Mid-Life Crisis Electric Bass

[KnottedYet]

I've wanted one since I was a teenager.

I'm not a teenager any more, but I still want one. I've never stopped wanting one.
I look at them on the internet. Bass porn.

I want to sound like John Deacon in two easy lessons...

What I really want is a lefty Epiphone oil finish Thunderbird http://epiphone.com/default.asp?Prod...ollectionID=12

What I can afford is a lefty Squier http://www.squierguitars.com/product...tno=0310760506

Lefties cost more than righties, but I play lefty. Even my uke is strung lefty. The Squier would be a special order, and I could choose body color and pick guard since it's a special order anyway.

Anybody have a Squier? They are something of a joke, but so will be my playing; I just wanna know if anyone is deeply disappointed in their Squier and wish they'd gone for the gusto and bought something else.

(confession time: I've tuned my uke like a bass. Oh, I'm so pathetic! Tell you what, this just doesn't sound right with the bass line played on ukelele: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-xVb1qsPCw )

[Mr. Bloom]

You are a teenager inside! Go for it! Can't help you to pick which one, but I know you're younger than your age!

[KnottedYet]

This one is kinda nifty, still a Squier, but outside my price range any way.
http://www.squierguitars.com/product...tno=0326722521

(I just can't spend as much on a bass as I would on a bike!)

[Tuckervill]

My son has a Squire guitar and it's fine. You won't be giving concerts right away anyway! He uses a beat up old flying V-looking bass covered in stickers that we don't even know where it came from. Still sounds good.

The way I look at it, because playing something less than ideal is better than waiting to play something perfect.

Karen

[azfiddle]

Go for it, as long as the set up is good. Then if you find out you really love playing, you can eventually trade up for something better.

[Catrin]

Go for it! I can't help you pick but I know you will enjoy it!

[7rider]

My brother plays a Steinberger (his is white).

Don't know anything about it, other than it's funky looking.

[Ninabike]

Hi Knotted, I haven't posted much lately because I have been off my bike with hand problems. However, I also play guitar and bass (hand problems don't help that either.) Anyway, I say go for it with the Squire J Bass. Remember, you will also need an amp. Guitar Center has some good deals on start-up kits which include Squire Bass and amp. You'll love playing bass!! For some good info. check out the site, Harmonycentral.com. I have also bought several basses and guitars on Ebay w/no problems.

[KnottedYet]

Ok, thanks y'all!

I guess Squier isn't a bad brand for a beginner after all. (Not the Walmart Box Bike of the bass world?)

I *need* to learn a new instrument. My brain is melting, I need to switch gears and get myself a new challenge.

Guitar Center has mighty nice cheap starter sets, but I can't find a set with a lefty guitar. I might call them, often a clerk does a much better job finding what I'm looking for than I do flailing at the website.

I have two LMS (local music shop) that I'd like to give my business to, as well. One was trying to talk me out of a lefty bass, but I really don't think I can switch. It's not like I'll ever be out on tour and suddenly need to buy a lefty bass ASAP because some roadie dropped mine as the hoards of shrieking fans threw themselves into him in an attempt to touch my sacred Squier. (so the fact you almost always have to special order lefties is moot)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I *need* to learn a new instrument. My brain is melting, I need to switch gears and get myself a new challenge.

I totally understand this. I have been playing banjo and mountain dulcimer for over 13 years now. This November I needed a new challenge somehow. Not that I had mastered the other instruments- I just 'needed' to make new brain connections and new sounds.
So I dragged out a bowed psaltery I had bought 13 years ago and never learned to play, and have been feverishly practicing it for the past 3 months. I love playing with a bow again- hadn't touched a bow since I was 16 and played cello in school. Playing medieval music on this psaltery- not my usual Appalachian stuff. Love the variety now.
I also have taken up playing the mouth bow and limberjacks. It's GREAT to be able to pick what I want to practice on any given day- now I have 5 very different things to play. It has revitalized my enthusiasm for all my instruments really.

[KnottedYet]

I keep running across this electric bass: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Dean-Pla...06-i1147921.gc (Despite Guitar Center's claim to have the lowest prices, I have found it for $129 here and there.)

Reveiws I've found have generally been quite positive. The price is good. The style is a bit more.... um.... bada$$ed than I envisioned playing, but it's definitely growing on me. The lefty appears to only be available in black, which is ok.

Anybody have an opinion on the Dean Edge 9? It is clearly a beginner level instrument, but then I am a beginner...

ETA: Never mind. I am now the proud (though a bit shocked) owner of an Ibanez. Special ordering a lefty is expensive, but when shops have a lefty in stock they are not shy about selling it for floor price rather than the order price. Strike while the iron is hot, eh? http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-GSR100EX

[malkin]

I *need* to learn a new instrument. My brain is melting, I need to switch gears and get myself a new challenge.

I love this!
Maybe everyone has this sometimes, but most people don't notice it, don't do anything about it and just end up grumpy and out of sorts.

[teigyr]

This is what I have:

http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog...php?model=ac50

The finish is custom. I wanted fretless because that's what I played (classical) and I figured that separated the girls from the boys. That and I really dislike frets. I haven't played it for ages, must dig it out and mess with it again. I wouldn't recommend a 5 string which is what I have. I don't know why I thought I needed that extra string but it made the neck thicker than I'm used to and I found I just didn't need it or want it.

[Biciclista]

oh, that's beautiful!! nice choice, Knot. Here's an old picture of me with my bass, Bob. Oo, Teigyr, yours is pretty too!

[KnottedYet]

I loooooooove my bass! I'm having so much fun!

Teigyr, that is one sexy critter! And Bici, very classical!

We need to form a TE band, eh?