I Just Bought A Bass Guitar......

Cafe Society
1

… on EBay. I paid 250 dollars and it’s a Galveston 4 -string accoustic-electric, and it can be found here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=2504061397&rd=1

I play a Takamine Jasmine accoustic electric as an amateur (I am primarily a drummer), but I am having trouble with my fat stubby (arthritic) fingers trying to make the chords on my 6-string without blocking the sound, so I thought I would switch to bass where there are fewer strings and I can place and pluck, not strum.

Also, aesthetically, the bass matches the Jas’ in color (deep blue) and shape, and I just fell in love with it. I am not in a band right now, but I miss it terribly, and so that’s another reason I bought the bass.

My question to you bassists is: Is it an okay instrument for me to start on? (I realize it’s a moot point, since I already bought it, but I tried to find the company, and it seems they are no longer in business). What I need to know is if any of you have ever tried it and what you thought of its action and sound? Also, would you recommend a good “starter-bass player” DVD?

Thanks

Q

2

Well, I’ve never had any experience with Galveston… but as with any new thing, it’s generally best to try it out as inexpensively as possible to “test the waters” as it were. My opinion is you did all right there. As far as learning bass… if you play 6 string, you already have a good start on it. You undoubtedly already know the notes on the neck (same as the top 4 on a 6 string), so you just need to pick up a little technique, much of which you can get by turning up the bass on your stereo and listening to the style music you want to play… Then, maybe pick up some tablature form www.olga.net to “see” what you hear… the rest is practice.

Most of the videos I have seen tend, mainly, to be a forum for the star of the video to show off… sometimes a good thing, rarely as instructive as one would like.