Music related stuff on eBay/Aliexpress/anywhere else - instruments, equipment, etc

[Like Ra]

I simply took the time to try out a few models to choose the one I like the sound and feel to play with, which is what I highly recommend to do, when chosing an instrument.

I agree, but I would not trust myself buying my first eva! bass with no playing experience, also, not all guitar possible can be present in the shops. Also, as a complete dummy I might miss something important I wouldn't even think about. So, in this case I checked dozens of reviews, and Ibanez Mikro bass was always in the top.

as a beginner, you won't play patterns that require you to stretch the fingers excessively

I will try to play scales this time, but usually I go straight to what I want to play 😁 And even very standard patterns assume 4-fret spreads.

I consider any bass with more then 5 strings an abomination (and the 5th string is justified for lower frequencies only...)

5-6-7-+ string basses are not always about the lowest 2.5 tones - it's more about the amount of notes you can play without changing your hand position OR for tapping (think of Chapman's stick).

[Like Ra]

I actually can hit a clean tone when playing holding F2 and hitting B2flat on the acoustic on the sixth string)

F2 - A2 (5 frets) for me

On the bass, this goes down to F1 and A1 similarly on the fourth string.

F1 - A♭1 (4 frets) on my 28" bass. So, very short scale is clearly a bare necessity 😁

from what is imprinted from acoustic guitar playing.
...
in the sense of playing, these things no longer are guitars

Tapping is becoming an essential technique for all kind of guitars, regardless the amount of strings.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn4WGEEBk78

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2LzL_vPmyg


The cool thing is - thanks to the Internet, the techniques are evolving right in front of our eyes!

What do you think about this Joyo guitar clip-on tuner? The reviews are good- they say it picks up the B (as in "BASSSS" 😆).

I've used several clip on tuners.  Gstring app on smart phone is now my go to tuner.

I actually can hit a clean tone when playing holding F2 and hitting B2flat on the acoustic on the sixth string)

F2 - A2 (5 frets) for me

On the bass, this goes down to F1 and A1 similarly on the fourth string.

F1 - A♭1 (4 frets) on my 28" bass. So, very short scale is clearly a bare necessity 😁

from what is imprinted from acoustic guitar playing.
...
in the sense of playing, these things no longer are guitars

Tapping is becoming an essential technique for all kind of guitars, regardless the amount of strings.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn4WGEEBk78

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2LzL_vPmyg


The cool thing is - thanks to the Internet, the techniques are evolving right in front of our eyes!

Somehow my browser just gave in after making a lengthy post. So I need to recap. In those 9 years of guitar lessons I came across a lot of techniques that many are oblivious of in the sense of "oh this can be done with a guitar as well?" but they are almost always employed as small complementing ornaments to an orthodox style of playing. Cause that is what the instrument is designed for. 
So, looking at this impressive lap-tapping, it'd make much more sense to do this on a chapman stick. (But, if it were about taking the easy route, why not arrange it in midi and hit play...).
I'd like to think of an instrument as a tool. Has an intended purpose, requires a specific technique. Not saying you can't do something else with it, but eventually there could be a design fitting better. And a guitar offering too many features is probably a swiss army knife kind of thing, a jack of all trades, but master of none.

Youtube is a great source to learn about new things. But IMHO not so much to learn from. You'd have to be really good at mimicking what is shown, since there's nobody around correcting your mistakes (also: you'll always see them from the front and not your POV.) And the way the things are cut for monetization purposes is annoying, so much beating around the bush for your 15 minutes threshold... (maybe there's some bleeding in from my experience with golf videos cause prominent youtube golfers are this way, but then look at a clip of tour pros where they tell you the same in 20% of the time, cause they got nothing to sell, except for showing their equipment providers).
Maybe I'm jealous as well, but looking at folks like Polyphia, Ichika Nito, Rob Scallion or Davie504... it's simply demotivating seeing performances that I'm aware of I'll never get done.
To illustrate, look at this simple recording of a 13 year old girl (that is not trying to sell anything...)

Source: https://youtu.be/0EJkrupER5c

This is a piece I had in the making in my last year of taking lessons and I picked it up again last year. She finishes it flawlessly in 1:50 with an extreme ritartando at the end. I just butchered it in 2:30 (albeit not having warmed up) and perhaps I can gain 10 seconds, but that's about it - before we even start comparing expression and cleanliness. That  effortless shift at 0:17 seconds right before the first bar chord makes me cry. My pinky can't hit the G# safely for the life of mine).

[Like Ra]

I'd like to think of an instrument as a tool.

Exactly! A tool to express yourself. This is important! So, as long as you can express yourself playing the instrument in whatever way, that way is the correct one.

Maybe I'm jealous as well, but looking at folks like Polyphia, Ichika Nito, Rob Scallion or Davie504...

Thanks to guys like Victor Wooten, Jaco, Charles Berthoud, Davie, Scott (from Scott's Bass Lessons), Josh (from BassBuzz) I finally bought my bass 😉

In those 9 years of guitar lessons I came across a lot of techniques that many are oblivious of in the sense of "oh this can be done with a guitar as well?" but they are almost always employed as small complementing ornaments to an orthodox style of playing. Cause that is what the instrument is designed for. 
So, looking at this impressive lap-tapping, it'd make much more sense to do this on a chapman stick. (But, if it were about taking the easy route, why not arrange it in midi and hit play...).

I love how Charles answered that in this video (at 1:50):

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOdOqkTZKQg

Cause that is what the instrument is designed for.

I will try to find Victor Wooten's response to that (that's gonna be tricky...)

To illustrate, look at this simple recording of a 13 year old girl (that is not trying to sell anything...)

Ah... yet another intimidating video... 😆

[Like Ra]

I will try to find Victor Wooten's response to that (that's gonna be tricky...)

Found it!!!!

Beginning 15:50:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Owmaxh0cM

[Like Ra]

he's referring to folks playing 3fingered.

Don't "Spanish guitarists" use 4 fingers (mostly for strumming, but still)?

creations like these:

"Climax regulator", "Optional lamp" 😆 Yeah, OK, it's an obvious show-up thing, yet Steve Vai can make use of all these frills, bells and whistles. He's a great musician and a showman.

OTOH, I always found such theorbos fascinating:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imV-sC2UJB0

[Like Ra]

I will try to find Victor Wooten's response to that (that's gonna be tricky...)

Found it!!!!

And another one:

Beginning at 08:30:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyPQ6SYrj28