Good day all,
I have been trying to teach myself electric bass for about a year now.
I would like to start learning Jazz but haven't been able to find any teachers in and around Centurion/Pta that has Jazz experience. Any suggestions for where to look?
Furthermore, I do not have an amp atm. So I am in the market for a 2nd hand amp and would also appreciate some advice on that front. (Not looking for a practice amp, something that can be used for small gigs).
Heya, welcome to GuitarTalk.
If you was in Cpt, I could recommend a few guys for bass lessons (particularly jazz bass) - up int Pta, talk to Keira (https://www.facebook.com/keira.witherkay) - she's a guitar & bass tutor in Pta - while she's mostly kinown for guitaring - she's real good at almost everything ?
On the amp front:
I'm a fan of the v2 Fender Rumble's - plug n play simplicity and reliable. The v2 is quite light and the 100W one is easily loud enough to hang with a jazzy drummer. But they're a tad pricey, even secondhand (+/- 4k).
I also like the TC electronics BG series combo's a lot more power (200w) but still portable - and they got the toneprint thing, which sounds gimmicky but REALLY works if you don't mind tweaking a bit - if you see one for around R4k - they're a decent option too.
The Hartke HD50 is decently priced new (Around R2800 at Harry Green Music) and not a bad 2nd hand option. I'm not a fan of the cheaper ashdown's (they break, often!). The 65w Ibanez Soundwave is also a cheaper 2ndhand option - the guys on our whatsapp group recently found one for R500! But I'd expect to pay R1200-R2000 for a 2ndhand one.
RCVN When I was looking around for something portable, the v2 Rumble was my first choice - at rehearsals I used a 200W for about 18mths and it was real loud, super solid and easy to move around. Though the price was eye watering!
The TC was a good 2nd option - cheaper and had toneprints (the spectra compressor one was incredible). The old GK Backline's are GREAT, but weigh two tons. The newer GK's are fragile - same story for the newer ampeg combo's - fragile!
RCVN I'm a beeg fan of the Rumble for longevity - Bothners are the agents, so spares are available locally. What irritates me is that we pay a LOT more than US/Euro pricing on the amp because...the local guys feel they can charge that.
I only know the older generation ones (TKO/TNT series ?) - largely bombproof with those black widow speakers. But heavy. I'd much rather have a old GK backline. Havn't seen/used the newer Peavey offering - they're uncommon in SA.
There's always Markbass, they're highly rated! But pricey...probably my choice given a very healthy budget. Followed either the Rumble or TC depending on what I can find 2ndhand.
*disclaimer - I've got a dodgy back, so carrying amps/cab's is an issue for me - so I will tend towards something with neodymium magnet'ed speakers and a lighter overall construction.
RCVN And maybe I like being a bit of a contrarian.
Bwaha - know the feeling. Hence why I started playing bass after many years of guitaring.
If you wanted a dirtier sound - the overdrive channel on the rumble would be a deal maker - it's real usable. But, in the fender fineprint, you'll find quoted wattage is WITH extension cab - the 200w is actually 140w until you pair it up to the external cab, then it pumps 200W through both speakers (similar story for the 100w). Having said that I never used the 200 with a external cab and only ran it at 50% at extremely loud rehearsals - when I used a 100W Trace Elliot completely maxxed out - it didn't cope.
Try 'everything you can find - see which one you prefer. Though, if in price range - a keenly priced markbass is a great option too .
Our bassist used a peavey tnt from the 80s i think. Had a 15inch speaker. Bombproof is apt.. it really is bombproof.
Plus 1 on Keira.
Try this fella if you are willing to travel to the Northern part of Randburg. TONY RUSSEL - 083 3306869. His expertise is mind boggling.
