that pinky up from a curl. Also, bass positioning on the body...it does not have to be all the way up a la' Jimmy Haslip, but again from a economy of motion POV, it is easier on your fretting hand to play clean and fast and have access to the higher frets. It might look cool to keep your bass down at your knees, but you won't be able to play like I do!

[Roosterrusek]

Musicians Friend has a ton of Ibanez basses....this one a pal got used on Ebay. I set it up for him and it plays sick fast now. Not quite what my Tobias is but mine is, well it's a Tobias.

Ibanez SR500 Soundgear 4-String Bass: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend