guitarists who have switched to bass.

[Ramirez]

I started out on bass, so I suppose it's always been my main instrument, though I play guitar and sing a lot. (I rather like thinking of myself as a "musician" rather than a bassist or a guitarist, but that's just me being a dick!)

Having said that, I almost only play bass on stage or while recording (though that is quite often as I'm lucky enough to be doing the band full time at the moment)

I don't see playing bass with a pick being a typically guitarist thing to do though. I alternate a lot between fingers, thumb by the neck and a brass pick, and love it all. The pick probably has over half the set at the moment (I absolutely love the Carol Kaye style).

I've been playing for about 15 years now (I'm 27), and still haven't learned to slap!

[musophilr]

and a brass pick

I found that the brass pick (nice tone btw) got ground off to a knife edge as it wasn't as hard as the flatwound strings I was using. Did you notice similar?

[BigLicks67]

I started off playing guitar and switched to Bass to join a mate's band. You may find it easier to join bands if you play bass as everyman and his dog plays guitar. Plus it's easier to get by with rudimentary technique while you are learning. However, if you haven't got a band to join, you may be better sticking with guitar which is more interesting to play on your own. At the end of the day to be a good bassist takes as much work as it does to be a good guitarist, so don't consider it a short cut.

[Ramirez]

It's been fine up to now, though it's showing signs of wear it hasn't become serrated, though I'm careful not to strike using the edge (except when I need bright zings and clacks with a spring reverb) I'm also using flats (Fender 9050 I fancy a switch to LaBella 760M when I can afford it)

The pick is an Icepix one.

[Ramirez]

I found that the brass pick (nice tone btw) got ground off to a knife edge as it wasn't as hard as the flatwound strings I was using. Did you notice similar?

Sorry, previous post was a response to the above.

[musophilr]

Sorry, previous post was a response to the above.

OK ...

I used a TeckPick, although I do have a few IcePix in my collection. The edge on mine didn't get serrated as I only ever used it parallel to the strings. I guess that's why it got ground off to a knife edge - I use upstrokes as well as downstrokes. I also found a fine coating of brass dust between the pickups.

[DavidRees]

Next time you re-string your guitar, just put the 6th and 5th strings on it and play around with that for a week.

Hi Nik, if I recall a few years back you put a number of your musical adventures on hold and took up the offer to play bass in a new band setting and do a bit of touring - very much doing it for real which I found inspirational at the time and got me to look at what I was doing as a guitarist and branch out as a musician by taking singing lessons...maybe its time for me to look at the bass playing adventure too...I've always had a rhythm focus approach as a guitarist so an aspiration for 2013 perhaps... David

[Ramirez]

OK ...

I used a TeckPick, although I do have a few IcePix in my collection. The edge on mine didn't get serrated as I only ever used it parallel to the strings. I guess that's why it got ground off to a knife edge - I use upstrokes as well as downstrokes. I also found a fine coating of brass dust between the pickups.

Aah I see. Sorry, I thought you meant a serrated edge. Yes, I suppose it has worn quite a bit - I've noticed thing shavings coming off a couple of times, but I don't feel it's affected it much. Will have to check the pickups!

[musophilr]

Aah I see. Sorry, I thought you meant a serrated edge. Yes, I suppose it has worn quite a bit - I've noticed thing shavings coming off a couple of times, but I don't feel it's affected it much. Will have to check the pickups!

If it's genuine brass it won't follow the magnetic field, although it is conductive so there is a small chance of a short circuit. I think ICBM would have the best idea of whether brass filings are a hazard.

[TheThingThatShouldNotBe]

are you glad you did,and what made you change instruments?

am currently thinking about part ex my guitar/amps towards a squier cv jazz bass.as anyone who read my previous post about "thinking of quitting guitar" i feel that the bass may be better suited to me.

how did you find the change? if you also swapped instruments.

p.s am not actually fully decided,just weighing up the options tbh.

Many years ago I was exclusively a rythm guitarist with very few gigs job offers but as soon as I switched to bass there were bands asking me to join all the time .
This was before I even played the thing properly .
I would say It took me about 2-3years before I felt like a proper bassist but It did not stop me from developing my guitar skills futher ,if anything I think learning bass tought me a great deal about timing and made me play tighter over all .
Guitarists tend to hide behind overdrive and distortion quite often you cant get away with a lack of consistancy on bass ,every mistake sticks out .