And some headphones to keep the peace around the house. Most importantly, a tuner! Good luck.you won't make any money playing bass but you'll get lots of girls 
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We're talking one of the latest djent sticks or one of those classic rock paired octave string jobs?
I think both offer a lot in terms of range. .....but if you're not feeling like you can handle it (as you voiced concerns) what good is it?
I didn't move to a 5 until I put in a decade of just playing in. Not slapping intensively or tapping, just playing lines I felt were interesting that were applicable. I'm at the point where sometimes I feel maybe a 6 could be good, but then I'm going "well what would you use it for?". Like I'm not being facetious, just I can already get on someone's nerves with just a 4 string , do I really need to ruin my relationship with the guitarist by trying to get in on his range?
So 5 is where I reasonably stay.
This. Probably not a big deal, unless he threw it down the stairs or something.
I personally would not recommend a no-name 8-string bass to anyone, but especially not to someone who is just starting out.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
An 8 string bass is very limited in use, and not as easy to play. Unless you have a specific need for it. Much better to get a decent 4 (or 5, if that's your thing) and learn to play.
Let us know what broke on the GIO it may be a cheap easy fix.
Nothing wrong with those to learn on. They may be cheap, but any Ibanez can last decades, not a month.
Stick to 4 while you learn. Once you've developed a style and know where you want to go, then look again.
Nothing wrong with those to learn on. They may be cheap, but any Ibanez can last decades, not a month.
Stick to 4 while you learn. Once you've developed a style and know where you want to go, then look again.
Why would you need an 8-string bass?
That's the question.
I know people who wanted to learn to play and gave up in frustration just because they weren't comfortable with the 4-string they were trying to learn on and others who found a comfortable bass and moved on. A bass with a thick neck might not feel comfortable to someone, but an Ibanez or Squier Jazz bass might feel perfect, and vice versa.
Learning bass is hard enough without adding an unnecessary stumbling blocks.
Forget about this guy. Forget about Galveston or Amarillo or Brownsville or any other bottom-rung basses.
For $300 you can buy an Ibanez Talman 310/300 or a Squier CV Jazz or a Sterling Ray 4.
That's the question.
I know people who wanted to learn to play and gave up in frustration just because they weren't comfortable with the 4-string they were trying to learn on and others who found a comfortable bass and moved on. A bass with a thick neck might not feel comfortable to someone, but an Ibanez or Squier Jazz bass might feel perfect, and vice versa.
Learning bass is hard enough without adding an unnecessary stumbling blocks.
Forget about this guy. Forget about Galveston or Amarillo or Brownsville or any other bottom-rung basses.
For $300 you can buy an Ibanez Talman 310/300 or a Squier CV Jazz or a Sterling Ray 4.
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Get the bass you currently have fixed and see where that brings you to, if you're very much into it in a few months, start piling a little more money and get yourself a P-Bass and a J-Bass and you will have 8 strings to play with...
For 300 something bucks, you will get a better 4 or 5 string bass than 8 stringer where you pay more for the mere fact it's 8 strings. If you're 100% sure you need 8 strings and can sacrifice wood/build quality/etc for extended range, just go for it. But you are not 100% sure or else you wouldn't have started this thread, would you?
An eight string bass is a very niche instrument. What are the chances you'll even play music where you could use it?
I'll never be going there, but if I did, it would be a top tier instrument, not a cheapo.
As has been beaten on here, $300 can get you a nice used 4 or 5 string that will serve you for years.
I'll never be going there, but if I did, it would be a top tier instrument, not a cheapo.
As has been beaten on here, $300 can get you a nice used 4 or 5 string that will serve you for years.
An 8-string is only dumb if you think it is. A great bass player I knew back in the 60s had an 8-string Hagstrom bass - and when he played it, it improved the sound of his band immensely. It was killer!
To be fair, it probably won't work for many musical styles, but if you're playing pop or rock and you play melodically, its a great sound.
To be fair, it probably won't work for many musical styles, but if you're playing pop or rock and you play melodically, its a great sound.
- Apr 20, 2009
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Every thread with a question in the title should have a poll, shouldn't it?
o Yes
o No
o Carrots
o Yes
o No
o Carrots
There is some specific technique that you use to keep an 8 string (double coursed 4 string) from sounding like a buzzing, clanging mess. Having tried those kinds of basses (they were big 30 years ago), I have concluded that I don't have that technique available in my fingers. If it's 8 single strings, well, I pretty much just use the G string on my 4's for octaves, and anything higher than that would be in the way for me.
I think beginners should start on 3 strings, but given the difficulty in finding one of those, I'd suggest a 4 stringer until you've got a handle on playing it. After that, if you want to venture forth, go for it.
I think beginners should start on 3 strings, but given the difficulty in finding one of those, I'd suggest a 4 stringer until you've got a handle on playing it. After that, if you want to venture forth, go for it.
OP: if you're thinking that 'more is better' (number of strings) then i'd have to assume that you already have an expert command of 4 strings. sounds to me like you have some command of two strings. you might consider learning more about the other two strings before you invest in what some are suggesting is a questionable purchase for a dubious instrument.
good luck with your practicing!
don't do it!
good luck with your practicing!
don't do it!
I usually say “your music is your music” in these types of threads. In this case I would recommend paying attention to the feedback on quality. 8 strings at that price had corners cut someplace.
I think I can count on one hand (without using all five fingers) the number of "name" bass players that use/have used at some point an 8-string bass, and even then in a limited manner, ie., a few songs here and there.
It's kind of a niche instrument that can be interesting, and perhaps help to fill out the sound of a band - especially, say, a power trio - but for the most part is really not needed by anyone.
I'll have to echo what most have said here; as a beginner, you'd probably be smart to stick with a 4 or 5-string bass for now.
It's kind of a niche instrument that can be interesting, and perhaps help to fill out the sound of a band - especially, say, a power trio - but for the most part is really not needed by anyone.
I'll have to echo what most have said here; as a beginner, you'd probably be smart to stick with a 4 or 5-string bass for now.