JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Bass and Drum Forum I bought a bass!

Hi all,

I found what I think is a nice deal on a used bass & amp a couple of weeks ago. I'm having a blast, when I squeeze out a few minutes to practice!

I like the tone I'm getting fine, granted I don't know much, but it's a richer more than a bright tone which is what I wanted.

Anyway I'm curious about the equipment I wound up with, if any of you have any opinions (pro or con) to share, I'm listening.

It's an Ibanez GDR-200 "Soundgear" 4-string, with a Fender Frontman 25B 75W amp. Cable is unknown, but seems on the skinny side compared to my mic cable. I'm wondering if a higher-end cable improves the sound much?

Also--pardon my complete inexperience--if anyone can explain what-all I can do with the knobs, buttons, and pickups on this stuff, that would be cool. (that's not in the beginning bass book I picked up!) I can hear the tonal changes when I move 'em around, but I don't know what to call them. The bass has 3 pickups--one might be busted, since it doesn't seem to change anything when I turn the knob--but I have a shop or two I can take it to when I get a chance. I'm just noodling around with it, so I don't care a whole lot about that right now. (Got it cheap anyway) The amp has high/med/low dials, 2 inputs, 2 aux in, preamp out and power amp in.

What sort of equipment can I add to this setup eventually, that will do cool stuff?

Doing this just for the fun of it at this point--I'm not planning on taking it out of the house for a looooong time.

Linda




------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

Cool, Linda. Try turning the mids down a little and the bass up a bit and the treble up a a little less than the bass. I'm used to 2 pickup basses, on those, there's usually a knob for each pickup, or a knob to blend them.

Count your knobs and switches, if any, and post back. Describe them as though you're looking down with the neck to your left...the furthest right knob will probably be volume....then I'll takes some guesses. I played a buddy's soundgear bass once and it was fine. The Fender Frontman is a good amp. A thicker cable won't buzz as much, but if it ain't buzzin, don't worry about the cable until you're recording or playing a big gig.

Welcome to the world of bass

Mike

------------------
You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

Hey, Mike, you're quick on the reply there! Thanks!

OK--here ya go.

Looking down at it, with the bass in standing position--
If I can describe this well enough:

Left-most pickup (closest to the neck) is placed so it comes out from under the G-string about an inch. Next pickup is immediately next to that one, but is offset from the first so that it comes up from the E-string about 1/2 inch. The last pickup (most right) closest to the bridge is longer--holds 8 magnets (they are magnets, right??). Oh wait. I hadn't noticed this before-- OK, this is really a 2 pickup bass after all, isn't it-- The 2 neck pickups are both short, holding 4 magnets each. So it's a split pickup, with a control for each piece? Most likely? Any idea why Ibanez did that? Huh. Odd.

Moving on--there are 4 silver knobs.
One is smaller (left-most) and is definitely the volume.
They're arranged in a diamond pattern like this:
o____o
___o ___o (ignore the underlines--for spacing in HTML)

How to label that? OK let's pretend you're looking AT the bass player now. In that case the knobs are:

(b----------------------------------------
ri-----------------------------------------
dg-----------------------------------------
e)----------------------------------------

A____B
___C ___D
A=working pickup
B=working pickup
C=does nothing?
D=volume

No switches or levers. The only other thing is a battery panel on the back that says to make sure I unplug when not in use to avoid battery drain on the 9V battery inside. OK, whatever.

I'm clueless as to which knob works the bridge and which one(s) the neck--I should have brain enough to figure that out, I just haven't tried too hard yet.

It buzzes just a little if I have the volume way up. So I'll replace the cord one of these days.

Thanks for your help--hope it's not more detail than you needed! LOL

Linda


PS edited 'cuz, drat, my diagram didn't format out right (HTML condenses the dumb spaces!).


------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

[This message has been edited by adamszoo (edited 07-27-2006).]

[This message has been edited by adamszoo (edited 07-28-2006).]

Take a small screwdriver or knife and, with the bass plugged in and the amp on, very gently tap on one of the pick ups, first turn knob A up and down, then turn knob B up and down, you should be able to figure out which one controls which pickup. Knob C is probably a tone knob. Bass tone can be hard to hear unless you get some distance from the amp. Make sure you've got a fresh battery.

Another system could be: knob A is treble or bass, knob B is the other, and knob C blends from one pickup to the other, moving all the way one way gets only one pickup, the screwdriver test will show that. There are a lot of configurations.

Try moving Knob C and see if some of the buzz goew away, also try setting A and B in the middle to left position. Some knobs kick in a double coil (two coils put the signal out of phase and eliminates hum...never mind why...just believe )

The buzz may or may not have anything to do with the cord, most buzzing comes from a single coil pickup, especially if you're around dimmer light switches in the house or flourescent bulbs, especially older models.

Have you tried getting on the Ibanez website? They might have a manual you can download for your bass. Hunt 'em down with a search.

Have fun bassin'

Mike

------------------
You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

[This message has been edited by Mike Dunbar (edited 07-27-2006).]

Thank you!! I'll do the screwdriver test tomorrow, and Google for a manual right now.
You're awesome!

Linda



------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

Okay, so I was dead wrong on what I THOUGHT the controls were for. Here is what the wiring diagram at ibanez.com says on the GSR200 (http://www.ibanez.com/wiring/wire.asp?y=2005&w=GSR200):

A_____ B

____C_____D

A= REAR pickup volume
B= FRONT pickup volume
C= TONE
D= PHAT EQ

I'm feeling a little dense right now--I've bought other things 2nd-hand and run out to download the owner's manual right away. It never crossed my mind here! DOH. Another DOH on changing to a fresh battery... Yeah--when I pick up a $2 toy at Goodwill I change out the flippin' batteries!! Why my common sense did not translate over to this mysterious but seriously cool musical instrument, I will never know.

Thank you, Mike. Any further explanations on the above Greek ?? would be helpful too. ;-)

Linda

PS And I swear--I'm not even blonde. Yet more proof that maybe I shoulda' been.... sigh


Edited: I can't make the link work up there--oh well.
------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

[This message has been edited by adamszoo (edited 07-28-2006).]

Tone just gives you a simple bass, treble adjustment. I'd guess Phat EQ gives you a "scooped" sound, heavy on the bass, a little less heavy on the treble, and light on the mids (the way I described for your amp tone setting) this makes the bass sound good for slapping and popping, but it's a pretty useful sound for simple fingerstyle too.

Good Bassin',
Mike

------------------
You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

Sounds good, Mike--
I like it fatter with the EQ button turned up--nice sound. The way you're describing the settings sounds good to me too. It all makes sense now.

Thanks again!

Linda



------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

Linda! You're bassin'! Cool.

I love the bass. It changed my life, literally. It's an elegant, understated yet powerful instrument.

I'm glad you got one.

All the Best,
Mike

------------------
You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

Me too! On all counts.
Looking forward to being elegant, understated yet powerful.

Gotta love that!!

Linda

------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

BTW, Mike--
If you feel like indulging me here, I'm curious--

How did playing bass change your life?

Thanks!
Linda



------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

Sure Linda,

Well, I moved to Nashville in '79 to join a bluegrass band. I played rhythm guitar and sang. When the band split up, I played a lot of single acts and played lead in a couple of bands, but nothing to write home about. Then, in the 80's I started playing the bass. As a guitarist, I was limited, not fast enough to make any waves. As a bass player, I could groove pretty well and I knew enough about music theory to sight read number charts. I started getting calls to do studio work and began subbing for bigger bands and artists, I got calls to do live radio shows. To make a long story longer, I've gotten to play live and record with a lot of "names" in the music business (no big label hits, but a lot of stuff I'm proud of) and I've gotten to make a lot of really good music. Thanks to the bass. It's been a blessing to me.

All the Best,
Mike

------------------
You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

How the bass can change your life?! Well, I have a lesser but fruitful mention regarding this topic. I am a drummer by professional standing (working alot in the 80's (metal/rock) scene recording/playing. I played guitar, but in the midst of many great guitar players I'e played with, I wouldn't dare consider myself a guitar player. Anyway, about two years ago, I picked up a bass for my studio and to leard it. My long time friend (guitar player) showed me some theory (pentatonics etc..) and it was like my brain just switched into bass player mode. I bought an acoustic bass and can't stop playing it. I recommend any drummer out there to learn the bass, it will change your life the way you look at music and you will feel like you have so much more to contribute to writing, and generally in providing the "Full Rhythm" package. I love having the responsibility to playing both drums and bass with my writing/performing and recording partner. He digs carrying the mandolin. violin. electric/acoustic guitar job. Together, we make a pretty good team.
My two cents worth. Welcome Linda, and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Tom

www.soundclick.com/bozungandmoore

By the way Mike, nice work on your songs. I listened to them. Good bass tones. Care to share how you get them.

If you care to check out our Christmas Album

www.soundclick.com/bozungandmoore
Again,
Nice work Mike.
Tom

Thank you Tom!

Guess my next step is become a drummer. LOL

Welcome to the boards!
I'll check out your Christmas album too. I have a thread going on that on the General message board.

Linda


------------------
Linda Adams
Read about my novels:
http://www.alyssastory.com
Bits & pieces of music:
www.soundclick.com/lindaadams

Linda,

I played guitar for many years and then decided I wanted to learn bass so I bought a used Yamaha and a small amp, took some lessons and learned from a book. I really enjoy playing the bass and have found that it also improved my guitar playing. I find thr bass to be a very relaxing instrument and really enjoy being able to record a song that includes both guitar and bass. I even recorded one instrumental with the bass as the lead instrument. Enjoy your playing and welcome to the bass world.


Jeff

Another story of “How the bass has changed my life”.

I played organ in the first band I was in. I was fourteen. A better (and much more popular) band needed a bass player. I went out and bought a used Kay for 25 bucks, locked myself in my bedroom and learned every Grand Funk and Sabbath song I could. Played till the blisters would burst.

Tried out and got in the band. (Probably not because I was good, but, after all, I did have my own amp!). End of story? Nooo!

Girls would hang out at our practices. One in particular, had a crush on our lead singer. One day after the band played “Helter Skelter” several times, my thumb began to bleed. She had a band-aid. We have been married for thirty-four years now.

Was it the bass or the band-aid? Hmnnn.