40 year a drummer new to bass

[MarkOnBass]

They say you’re never too old to learn, well I guess I am about to test that theory. I’ve sat on the drum throne for a few decades, (a little acoustic guitar and piano/keys too) and decided it was time to develop skills for the other side of the rhythm section, wanted to for years but the longer I left it, the less likely it seemed it would happen, until now..!

Bought a Marcus Miller Sire V3 from local music store Andertons and going through my sons old practice amp (he never really took to bass).

Working my way through Hal Leonard Bass Method - complete edition. And just picking random songs and chord charts to strum root notes to in order to get familiar with notes on neck.

No idea if I’m on the right track, but figured this forum may be a good companion on my new journey. Looking forward to learning a new skill in my 50’s...

Wish me luck..!

 

[Malcolm35]

Luck. The book you listed will get you there

Welcome to the bottom end

 

[CallMeAl]

Welcome!

that Sire could easily be a lifetime bass. Unless there’s something specific you don’t like about it (like the style of pickups or the scale length) rock that thing!

how big is the amp? What are your goals? I find 25w is enough for me for at-home practice. 100-200w for jamming with people.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to TalkBass!

 

[MarkOnBass]

Welcome!

that Sire could easily be a lifetime bass. Unless there’s something specific you don’t like about it (like the style of pickups or the scale length) rock that thing!

how big is the amp? What are your goals? I find 25w is enough for me for at-home practice. 100-200w for jamming with people.

The Sire is pretty good I admit, TBH it was the cheapest of the basses I tried and I liked it enough. The only slight change is as a drummer over the years I came to prefer the Motown P bass sound, but at my level I think there is enough adjustment for me to get a comfortable sound, at least for a while.

The Amp I have is a Ashton BA20, it sounds OK at very low volume, but if I turn it up a bit or turn on the active mode on bass at any level it just distorts, so currently considering at Fender Rumble (very light to carry), maybe 40 or 100. Not that I need 100 to practice, but it’ll save me buying another amp I think when I do take it out.

All to be decided, will focus on the important part for now, that’s the practice...

 

[CallMeAl]

The Sire is pretty good I admit, TBH it was the cheapest of the basses I tried and I liked it enough. The only slight change is as a drummer over the years I came to prefer the Motown P bass sound, but at my level I think there is enough adjustment for me to get a comfortable sound, at least for a while.

The Amp I have is a Ashton BA20, it sounds OK at very low volume, but if I turn it up a bit or turn on the active mode on bass at any level it just distorts, so currently considering at Fender Rumble (very light to carry), maybe 40 or 100. Not that I need 100 to practice, but it’ll save me buying another amp I think when I do take it out.

All to be decided, will focus on the important part for now, that’s the practice...

Definitely the amp then. I use a P bass with a Rumble, great for the Motown sound. My Rumble 100 is a powerhouse. I use it for rehearsals with drums, and gigs (with PA line.)

so IMHO I think that’s a great goal and would serve you for years. Upgrade the amp and really make that Sire sing!

Favor the neck pickup and bump up the mids, get 90% of the way to a P bass tone. That should hold you over til you can afford a proper P