Are you ready to embark on your own musical journey? You're going to need a comfortable, playable bass guitar, a portable practice amp, and some some helpful accessories to tie it all together. That's where Silvertone comes in. Their electric bass package has everything you need to unlock the mysteries of low-end tone. After that, it comes down to disciplined practice, creative experimentation, and nerves of cold steel. Actually, you don't really need nerves of cold steel. Leave the drama to your frontman.
The Revolver Bass
To get you started, the Silvertone LB11 pack comes with the Revolver four-string bass. The traditional Precision-style neck, body, and pickups provide comfortable balance, warm resonance, and fat tone. With three colors to choose from, there's a Revolver to fit any style. Modern Rock & Rollers will dig the Cobalt Blue, and old-school R&B cats will appreciate the Sunburst finish. These colors probably aren't tuff-enough for the Metal-heads, but they'll find the Liquid Black version looks pretty menacing.
Easy-To-Use Controls
As a beginner, you'll want to start simple. The Silvertone LB11 Revolver's stripped-down controls let you dial-up some nice sounds without any unnecessary complications. Use the volume knob to adjust the amount of signal sent out of your bass, and the tone knob to change the color of that signal. Roll the tone back for a round, thumpy sound, or bring it forward for a pointy, bright attack.
A Solid Practice Amp
Of course, all that good tone is wasted if you can't hear it. You'll need an amplifier to boost the sound of your bass. Say hello to the BAXs bass amp, included in the LB11 package. This amp is perfect for beginners, for a couple of reasons. First, you'll probably be taking lessons somewhere. Since the BAXs is small and portable, you can bring it to class and get the exact same sound as when you practice at home. Second, it's not very loud. This may not seem like a benefit, but your friends and family would disagree. As with any musical instrument, your first few sessions are going to be pretty rough around the edges. Fortunately, there's a built-in headphone jack to keep the sound to yourself, when necessary. Once you've ironed-out the biggest wrinkles, you can get a bigger amp, crank it up, and play some gigs. Until then, this amp will take care of you.
Included Accessories
Most new musicians aren't sure what accessories they really need, but the Silvertone LB11 package removes all the guesswork. You get a handy gig bag to protect your bass as you carry it from place to place, and a cable to plug your Revolver into the amp. There's also a nylon strap for when you want to rock standing-up. Sling it down low, Ramones-style, or cinch it way up high like the Jazz-nerds do. As long as it's comfortable for you. The included tuner will keep you on-pitch, which is one of the most important skills a new bassist can learn. You can't know for sure if you're doing it right unless your instrument is in tune.
To Pick, or Not
Bass purists will tell you, "real bass players" only use their fingers. Still, there are plenty of groove-meisters out there who use a pick. It's not really about speed; you'll be able to get busy either way, with some practice. Picked strings produce a tight, crisp sound that you can't really duplicate by playing fingerstyle, though. Pluck way back by the bridge, and you'll hear the difference. Use your fingers, then give the included picks a try, and decide which you prefer. Better yet, master both techniques so you can add the right character to any song. Finally, the Silvertone LB11 includes an instructional DVD with over two hours of music lessons. Pop it in your DVD player and jam along. There's no substitute for a good teacher, but these exercises will help strengthen your hands and increase your musical knowledge. With some effort and patience, you'll soon be building your own unforgettable bass lines!
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Product Description
The Silvertone LB11 Bass Package comes with everything you need. The package includes the Silvertone "Precision" style 4-string bass, a 34" long scale bass featuring a 20 fret Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard, 1 split-coil pickup, 1 volume control, 1 tone control, chrome die-cast enclosed tuning machines, and fully adjustable chrome bridge. The bass package also includes the BaXs bass amp (10 watts RMS, 7" woofer, 3-band EQ, headphone jack), GT-8 tuner, gig bag, strap, cable, pickpack, and an instructional DVD.