mcgraham

I chose Wood&tronics for a number of reasons. In short, I wanted a detailed sounding bass. Something clear, clean, articulate, crisp. Something that was almost 'acoustic' like in its sound. I wanted something that had additional range, both along the neck (frets) and across it (strings). I knew (more or less) the 'base' sound I wanted, and the feature set I was after. I was effectively limited by my present instrument and I was starting to bump up against those limiting barriers more and more. I'd outgrown my previous bass. Music is a major passion in my life, I could afford it, and I live frugally. So it wasn't a hard decision to make. Many factors make up a custom, and I approached choosing my luthier with these points in mind: [b]Sound [/b]- the Spectrum @ Bass Direct has an immensely detailed sound. So much so I couldn't imagine using it in a band context. But at least I knew that if I wanted the above qualities in a bass, they could deliver it in bucketloads. [b]Feel [/b]- well constructed basses often feel chunky, clumsy, unwieldy. More arty basses often feel flimsy, less sturdy, fragile. W&T basses felt super sturdy, but oozed finesse and class. They felt like they were meant to be played and not fought. [b]Aesthetic [/b]- I love single cuts. [b]Features [/b]- they had a massive array of features that I could choose from. They would allow me to get the additional range and final tweak towards getting the ideal feel that I needed. [b]Cost [/b]- for what they offered, no-one came close. For what they offered at the price they offered it, I couldn't say no. And now I have my ultimate bass. The others will/may end up on the chopping block in the future, but I will always keep at least one as a back up. Why should someone go custom? Because you can't get what you want from an off the shelf bass, even if it was modified. That's my opinion. Mark

I've sent out a vast number of copies of these exercises to various forumites. I was wondering if you could share how you've been finding them. Even if you've not been using them or not got very far, I (for one!) would like to know. Mark P.S. If anyone else would like a copy please feel free to PM me with a request and your email so I can forward the documents and some tips/advice on how to best make use of them.

If someone wants to give me a lift I can bring my Wood&tronics, my Geddy 'custom' and my Berg IP112. Only over in Wollaton, it just saves me nagging the fiancee to give me a lift. Mark

Now [i][u]that's[/u][/i] the way a bass rig [i]should[/i] look! Really would like to get a small tube amp for bass. Mark

My first bass was a Squier P-bass Affinity. Cost me 30 quid. I started playing as I wanted to help out at my youth group, but I selected the bass because someone sent me the 'Higher Ground' cover by the RHCP.... I just [i]had[/i] to be able to make that glorious noise at the beginning. No question about it. Oddly enough, I rarely slap now. I can, but I don't. Mark

[quote]good stuff.. is that Mike Stearn on guitar??[/quote] It is indeed. I'm not the biggest fan of Mike Stern's sound, or even his playing to be honest, at least the stuff I've seen. His tone reminds me of the guitar equivalent of Jeff Berlin, awash with chorus and reverb. And there's a huge amount of blues in his playing, except I don't feel his tone complements it. Anyway, that's just my opinion. Why is it when someone asks you what your favourite grooves are you can never remember them?! Mark

[url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RdGidsRkmTw&feature=PlayList&p=9F1D0EF395A282BE&playnext=1&index=18"]Click here[/url] James Genus on 'Sponge' with the Brecker Brothers. Unique slap solo later on (4.00m) but I particularly like the manicness of the whole piece with an underlying groove the whole way through. I'll see if I can find a few more, as this isn't that high up my list of favourite grooves. I particularly like Herbie Hancock piece 'Actual Proof'. I have a different version by Steve Jenkins but it's just so much more sedate than the HH one. Mark

This is true... What exactly would I need to acquire to make use of the 10W output? Mark

It's great that you are willing to assess your technique and are also looking to improve it Try checking out an old Gary Willis or a more recent Todd Johnson vid on floating thumb. In particular, they both advocate having the bass slung more central to your body, ala classical guitar positioning of the instrument, resting off the inside of the left thigh. This helped me a huge amount in getting my ergonomics right and getting a more symmetrical approach to playing the instrument. Bad examples: Look at Hadrien Feraud, or Michael Manring when they play sitting down. Look at how twisted their posture is in an effort to reach the neck of the bass (particularly the low frets), and how crooked their plucking hand/arm is. Is this how you play? They are practically leaning on their left knee with their left arm and leaning off to the right. I don't know how they can cope like that. They are great players, but I would say they'd be even better if they went for a more ergonomic approach to playing. Mark

Argh! String buzz! Hate it. Nothing wrong with a little bit of sizzle but excessive clank annoys me so much. I worked on my touch and setup a huge amount to rid my playing of such artefacts. These banjo frets seem to keep it to an absolute minimum though, which is great. Less metal = less buzz I guess! I got to play through your Avalon U5 with QSC at the Northampton bash, but I didn't get to fiddle with the rotary eq selector. The Bass Buddy sounds like a good option, particularly as it has a headphone out. I'd like a preamp with that option to allow me to have a personal monitor. I'd prefer an option that I could attach to my strap, but I haven't seen anything like that. My Pandora is a bit too noisy for that sort of thing. Mark

Cheers jman. The pickups were originally Nordstrand Dual Coils, but we ran into some issues with them so we custom ordered the Kent Armstrongs. The sound is now a smidgen fuller, whilst retaining the throaty prominent and crisp sound it had originally. Mark

Firstly, which wrist - left or right? Secondly, regardless of which one it is, exercising a straighter wrist and a relaxing more will relief strain and prevent aching, particularly in combination with stretching and minimising movement. - If it's your right, ensure you keep a straighter wrist when plucking, try not to anchor your thumb as this introduces bending and tension; check out the floating thumb technique for tips on how to mute better and counter this issue. - If it's your left (and it may well be judging from the position of your wrist in your avatar), raise the height of your bass, keep your thumb behind the neck and bring the neck in closer to your body. If you feel tension or bending, relax and try to find ways to mitigate these problems. Make sense? Mark

I used to do something similar when I first started playing, as I always practiced sitting down. This meant that I naturally tilted the top of the bass in towards my upper body. I now only practice (rehearsals/home) whilst standing. I also refrain from staring at the neck; not that I never look at the neck, I just try not to stare perpetually at it. Mark

Alex, I know what you mean. I'd have said the same thing about electric guitars, but I was stunned to see divots on my friend's Strat, and all he did was play chords in the first position. Probably a combination of 'sharp' strings and poor technique (i.e. pressing too hard) as well as softer frets. Lozbass, you're definitely welcome down here, that's not just a throwaway comment! The Berg is great with it. Now the only weak link is the ART Tube MP, gotta find something to replace that at some point... Mark

Cheers Loz! You're more than welcome to come try it if you're ever around. 4000, even though the pound isn't faring so well Enrico is a great person to deal with in terms of options, I'm sure he could work out a deal with you. I also paid off half at the beginning and half when it was finished. Which certainly helped. I'm not thinking about ordering another anytime soon, but I certainly know where I'm coming back to for any future builds. Mark

Good topic. Korg Pandora One spare set of strings At least one spare set of batteries (for bass & pandora) Planet waves lead + spare Truss rod adjuster + Bridge Allen key T-bar screwdriver + optional heads Bag of Allen keys Mark

[quote]Seriously love the way you can get that almost fretless thing going with mando/banjo frets[/quote] Totally!

[quote]Banjo frets eh? How much does a full refret cost every year I wonder...[/quote] It'll be fine. I play and fret very lightly. My other bass had small vintage sized Fender frets and there was little to no fret wear after 4 years of playing around 4 hours a day most days. So good quality ones should be fine... I hope! Mark

Found it! Michael Kamen! Mark

No idea who did it, but I tip my hat to whoever arranged Metallica's S&M album. Wonderful stuff. I love the marrying of traditional and contemporary in that way. Mark

Figured as I'd taken a picture of my new bass with my relatively new rig I thought I'd post it in here. Simple pleasures [attachment=19286:IMG_0515.JPG] Mark