bassbloke

I'd also like to add that 1 finger per fret isn't the be all and end all. If your hands are big enough to facilitate it then fine, but anyone concentrating solely on using 1 finger per fret runs the risk of injuring themselves. There's nothing wrong with 124 fingering. Upright players have been using it for centuries.

[quote name='queenofthedepths' post='100212' date='Dec 6 2007, 02:05 PM']I see a lot of people here are completely against using tablature - why?! What is it about staff notation which makes it appropriate for basses? I've always thought of it as being best for keyboards but not ideal for any stringed instrument at all... obviously I'm missing something here, so please could someone spell it out for me and also perhaps suggest some good exercises for learning bass clef? I've already started learning it coz I know it's useful, but I can't see why you'd actually want to avoid using tabs altogether...[/quote]

I'd be a hypocrite to say that tab is bad, because my reading skills are apalling. However, I have to re-write so much fo the tab I come across because it's just wrong and is so often fixated with playing parts in the open position wherever possible. It's also dependant on the tuning your instrument is in. It seems bizarre to download instructions to play a song that depend upon the tuning of the instrument (usually at the top of the page) being included and correct.

The point of being a good musician is knowing the sound of your instrument and the fretboard well enough that you can make an informed choice as to which position to play a part. This is the key to standard notation.

I woud have concentrated more on owning and playing the one bass to the best of my ability instead of wasting my time in music shops trying out new toys. I'd be a better bass player and have a smaller mortgage.

No matter how great your current instrument is, it's always possible to find fault with it when there's something new and shiny in the local music shop.

[quote name='The Burpster' post='99375' date='Dec 5 2007, 09:35 AM']Noted, but IMO this is a great way to get folks (especially youngsters, and those of low incomes) playing.

And lets use it, so that its not another idea that was washed over.[/quote]

Not really. It says over 18s. They'vwe missed a trick. If they said over 14s, then it would be an opportunity to get teenagers playing a musical instrument and, hopefully, spending their evenings woodshedding in their bedrooms rather than inhaling solvents, fornicating in alley ways outside McDonalds and physically assaulting pensioners***

*** I know for a fact that all teenagers do these things because I have read it in the Daily Express.

I have a punch factory up for grabs for £55 inc shipping. It's a good compressor,but I simply don't use it.

I bought this pedal because I was unhappy with the performance of the compressor on one of my amp heads. It now turns out that the amp most likely has a fault - my other similar amp sounds fine.

So, I have an Aphex Punch Factory in immaculate condition that I'm not using. It's yours for £55 inc. shipping in the UK.

I'm basing the price on what I've seen these pedals go for - I can't find one on ebay, thomann, etc...

This would make a fantastic Christmas present to yourself

Get a second 2.5XLand stick rubber feet on the side of each cab and stack them end up to give you a 4 vertical driver arrangement. These will have pleny of oomph, you'll get a better sense of air being shifted behind you and you'll have a much lighter and more portale rig tat still delivers. Trust me.

[quote name='guitarnbass' post='97844' date='Dec 2 2007, 10:54 PM']What music genre does this taptar shred stuff fit into anyway?[/quote]

Depends. I dare say Bach's Sonata in G Minor would be categorised as classical.

[quote name='hogman' post='97813' date='Dec 2 2007, 09:47 PM']I still cant find out why no metronome though and I have been digging for a while now!

On the beat behind the beat infront of the beat I understand and express the need to have a deep understanding to all and sundry. There are many songs that dispay this mustang sally behind the beat - midnight hour pushing the beat, any acdc tune on the nail. I get my students to play each tune to a simple drum beat and get a feel for where they are sitting on the beat. Then tell me where they are on the beat. Good fun as well.

CrazyKiwi if your drummer cant find his place on the beat i think its P45 time (Unless he drives the van) no excuse in a gigging band.

I cant find a single interview where mister Jeff explains why no metronome. Please help!!!!!!!

I would like to add, in one of his lessons in the 80's he expressed singing your lines etc I have done this for years now, (stoped me shredding like the teenage metal head i was) well since then but if you heard him solo at bass day where was the breathing space.[/quote]

The only intervewI have seen that mentions this states not to use a metronome tolearn good timing, because it's not going to give it to you. That point is certainly true. Metronomes do have their place. If I'm learning a difficult part- a real finger twiser - I'l use a metronome to force myself to first play very very slowly and then up the speed. Metronomes are perfect for that.

Korg Pandora and a decent set of headphones. You can pick up a second hand one quite cheap on ebay. I never use my amp at home- no point. I hook my laptopor MP3 up to the Pandora for jamming along to songs.

These kind of threads always have an aura of sour grapes about them. I cant therefore I dismiss.

I don't think practicing to a metronome is that great, it's too much of a distraction. Too many people I know focus too hard on the metronome and not the quality fo the note they are producing or the feelof the pattern they are playing.

I think that the current financial climate, proximity to Christmas, increased fuel prices and he fact that the market is full of kit is resulting in very low prices.

Thankfully, I have good self control and a wife that spends money on behalf.

Thank you for that information.

I'm based in Chessington, Surrey

I've decided that I have to get a double bass.

I spent an evening playing with an instrument a friend borrowed from college and loved it!

It would be really, really useful if someone on this forum with some experience could share some advice, such as price you should expect to pay, good or bad countries of origin, reccomended makes and warning signs.

Thank you

[quote name='thumbo' post='94227' date='Nov 25 2007, 06:34 PM']Lots of food for thought here! Thanks

Bassbloke, I've been sticking to using nickel plated strings on this bass to tame the zingyness a little, which seems to be working quite well. A new nut is definitely in order for it, I'll give a tusq one a shot i think. Thats interesting about the setup on your jazz, I'll try setting the neck straight as opposed to the very slight relief it has at the moment. Which gauge of EMP's do you use?

Beerdragon, I've heard a few people singing the praises of a set of Wizards in a Jazz bass recently. I reckon I'm gonna give these a shot once my bank account has recovered from christmas. :wacko: I've just been reading about them on their website and the 84's sound like they'd do the trick for me.[/quote]

Heavy Ones! 45 - 135. I tame the zinginess on mine with the passive tone.

Do a youtube search for Gospel BAss - some good stuff there.

Also - www.gospelcops.com

A is the Active bass through the POD.

B has a mch more nasal, hollow sound that I'd expect from a passive bass. Lovely.

Oh yeah - I've always used Warwick EMPs on my Jazz. I find heavier strings/low action/dead straight neck is a great combination - I've had it on the 4 jazz basses I've owned/I own.

MIM jazzes are very, very variable. I tried one in a shop that had a loose truss rod - the rattle was atrocious and it had no sustain whatsoever. So, the frst place to start is with the bass unplugged. How does it sound? Does it have a naturally decent tone. MIM jazzes are usually quite bright and zingy - maybe a bit metallic because of the proud frets.

The worst parts on Mexican jazzes are necks and electronics. If you want to keep it passive, completely remove wiring and line the control cavity and rear of the pickguard with copper foil - available from AxesRUs, ebay, etc... Then get a better quality, beter shielded wiring kit - Maplins or AxesRUs, ebay, etc.. if yu want nylon wrapped for that old school look.

Pickups - the stock pickups are OK - cheapo to standard single coils. I would just scour the 2nd hand ads or ebay for decent looking pair of replacements. IMPORTANT - measure them first. On earlier models, the pickups are both the same width, on later models, they're different sizes (or vice versa).

Finally, swap the nut. You can get Graphteq or Tusq replacement nuts on ebay for a few qid. They look better than the white plastic ones and do a better job.

I prefer stock bridges to the Badass, but you can certainly pick up a US model with a heavier base plate and meatier saddles. Other alternatives that often crop up for not a lot are the Schaller 3D bridges.

Buzz or rattle? It can sometimes be difficult of differentiate the two, but buzz indicates electrical fault - could be preamp tube(s), transistors, output transformer or an earthing problem on your bass.

This is one of those occasions where thwe easiest way to work out which bit is at fault is to meet up with a mate and swap over kit. Whereabouts are you.

You have a PM.

I don't know why I'm even asking this, but would you consider a couple of nice Tech TVM heads by way of a trade?

I'm stupid for considering it and you'll probably make a tidy amount on them, but that Black Cat looks luvverly.

I had a similar problem on an Aria acoustic bass. The stock piezo transducer, which was really cheap and nasty, wasn't actually long enough to cover the entire length of the bridge piece and ensure sufficient coverage for all of the strings.

I bought a replacement from ebay; it may even have been from this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FISHMAN-Sonicore-Acoustic-Guitar-Under-Saddle-Pickup_W0QQitemZ180181706806QQihZ008QQcategoryZ22670QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]seller[/url]

£10 and a cinch to fit. It will make a difference. Unfortunately, you'll then probably turn your attention to the preamp.

A mate of mine temporarily traded his Jackson 5 string for a Sabre with a pro bassist who wanted the extra low end.

If the battery on the Jackson hadn't died mid-gig the other guy would probably have gone for the swap.

Needless to say my mate nearly killed himself for having not shoved a fresh duracell in there before handing it over.