What to buy a bass player for Christmas?

preilly79

Hi All

My father in law is a bass player (a pretty good one too), and I'm trying to get him something for christmas.

Assuming he has all the essential bass player kit, what would you recommend? If he was a guitar player this would be easy; I'd get him a POD!

Thanks!

-=al=-

got a set price range?

maybe even just a music voucher for a music store would be nice

alansan

Assuming he has all his gear, I would highly recommend this dvd:

Jaco Pastorius Modern Electric Bass

Certainly not for beginners, but fairly accessible and is basically an interview and tutorial with band jamming sessions from one of the trailblazers of modern bass technique.

ham_n_mustard

You could always get him a new ampeg rig, and if he doesnt like it, i'll have it!

on a serious note though, this could be a tough one. Do you get him a practical present like a set of strings, and risk getting the wrong guage/brand/scale length (most of us bass players are very particular about that sort of thing), or do you get him a very personal gift like a "P'Bass Forever" jumper only to find he's just bought a Stingray?

I'd go with socks myself.....




ps...i'll still have the ampeg if its going! happy xmas

Rigsby

-=al=- wrote: »

maybe even just a music voucher for a music store would be nice

I think this would be the best option, rather than paying for something he may not need or want.

dead air

There is a bass POD as far as I know. You could go for a sansamp or something perhaps but that depends on how much you want to spend on him. Me, I'd be happy with a new strap and set of strings!

ham_n_mustard

dead air wrote: »

Me, I'd be happy with a new strap and set of strings!

me too, tbh. i got 15 years and counting out of a good leather strap, (and around the same again out of my strings)

fish-head

A bus ticket and a watch.

preilly79

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I'm a guitar player myself so was thinking of introducing him to the world of Elixir strings, plus a nice new strap.

The DVD is a great idea though! He's currently jamming with some guys in prep for some gigs, so picking up a new style or technique might really help him.

Ham_N_Mustard, I'll buy you an ampeg rig if you buy me a Vox AC30

Rigsby

ham_n_mustard wrote: »

me too, tbh. i got 15 years and counting out of a good leather strap, (and around the same again out of my strings)

Yeah, some strings take a while to break in alright.

Dord

Get him a nice leather strap, a wide one. Some strings too
It's something he can use for years and will probably appreciate a lot.

I use Italia leather straps, fantastic! http://www.italiastraps.com
It takes about a week for them to get here.

EDIT: they have a buy one get one free sale on at the moment too!

ferdi

ham_n_mustard wrote: »

on a serious note though, this could be a tough one. Do you get him a practical present like a set of strings, and risk getting the wrong guage/brand/scale length (most of us bass players are very particular about that sort of thing)

no we're not, only the wankery uptheirownarse ones are or the ones with ocd.
i'd go with the dvd but not a tutorial one, just some gig featuring some great player, billy sheehan or the like:p

unclebill98

Strings....

Parsley

ferdi wrote: »

no we're not, only the wankery uptheirownarse ones are or the ones with ocd.

Most bassists I know are glad to experiment with new types of strings! Specially me, I just never have the money to buy em.

ball ox

fish-head wrote: »

A bus ticket and a watch.

Darkstrike

Parsley wrote: »

Most bassists I know are glad to experiment with new types of strings! Specially me, I just never have the money to buy em.

Damned straight, one of the most fun parts is finding the right string for the right bass, I love it!


In fact in my experience the "the wankery uptheirownarse ones " will only use the exact ame strings, with the exact same guage, or not play at all, guitar OR bass.

Doctor J

Why not get his bass serviced by Derrick Nelson, that'd be a nice touch.

On the subject of string gauge, they make such a huge difference to the feel, playability and tone of the instrument, do any of ye who don't care play your instruments at all?

ham_n_mustard

ferdi wrote: »

no we're not, only the wankery uptheirownarse ones are or the ones with ocd.

or the ones that have been gigging long enough to know what works for them and what they prefer the feel/sound of

yevveh

ferdi wrote: »

no we're not, only the wankery uptheirownarse ones are or the ones with ocd.

Are you kidding? I used to use heavy gauge elixirs, now i'm down to light. if someone gave me heavy ones now i wouldn't even put them on. i recently tried some flatwounds on someone elses bass, they're quite interesting. would certainly give them a shot if they were the gauge i like, or pretty close.

ferdi

all i'm saying is a player who grouched over a gift of a different type of string being gifted to them is either wankery or is mentally unable to handle any strings other than his usuals. i have been playing long enough to know what i like but i also love trying new strings on different instruments and messing around with tone and feel, even mixing and matching strings out of different packs etc. ho ho ho.

Hellm0

preilly79 wrote: »

Hi All

My father in law is a bass player (a pretty good one too), and I'm trying to get him something for christmas.

Assuming he has all the essential bass player kit, what would you recommend? If he was a guitar player this would be easy; I'd get him a POD!

Thanks!

I have been using a pocket pod with my bass for a while now, it sounds pretty good actually.

preilly79

Hi all

Again thanks for your help and suggestions. I've just ordered an Italia leather strap (with a second thrown in for free) and I'll pick up some elixirs next weekend. I hope he likes them!

thanks!!

meganj

alansan wrote: »

Assuming he has all his gear, I would highly recommend this dvd:

Jaco Pastorius Modern Electric Bass

Certainly not for beginners, but fairly accessible and is basically an interview and tutorial with band jamming sessions from one of the trailblazers of modern bass technique.

Jaco Pastorius... *sigh* if i could even have 1/10 of his talent i'd be so happy. the man is god.

Also i have this DVD (someone gave it to me as a pressie a while back) and it's brilliant! Really nice gift!

bnt

For a guitarist or bass player who gigs, a decent guitar cable is a good idea, I think. Can't have too many good cables, people step on them and the cheap ones die. Strings, not so sure: it's a bit like buying someone shoes, quite a personal thing.