Fat Rich

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1373763324' post='2141461']
[url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/"]http://www.talkbass....ference-743932/[/url]
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I can't seem to get the clips to play.

I remember Bernie Goodfellow building a bass out of all sorts of small bits of scrap wood for the player to smash up at the end of a gig, apparently it sounded so good they glued it back together afterwards so they could use it again.

Swamp ash seems generally lighter than northern ash. They can all sound good, they can all sound uninspiring, have to try them to find out.

In my experience swamp ash sometimes a slightly nicer tone than alder which can sound a little bland, but you'd struggle to hear a difference without playing them side by side for some time.

But your ears will probably tell you something else

Great voice, didn't realise Jabo Starks played for him.

I don't like the pickguard, but the rest is great.

Bernie builds some stunning basses.

I'm not sure why anyone would want a collection of basses that all sound pretty much the same.

The best way for me to get a classic Fender sound is with an unmodified Fender. Then I've got Status Graphite, long scale, active 5 string monsters that cover pretty much all the modern sounds I could ever want.

Very different instruments, but that's the point.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1373645974' post='2140185']
Out of curiosity, why do people refer to the plural of Status basses as Statii, when it should actually be Stati?
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[/quote]

Bah! I'll only bring one of 'em then!

Hope to be there.


[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]1. Hamster - Tea, coffee & biscuits[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]2. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Schecter Diamond P5, Levinson Blade B15, amp & cab tbc[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]3. Happy Jack - Matamp GT120 with Barefaced stack[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]4. Bluejay - something left-handed[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]5. OBBM - Bergantino CN212, Aguilar TH500, A couple of old Fenders, perhaps a Sadowsky UV70.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]6. chris_b[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]7. Clarky[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]8. Russ - Sei 5-string, Spector 5-string, Markbass 6x10"/Ampeg SVT-7[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]9. Irvined - Retrovide RV4 and home brew bass pedals[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]10. xilddx - 1983 USA Fender Jazz / 2010 USA Fender Stratocaster Deluxe V-Neck / POD X3 LIVE[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]11. Sibob[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]12. Tayste_2000 - Rickenbacker 4003, Overwater 5 string, [1970s Ampeg B-15, Custom Matamp GT200 MK2, Matamp 8x10], the pedalboard[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]13.Barneyg42-Status S2 Classic five, Ibanez BTB 6-string fretess,TC BH500, TC BC 2x10, Barefaced Compact and various pedalage![/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]14. Walman - the usual culprits - [/size][/font][/color][i]though it rather depends on where if anywhere gets booked for the long hols as that is the last Sat of those so I may have to bale[/i]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]15.Paul S - some stuff. BF rig, maybe a Westone Pantera X790 in case anyone wants a look?[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]16. BetaFunk - I will bring a selection of British 60s basses (Vox, Burns, WEM) plus my Shergold Marathon.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]17. Jazzneck (gig and her highness permitting) - Ampeg AEB and my £60 OLP MM alike.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]18. Fat Rich - Some old Fenders, some new Statii[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]19.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]20.[/size][/font][/color]

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1373637034' post='2139995']
I apologise if this offends anyone, but I couldn't resist it - Heavy relic indeed!


[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LesterGuitars-Stratocaster-HEAVY-RELIC-Guitar-Body-Vintage-Rare-/151061572154?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item232bf8aa3a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item232bf8aa3a[/url]
[/quote]

Looks more like a pub table!

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1373292113' post='2135718']
Stick a strap button on the back of the headstock a la vintage P and get a long strap
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Works fine for an acoustic guitar but less so for a heavyish electric instrument.

Quite likely you'll end up with a mouth full of broken teeth and machine heads

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1373542771' post='2138807']
Good points, well made. I'm sure Fender weren't happy when they saw their finishes wearing so quickly, probably some of the reason (although I think H&S might of been a factor) as to why they changed how they do things.
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Yup, nitro is 'orrible stuff. Fender used car paint for availability and price, but switched to poly because it's less toxic and dries much much quicker.

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1373537646' post='2138689']
I was waiting for the 'would you buy a beaten up car or would you relic your own car' argument, but that may be more of a TB thing. Would I buy a 1967 P Bass that looked like it had seen better days? Yes. Would I buy a 1967 Mustang that looked like a wreck? No. An Apples and oranges argument IMO.
.....
[/quote]

I live in London so my car gets relic'd whether I like it or not.

People buy relic'd jeans, jackets and T shirts. In the old days you knew when you got new jeans people would take the mick

I like scruffy Fenders, my 70s ones were all genuinely worn (as far as I know) when I got them. I've added quite a lot of wear and dings over the years, I like that I don't have to be precious about them as long as they still work.

My Status basses however I try to look after, there's some wear over the pickups, on the edge of the neck and around the controls but otherwise they're pretty much pristine.

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1373496340' post='2138399']
After breathing out all night, the large intake of breath by both of them in the morning would do more damage.
[/quote]

I have actually got sleep apnea, I thought everyone slept that way!

Maybe keep it in it's case when the weather's like this, although that might make you play it even less

In my old house I had to tweak the truss rod on all my Fenders twice a year as the temperature and moisture content changed, oddly since I moved I haven't had to. Must be better insulated or something!

Some basses are more prone to movement than others, I wouldn't worry it's faulty unless it won't hold it's tune for a gig or if the neck goes serious banana shape.

If there's a place you can keep it where the temperature and humidity are a bit more constant it'll probably stay fairly playable all the time. Two people breathing out all night will probably raise the moisture content of the air a fair bit.

As has been said already a battered bass with a poly finish looks pretty terrible, has to be a nitro for starters. An old nitro finish will be covered in tiny cracks so relic'd attempts almost always look wrong with the possible exception of Bravewood and Clive Brown refinishes.

The best thing about the Roadworn series is that they round off the edges of the fingerboard which gives a played in feel. However this is easy to replicate with some care on a new bass without making it look scruffy.

The only time I've relic'd anything is the new scratchplate on my old MIJ jazz, it didn't have one for 20 years and a shiny new one looked odd on a scruffy bass. So I took the shine off in the same places that have wear on my 70s Jazzes and it looks like it belongs to the bass. But it wouldn't fool anyone into thinking it was ancient.

Biggest problem with a relic'd bass is you're giving the impression you've put the same number of hours in as someone like Jaco, Stanley Clarke or Billy Sheehan with their battered instruments.... you'd better be a good player!

And another:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulV-oFH4AQw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulV-oFH4AQw[/url]

Was searching for a bass player I've seen without a hand who still uses his arm to pick the strings, can't find him though!

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3j0zKeQwhA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3j0zKeQwhA[/url]

Jamerson "Hook" on one hand, Rocco Prestia style shifting with the other.

Although if I mastered both those styles I'd have to get used to playing busier lines.

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1373312502' post='2136073']
Hercules wall brackets are very good.

They are well made, and hold the bass very securely. I have two, but they aren't for sale. Apparently you can get them in Halifax for around £10.

thank you please

RK
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Hercules hangers come in two varieties: a 3 screw metal plate version and a 2 screw wooden backed one, both work fine. If you order online there's a risk you'll get a mixture of wood or metal ones, annoying when you want them all to match.

I found it tricky to get the 2 screw wooden ones completely vertical, mine look wonky despite me taking care to get the holes drilled in the right place. The 3 screw metal plate ones don't show so much if they're wonky because of their shape.

[quote name='Lo.' timestamp='1373116082' post='2133874']
That's great - I saw them in 2011. Norman was godlike.

I bought his new album - some great lines on it. if anyone sees him tell him he should do lots more!!

[/quote]

Wachu-Wa and Me, My Bass and I are the stand out tracks for me, it's odd hearing Norm's basslines mashed up into new tunes sometimes but it's a bit different to the usual bass player album.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1372956452' post='2132152']
Last summer I nearly did the no amp thing at a small festival, but I bottled it and needed to be sure my amp was with me (i only took a 210, the band before had an 810, so that also made me think I should bring something on at least)
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[/quote]

There's definitely a comfort thing about having a big amp behind you, even if you can't hear the bloomin thing. Having no amp would feel like going on stage without your trousers, not something I'd repeat in a hurry.

Interesting thread this, I've been thinking life would be a lot convenient without a big amp.

Hey, who you calling Jumbo?

I can't say I really noticed the difference going between the two fret sizes, but it's a big thing for guitarists who bend strings and it totally changes the feel.

In theory big frets should last longer, but it probably depends more on the material used and the material the strings are made of. Stainless steel strings seem to eat frets much quicker.

I'd be surprised if many bass players have a strong preference, but this is Basschat and anything is possible!

Have tried loads of halfwounds / groundwounds and decided for me it was between the Hotwires and the D'Addarios.

The Hotwires seem to have a bassier tone with more fundamental but can maybe sound a little dark on some basses.

The D'Addarios seem brighter but don't seem to last very long.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1372945953' post='2131967']
That's cool man, but I must add that most of the gigs I play are in small pub/bar type venues with small PAs and a couple of wedges as a minimum. It's very easy to find out what sort of PA a venue has before you get to the gig.[b] I've never owned a bass rig, only ever the POD[/b], and before that I have a few different active DIs. If there's a house bass amp I might use it for onstage reference and a bit of vibration, but that's just for fun and only with one particular band that has big pumping bass lines.
[/quote]

Hang on a minute before we go too far with this thread, we've been here before with your funny ideas....

Have you asked what Jake thinks?

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1372934122' post='2131755']
Absobloodylutely!! Awesome post there Nige but this last bit resonates with me.
I studied at the M.I. in Wapping when I was in my early 20's, 1995.
I was too young (within myself at that time) to fully absorb what was being taught to me, to look around and see the opportunities available. I knew that this is what I wanted to do but to be honest I only gave it a half-arsed go (passed the course, just). I left there with alot of holes in my knowledge and no real idea of how to utilise what little I had learned. I did alot of dicking about to be fair with an opportunity that not many get. Got all the time in the world right?
Fast forward to today and I have such a hunger to be the greatest musician I can be. I have all of Carol Kaye's educational books and C.D's, a tasty bundle of lessons and backing tracks downloaded from Scott Devine's website (scottsbasslessons.com) and..... I have absolutely no time to get stuck into them as I work my day job, I'm married and we have two lovely little lads. Life is good, amazing, don't get me wrong but musically I feel I've diddled myself to be honest.
I will get into my educational material again one day but I can't see it happening for a couple of years at least.
All the time in the world? Forget it! If you've found what you love, don't sit around wasting your time while you have time. You never know how busy life may get for you, how full your hands may be one day, and those days just fly by.
Yes there's a heavy dollop of 'If I knew then what I know now' to my sentiments but to be honest, I DID know then too! I was just an ignorant smart arse though looking back.

So yes, Do what you love and don't fu**ing waste your time. It may not be yours to waste for very long.
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Pretty much the same story for me, I've still got a folder full of stuff Simon, Silas and Tony handed out at M.I. 20 years ago, I need to dig it out and go through it again but there's never enough time.