new to bass

[boner]

Hi i'm new to the bass, and i'm old:mrgreen: just wondering if you can help me.My kids bought me a bass off Ebay, and it has 3 pick ups and all the basses. I have looked at have two. can i convert it to 2 pick ups. What would be involved.Will it matter or should i change it
regards
boner

 

[5stringwonder]

You say it has 3 pickups? Not many models have more than 2. Usually signature models like the Stu Hamm Urge II Fender Bass. Doesn't really matter. 3 pickups would probably give you more options that's all. No need to change it at all.

 

[boner]

Its like this one
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-ET...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:1|39:1|240:1318
,but i have put ernie ball,hybrid slinky bass strings. On it and i have some new tuning machines on order. That's why i was asking,as i said my kids bought it, for me so i cannot sell it and buy a better one.
regards
james

 

[5stringwonder]

that's actually 2 pickups. the one in the front near the neck is called a P-Pickup or Precision Pickup. It's a split pickup which is why it looks like 2 pickups.The one on the back near the bridge is a J Pickup or Jazz Pickup.

You can check out more info in our Bass FAQ. http://soft.com.sg/forum/bass-rookie-corner/66087-bass-faq.html

 

[boner]

Thanks mate, but i would still like to buy some better pickup. As i like to improve things, will changing them make a differance
regards
james

 

[5stringwonder]

Changing them should be an improvement but there are a lot of factors to consider ie construction of the bass, type of wood used, electronics, etc. that would affect the sound of the bass.

 

[ahkiatt]

Changing the pickups will probably improve your sound. You may want to look at brand name pickups like, DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, Nortstrand, Bartolinis, etc...

Bro, may I suggest an alternative to you, talkbass.com.

There are many more Australians over there, there are also many more threads on different pick ups, installation, and a lot more nitty gritty details. Apart from that, the Off Topic sub forum is really addictive.

Of course I'm not saying that we aren't equipped to help you, but it'll offer alternatives and more help is always good.

 

[FourSling]

Boner, mate, welcome to the world of bass! Am assuming a) you've played the bass, mucked about with it, and the sound is not to your liking and b) you've got a luthier ready to knock in those tuners and new pickups. It's a job best left to the pros if you don't know your way around a soldering iron and circuit diagram. Second the recommend on talkbass.com, but also further recommend looking up a friendly bassist at an Aussie pub and talking to him/her about the kind of sound you are LISTENING for? Jaco type rich mwah? Jason Newsted type growl? active configuration? passive? etc etc... this gives you a general direction for the kind of pickup change you are looking to put into place and also gives your references (the bassist and the luthier) some clues as to setting you right.

 

[boner]

Boner, mate, welcome to the world of bass! Am assuming a) you've played the bass, mucked about with it, and the sound is not to your liking and b) you've got a luthier ready to knock in those tuners and new pickups. It's a job best left to the pros if you don't know your way around a soldering iron and circuit diagram. Second the recommend on talkbass.com, but also further recommend looking up a friendly bassist at an Aussie pub and talking to him/her about the kind of sound you are LISTENING for? Jaco type rich mwah? Jason Newsted type growl? active configuration? passive? etc etc... this gives you a general direction for the kind of pickup change you are looking to put into place and also gives your references (the bassist and the luthier) some clues as to setting you right.

Yes mate i used to play lead,30 years ago give it up when i got married.Then my daughter played drums to she decided it wasn't cool for a girl.Then last year i said i would like to play bass, and my kids bought me one:-D it's not a good one but its a start. Changed the strings to ernie ball hybrid slinkys it made a big difference, but at the same time i found the machine heads. Are loose so i have to replace them,whats a good machine head to buy
regards
james

 

[benjso28]

Thanks mate, but i would still like to buy some better pickup. As i like to improve things, will changing them make a differance
regards
james

Change to a better brand pickup like EMG, Bartolini and etc will improve the sound but if u r not comfortable with ur current one, buying a new bass might be more worth it than all the upgrading. (I know your children bought u the bass, so nice of them).

Some people like passive pickups while some prefer active (with battery), think you can visit pickups website to listen to sample.

Next, Do you like the sound, the feel? Adjusting the neck action (lower it) can help improve playability. Getting an external preamp like Aguilar, Sadowsky and etc can improve the tone. The bass amp that you use and your eq settings can determine your sound also.

For Machine head, just get something that dun go off tune easily, hipshot tuner might be too expensive, normal one will do.

Like wat some of them mentioned, the wood, the electronics, strings and even how you play, can affect how u sound.

After improving your gear, experimenting with sound, time to start playing something.
Concurrent will be good, ie - play and experiment, listen to pros..

Who is Jason Newstead? Who is Jaco Pastorius? Who is Victor Wooten? If you do not know them, can always visit www.bassplayer.com or www.bassplayer.tv to listen to good bassists and also get to know those who play the same genre as you.

Some people spend so much time on gear but can't play the instrument well. Will like to hear some lead playing on ur bass

Cheers,

Ben