What kit, other than bass itself?

stickyfiddle

Right, I think I’m almost there on getting a decent bass (see other thread), so becoming aware I might need some other kit. What’s good for practice? I already have a Yamaha THR10C, which I assume would work fine for simple plug & play at home. Do I need anything else at this point, like a decent compressor pedal or anything? 

Obviously I’m sorted for straps and leads etc

ICBM

Fuzz. Always fuzz.

To be specific, the Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz, which is the most awesome thing you can buy for £25 or less in the known universe .

Even if you find you don't like fuzz at all then it's actually a decent two-band EQ preamp.

octatonic

I would get a proper bass amp, or a modelling unit with bass models and some FRFR speakers or studio monitors.

Maybe a decent compressor?

bandmaster188

I use my standard thr10 for bass and it works a treat. You can dial things in nicely with the editor and a splash or verb helps it sound bigger. 

stickyfiddle

ICBM said:

Fuzz. Always fuzz.

To be specific, the Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz, which is the most awesome thing you can buy for £25 or less in the known universe .

Even if you find you don't like fuzz at all then it's actually a decent two-band EQ preamp.

I’ve never tried fuzz on bass, but hate it on guitar tbh. Will look up some demos though. I’m leaning more towards Motown & classic rock than anything since, but we’ll see 

Winny_Pooh

A decent sized bass amp and a drummer....
The Foxrox Octron in the classifieds
A decent compressor

ICBM

stickyfiddle said:

I’ve never tried fuzz on bass, but hate it on guitar tbh. Will look up some demos though. I’m leaning more towards Motown & classic rock than anything since, but we’ll see 

If you like Roger Glover then you should try it . He actually achieved his sound with a Marshall valve bass amp and overdriving the speakers as well, but it's more neighbour-friendly to use a fuzz pedal .

Funkfingers

ICBM said:

Fuzz. 

Especially good with RIC basses. 

ICBM

Funkfingers said:

Especially good with RIC basses. 

If you use a Super Fuzz it doesn't matter what bass you have .

LastMantra

+1 for a compressor. 

MattBanshee

Fender Downtown Express

JezWynd

After trying shedloads of pedals I’ve slimmed down to comp (Maxon), OD (SL Drive), flanger (Boss Hi band) and delay (Boss DD-7).  Covers all the bases. The Hi band is instant sex for bass. For home play I use my Laney Cub 10, I used to feed it out to a 15” but recently just use it as a combo; works fine. The amp is the only essential, though if you’re going to slap, a comp would be very useful.

fretmeister

Amplitube Free. The SVT Classic model built in is lovely.

Compressor is always useful, as is a good EQ pedal so you can change things per tune if needed. I have my regular tone, and then 2 others. Far easier than faffing on the amp controls and then trying to put them back.

Roland Bass Cubes are excellent practice amps.

And for the stuff you’ve said you want to play, a large yellow car washing sponge to cut up to get under the strings at the bridge. 

stickyfiddle

Ok, definitely never EVER going to slap. I already have Helix Native for Mac so will likely start there then branch out into hardware that does whatever sounds I like the, err, sound of. 

And wilco on the sponge Though I like the idea of the upside-down Jaguar mute as seen on the CS Sean Hurley P. But I'll stick with a sponge for now. Can you get black ones?

JezWynd

The foam that comes in camera cases works well; you can purchase it, though it’s pricey considering what you need.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/outdoor-cases-pre-cut-SI-outdoor-case-500/dp/B00LP3VAIC

fretmeister

Any foam will work. Some used to tape a face flannel over the top of the strings. The big yellow car sponges are just cheap!

KKJale

I would like to vote -1 (minus one) for a compressor. 

MattBanshee

KKJale said:

I would like to vote -1 (minus one) for a compressor. 

Entirely depends on band context and music played. I've played some material that has sounded crap with a compressor, and some in which it has been essential.

Also, different types of compressors have radically different effects on the tone. I use a comp in my current band, but found my old compressor just made things dull, and have instead borrowed an optical compressor from one of the guitarists and it sounds so much better.

prowla

Funkfingers said:

ICBM said:

Fuzz. 

Especially good with RIC basses. 

Yuk!

prowla

A classical guitar is a great tool for learning bass techniques.

KKJale

MattBanshee said:

KKJale said:

I would like to vote -1 (minus one) for a compressor. 

Entirely depends on band context and music played. *snip*

Yep. OP plays Motown, classic rock and alt/indie. I'm gonna stick. I think that, early on, keeping all the dynamic range available and developing a cultured plucking/picking hand volume control technique is best