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Will take a look 👍🏼
I think that I am going to give learning bass a go as well.
Given that I have my 2020 holiday budget to blow on something else now. I can afford something reasonably decent. What do you think is the best option, go cheap until I decide I like it and then commit. Or get something bottom end proper (like a fender player jazz bass) that I could probably sell on for a decent amount if it spends the next 12 months gathering dust? Does that price point retain decent value? (ignoring the fact that there could be a glut of second hand guitars on the market next summer).
I'm not a bass guitarist, just learning it, but from playing acoustic guitars it is much more fun to learn on something nice rather than bottom end. Think of it a bit like bikes - you can get by on a BSO but it's much nicer on something a bit more mid range and you are more likely to pick it up and play. Fender Player Jazz looks a good option but I think you can go cheaper and still have a good time before you get to the real bottom end. There are some real bass players on here that will know better. I've got a cheaper Yamaha which plays nicely but the electrics have never been fantastic - the jack socket and pots are a bit noisy. Easy enough to fix though and that's the only problem I've had with it.
I had a Fender Jazz, sounded lovely but went out of tune if you’ll looked at it wrong. Go all out and get a Musicman Stingray, lovely bass. In all seriousness though get something cheap in a package with a decent practice amp to start with.
a 2k bass is too much, but on the other hand I don't really want to go cheap, I want something that is at least sellable if I don't take to it rather than becoming landfill.
I def agree with buying something decent, but you don't have to go mad for a first go particularly if it's on a bit of a whim.
If of any interest I have a Talman TMB100 just like this one (same colour) that I'd sell for £80
New price is around £150; I've had it a year but I struggled with a shoulder problem and a full scale bass hurts it reaching to the low frets (I didn't realise that it was hard until I went into a shop and played a short scale and found it SO much more comfortable) - so now I have a Squier Mustang.
Only issue with it is that one of the knobs is a little sticky; in the review there's an inner and outer and on one of the two sets they both move together. You can move them separately by holding one still and maybe someone with more nouse could easily fix it. Otherwise, unmarked.
For anyone looking for bass kit, worth having a look at Ashdown Engineering website during the lockdown they are having a warehouse and workshop clearout.
They have put a lot of items on their B-Stock page.
Don't forget your stance. This boy has nailed the STW aesthetic to a tee. The hair (now a skullet), those stacked heels, the keenly pressed jeans with pin sharp crease.
You can almost smell the heady mix of melted Crocs, Hai Karate, old leather, damp canvas and mildew caravan.
I’ve just bitten the bullet on my first year with Scott’s Bass Lessons. Did the 14 day trial and realised there’s a lifetime worth of lessons, practicing and exercises there. I’ll never get through it all but I’ll always have something new to do. They also have a busy forum and group exercises which I haven’t gotten into yet. He’s also constantly uploading new content.
FWIW I've just done the same. I can't remember what I first tried years ago but this seems way better. The lessons are very similar to other courses in that it's a mix of technical skills mixed in with music theory and timing. It's not very 'linear' in that there isn't a path you go through and you come out as a great bass player. Rather there is a group of courses that you will probably go through a good few times and each time you will spot something you probably didn't before. Really what they want you to do is get up and running and then try and play along to stuff you know, either copying or making your own lines up. The inspiring part is in the forums seeing what other people are doing and it motivates you to want to try it yourself. Some of the other stuff I had tried was a bit dry and you went through the course but it never really made you want to play. It seems like a lot of the life is in the forums, especially the monthly thing where he looks at what other people are posting and asking questions on. There are clearly a bunch of people who can really play but there are enough others to make it not too show-offey
Likes
After a stuttering start, I've just resubscribed to the fender play course and loving it. Looks a though the free trial has been extended - I just needed to use a different email address to sign up again.
Nathan King, of Andertons All About The Bass videos, brother of Level 42 bassist Mark King and guitarist in Level 42, all round fantastic musician is doing online lessons for all abilities. Find him on Andertons YouTube channel, social media, etc.