Bought a bass - SX SJB-57

[Robert****]

I broke down and ordered one of these from Rondo Music - http://www.rondomusic.net/sjb57.html

The color is a 3 tone sunburst. I figured it would be worth it, even considering paying the shipping and duty. Everyone seems to think they are way better than Squiers and other "cheap" basses, so what the heck, let's get one and find out, I'm thinking!

And now the "Brown Truck Waiting Game" begins...

[tot_Ou_tard]

Coool, Robert.

Pretty soon you'll be a one man band.

Slap that bass!

[duhvoodooman***]

...Everyone seems to think they are way better than Squiers and other "cheap" basses, so what the heck, let's get one and find out, I'm thinking!

It's the only way to know for sure! At that price, why not!?! Assume we'll be seeing/hearing some clips posted!

[marnold***]

Sweet! Let us know what you think!

[Robert****]

Yep guys, I'll let you know all about it!

[SuperSwede]

Looking forward to some sweet jazz bass grooves Robert...

[Katastrophe]

Congrats, Robert! I've never ordered a guitar through the mail, but I would imagine the waiting part sucks quite a bit... Give us a review when it comes in!

[r_a_smith3530]

Congrats Robert. I'll be waiting to hear your impression. I'm GAS'n for one of their toofless Jazz basses (hmm, how to break it to the wife!), but I sure wish they offered them in that Lake Placid Blue!

Yeah, I know about that "Brown Truck Waiting Game" thang, having just gone through that with my G&L.

[Robert****]

It's here! I'm sitting here playing it for a few minutes on my lunch break. Wow, it's really nice! The neck is awesome! Smooth and shiny maple, mmmm!

[Robert****]

To quote McDonalds...

I'm lovin it!

What a great little inexpensive bass. It sounds really good through my audio interface. The pickups must be good in this thing. I will have to learn more about basses now... I'll try and record something over the weekend, for your listening pleasure.

[Spudman***]

Good to hear that it is a good one. Now you are going to become Mr. Slappopfunkmiester. BTW no matter what anyone says it is perfectly ok to play bass with a pick. Stu Hamm, Geddy Lee, Jonas Reingold, Chris Squire all use picks sometimes.

[Robert****]

I play with them fingers tho... sounds much betta!

Although now they are sore... need to build up that skin'n flesh!

[r_a_smith3530]

Cool! OK Robert, now you've got to get a bass amp. Check out the Ibanez SoundWave amps. The price was reasonable and the sound was decent, at least that was the case with my old 35 watt practice amp. I'd still have that little amp today were it not that I wanted a real "gigging" amp, and 35 watts is just a bit weak for that.

The SoundWave amps come in 20, 35, 65, and 100 watt versions. With the exception of the 20, they all feature tilt-back design. Most allow incorporation of a CD player into the mix, and I believe they mostly all have headphone jacks.

http://www.ibanez.com/accessories/series.asp?i=15&l=2

Hartke also had some decent, reasonably priced amps as well. Of course, if you start looking at the used market, your choices expand exponentially. I've recently found a couple of older 100 watt Peavey's in the $100 - $150 range. The deals are out there if you have some patience and the cash to jump on the right amp when it comes along.

Keep your eyes open at the local music and pawn shops and watch Craigslist as well. Hey, enjoy the bottom end!

[r_a_smith3530]

BTW no matter what anyone says it is perfectly ok to play bass with a pick. Stu Hamm, Geddy Lee, Jonas Reingold, Chris Squire all use picks sometimes.

Operative word there Spud is "sometimes." Real bass players pluck them big old strings with their "finners!" That way they can feel all that soul drippin' off that bad boy.

[Robert****]

Thanks Rob! Those Ibanez look nice. I'd want a light amp if possible. Do you know anything about the Behringers - http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHBX600 or the 30w version. I would probably only play small gigs, and not often either, do you think a 30w would be enough?

[Robert****]

I recorded a quick jam last night - check it out at http://www.dolphinstreet.com/guitars..._electric_bass

What do you think? Excuse the weird drum fills.... I was just messing around.

[warren0728]

hey robert....i had a hard time hearing the bass lines...the drums were ahem "a little" overpowering. Maybe you could remix and crank up the bass track a liktle. What i did hear of the bass sounded good and as usual the guitar stuff was great.

ww

[marnold***]

Good to hear that it is a good one. Now you are going to become Mr. Slappopfunkmiester. BTW no matter what anyone says it is perfectly ok to play bass with a pick. Stu Hamm, Geddy Lee, Jonas Reingold, Chris Squire all use picks sometimes.

If Geddy Lee does use a pick, he must do it sparingly. Anyway, I would still encourage Robert to use his fingers. I started out playing bass with a pick because that's what I was familiar with. After getting Rudy Sarzo's instructional cassette back in the day, I switched to my fingers and never looked back. Why? Muting is much easier. You can switch between various techniques quickly and easily. I used to drop my pick all of the time--no problem anymore Also, I had a p-bass which is pretty bright for a bass already. Playing with a pick makes it even brighter. That was suboptimal from a tone perspective.

I don't know what I'd do if I went back to bass now since I lost my first three fingertips on my right hand in an accident. My index finger would work OK, but I lost so much length off my middle finger that it's hard to play. I'd still probably figure out a way one way or another.

[Katastrophe]

Awesome, Robert! I like the way the bass sounded from what I could hear. Sounds like you made a great buy!