Is this a good deal? (or even a good idea)

Van · 09-23-2011, 08:58 PM

Well guys, I'm not a bass player (guitarist primarily), but I wanted to start playing because everyone I know is a guitarist and it's impossible to find a bass player, and it looks enjoyable as hell.

Anyway, I went off to guitarcenter(

) to look at some basses and ran into a used seven stringed conklin groovetools gt-7 going for $500. So my question is that is it a) a good price and b) a practical guitar to learn to play bass on. Also, I'm sure this has been covered in other threads, but how is the guitar to bass transition?

MassNecrophagia · 09-23-2011, 09:24 PM

A.) yes
B) no
If you feel comfortable playing it, and getting it won't give you depression if you decide you don't like bass, go for it. Obviously check it for any damage whatsoever.

The transition is relearning how to feel your notes/chords. You can play a bass like a guitar, but you'll need to learn to think like a bassist. It's not difficult, I've been casually making a transition to playing guitar from bass, and my main issue is picking technique. Of course, your mileage may vary.

knuckle_head · 09-23-2011, 11:06 PM

It'll be worth $500 on the 'bay or elsewhere if you decide it isn't your thing and need/want to sell it - they are good basses.

If that's the only bass you know it will be no more difficult to learn on, and may be better for you in the long run if you choose fewer strings on your next bass.

If you have the money and the bass is calling you - go for it.

Slunk Dragon · 09-24-2011, 01:38 AM

First off, make sure that that bass doesn't play horribly or anything. If it seems decent enough, or that it won't require major work, then I'd say grab it! If you want to learn bass, I say focus mainly on 4 strings to start off learning. If you like the idea of having that much of an extended range and are willing to put in the time to learn the fretboard of that thing, more power to ya.

Van · 09-25-2011, 12:17 AM

Thanks for the input guys! I ended up getting it today. The action looks a bit high, but I dont really know anything about bass action, and other than that it looks like its in great condition.

knuckle_head · 09-25-2011, 12:53 PM

Congrats!

skeels · 09-25-2011, 01:16 PM

Sweet! Congrats man- we'll expect pics in a NBD thread soon!

EtherealEntity · 09-25-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van

Thanks for the input guys! I ended up getting it today. The action looks a bit high, but I dont really know anything about bass action, and other than that it looks like its in great condition.

Same as guitar dude, just set it up until it feels and sounds good!

Looking forward to seeing this, 7's look great!

mikemueller2112 · 09-26-2011, 03:20 AM

Congrats. I honestly didn't feel the transition from guitar to bass guitar that bad. Like others said, feeling for notes is a big one. The muscle memory is different. Learning to play with your fingers or slap-pop is obviously a new technique and will take time (I've slacked so much in this lately...) but I'm very glad I got one. I need to upgrade, I just have a shit 4 string, but they are very good to have around.

Van · 09-26-2011, 12:58 PM

^ yeah, I can't seem to get a handle on the slap style yet, but I'll keep at it.

I'll post a NBD as soon as I get my camera from home and take some photos

SirMyghin · 09-27-2011, 10:24 AM

You will likely have an extremely difficult time slapping on that thing as I wager the string spacing is tight. Don't let people blow slapping out of proportion though, it is really not that important of a technique. You see it a lot in 'soloing' with a lot of flash and simple techniques that sound like a lot, but that is the most common application nowadays. Finger styles get a lot more mileage. I use it for the odd times when I want drastically different dynamics, not many other times though.

knuckle_head · 09-27-2011, 11:08 AM

There are two different GT-7s - one is a Billy Dickens model that has a VERY tight spacing, and the other is a bit broader. Do you know which one you got?

robotsatemygma · 09-29-2011, 07:35 AM

Ideally on bass you want to fret with the meat of your finger (the pad) where as guitar you tend to use the tip of your finger.

And for the love of humanity, don't use a pick. Try to learn using your fingers.

Bass is a fun instrument as you can pull guitar tricks on it (tapping, muting, harmonics, chording) but you need to realize even though they compliment each other they are completely different disciplines... if you wanna be good.

Good luck and have fun!

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09-23-2011, 08:58 PM	#1
Van Banned Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Jonestown Posts: 147 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is this a good deal? (or even a good idea) Well guys, I'm not a bass player (guitarist primarily), but I wanted to start playing because everyone I know is a guitarist and it's impossible to find a bass player, and it looks enjoyable as hell. Anyway, I went off to guitarcenter() to look at some basses and ran into a used seven stringed conklin groovetools gt-7 going for $500. So my question is that is it a) a good price and b) a practical guitar to learn to play bass on. Also, I'm sure this has been covered in other threads, but how is the guitar to bass transition?

09-23-2011, 09:24 PM	#2
MassNecrophagia has no friends Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 418 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	A.) yes B) no If you feel comfortable playing it, and getting it won't give you depression if you decide you don't like bass, go for it. Obviously check it for any damage whatsoever. The transition is relearning how to feel your notes/chords. You can play a bass like a guitar, but you'll need to learn to think like a bassist. It's not difficult, I've been casually making a transition to playing guitar from bass, and my main issue is picking technique. Of course, your mileage may vary. thedarkoceans likes this.

09-23-2011, 11:06 PM	#3
knuckle_head SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 624 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It'll be worth $500 on the 'bay or elsewhere if you decide it isn't your thing and need/want to sell it - they are good basses. If that's the only bass you know it will be no more difficult to learn on, and may be better for you in the long run if you choose fewer strings on your next bass. If you have the money and the bass is calling you - go for it. Choosing the path less traveled means more than occasionally you walk alone. - author unknown I make Knuckle Guitar Works basses I make Circle K strings

09-25-2011, 12:17 AM	#5
Van Banned Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Jonestown Posts: 147 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the input guys! I ended up getting it today. The action looks a bit high, but I dont really know anything about bass action, and other than that it looks like its in great condition. AxeHappy likes this.

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09-24-2011, 01:38 AM	#4
Slunk Dragon Lone Axe-man Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Harper Woods, MI Posts: 402 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	First off, make sure that that bass doesn't play horribly or anything. If it seems decent enough, or that it won't require major work, then I'd say grab it! If you want to learn bass, I say focus mainly on 4 strings to start off learning. If you like the idea of having that much of an extended range and are willing to put in the time to learn the fretboard of that thing, more power to ya.

09-25-2011, 12:53 PM	#6
knuckle_head SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 624 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Congrats! Choosing the path less traveled means more than occasionally you walk alone. - author unknown I make Knuckle Guitar Works basses I make Circle K strings

09-25-2011, 01:16 PM	#7
skeels ..to pay the beels Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: milwaukee,WI Posts: 2,680 Thanked: 32 Feedback Score: 19 reviews	Sweet! Congrats man- we'll expect pics in a NBD thread soon!

09-26-2011, 03:20 AM	#9
mikemueller2112 SS.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Regina, SK, Canada Posts: 529 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Congrats. I honestly didn't feel the transition from guitar to bass guitar that bad. Like others said, feeling for notes is a big one. The muscle memory is different. Learning to play with your fingers or slap-pop is obviously a new technique and will take time (I've slacked so much in this lately...) but I'm very glad I got one. I need to upgrade, I just have a shit 4 string, but they are very good to have around.

09-26-2011, 12:58 PM	#10
Van Banned Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Jonestown Posts: 147 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	^ yeah, I can't seem to get a handle on the slap style yet, but I'll keep at it. I'll post a NBD as soon as I get my camera from home and take some photos

09-27-2011, 10:24 AM	#11
SirMyghin The Dirt Guy Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Anywhere but here. Posts: 7,163 Thanked: 41 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	You will likely have an extremely difficult time slapping on that thing as I wager the string spacing is tight. Don't let people blow slapping out of proportion though, it is really not that important of a technique. You see it a lot in 'soloing' with a lot of flash and simple techniques that sound like a lot, but that is the most common application nowadays. Finger styles get a lot more mileage. I use it for the odd times when I want drastically different dynamics, not many other times though. Guitar techs are for sissies. Learn some damn music theory, don't complain, and you'll be a better person. -Schecterwhore Show me a truly awesome guitar for under $1000 and I'll show you hateful lies.

09-27-2011, 11:08 AM	#12
knuckle_head SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 624 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There are two different GT-7s - one is a Billy Dickens model that has a VERY tight spacing, and the other is a bit broader. Do you know which one you got? Choosing the path less traveled means more than occasionally you walk alone. - author unknown I make Knuckle Guitar Works basses I make Circle K strings

09-29-2011, 07:35 AM	#13
robotsatemygma myspace.com/pygar1 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 731 Thanked: 15 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Ideally on bass you want to fret with the meat of your finger (the pad) where as guitar you tend to use the tip of your finger. And for the love of humanity, don't use a pick. Try to learn using your fingers. Bass is a fun instrument as you can pull guitar tricks on it (tapping, muting, harmonics, chording) but you need to realize even though they compliment each other they are completely different disciplines... if you wanna be good. Good luck and have fun!

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