Surfer-bee

I don't like it when I go into a music shop and I am made to feel like an idiot. So many times, I walk into a shop and I get snorked at (usually by male staff) because I ask a simple question. I am a completely self-taught bass player and I don't read music, but that doesn't make me a retard. I've always just been able to listen to a song and then play it. Folks should never be ridiculed by shop staff for not knowing something. How else am I to find out if I don't ask? Needless to say, I would prefer to buy online than to be made to feel like a small child. If you have a shop that has friendly, supportive staff then you'd certainly get more customers like me. And of course, range of goods, prices and honest staff are important too. People should be able to get something from your shop that they simply cannot get online. Help setting up guitars (I'd rather be shown how to do it than someone just do it for me!), showing newbies how to change strings, little extra freebies (picks, bags etc) are also good. Good luck with the shop!

Well I'm not sure my next bass will be a 5 string anyway- from what I've heard you have to pay a fair bit to get one where the 5th string doesn't sound rubbish. Unless I can find a comfy one with the right sound at the right price. I don't think I need to have a really tiny bass, I've managed alright so far on a pretty standard size. I only have a cheap little Freedom 15 Watt practice amp- no point in anything bigger or more sophisticated as I have neighbours to think of. I do enjoy using my Vox AmPlug though- my bass sounds so much better though it than the amp and it means I don't bother anyone else. One day I'll have a better set-up but there's really not much point at the moment. What music do I play? Lots of Jimi Hendrix, some Pearl Jam, Type O Negative... So mainly rock. I'm currently working on "Black Dog" by Led Zep, which is lots of fun.

I like lots of makes. To be honest I wouldn't say that I've played enough bass guitars to really have an opinion. At the moment I'm still trying to find "The One" whatever that make may be. I like all things bass and am hoping to use this forum to further my education on guitars and playing styles. Any tips on what to look for in a bass will be greatly appreciated, especially when I can afford to properly look for it. I only have small hands so I guess I'm looking for a well balanced, slim necked and light-weight design. I am also a sound snob, so the quality of the pick-ups and electronics also have to be decent. So far, I've been mulling over (and remember we're looking at the slightly more reasonably priced ranges): The new Tanglewood Overwater basses Warwick Streamer/Corvette Rockbasses Ibanez models

[quote name='markstuk' post='1235964' date='May 18 2011, 04:49 PM']Or Stingrays or Rickenbackers as well [/quote] Nah, I rather like Stingrays and Rickenbackers. Just can't afford either of them.

[quote name='JayPH' post='1235937' date='May 18 2011, 04:29 PM']Unless you start Dissing Fenders that is [/quote] I'll be sure to keep that in mind!

I think they were referring to more household/mainstream names than that. Paz Lenchantin is one of my favourite bassists ever (I love her work with A Perfect Circle). I think the point was that you don't tend to have to "dig about" to find the names of more famous male players now, do you? As for double bass, it's something I know nothing about so I wasn't including them in my assumptions. Not the sort of music I'm majorly into. I'm not getting into this debate any further. A musician is a musician.

Thanks guys... I guess there aren't that many really prominent lady bass-players out there.

I've noticed all the basses for sale... so very tempting! I think I need to sort my life out and earn some more money.

My first bass was a Wesley and it was a great guitar for what I payed for it. Unfortunately it was bright pink, so after I got a bit better at bass, it had to go and now I have a black Dean Playmate.

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum- at first I joined as you seem to have a pretty good community of second hand bass sellers, but really I'm always happy to chat to anyone about bass guitars. My knowledge is fairly limited as I am self-taught and mainly play by ear. I can't read music but tabs are ok when I'm a bit stuck (although they usually annoy me when I can plainly see they are not always 100% correct!). I have a black Dean Playmate 5 string, but one day I hope to be able to buy something nicer and more friendly to my tiny hands. My dream-bass? Hmmm, at the minute the unobtainable dream is an Alembic Darling. Other ones that have caught my eye recently are the beautiful and light Warwick Streamers. But yes, that is a long way in the future for me. My current mission is to learn to use a pick better. So yeah, hi!