New Respect for Bass Players

Been banging on a guitar for over 50 years and can rise almost to the silver rim of mediocrity even by today's standards with a 6 string.
 
Bass however another monster. Have had to do bass in various sessions over the years and has always been a physical challenge for me on several levels.
 
Have a 60's Fender Jazz which is a complete burnout to complete a song in one piece. Got also an Ibanez SDGR. Great sound and easier to play but still can't get thru a 3 minute song without falling apart.
 
Then the curse of a guitar player trying to play a bass and not screw up everything because the mental approach is still playing a 6 string, and not remotely in tune with the concept of what it takes to play a bass correctly.
 
Did a repair on an ancient Gibson EBO bass with a neck that was thin and almost as easy to navigate thru as a guitar. Joy to play but don't think they make these any more.
 
Any advice?
 
Fender used to make a 6 string bass.
 
Any alternatives to fighting with massive strings a mile apart. 4 string, 6 string variety.
 
Practicing with the Ibanez, but a clear reminder that playing a bass ain't for wimps. Spotlight is always on the lead guy, but the bass man is way cool and an unsung hero in the band.
 
John

Guys,
Appreciate the feedback. Stretching, hand strengthening, practice, practice...and try to break the pick habit.
Any recommendations for a smaller closer neck also welcomed. The old Gibson bass was proof that it can be done. Not familiar with what is out there these days.
 
John

There's a lot of short-scale basses out there that should help.
https://reverb.com/ca/marketplace/bass-guitars/short-scale
 

Hilarious. I'm the exact opposite--a bass player because I could never get the hang of playing guitar chords (small hands). I also can't play with a pick---all finger playing. 

You can adapt just fine, really.  I have short, fat fingers.  I mean, short and fat.  I don't have string instrument hands whatsoever.  And I didn't even think twice about a full size bass.  It's no trouble at all to just swap between bass and guitar, with all of their differences.  
 
 
 
 

tlw
Gibson still make the EB0, only nowadays they call it the SG Bass.
http://www.gibson.com/products/electric-guitars/bass/gibson-usa/sg-standard-bass.aspx#disqus_thread
 
Also available in a "faded" finish (no top coat of clear lacquer) for less money.
 
Epiphone, Fender (and Squier), Ibanez, Gretsch, Hofner and others also make short scale basses.
 
Of course, a shorter scale does mean using heavier strings, or "standard" gauges with much less string tension.

I have an 2013 SG bass (still with the 3-post Babicz bridge; they switched to the full contact Babicz bridge in 2015) that I bought new and stupid cheap for $500 from Sweetwater. I also have a Fender repro of the '63 J bass. The SG is definitely easier to play, but it's got that famous neck mudbucker. And it is more sensitive to how it's played.
 
Some think the string tension on shorties is a bit mushy. It can be (you won't be playing extended 16th note runs), but you can bend the G string (NO pun intended) much easier than you can on a long scale.
 
I'm currently most interested in the new Supro Huntington as another shorty.
 
https://suprousa.com/guitars/huntington-bass/
 

This is cool.
I got one concern about the pickup placement. Clueless jerk here because never played or heard one, so my thoughts with a grain of salt.
Not that it doesn't sound dynamite, but is it a one trick pony. On the positive side, all one maybe would ever need.
Pickups packed so close doesn't get the wider spectrum however. Like the downside of my Ibanez SDGR. Pickups too close to have options. Everything sounds about the same regardless of pickup balance.
 
Unlike a major disconnect with something like a Rickenbacker. Tight bridge placement with an artificial bass filter.  Way distanced neck pickup without a filter. Wider range of sounds.
 
John
 

For what is worth John, Bass is a different mind frame. I'm not of the belief that it's how you play it with your fingers. I can play with my fingers, but I prefer a very thick pick and have played that way for 16 years. To me, it's having an understanding of your role as the Bass player, having exceptional timing, locking into the drummer and laying down the groove to a song. You have incredible power in a band as to where you are taking the feeling and beat of a song.

It is not unusual for me to have another Bass player come up to me after live playing and ask me what amp I am using, want to check its tone settings and ask me how I am getting that tone. It's in the hands.

JohnKenn
 
 
Was also toying with the idea of getting a set of strings for a 6 string bass and stringing a regular guitar. Would probably have to modify the nut and make some adjustments

 
Did that when I was 14, with my oldest brother's Trutone electric. We had a set of bass machines lying around so we decided to make a bass.
Worked okay, but the farther up the neck you went, the more out-of-tune it became.

Hi John-i picked up a Fender Precision Lyte,active with onboard eq,at Sam Ash`s in the 90`s-played all they had and this one just slotted in and it`s still my go to bass for gigs-beautiful thin neck,not unlike a Strat.(the sexist pig of a salesman said it was a "girls" bass-(tell that to Suzy Quattro)-had to replace the original bridge pickup straight away with a Fender Lace Custom as the original was so noisy but it`s still the lightest,most comfortable bass i have ever played.they are about and pretty cheap....
cheers 
 

Kev, webbs, tlw,
 
Thank you for sharing. Rough road ahead is getting more clear. I really hate hard work. Got to get rid of my lazy guitar indiscretions if I am ever to play a credible bass line. Almost as much mind set as strength in the hands, maybe more.
 
@ Mesh, the Rodney Dangerfield pix reminded me of my favorite line of his.
 
"I gets no respect. I was six years old before I realized that Alpo doesn't make kid food."
 
John

Voda,
Good advice to get past the grunge work. Don't watch TV, but shorter burst a good idea, then build up from there. Thank you. Hands starting to ache already.
John