Rich44

Hi, I'm looking at buying my second bass in the next month or two. I currently play a Yamaha RBX170 which is a 34", but want to downsize to a short scale for a few reasons: -I have small hands and find fretting octaves etc a nightmare (even using index+pinky) -Lighter weight would be a plus -I have recently had bad problems in my wrists and finger joints due to having to stretch, so I'd like something a bit easier to play I'm looking for something that meets these sort of requirements: -Ideally priced £150-160 or under, but I'm willing to go up to £180-200 max -30" scale preferably, or max of 32" scale -Soundwise, something of a similar level to current bass The actual neck width of my yamaha is fine, I can reach most things across except for maybe E string with my pinky, however its the fret spacing that really bothers me. I've heard shortscales have issues with tone, but I'm not really worried about things like that, I only play for practice really, I'm no where near band-level playing. I'm looking for comfort more than anything, something that is fun to practice with. I've looked at the Squier Bronco which is about £100-120, but it does sound quite "clanky" on the fretboard, so maybe if there were some basses just a bit higher in sound/build quality than that, would be perfect. I like the sound the Ibanez Mikro puts out, just a shame its not available in UK.

I think I figured out where some of the wrist pain is coming from. When fretting with the first three fingers I can fret the E string fine, and keep good posture in my wrist. However, because my little finger (pinky) is so much smaller, I can only fret the D/Amax string with my wrist straight, and have to bend wrist to reach fretting the E string. I don't suppose theres much I can do about this, is there? Its already a supposed thin necked bass.

[quote name='dlloyd' post='470583' date='Apr 23 2009, 12:21 PM']Where is the pain?[/quote] In between the fingers, particularly in the upper palm (above the head-line). I personally think its due to overstretching; I do lots of fingerhand warmups though, and like I said, I try to use simandl as much as possible. I occasionally get pain at hte base of my hand/wrist, I do monitor wrist/thumg posture, and its not too bad.

[quote name='Simon' post='466903' date='Apr 19 2009, 07:15 PM']You Give Me Something, some from the Travelling Without Moving album possibly. I suppose from a beginners point of view they can be quite technical.[/quote] Yeh, thats great thanks, just about my level. I can just about play When you Gonna Learn, but its when you get to stuff like Don't Give Hate a Chance, faaar to quick for me!

I love the basslines in Jamiroquai songs, particularly Too Young to Die and When you Gonna Learn. Problem is I'm only a beginner in terms of technique and alot of them are quite fast/technical. Are there any you would say are slightly easier too learn?

[quote name='endorka' post='459552' date='Apr 10 2009, 07:28 PM']In my opinion, getting a short scale bass is not the best solution to the problem you have, for many reasons, not least because it will severely limit your choice of instrument and compromise the sound quality - long strings are where it is at for bass guitar. Think of the sound of a grand piano versus that of an upright. The Funk's recommedation; "...I would recommend index, middle, and ring/little combined." ...is the most versatile (and cheapest!) solution to your problem. It's how double bass players have done it for many years. Very few people can properly manage "finger-per-fret" properly in the lower registers of the bass guitar, and even those who do often opt for the using the ring/little finger combined to grab octaves. Thoughtless promotion of the one-finger-per-fret technique is something that has baffled me for a long time; I've no idea why this idea persists when it is genuinely applicable to so few people. Sure, some can use it - and do so effortlessly - but in my experience, most cannot use it in the lower register of the instrument. Jennifer[/quote] I use simandl on frets 1-5 and with octaves/fifths generally, but I always get muddled say if playing something between 2-8, where a switch in styles is needed. Yeh, I guess its a common problem, the only reason I was considering shortscale was to make playing a bit more comfortable/less painful on the lower end, my hands have stretched alot since starting but I think i've maxed out. I guess its just something I'll have to keep practising with though.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='459397' date='Apr 10 2009, 04:02 PM']Aspire to minimal movement when fretting and when you take your finger off the notes leave them very very close to where they would naturally sit ready to play the next note, it's the control of having your hand in that position and at the same time realxed that takes a bit of mastering.[/quote] Thanks, I'll try that. I think the problem I find is combining both having the fingers close to the strings at all times AND still having the ability to do one finger per fret. I always end up lifting my fingers off to "stretch" for finger-per-fret. I'm hopefully downsizing to a short-scale soon so hopefully that'll help. [quote name='Simon' post='459402' date='Apr 10 2009, 04:17 PM']I have a few exercises on [url="http://www.thebassment.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=9"]The Bassment[/url]. And i'll be adding a few more next week, including one I saw on a John Patitucci video once, called the Spider. Very good left hand exercise![/quote] I do the spider occasionally, and alot of other similar exercises. Like I've said they've helped slightly, but just wanted to know if there was anything else to do the rest. [quote name='Adrenochrome' post='459405' date='Apr 10 2009, 04:23 PM']Get a Powerball.[/quote] I did have one, but I lost the cord. I wasn't keen on it though, and its far too noisy for student accomodation! I've used Gripmasters etc too, but found they were a bit gimmicky/just playing was better.

I've been practising consistently for about a 10months now, but I still struggle with left hand technique. Everyday I do the usual warmups suggested by most textbooks, and I do things like these every day for a good 20mins before playing: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulljTV7X2jc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulljTV7X2jc[/url] My strength in my little finger has improved very "slightly", but I still really struggle with it. Its not just the strength though, I just can't get my left hand fingers to move fluid and quick enough. I see most players able to dance around the fretboard, but I still have to go awkwardly from string to string, it feels very clunky and unnatural. The main problem is with the third and fourth fingers, and especially when playing fifths and octaves (on multiple strings etc). I don't know really, does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried most things, my positioning is fine (wrist/thumb etc), try to relax as much as possible. Just want to be able to see improvement really.

I like the sound when using picks but could never get used to holding/playing with them, I just find fingerstyle far easier. I was wondering if it would be possible to use fingerpicks (the ones that slip on over the finger) on bass so that you could play fingerstyle but with a more twangy pick sound. Has anyone tried this? PS: I mean something like this: [url="http://www.fingerstyle.com.au/images/fingerpick5.jpg"]http://www.fingerstyle.com.au/images/fingerpick5.jpg[/url]

[quote name='yorick' post='406386' date='Feb 11 2009, 02:57 PM']Have you checked the battery? Put a brand new Duracell in, or run it on a psu. You'll never get exactly the same sound unless you've got the same bass/amp set up as in the videos. Do you play with a pick/fingerstyle?[/quote] I'll try a different battery tah. I play fingerstyle mostly. I knew it wouldn't sound exactly the same but I just expected it to sound vaguely similar if you get me?

Im new to effects, but bought a second hand (big mistake I know) Boss ODB-3 pedal as I liked the sound in example videos online. THe problem is when I use the exact settings like in the vids, I get a totally different sound. The pedal hums alot and sounds far to buzzy when turned on, and the only way to get a decent fuzz on it is to pluck the strings pretty hard. I'm guessing it might be a wiring fault, the seller won't except returns, so should I try and get it fixed or just pawn it?

[quote name='Alun' post='162817' date='Mar 24 2008, 08:07 PM']Out of interest.. a, how do you pluck the strings? b, are your fretting fingers right next to the frets or pretty much in the middle between two frets? c, are you playing through an amp or unplugged? If you use an amp, is there a difference in the amount of clanging?[/quote] a. Roll fingers across top of the string rather than plucking like a bow (have been told this is best?) Also I try to use the bridge pickup area as Ive heard this stops the string from vibrating from side to side too much. b. As close to the fret below but not touching it c. Theres no difference plugged or unplugged really, but its more of a percussive thing than a electronic thing though. It really is a "metal-on-metal" noise. Its more of a left hand thing, just gently fretting a note (not even with plucking) gives a noise as loud as an open string.

Thanks for response. I think Im going to take it to a shop, either for a full setup, fret levelling or a refret depending on cost. Can I get any of these for £30-40? Because surely It can't be worth spending £50+ on a £120 guitar, I might aswell be saving up for a new one right? Will any guitar shop level frets or are some better than others, the only place near to me is a small home run business, is it worth the risk?

Remember me? A while ago I mentioned the problem I was having with my bass making a hideous clanging noise when fretting. Well its still not fixed. I have barely picked up my guitar recently because I know that no matter how hard I try, its going to sound crap anyway. Well this is a last ditch attempt, either I get it fixed or Im selling it and giving up on bass (which upsets me but its the last straw now). Ive tried every possible thing I could think of but still it persists. The only thing remaining which I can think of is that its the frets themselves (like faulty frets), which I would have to have removed/sanded down? I really don't know and it must be expensive right? Will converting it to a fretless solve the problem? And bear in mind im still an absolute beginner despite having the guitar 6 months, could I handle learning from scratch on a fretless, or do you have to be good first? Please help or the bass gets it!

[quote name='lowdown' post='110278' date='Dec 28 2007, 06:05 PM']Could just be The Action is a Tad Low.. I remember that sort of thing used to drive me crazy.... Until i was having lessons with a then BBC tv Player... He got me to take the Action up...[alot][/quote] How high? Im not good at judging it, always think Im taking it up too much, is there a too much?

[quote name='bassbloke' post='110243' date='Dec 28 2007, 04:10 PM']It's likely to be insufficient relief in the neck - You need to slacken off the truss rod a tad. Rather than me re-type and make a mistake or copy and paste and take the credit, have a look at the Gary Willis website for a very good explanation [url="http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]Gary Willis[/url][/quote] That websites confused me, my truss rod is at the bottom of the neck not the top, so would i do it the same direction as if it were at the headstock or different? Im never good with direction

Ive been trying to solve this problem for a while now but haven't found much help. Basically: I get an noisy "impact" sound whenever I fret, of the string contacting the fret. The only way to describe it is a "metal on metal" sound, sort of like if you tap two spoons together (but with added twang), or perhaps if you make a "Teh" sound with your teeth (my desriptions aren't great ). Its mainly on the E and A string, but a quieter version of the sound exists on other strings, and its mostly around the 7th-16th frets. Its driving me mental and is really putting me off practising bass. Is it a technique problem, fret problem, neck problem? Ive tried playing softer and slower and improving my fretting technique but the problem still exists. There aren't many repair shops close enough to take it down to so its something Id have to sort it out myself. Please please help, before I end up ditching my bass. Grateful for any tips (make them simple).

[quote name='chris_b' post='50176' date='Aug 24 2007, 02:49 PM']Can you play the numbers you want to play? If you can then this is a rule which is irrelevant for you. Rock, Blues, Jazz etc is full of brilliant players who don't follow "the rules". As long as you can cover one octave between your first finger and your little finger you'll just have to move your hand. Should not be a problem.[/quote] Yeh, I can play the notes I want (using two-three fingers) but I was just worried about not having the "proper" technique. Just think it might start making things difficult when I try and learn chords in the distant future.

Hi, my bass is regular sized (34") and I have no problem reaching the top of the neck as I have quite long arms. However my fingers are pretty short and I can only seem to cover 2-1/2 frets and not the "finger-per-fret" which my tutoring book is telling me. Reaching the E note is fine as its got a thin neck, so everything else is fine. Is this going to be a problem or do I just have to improve my flexibility/strength? I really don't want to have to get a new guitar after a week if I can avoid it. Finger sizes: Little: 5.2 cm Ring: 7 cm Middle: 7.8 cm Index: 7 cm (The main problem Im having is with my little and ring fingers) What size fingers does eveybody else have compared to their guitar length? Thanks for your help.

Another question, sorry but don't want to post a new topic as its so embarressing. I just can't get the guitar strap to work, it seem miles too short and ends up like a guitar necklace. One end has a loop of string through one of the holes, am I supposed to do something with this?

Thanks for the response, Ive got all the accessories (just the book and the amp to arrive yet, next week some time). The only thing I havent got is any picks. Totally confused as to what thickness/shape is best for bass guitars so some advice would be good. Thanks.

Hi everyone. Im very very new to bass as Im starting today ! Have just got a Black Yamaha RBX170 but unfortuantely the amp I've ordered (a cheap Behringer BT108) hasn't come yet so I'll have to go without for another week, Is it OK start practising without an amp? Ohwell. Been wanting to learn bass for a while now but have never got round to it until now.