Jazz Bass Tutors

RCVN

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).

V8

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

Thanks for the recommendations, will definitely check it all out.

The v2 rumble will probably be my first pick among the amps mentioned.
The Hartke HD 150 is also available for under 7k new. Might be able to pick up a 2nd hand one for a good deal.

V8

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

V8 thanks, I don't mind spending a little more if it will last a while.

What's your opinion on the Peavy Combo's? I'm looking at the Max 112 and Max 115.

V8

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

V8 Thanks for the feedback.

I'll probably go for the rumble.

Or maybe a Peavy. My back should be fine, reviews are great and the prices looks good for the wattage produced. And maybe I like being a bit of a contrarian.

V8

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 .

guidothepimmp

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.

Pierre-Cronje

Try this fella if you are willing to travel to the Northern part of Randburg. TONY RUSSEL - 083 3306869. His expertise is mind boggling.