Using new LPX Ch. Strip "-12 Transpose" instead of buying a Bass Guitar?

I own lots of guitars and keyboards - but no bass guitar. I don't feel like dropping $800+ on a bass right now so I just used a Telecaster to do a bass part and it sounds pretty good - but am I losing a lot? Any Bass players/guitar players want to comment?

...well, fwiw...I do this regularly when working on demo/arrange tracks, where I mostly end up using my mic'ed acoustic for rhythm(acoustic/electric), base, and lead(acoustic/electric)...if you get the "post" processing right, amp sims and all, it's not too bad...hth.../s~

Amp Sims - did not even think of that....that would be a nice final touch along with some EQ tweaks.

For bass I often just record the bass part with my guitar, change that to midi with flextime, edit that, then select one of the bass midi instrument (Trillion?). I often combine both tracks in a track stack, using the bass amp. That sounds a lot but it's usually very fast as the bass midi part normally doesn't require much editing - just eliminating ultra high and low 'ghost' notes (probably from the guitar rumbles and squeaks).

 

rz

Fascinating - did not think of that. Of course, if I am doing finger bends and vibrato on the bass part I don't know how well MIDI can pull that off. I need to experiment.

To keep the vibrato ->that's why I layer in the original guitar part, as well as providing definition(usually an octave higher). You can have any midi sound that you like with this and still keep your feel and spontanaity. I do this also with brass, keyboards and orchestral lines - the possibilities are endless.

 

Rz

Great ideas. Will do.

A bass usable for demo purposes doesn't need to run you $800. You can grab a Squier Precision Bass for about $300 or a Standard Precision Bass for $500 -- those prices are new on sale approximations. Or look for local deals on used gear.

 

Plenty of pros take these instruments to stage and studio. A real bass guitar will have better timing and tone than pitch-shifted audio. You can use a bass amp sim and go direct.

 

As a guitarist, keyboardist, and bassist, a guitar would be the last instrument I would reach for when recording a bass line; unless I wanted something different.

 

In the end, if it works for you, great. Learning bass is pretty fun if you can already play guitar.

I am formerly a Bass player - and I have a Special Squier Tele that has a better neck than my American-made Tele. I will check out that line to see if they have a bass guitar that is also good. It’s just that I need to buy five or six decent microphones for my studio and I would rather spend my money on Mic’s than a Bass right now. Although I do live 4 miles away from the giant Indian casino so I think I might check the pawnshops that surround the place!

My first good P Bass cost $260. It was MIJ. I had it for about 15 years. It made it through many sessions in that time. I play a Custom Shop now which is very nice, but the MIJ paid itself off many times over. I don't regret buying that bass.

 

Definitely check out the used Squier and Mexican basses in your area. Good luck!