Bass players ?

**Howard Clark** · 5th November 08, 02:07 PM

I just got a new one. Haven't got a new musical instrument in many years. It is kind of fun. Cort Curbow five string. I really like it !

**bawright** · 5th November 08, 05:38 PM

great....the brotherhood of kilted bass'ts?...BAW

**smaughazard** · 6th November 08, 11:13 AM

Congrats, Howard! I have a Cort bass as well, although not a Curbow (mine is an 80s violin body 32" scale - for that Beatles vibe), and they are excellent, if underrated, instruments. Just be careful, or you'll end up with six or more basses… or at least I did.

**Howard Clark** · 6th November 08, 11:51 AM

This is my second. The first I have had since 1978, it is an inexpensive Epiphone from "back in the day". I haven't done much with music for almost 30 years except play a little bit of classical six string. I got drafted by the folks at church to help with the little live "praise band" project, because I can play bass. I couldn't help myself, I just had to go out and get myself a new one. I traded a Pimentel hand made student classical guitar for the Curbow. In terms of dollars, I hurt myself a little bit, but I traded a pocket knife for the classical in the first place, so... I was happy. I did not have cash in hand to buy a new guitar right now, and have never really played the one I traded (I have another classical I like better). I would really like to have a six string bass, but that's gonna have to wait for a bit while the cash flow recovers. This could put a serious dent in my kilt habit if it continues.

That looks like a fine bass! I have not played any of the violin body style ones.

So far I am very impressed with this Cort, and I was not really expecting to be as much as I am. So it is all good.

**Lily** · 7th November 08, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by smaughazard

Just be careful, or you'll end up with six or more basses… or at least I did.

Does it matter how many basses you have?
As long as you don,t trade the old(er) one for a new one.
Hubby did once traded one of his guitars and is regretting it till this day ( and I am too)
He bought 2 days ago another 12 string guitar and a belt pack as well.

**Cat** · 8th November 08, 04:26 AM

Congrats! I've been a guitar player for 20 years now, but a couple years ago decided to switch to bass. I bought a Fender American Jazz and did my best Geddy Lee impression. Had a ton of fun and still regret selling that bass...

My massive callouses are gone (played DR Lo-Riders stainless steel strings), but I have TONS more respect for bass players because of that! It's such an important instrument, yet so under-appreciated! Keep it up, and mix it up playing with both your fingers and a pick (I preferred finger-style, but some stuff, like Jane's Addiction, just didn't sound right without a pick.)

Not sure what you listen to, but a lot of the older prog-rock stuff (Rush, Yes, even Pink Floyd) is a great way to expand the standard 4/4 bass stuff that most people think about. Learn "Money" note-for-note, and I can guarantee you'll be a better player (it's got a great bassline, and it also switches time signatures, from 7/8 to 4/4 and back.) Yes's "Roundabout" and Rush's "YYZ" also really pushed me.

**smaughazard** · 8th November 08, 12:23 PM

Well, I've been playing for about 40 years, and I've played "Money" and "Roundabout" -even stumble through "Birdland" and "Peg". But if you want to hear what a bass is capable of, take a listen here:

http://www.manthing.com/

**threebanger** · 9th November 08, 08:40 PM

I can't find an actual picture of mine, but here's what I have. A Warwick Corvette Standard 5-string. I play it like the gorilla in the Samsonite commercials, but I have fun.

**Howard Clark** · 9th November 08, 10:34 PM

Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons are the standard sword polishing music I listen to all the time. I have not tried the bass part yet, but I will. I have been playing along with a Coyote Run CD that my kids really like (so do I). You might say I have very eclectic musical taste. I can already see another one in my future.

And as a bonus, me picking up bass again has caused my younger son to become interested in guitar. We have our first lesson on Wednesday. I do not know how well it is going to work for me to teach him, but we are going to try it. I think it will work so long as it is done like any other music lesson. At least that's where I'm gonna start.

Music is good !