Sandy 5

EJWW sounds like love mate, roll with it! I remember an article with Geddy Lee saying he started by singing what he was playing, finding words to match the rhythm. I've also had that tip from an excellent guitarist and singer. It's something I always mean to practice but then...I like to play more than sing haha

I'm not asking for you to tell me what I'll like, I'm asking what you guys like because that will include a few things that I never thought about and should really be investigated! Excellent, I've been recommended G+L ago I'll check them out. I'm not interested in overly powerful amps, as you say we're usually DI'd, but one that will cut through a rehearsal out gig when needed. The Aguilar looks decent, as does some of the lightweight Warwick stuff. Also the Markbass stuff, again looks like its worth checking out I've been impressed on the few occasions I've heard them. I used to mix amps as well as speakers...honestly a fun experiment but only worth repeating with better gear 😂 Thanks guys

Good advice. I'm very, very tempted by Dingwall, I'm going to head to bass direct to check them out for sure. I hope there's some ebony fretboards though! The Glockenlang looks decent, thanks for the tip

I've been checking the sale pages, nothing's quite tickled my fancy yet. Thank you though 😊

Those sound like good options, I'm passing familiar with Sadowsky and Lakland, and will investigate the others. Again that might have slipped under my radar! Thanks.

Andy S also, a metronome will help you develop a sense of timing, though arguably not groove, necessarily. I still think it's a tool well worth using. I still practice to one when I can't figure out my chops

That will be worth looking at, thanks Painy 👍

@skidder652003 iNice gear. I didn't make that much on my sales unfortunately 😢

I got a small fortune from selling my old gear! Enough for a good quality bass and amp anyway. I'll go for a five string probably. Fretted, I have an EUB I can use for fretless work... That's a few names I'd not even heard of! Brilliant, thank you

Haha one step at a time dude! Get your right working nice and steady, playing open strings, then work into your fretting patterns. Working in groups of four, one finger per fret, was where I started with that, just trying to get everything consistent. When it does your head in, have a five minute breather and try again. A little brain rest does wonders while you're practicing, information overload is a real thing!

The pick itself is the starting point, you get really flimsy picks on a bass and you will have an awful sound! There's a plectrum page on one of the other threads where people talk about their preferred picks...mines a Dunlop jazz III, they're thick enough to get good purchase on the string, comfortable to grip. Also think about where your hand is positioned on the strings, and the angle of the pick when you strike. You're after economy of motion, if your hand's doing a lot of moving you might lose some precision. Hope that's some sort of help!

Haha that was totally my deal. I'm still a terrible singer because I don't practice enough, but I'm loads better than I used to be because I learned about the mechanics of it. Getting a good vocal teacher and then spending the time developing the techniques will help. Or even just researching the basic mechanics of singing might give you enough of a clue to improve. 😁

It needs to be tonally versatile, and comfortable to play different techniques on. Most good basses have that. I'm aiming to get into a regular function band, and hopefully get some original projects going aswell. I've not been playing bass seriously since about four years ago, and intend to get back into it as a regular thing. However I'm stumped for space now so need a good little rig that doesn't take up much room. What I'm asking really, is what makes other bassists like to go for. I know my usual go to's, but I was curious to see if there we're any I'd overlook. Oliver mentioned Aguilar, who I would otherwise have forgotten about!

Thanks dude. See, Aguilar are a make I would have forgotten about! Fair enough, I'm off the ilk that doesn't really get on with Fender and I've loved the Musicman and Warwick I've owned. Main reason for change was they weren't really "me" any more. Thanks for that though, Aguilar are going on the list!

Hello everyone! I'm after some opinions. I've recently sold off a lot if old gear with the intent of replacing it. I need a more compact gigging amp, and a bass that's going to cut the mustard for all my bass needs, as well as looking decent. Duh. I've got a few ideas to try out, and I'm thinking high end basses. I want to try out Dingwall, maybe Warwick and Musicman again. Amp wise, Hartke do some great stuff, and the Mark Bass gear looks interesting. Beyond that I'll be playing it by ear (ba dum tsh) so if anyone has any strong opinions about high end gear, I'd love some more perspectives. Thanks!

Thanks guys. I love that there's a bad jokes page 😂

Might give them a shot next time I feel picky 👍

I find Jim Dunlop jazz III the best picks, I've used them on bass, guitar, and mandolin. I get a good degree of control from them compared to bigger or thinner picks.

Thank you 😊

Hi there, I heard about this forum from a lovely gent I sold my Vigier to, so I decided to check it out and say hello! I've been playing half my life at this point, mad to think that, but I love bass as I'm sure everyone here does. Keep it low out there 😃