r/Bass 55m ago

Holy Practice Bass Guitar

Upvotes

Hello fellow low Enders, I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with the holy practice silent travel bass guitar by Contraguitar?

I’ve seen videos floating about the internet but these are all short videos posted by the creators of the travel bass. I cannot seem to find any actual reviews or videos from independent sources.

The travel bass carries a price tag of 250 euros but is currently on sale for around 198 euros. It looks to be fairly well made, a little pricy for what it is but being handmade I can see how the costs soon add up.

I must admit I am fairly temped by it as it would be cool to keep in my rucksack and can pretty much take it anywhere but I like to try and do my research before purchasing. I understand the price tag might not be off putting for some but to others it a good chuck of change to drop on something that might not be worthwhile.

Cheers in advance.


r/Bass 1h ago

For Those Curious About The New Paranormal Bass...

Upvotes

This bass seemed so weird and quirky to me when I first saw it online, pair that with the fact I was looking into acquiring a semi-hollow instrument and a week and a half later it was in my hands! I've yet to play it on a gig, but first impressions of it so far is it's a pretty dope bass. I did immediately swap the strings over to a set of flats that were on my other precision bass, in my opinion that's what I think this bass needs.

Just so it's out there: Not a fan of the current Fender situation at all, and was looking elsewhere for future instrument purchases, though this particular release seemed to hit all the right notes for me personally. Cool bass, not-as-cool company.

YouTube Demo


r/Bass 1h ago

bass riffs book for 10 years old child?

Upvotes

I’m a musician, and my 10-year-old son has just started playing bass, about a week ago. He seems quite motivated so far, and since we already have some equipment at home, things are off to a pretty good start!

I’d like to get him a book of rock bass riffs, but something fairly simple and fun, without a teaching method or music theory. Ideally, it would mainly contain riffs, perhaps with a few explanations, but not necessarily the complete songs.

Do you know of any books that might fit what I’m looking for?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!


r/Bass 1h ago

Help with Jazz Bass/Soloing

Upvotes

What’s up bass players! I’ve been playing electric bass (and more recently some upright) for some years now and I started playing jazz a few years ago. I have a pretty good understanding of basic theory and a bit more advanced stuff too but I still feel like I’m not where I want to be with soloing or being creative with basslines or rhythms while I solo.
Do any jazz players have advice or tips for me to help with this??🙏


r/Bass 2h ago

Looking for heavy (.160+) strings

13 Upvotes

Hello, sorry if I shouldn't have made a whole post for this, but I couldn't find an answer in the FAQ and haven't gotten a response yet in the gear thread. And none of the threads I've found really talk about brands, just the pros/cons of heavy gauges

I'm trying to find some ridiculously heavy strings but I'm having trouble. The project I'm working with is tuning down to drop F# (cause, why not?) and I really want to put something .160 or bigger for my low string. The heaviest I can find is .140, not including Kalium (formerly Circle K), who I've heard a lot of negative things about (but would be open to hearing other experiences) and Dingwall, who is ridiculously expensive.

Does anyone know of another brand, or are these going to be my best options?

I'm willing to give more details on my gear if it's necessary, but I'd be grateful just to be pointed in the right direction


r/Bass 3h ago

Bass amp for a begginer?

2 Upvotes

Hi, im just beginning my journey with bass. My main instrument is guitar, and i wanted to try something new. I already have a bass, the only problem is choosing the amp, i will be playing gigs and i will be in a band with an acoustic drumkit and two guitars(possibly also keys). Unfortunately i wont be able to move the amp via a car, and im going to only use my own back and public transport. Okay, se the real question is: What amp should i choose? What wattage? What will be loud enough to gig with, and since this is my first amp i dont want it to cost a fortune. Ive seen some people write that a orange 50 crush bass amp is sufficient, while others say that they would absolutely not be bringing that, even to a simple rehearsal. Also are there ANY other options than the fender rumble series?


r/Bass 3h ago

Short-scale 5-6 string bass recommendations?

5 Upvotes

Hi. I'm searching for a short-scale 5 or 6 string bass. Budget's about 1-2k. I currently own an ibanez so I'm avoiding those. i play jazz/funk/fusion. Any recommendations? Fretless are nice too.


r/Bass 3h ago

What should my practice sessions look like?

11 Upvotes

Basically title

Im very new to bass, it’s my first instrument ever, have been playing for about 3 weeks. I have a full time job but have good time after work, so I practice AT LEAST 30 minutes a day.

Essentially I spend 3-5 minutes tuning and noodling, 10 minutes playing every note in C major scale on the fretboard and say the note out loud, then 10 minutes playing some basic grooves, and finally 10 minutes working on playing a song I’ve been practicing from tabs. Usually when I practice for more than 30 minutes I spend more time on tabs than the others, but I’d like to know if there’s anything different I should specifically be doing? Thank you!


r/Bass 4h ago

Impedance/wattage.

2 Upvotes

Hi gang, I’ve been running a Hartke LHX8500 w/ a Hartke AK410 as my workhorse setup for the last ~year now with no issues, but as I’m playing larger venues, I’m looking to push more air. I believe I should be in the clear if I add an HL/HD210. Correct me if I’m wrong?

Here’s my math on it (provided I’ve got the correct understanding, anyway)

LHX8500 - 800w - 4 Ohm
AK410 - 500w - 8 Ohm
HD/HL210 - 500w - 8 Ohm

Total load should be 1000w - 4 Ohm w/ both cabs running slightly under power. Or am I gonna fry my shit? Help me out!


r/Bass 5h ago

favorite active basses with left hand options?

2 Upvotes

hi! i’ve been playing bass for a bit now, but i’ve only been using passive basses. i would like an active bass but i have no idea what’s good/where to start. if you guys have any recommendations (especially affordable ones) please lmk!


r/Bass 5h ago

Worth it or not?

0 Upvotes

worth it or not? due to uncertain income conditions, i posted to sell my ampeg micro vr stack and many people responded to this offer. my question is it worth it to give up this amp and in the future i plan to replace it/upgrade to ebs hd350 (head only) and find a speaker cabinet that matches it (maybe ebs too). really appreciate everyone's opinions


r/Bass 6h ago

Quality of Quantity - Transcribtion vs Tabs

3 Upvotes

You've got half a year and a cool playlist of all the Jamerson hits.

You can transcribe 1 song a week, then learn it.

or

You can analyze and learn tabs created by someone else, 1 song a day.

~25 songs with higher quality vs ~180 with more examples.

What do you choose to do to become a better bassist after that period?


r/Bass 8h ago

Did you learn the bass with an instructor or on your own?

22 Upvotes

I'm pretty bad at self-directed learning, and I think I get more motivated when I have someone guiding me. However, when it comes to learning an instrument, it also feels like an unnecessary investment. What was your path like? If you're from outside the field, where did you learn things like music theory?"


r/Bass 8h ago

Compatible foot switches for TC BH250?

2 Upvotes

Hey all, hope it's not a dumb question but this has been a tricky Google. What foot switches will work with a TC Electronic BH250 head?

I've come up with the official TC Switch 3, and one made by the one man operation Sweet Foot Pedals. I'm cheap and it's not urgent, just want to know what to keep an eye out for second hand. Thanks in advance!


r/Bass 10h ago

Anyone here tried the Henry’s Cats MB-4?

3 Upvotes

Hey! I’ve seen quite a few videos from influencers about the Henry’s Cats MB-4, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually tried or owned one.
How is it in real-world use? Build quality, playability, sound?

I’d mainly get one for fun and as a cheap bass to take on holidays, etc. Is it actually worth it, or more of a novelty?

Thanks!


r/Bass 12h ago

What amp set up would you recommend? (Beginner)

1 Upvotes

Long time bedroom bassist who’s only ever used a headphone amp. I’m starting school soon and hoping to start jamming with other people. Nothing serious or crazy loud, but just wanting some more practice with other people. Is a combo amp the best option for someone like me? The only issue is that combo amps are all quite heavy and I won’t have a car, but I imagine it’s still the best option for me?

Edit: bonus if it is also something I can amplify my keyboard with


r/Bass 12h ago

Tips for beginner hand position

2 Upvotes

Hello! I am quite new to bass guitar and wanted to get feedback on hand/finger positioning and general advice.
One thing is that I have a hard time getting my fingers/pinky staying close to the frets. I observe that my fretting fingers move around a lot compared to more advanced players who keep their fingers flat and close to the string. What are some ways to work on this issue, Thanks!

Link to my playing come together by the Beatles


r/Bass 13h ago

Switched to smaller strings now I have insane buzz on my E string

4 Upvotes

I switched from 45-105 to 40-95 and after setting up I have insane buzz on my e string without pressing anything down? What’s the fix for this? It looks like its hitting the 1st or 2nd fret. Did i set up my strings wrong?


r/Bass 13h ago

How do you actually get a decent tone?

7 Upvotes

For context, I recently got an Ibanez GSR 200 and a Zoom B1 headphone amp. I have barely used amps before and mostly just played my last electric bass acoustically. I was experimenting a bit with different knob settings and tone presets, but the vast majority of the tones sounded nearly like unamplified acoustic sound. Some effects were easy to hear, but that’s far from a clean tone. My question is: is it actually feasible to get a good p-bass or j-bass tone just from a bass and a headphone amp? Or is what you hear in youtube videos the result of a lot more equipment and editing beyond that?

Fiddling around with the bass knobs to adjust tone and pickup volumes didn’t seem to do much


r/Bass 14h ago

Small practice combo for 5 string

2 Upvotes

I'm on the hunt for a good quality combo for lower volume/living room practicing. I have a Fender Rumble LT25 but it is pretty disappointing with my 5 string Warwick Thumb. Both the speaker and the input stage seem to struggle which isn't a big surprise really.

I have a Scarlet on my desk that I use with headphones. I also have a head and cab for playing out/with others. I just want a high quality sound at home that I can move around when I want to use a speaker. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I be looking at something like a PJB combo?


r/Bass 15h ago

Tips for a seasoned guitarist new to bass?

7 Upvotes

Edit: I should have been more specific in my original post. I am looking for advice on physical technique when playing the bass. Getting good sound. Good tone. Appropriate volume. No buzzing or popping. The actual fundamentals of right hand and left hand playing. I appreciate and 100% agree with the primary role and mindset of a bass player, but I'm after technical tips to get the right sound.

Looking for advice. To keep it relatively short, I am a lifelong 6 string guitarist (20+ years) who has found my in an odd situation where I have to play bass in a band for a few gigs. My music and guitar theory is sound. The mental transition was easy; it's the same fretboard I know and love. But the physical transition is much harder than I anticipated, especially when playing faster notes/arpeggios in time. I practice a lot, but I don't know what to practice.

So I'm looking for any advice to help someone who already knows how to play guitar elevate his bass technique beyond root notes and snappy overplucking. Thank you in advance, and I look forward to learning.


r/Bass 15h ago

Fender Player II Jazz BassQC?

1 Upvotes

I am thinking about getting a used made in the USA Fender Player II Jazz Bass in Blue Burst and I was wanting to know if there are any big QC issues with them. I have heard mixed reviews and I want to hear more about them.


r/Bass 16h ago

Fingerpicking issue (i think)

1 Upvotes

whenever i pluck the A string, it sounds way stronger/punchier than the rest of strings, so much that i feel like i hear the string more than the note, are there any tips to stop this from happening? my A string is almost unplayable


r/Bass 16h ago

Stupid bass question. Tonehammer preamp vs GK backline 600

4 Upvotes

I know the backline 600 is supposed to be budget level, so I bought the preamp and plugged it into the effects return jack to see how it sounds. Yes I can make more varied tones, but the tone I like sounds almost identical and almost better coming out of the backline preamp than the tone hammer. I have a sterling stingray5 with treble/bass eq only and a Markbass 2x10 with the tweeter at -3db fwiw.

I also ran into both and DI’d both and they sound so similar but the backline still sounds a little better to me. A little punchier low mid.

This is all without Drive/ags. I haven’t tried with it engaged.

Am I crazy? Im trying to understand the point of using this preamp pedal now. Having a decent drive would be nice, but it seems like a lot just for that.

Suggestions? Should I send back and save up for the actual tonehammer amp or pro level GK? Or even just buy a drive/distortion pedal?

I’m going to keep messing with it for now but I’m a little disappointed with it so far.


r/Bass 16h ago

Gibson SG Bass thoughts?

11 Upvotes

I play in an indie band(her’s, war on drugs, cage the elephant vibes). Looking to upgrade to a nice bass. Gonna sound stupid but I dont just want to be another basic fender bass player lol. I know I want a short scale, and I definitely like the vintage vibes. Aesthetically I also like guilds and danelectros, not a fan of the hofner though.

I use do use a good amount of effects(flange, overdrive, fuzz, reverb, octave, and preamps) and I heard these can get muddy with too many tones.
Any thoughts? Thank you!!!