Fat Rich

I think non bass players probably wouldn't notice, but to my ears it's too busy. I felt the same when I saw Chic on the Glastonbury coverage, to me Jerry Barnes really overplayed and even killed the groove a couple of times. But the crowd seemed to love it!

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1380359835' post='2224190'] Interesting observation. I remember seeing Rory Gallagher for the first time, in about 1973. As an impressionable teenager I was genuinely stunned that he was playing such a beaten-up guitar (sunburst Strat). I'd never seen anything like it before. [/quote] I think I read somewhere that Rory Gallagher had very acidic sweat that ate the finish off his guitar. Plus he probably played it a fair bit too. The 70s were before my time as I was still a kid, but I get the impression that was when guitars from America became more available in the UK, maybe thanks to people like CBS' distribution? Getting these instruments in the UK maybe wasn't so easy in the 50s and early 60s so perhaps everyone was rushing out buying all this new gear?

Another great blog! Well done

Some Stealths: [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthRed2_zpsa5cfdfb6.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthRed2_zpsa5cfdfb6.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthRed3_zps314cfaff.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthRed3_zps314cfaff.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthRed4_zps1caeca16.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthRed4_zps1caeca16.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthRed5_zps4958629f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthRed5_zps4958629f.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthGraphite2_zpsbca31eb8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthGraphite2_zpsbca31eb8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthGraphite3_zps8887b656.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthGraphite3_zps8887b656.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthFretlessfingerboard_zpsf5bfe180.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthFretlessfingerboard_zpsf5bfe180.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthFretless4_zps8603a347.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthFretless4_zps8603a347.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthFretless2_zpsb998a9bd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/StealthFretless2_zpsb998a9bd.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/HeadstockGraphite_zps76803761.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/HeadstockGraphite_zps76803761.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/Headstockfretless_zps7986ed90.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/Headstockfretless_zps7986ed90.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/Headstockred_zps65b2bcff.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/Headstockred_zps65b2bcff.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Learning the sounds of the intervals and the shape of them on the fingerboard is worthwhile and doesn't take long, but for me connecting the sound with the shape is an extra step which is a problem for my slow brain. So pretty much every day I'd pick up a bass and play the melody to some tune in my head. I didn't worry what key it's supposed to be in, I didn't listen to it first so it might not even have been 100% accurate or up to tempo. I'd just play it through a couple of times till it was about right and then forget it again. I'd start off with a simple tune, Baa Baa Black Sheep or Happy Birthday or something, early on I was having to shift about the fingerboard because I didn't know where to expect to find the next note. But within a few days I could play pretty much in one position on the neck because my fingers were starting to find the notes without my brain seeming to think about them. Then I'd move onto more complex melodies, maybe 70s TV theme tunes (Fawlty Towers, Minder, The Sweeney etc) that really didn't fall under the fingers as they're very different from most basslines we learn. It didn't take long before I could pick out most melodies pretty much correctly first time through, and the good news is most basslines in popular music are simpler than most melodies you've got rattling about in your memory. It didn't seem particularly relevant to bass playing but ultimately I was playing what I was hearing in my head and that's a thing worth practicing, you'd be surprised how quickly it comes together.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1380199898' post='2222202'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I too strongly suspect that the perceived deadspot was always present on your bass, but the other overwhelmingly positive aspects of the sound and playability distracted you from it for a long time. If you think about it ,though, it's a win-win situationfor you in so much as, if something has changed on the bass to cause a deadspot then ultimately that is something that can be diagnosed and fixed by putting it back how it was. On the other hand, if the bass has always been like this then you just have to accept that as part and parcel of having an Overwater and can keep it or sell it in secure in the knowledge that it isn't an unusual or defective example.[/font][/color] ....... If you do decide to sell your bass, I wouldn't bother flagging up the deadspot as a problem with the bass, because I really don't think it is worth mentioning any more on your bass than countless other ones that people and sell quite happily . Your honesty and integrity are admirable, but you have to put this supposed "fault" in context. If Overwater have serviced the bass at considerable cost to you and given it the O.K that it is working at factory spec then that is much more of a guarantee than most other secondhand basses will have. There is such a thing as "leading with your chin" as they say in the world of boxing, and making an issue of the deadspot is only making an uneccesarry problem for yourself in selling the bass for a decent price when in fact it has recently been certified as being in perfect working order by the manufacturer. I can absolutely guarantee that no bass shop in the world would warn their customers that your Overwater had a deadspot. As I said previously, your bass wouldn't neccesarilly seem to have any such problem to another player, and countless other basses , including some very expensive high-end ones, are subject to the same kind of sonic discrepancies. [/quote] Good advice. Alternatively you could advertise it as "almost entirely covered in live spots". Actually on second thoughts that makes it sound like it's got a medical condition.

Great, now I'm going to waste this afternoon watching T&J cartoons on youtube

[quote name='Dronny' timestamp='1380179826' post='2221791'] I will try the G-clamp technique this weekend, if I can find one in B&Q... that seems to be a common suggestion in the other posts on similar topics. [/quote] Also try a different gauge of strings or a different brand, if the deadspot moves to another place or goes away completely then you're on to something, if it stays the same then it's probably the bass. As been said before, a slight tweak to the trussrod occasionally fixes these problems, takes a couple of minutes and doesn't cost anything either so worth a try. Maybe try slackening it a quarter turn or less. Theoretically changing the bridge or the tuners for something of a different weight might make a slight difference, could be an expensive experiment and no guarantee it'll work though. I've a few slight deadspots on my old Fenders, I've got used to them and subconsciously adjust my playing.

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1380120315' post='2221104'] Make an imprint into something perhaps? [/quote] Maybe cut a bit of cardboard and put some measurements on? Probably two bits, one for the back, one for the fingerboard and that way you'll get your depth measurement. Or as Chris suggested, tell 'im to get stuffed!

[quote name='Urban Bassman' timestamp='1380104763' post='2220756'] ATTENTION - Status owners who brought their basses to the Bass Bass. As a former Status owner (Status S2 5er headed 1993) and hope to be an owner of a Status again I was very pleased and not a little envious of all the lovely Statii on show last Saturday. One in particular caught my attention but I cannot now remember who the owner was. The bass was an all carbon fibre example, 5 string headed and it had a Maple(?) capped body and binding. The owner of this wonderful instrument let me have a go on it and it was fabulous. The thing is I don't seem to be able to find a similar instrument on the Status web site or the Statii owners web site. So could the owner of the gorgeous instrument please get in contact and tell me what model it is and hopefully send me a photo or two so that I have an example of the bass for future reference, 'cos I want one... Here's hoping [/quote] It was probably that big fat idiot with the Stealths: [url="http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthFront_zps1f2aaa11.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthRed_zpsa0fbc8cc.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/StealthFretless_zps055a3d39.jpg.html"][/url] Not very good quality pics, I'll try to take some better ones and post in the Gear Porn section with some info on the specifications.

Must admit I used to use pretty rough sandpaper on mine Probably just as well glossy necks don't seem to bother me anymore.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1380016651' post='2219443'] Yes I wasn't going to name and shame but that lot with their Status basses were breaking my balls too. [/quote] Be fair, it wasn't the whole "Status lot".

I used to have sleep problems but a few things helped fix it. Firstly I gave up coffee and caffeine filled fizzy drinks completely but found I was sleeping worse. I now have a couple of cups of coffee during the day but no caffeine in the evenings. Secondly, there's some historical evidence that we never used to sleep right through the night, there are references to "First sleep" and "second sleep" in some old literature and paintings of people up and about during the night. There's a theory that were forcing ourselves to do something the body isn't meant to because we now work set hours in the day, try to relax set hours in the evening and then sleep 7 to 8 hours. If I was wide awake at 4am I used to get stressed and annoyed with myself, now I just accept it as natural, don't get stressed and usually fall asleep as a result. Thirdly, alcohol really messes with your sleep patterns. You might fall asleep faster but it's not the kind of deep sleep that makes you feel better. The science is currently saying the body needs 2 hours sleep, then tends to come out of deep sleep for the rest of the night. They are saying if you drink you're more likely to wake up after a couple of hours and then your body clock is all messed up. The alternative is to drink so much you pass out and need medical assistance to revive you, I probably wouldn't recommend this. Good luck

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1379879491' post='2217779'] .......Then I put it back in its case.......... but have now put it back in its case......... ....... Put my precious in tis case safe and warm? [/quote] Maybe try keeping it out of it's case and see if you play it more, if you don't then maybe you need to sell it. Used bass prices don't seem too healthy at the moment as far as I can tell. You say you might not be able to get another one that's so nice, so unless you need the money now there's no rush.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1379884182' post='2217920'] I got chatting to Dave Swift at The South East Bass Bash yesterday as noticed on his 5-string he had a roundwound low B, with the rest of the strings being flats. He said it works best for him that way, the difference between the type of string not being noticed in the mix, but the presence of the round being much better. [/quote] I think he described the sound of flatwound low B strings as "like a golf ball hitting a sheep". I've had similar problems with ground wound low Bs, even the ones that sound OK when they first go on the bass go dead pretty quickly while the other strings still have some tone to them.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1379798421' post='2216953'] I experimented for a short while with one of my 5-strings tuned E-C. Really couldn't get on with either the tone or the feel of the high C. The string felt stiff and sounded thin (and I tried several different makes of string). The same note 5 frets up on the G string always sounded better to me as it had more weight to the tone. Nothing I've heard on the clips posted here using high C make me think it was the short-comings of either me as a player or the bass I was using. Personally I think most of the parts would sound far superior if they were played on a guitar instead. [/quote] This is exactly how I felt, I'd always prefer the sound of the note played on the G. And the extra neck width and muting the extra string never became comfortable either. I've got a stunning well balanced 6 stringer that I've tried to like, fast slim neck, perfect string spacing for me and loads of useful sounds. I played it exclusively for several months so that I'd feel at home on it, but the moment I picked up a 5er again it felt so much better. I dig it out and play it from time to time but it's just not for me.

3+ hours to get there, 40 minutes to get home again Ah well. Great day out, nice to see some familiar faces and put faces to other BC contributors. Another well organised bash, well done and thanks to all involved.

Firstly, practice looking at your guitarist's headstock and scowling, that way everyone will think he's out of tune. Secondly as BassBus says look at where you're fretting the note on your fretted bass and get your fingers as close to the fret as possible without choking the note, and try to always play that way. You can even try playing exactly on the fret so you get a sort of palm muted type sound, if you can do that consistently without too many buzzes you're pretty accurate. It's just practise, if you can try to only play fretless for a while and it'll soon become second nature. I haven't played one for ages and got a new one yesterday and my intonation is hopeless again

I played slim 60s reissue Jazz necks for years and avoided the chunkier 70s necks. Then I spent a bit of time with one and found I could play a bit faster and bit more accurately with less effort so now it's 70s Jazz necks all the way. Still can't get on with my Stingray neck though, feels like I'm playing through treacle.

Sounds like a very good deal, Japanese Fenders seem to be consistently well built. Some people replace the pickups, the original pickups are good but maybe not exceptional. Well done!

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1379592056' post='2214526'] Norris - this is exactly what concerns me about active basses. I understand some run as passive basses when the battery runs out, but most just die completely? This is a REALLY bad design, surely? I don't fancy changing batteries every other week, and you dunno how long batteries are gonna last until you get the bass and find out the hard way, huh? [/quote] I've never had an active bass that eats batteries, generally they last for ages and I change them as a precaution, not because they've failed. Just remember to unplug the bass when you're not playing it as that will cut power to the preamp.

I have old passive Fenders and 18v semi parametric flippy switchy fancy Status basses, you chose your weapon to suit the situation. After 20 years of mucking about with different basses I've come to the conclusion the classic Fender sounds are best done with simple passive Fender type basses, and active basses will take care of most other types of sound. There is also a danger you'll spend ages twiddling all your active controls trying to find your sound and never quite get what you want. Sometimes plugging in a passive bass with few controls and learning where to pick, how hard, what angle, note choices, dynamics etc. gives you a more distinctive sound than all the controls in the world.

All these mods sound like a great way of devaluing a vintage bass. I'd just change the strings first and see if that does it. My '74 is completely stock, sounds plenty Marcus if it didn't have me thumping on it

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' timestamp='1379502771' post='2213366'] I ordered three of these (4 & 5 string bass and 6 string guitar) to test on some instruments i'm currently building and i can say that i don't like the way they set up at all. On paper they sound great but you have to file a groove in to match each string and once you do they no longer turn / adjust very easily. The warwick version looks far better [/quote] The more you file the grooves down the more you have to undo the screwy bits to get the action right. The less unscrewed they are the more loose they become. The looser they become the more often you end up readjusting them because they've moved when you changed the strings. I've a vague recollection one fell out completely and disappeared under a sofa when I had to change strings in a hurry and that was probably when I decided to bin it. I'm remembering now I don't like these things at all!

[quote name='wombatboter' timestamp='1379510298' post='2213505'] Thanks... seems like he always get this sort of "hi-tech" dimension in his sound which makes it a bit more clinical in a way but still with enough "warmth" (hard to explain). Sounds a bit more trebly when he plays with that sort of Yamaha DX7-bass ingredient in it.. Mine sounds far more like a good solid seventies bass instead of these pimped up basses... [/quote] I think the Sadowsky preamp helps that, it gives a more modern active sound but with warmth. I've a feeling it compresses the signal a bit too, sounds great whatever is going on in there! It's a world away from the Fender preamp in the sig bass, which is junk in my opinion.