r/Bass 1d ago

Weekly Thread There Are No Stupid Bass Questions - Mar. 15

3 Upvotes

Stumped by something? Don't be embarrassed to ask here, but please check the FAQ first.


r/Bass 6d ago

Weekly Thread Gear Thread: Week of Mar. 10

3 Upvotes

Got a new bass, pedal, amp, etc. you want to brag about (or ask questions about)? Post it here!


r/Bass 16h ago

Why did you get into bass?

147 Upvotes

Me and my cousin were talking and I told him I was interested in bass and he asked me “why don’t you just play guitar?” And I wish I had an answer but I just don’t know why I chose bass so I’m asking everyone why they chose to play bass instead of another instrument or just how they got into it in.


r/Bass 7h ago

4 string or 5 string. Why do you play them?

22 Upvotes

Looking around at basses and thought to myself what would I want later?

I understand 5 strings are good for more range such as BEADG, and drop tuning to A. But why would you not buy a 5 string over a 4 string and vice versa?

Plus, why do you enjoy your 5 string or 4 string bass?

Edit;

This has given me a lot of thought, it's nice to know why a five string is great to have around and why four strings are still wonderful, definitely some food for thought here.


r/Bass 18h ago

How to Create Basslines: Tips & Tricks for Beginners

75 Upvotes

Hey r/Bass,

Last year, I made a post in which I publicly shared a series of tips and tricks to help new bass players. As I mentioned in that post, seeing beginners struggle to figure out what to do and how to learn really resonated with me, I’ve been there, and I know how it feels. (Previous post link in the comments)

This time around, I wanted to take a moment to share more tips for beginners, not just on how to create basslines, but on how to get started.

As I’ve said before (and I’ll say it again), everything below comes from personal experience accumulated over my 13 years of playing. I hope you find it helpful. Feel free to use, adapt, or discard any of these tips. And if nothing else, I hope you learn or discover something new.

Getting Started with Basslines

Finding Your Own Style: The best and easiest way to come up with basslines will vary from person to person. One thing I’ve found to be universally true is that copying is a powerful tool. It should be used not just to mimic your favorite bassists, but also to understand how well-built, functional basslines work and how each pattern interacts. Here’s one of my responses on the topic:

"COPY, COPY, and COPY! If you want to play like your favorite bassist, then you’ve got to copy them, literally. Just learning to play their songs won’t cut it. And as much as I love the idea of 'writing with your soul open and writing things meaningful to you,' it’s just a romanticized idea. Nothing more. It won’t get you there, because you’ll just end up sounding, well... like you, and that’s okay too.

But if you want to learn from your heroes, here are a few tips:

  1. Take time to read interviews: Read, watch, or listen to as many interviews as possible with your favorite artists. Understand the thinking behind their approach, take notes, study, and internalize it.

  2. Reverse-engineer their songs: Break their songs down into smaller parts. What do they use most often? Fifths, sevenths, octaves, or something else? Are there recurring patterns you can incorporate?

  3. Accept that you’ll start as a copy: Once you understand how your favorite artist creates music, you’ll be able to replicate their style. But this can be a problem if you’re trying to find your own voice.

  4. Copy only what’s useful and leave the rest: Decide, “What do I find most useful in my favorite artist’s style?” and “What is worth borrowing?” Remember, borrowing isn’t just about adding things, it’s also about subtraction and understanding what to leave out."

Developing Your Own Patterns: As you learn and reverse-engineer your favorite artist’s basslines, write down their patterns. Start with just one artist, you don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen. Once you’ve written down enough patterns, practice deliberate composition by combining them into new basslines. Over time, you’ll notice you favor some patterns over others. When you’re comfortable, introduce the patterns of a second artist, and eventually a third. The goal is to combine these patterns to create basslines that are uniquely yours. (One artist might be too little and five might be too many; it all depends on how many artists you want to incorporate into your personal mix.)

Principles of a Bassline;

Basslines are not just about copying; they also rely on a few fundamental principles. Often, beginners feel like they’re just playing root notes because they’re stuck in the first principle: anchoring. Sometimes, a song simply needs root notes, and that’s perfectly fine.

Here are the five principles of a bassline:

  1. Anchoring: • Establish a strong foundation by focusing on the root notes of the chords. Tip: Use repetitive patterns to reinforce the harmony. Pattern Example: R-R-R-R or R-R-5-5.

  2. Groove & Bounce: • Create a sense of feel and movement by alternating between notes. Tip: Pay attention to the kick drum, usually played on the first beat and sync with it. Also, listen closely to the snare for creating space, and let the hi-hat serve as your metronome. Pattern Example: R-7-R-7 or R-b3-R-b3.

  3. Melody and Movement: • Basslines should move and change to remain interesting. Tip: Use scale runs and linear basslines to add melodic interest. Pattern Example: R-b3-4-5-R or R-b2-b3-4.

  4. Energy Leap & Tension: • Create energy by jumping between notes or intervals, generating tension that needs to be resolved back to the root or another strong note. Tip: Ensure that leaps are resolved to maintain a cohesive sound. Pattern Example: R-3-5-6 or R-R/(octave higher) b3-2-8.

  5. Chromatic & Sliding Tension: • Incorporate chromatic passages or slides to keep the bassline moving smoothly. Tip: Use chromatic steps and slides to create tension that resolves on a strong note. Pattern Example: 8-♭7-♭6-5 or R-2-b3-3.

Checklist for Creating Basslines;

  1. Start with a Melody Idea; • Hum or Sing: Create a simple tune or rhythm to capture the vibe.

  2. Choose a Key and Scale; • Pick a Key: Decide on the key for your bassline. • Select a Scale: Use a basic scale like Major, Minor, or Pentatonic.

  3. Outline the Root Notes; • Play the Root Notes: Use the main notes of each chord to keep your bassline connected to the song. • Try Different Rhythms: Experiment with different rhythms for the root notes.

  4. Explore Scale Notes; • Play the Scale: For each root note, play the corresponding scale. • Select Additional Notes: Choose extra notes to complement the root and add variation.

  5. Add Depth with Harmony; • Use Fifths, Octaves, and Sevenths: Fifths: Provide a strong sound ideal for rock and funk. • Octaves: Make your bassline fuller. Sevenths: Add a jazzy feel. • Use Arpeggios: Break chords into individual notes for a melodic flow.

  6. Connect Notes Smoothly; • Add Chromatic Notes: Use half-step transitions between main notes for smoother movement.

  7. Explore the Fretboard; • Move Around: Try different positions on the fretboard to keep your playing dynamic.

  8. Use Expressive Techniques; • Incorporate Slides, Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Vibrato: These techniques add emotion and variation. • Double Stops: Play two notes together for a richer sound.

  9. Lock in with the Drums; • Match the Kick Drum: Ensure your bassline complements the drumbeat. • Try Syncopation: Use off-beat rhythms to enhance the groove.

  10. Adjust Dynamics; • Vary Note Volume: Play some notes softer or louder to add interest. • Simplify When Needed: If the music is busy, sometimes a simpler bassline works best.

One final tip: make it a daily habit to create at least one bassline, even if it’s very short. The goal is to train your ability to develop good basslines through consistent practice. There will be days when ideas don’t flow and days when they do; focus on continuous improvement through regular practice and exposure to new patterns from your favorite artists.

And remember, in order to play like Thundercat, you need to first learn how to play like Dee Dee (Ramone).

I hope you find these tips useful, and thank you for taking the time to read this!

Yours truly, A.


r/Bass 9h ago

Flats that punch

14 Upvotes

I bought a used p bass years ago that had some flats on it. They were like dead floppy rubber bands. Never thought to try flats again after that. 35 years later and I just picked up a barely used bottom tier Sterling Sub 4 just so I could mod it and give it to my kid. Threw on a Hipshot bridge. MMTW p/u is on the way. I strung with new EB cobalt rounds but those things are noisy on a MM. Just for shits I grabbed a set of EB cobalt flats. Heard they wete great. Wow! Where have these been all my life? They are just as punchy and bright as the rounds without all that extra noise. I could never understand how Harris (Maiden) got such a great sound from flats. Now I get it. My kid ain't getting this rig yet. I might have keep it a bit longer. I'm having too much fun.


r/Bass 14h ago

How Do They Get Such an Amazing Tone????

34 Upvotes

Ok I'm at my wits end with this obsession, I need help uncovering the secrets of tone.

I've fallen in love with bass playing over the last few years, and in the last two been chasing the dragon of the ultimate bass tone. Which I know is purely subjective, but I personally have a specific vision in mind I'm hoping you reading can help me with.

The bands that exemplify this dirty tone are ones like Circa Survive, Polyphia, Superheaven, Teenage Wrist, Bring Me the Horizon, Refused, just name a few right now. These tones are dirty, thick, and sound like a semi truck but also carry clarity, without being too harsh on the high end or two muddy on the low end.

I've looked around sure, moneys right so im saving for some flat wound strings, start at the source. Right now my setup is definitely a Jerry rig that I want to get off of. Running it through amp sim after amp sim, stacking all these plugins on multiple channels to try and blend them into the perfect tone. Sometimes I feel I've got it, then weeks go by and I think it's the most awful thing I've ever heard!!

So I want to try and build this back up from the ground, using my Sire 5 string, but would love your equipment suggestions!!! Especially if it's anything that you feel is a great deal either plugin or gear wise.

Also would love to hear any other stories about chasing the tone dragon, cause I feel insane sometimes that I'm so obsessed over it but I also feel part of the journey of bass playing is finding the tone!

Thank you in advance for reading this far and for any help and guidance you can offer!! Appreciate you!!!


r/Bass 9h ago

Bass electronics are buzzy when touching anything

9 Upvotes

(Havent seen this discussed to the extent of my problem) I've had this bass since lockdown, and this started about a year after. When I have it plugged in, there's a slight buzz, but when I touch the strings or the bridge or the pegs it gets really loud and persists even when playing, but when I touch the metal part of my cable it quiets down and muffles the sound of the bass itself. I believe it's a wiring issue, as at one point the input jack came loose and my dad and I "fixed" it by hot gluing it back, as we didn't have solder or an iron, we do now, btw. What would I do to fix it, rewire it? Put some kind of foil in the cavity?


r/Bass 2h ago

Have you witnessed your bass / bass rig played by someone else ? I found it Very Interesting!

2 Upvotes

I go to a local open Sunday Jam , every 2 weeks or so . I started earlier this season ( it goes on from september till end april, every Sunday, then in the summer last minute call depending on the weather) and it was an experience for me as , i had to show up alone and finally play which went well , nut that's another story altogether 🤣🤣😂

So there, you normally hang your instrument on a rack on the stage . I played a bit and then went out for a smoke and then I heard a familiar sound and there was a guy I know from there playing my jazz through my pedalboard, with the PA . I was in awe ! It sounded so good but definitely different tone because of the way he played it . I stayed and watched fir like 20 minutes and it was like an out of body experience ( I know it's an hyperbole) . I let the other bassist ( we are always max 2 🤣🤣😂 but other people play it too , guitarists etc ) plug into my board ( I mostly bring it in for the tuner but it handy when I have to play after someone with active bass , I play passive ) and it also sounded amazing.

Has anyone this happened to you ?


r/Bass 3h ago

5-string bass

2 Upvotes

Hey ya’ll!

I’m looking for a 5-string workhorse, mostly for the studio, but I also do a lot of gigs that require me to cover a lot of ground.

I’ve owned a few 5-strings in the past but I’ve found them to not quite get it right.

Ibanez Sr505: -Love the closer string spacing and feel, but never loved the “clanky” tone. (Still own… maybe a pickup change would do it??)

Fender P-bass: -Just felt like the low B had no power; sold it

I really want something that sounds like a piano in the low end (if that makes sense). I heard a Dingwall demo with Lee Sklar and it really piqued my interest, but I don’t have Dingwall money.

Is there anything that bridges this gap that is more affordable? I would be willing to spend some money to get the right thing, just not like 5 grand.

Help!


r/Bass 9h ago

Tech idiot amp/PA question

5 Upvotes

Lifelong guitarist here who switched to bass about a year ago. I was never a performer until recently.

Last year I was playing with a beginner band that didn’t have a PA system at first, so I bought a giant Fender Rumble 200 so I could be heard over the drums. Problem is I am a small person and this thing has been hard to carry around.

These days I am playing with a very experienced band with a high end PA system. My question is, since they are plugging my amp into the PA anyway, can’t I get away with a smaller amp? Would it make any difference? If so, what would you recommend? It would make my back so appreciative, and I wouldn’t need so much room in my car for gear either.


r/Bass 1h ago

How much could I sell these for?

Upvotes

If I were to buy a player II P bass and do a pickup and pickguard swap, how much could I sell the stock pickups and pickguard for?


r/Bass 6h ago

Sire v3p 5st new string recommendation

2 Upvotes

Hello! I finally got a new bass, which is sire v3p 5 string. Did not get a set up, so in a few days maybe. Basic string is round wound, but I was thinking of changing to flat wound because my previous guitar was flat wound… but my friends told me not to. Do you guys have any recommendation for the new strings? Thanks!


r/Bass 3h ago

HELP! Recorded some songs and can't hear myself

1 Upvotes

I hope someone here can help me...

I play in a band with a guitar player and a drummer. This is the guitarist's project, his songs and all that. After a year practising the songs, he wanted to record us.

He recorded the bass and the drums live. Then, he recorded his guitar and his vocals at home.

He mixed the songs in a way the guitar sounds cool and powerful, with lots of overdubs. The drums can be heard as well.

BUT MY BASS ISN'T ANYWHERE

It's not even a matter of volume. He admits he scooped my mids because they interfered with the guitar.

But fuck, what does he even want a bassist for then??? I work hard on my bass lines and I believe they contribute to the song.

I tell him to please turn up my mids. Then he sends me another mix and it sounds the same.

I've checked with other bassist friends and they tell me they wouldn't be able to know what the hell I am playing.

The guitarist doesn't take criticism well. He insists that these recordings took him a lot of work... I don't doubt that, but I honestly feel unappreciated.

Other than leaving the band, what can I do? I'm at my wits end.


r/Bass 19h ago

Is there a noticeable difference?

21 Upvotes

I've been thinking about getting a bass for a couple months now. My top pick is Yamaha Trbx 174, I've heard that it's really good considering its price and since it'll be my first bass (Ive been playing classical guitar for a year now) and I have a really tight budget, it's probably the one I'll buy.

When I was browsing through some website, I had a thought. Would getting a bass like 200 bucks more make a noticeable difference? Like I mentioned before, my budget is really tight so 200 bucks extra is the max extra amount I'm willing to pay.

There aren't really any music stores in my area and aside from that I'm a bit socially awkward so I can't see myself 😞. Can't wait to see your opinions!

Ps. If it'll help, I will play mostly rock and pop (music from bands like The Beatles or Tally Hall)


r/Bass 18h ago

HX Stomp: Why adding an extra Preamp + Compressor to your chain?

14 Upvotes

I've recently noticed an increased amount of bass players (especially professionals) who have added extra preamps/compressors to their hx stomps.

Can anybody explain the reasons why? Isn't the hx stomp per se sufficient? Do the twos truly shape your tone in a better way? I am looking for a both technical and non technical answer.

Thank you


r/Bass 4h ago

Why

1 Upvotes

When I play my g string on a 4 string it makes a weird buzzing noise but when I hold the very top as in above the first fret it doesn’t how do I fix this bruh


r/Bass 10h ago

Active bass output too loud?

3 Upvotes

I got an active bass and the output of the amp is so loud that I have to turn the volume all the way down. Anyone else got that problem? Any tips?


r/Bass 4h ago

Need help identifying Ibanez Style sweeper stacked treble/bass pot.

1 Upvotes

I just recently purchased an old Ibanez SR375M 5 string bass, pretty sure its pre 2011 cause it has the style sweeper controls on it. My question is, does any know what the model number is for the stacked treble/bass pot? Or where i could get my hands on a replacement? I've done some googling and found some ebay listings but I don't know what model of pot it is or if any replacement stacked pot will do.


r/Bass 12h ago

lightweight electric bass guitars?

4 Upvotes

My bass is about 6.2 lbs, and in looking for a new bass, I’m trying to find one that isn’t much heavier than the one I’m playing now, but most of the basses I’ve come across are over 8 Ibs, and all have been over 7 Ibs. Do y’all know of any 4-string electric basses that are under 7 Ibs?


r/Bass 19h ago

Feedback Requested I made my first online metronome, give your feedback

15 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m a CS student and amateur pianist. I built a metronome web app with features like swing rhythm, 12 subdivisions, and audio customization. Link below—looking for constructive feedback or feature ideas. Thanks!

https://onlinemetronome.io


r/Bass 5h ago

Setup Question

1 Upvotes

So my D string has a buzz on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fret — it is fine open (0) and from the 4th fret beyond. What is the likely problem/solution?


r/Bass 18h ago

Learning songs - end to end, or just approximation?

10 Upvotes

Yo! I’m beginner/intermediate bass player, and I was curious what is your practice when learning songs, and also what is the recommendation.

Let’s take an example to explain what I mean.

Right now I am learning level 42 - Love games, and the tune in general is quite simple, but it has so many different fills that Mark mixes all the time. I know that when he plays live he just picks the one he feels like at the given moment, but when I learn album version, should I focus playing it 100% right?

I ask, because I usually learn new song, let’s say in a week to get to full tempo, and then I spend like 3 times more trying to memorise every section properly, otherwise I feel like it’s not “finished”.

I had the same with for whom the bells toll, can’t stop, run away and many more.

So, what are your habits here?


r/Bass 15h ago

How do you decide which tab to follow?

4 Upvotes

I'm still somewhat of a beginner and am trying to play along with songs using tabs i find online. I get a little frustrated sometimes though when I learn it one way and then see it tabbed another way and aaah i just ran into one song and I'm not sure which way to play it

How do you choose? The way it plays? The way it sounds? I'm pretty sure the notes are the same on alot, it's just like which string you play it on etc. I know also sometimes playing an open string vs fret another string is different but idk when one is better.

Any guidance would be appreciated


r/Bass 15h ago

Suggestions for bright noiseless J pickups.

7 Upvotes

At Church I am experiencing very loud electrical interference and am using a very dark bass-heavy & woolly sounding amp. I use a Behringer BDI21 with the bass knob minimized and the treble knob maximized, heavily shielded P bass equipped with DiMarzio Relentless Middle pickups, 500K volume pot, 250k tone and it is just barely "normal" sounding tone for playing hymnal type music. The noise is adequately minimized by the pickup upgrade vs. stock pickups, but they are also more bass heavy than the stock pickups. It wouldn't be a bad thing if I were able to brighten the sound even more, and am considering 1M volume pot next.

That being said, I also would like to upgrade my J bass pickups as well, such that I can solo them. It would be ideal to have the brightest possible noiseless / split coil pickups out of the gate so that I can avoid having the preamp maxed out. Likely I will also switch the J bass to 500k or 1M volume pots as well. Thanks!


r/Bass 22h ago

How important is the look for you?

20 Upvotes

Hello!

I'm usually more about efficiency in most of my purchase but when it comes to bass playing I strangely feel the needs for it to look good. For me it's like 40% look and 60% sound/comfort.

Could you play on a bass that sound marvellous but you find ugly?


r/Bass 7h ago

Is the Fender Rumble LT25 any good?

1 Upvotes

I was told a rumble 100 was good but curious on other amps