This is a brief tribute to Matt and Tom at music store on Irving.
I spent an hour in that store today, testing guitars, asking questions. These two men didn’t mind at all.
Covid-19 may have given us bad habits. We think we can work remotely. We think we can learn guitars remotely. Maybe.
This is what I learned today.
The Fender Mustang Bass is Too Short For Me
It’s one thing to read that a bass scale is 30 inches. It’s entirely another thing to hold that bass in your hands and realize it’s like playing a guitar. For me, a 30 inch scale is too short.
And it means the Daisy Rock Retro-H-Bass that I chose not to buy was a good decision. Too darn short.
The Schechter Bass was My Favorite Bass
It was a very light semi-hollow but $500 bass. Reasonably light, made nice sounds with its Precision pickup.
But it had a HEAD DIVE. It was unbalanced due to the semi-hollow body so it’s head dove. I showed it to Matt and he agreed. Head dive.
But I will look at Schechter basses another day.
No More Fender G-Dec Infatuation
Matt and Tom even had a Fender G-Dec at the store. It looked so tiny, I lifted it and it felt tinny to me. Maybe it sounds great but I don’t care. This Fender is a tinny amp.
So I won’t continue my infatuation and search for the Fender G-Dec.
And now, a second visit to a used guitar store.
Guitar Players Get Girls; Bass Players Get Gigs
Words to live by. I don’t need to “get girls”. But I am interested down the road in “getting a gig”. We shall see.
Patrick was trying out a banjo when I struck up a conversation.
Patrick: What do you play?
Richard: Guitar and now bass.
And then he paused, smiled and said:
Guitar get the girls and bass players get gigs. – Patrick at the guitar store.
I smiled. I had read this before but never heard it straight up. If an almost 74 year old ever wants to perform with a group, it will be as a bassist.
More Advice from Patrick the Banjo Player
Richard: Why are learning bass scales so important?
Patrick’s answer didn’t quite make it through my brain.
But he did say, jam to anything. Jaco Pastorius would just find a key and jam to whatever was on the radio. Perhaps I can do something similar.
Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today
Yes, you can learn a lot of things in the guitar store just hanging out, talking with people.
So visit your local used guitar store, test out a few instruments, perhaps buy something, and learn from other musicians.