Coilte

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1380734197' post='2229760'] I listened to this album last night for thr first time in ages. It's bloody brilliant ! Tonight I may well dig out my copy of Jack Johnson . [/quote] Yeah, this thread had me digging out my copy of BB for the first time in a while. "Jack Johnson" is another great one that does not get a mention very often.

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1380730525' post='2229707'] I doubt he's that minted. Just making a living, same as you and me. [/quote] All the more reason to be careful with his equipment then. I dont mean putting it in a glass case or such like....just not to carelessly fling it across the stage in the hope that someone will catch it.

Remember hearing this in a friend's house not long after it came out, and it really blew me away. The producer Teo Macero deserves some credit here, as it was he who knitted together short sections of music, into the tapestry we so love today.

He obviously does not have to worry about the cost of repairs or replacement of instruments. It's a great position to be in. Most of us have to be more careful, as money is scarce.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1380581177' post='2227558'] What does 'natural oil' do to deaden the strings? Does it chemically alter the strings or does it just make them dirty? Maybe it helps attract/attach dirt, and anything that can subsequently remove the dirt is a worthwhile exercise. [/quote] Well, you often hear of people who wash their hands very often during a practice or gig, but the acid in their sweat still causes the strings to go dead. Cant be dirt if the hands are washed that often, so perhaps it's safe to assume that the sweat corrodes the strings.

What I dont understand is how can slapping remove the oil build up from the strings ? Dirt and dead skin....maybe...but the natural oils in the hands help to deaden strings. I'm assuming this "trick" works by violently shaking off any excess dirt.

James Jamerson's lines were not exactly simplistic. They could be quite complex. Yet very few would say that his playing did not support the music. It all depends on the musician's interpretation of the music and how he goes about conveying that interpretation. A great bassist will know when to hold back and when to let it rip, depending on what the music requires. Yes, sometimes with bass, a little is a lot, but that should not be the hard and fast rule. The music should dictate this.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1380533867' post='2226555'] See a good physio and take their advice, and if you do continue to play make absolutely certain that you are using good technique. I used to get horrible pain in my hands and literally two lessons with a good teacher made it go away as I changed my hand and wrist position completely. [/quote] I agree about technique. OP, if your technique is not up to par, you are going to have problems no matter what type of bass you use.....big, small, medium... or otherwise. As for string gauge, 45-105 would be medium. Perhaps your action is too high.

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1380463466' post='2225606'] I'd played TI's before and remember enjoying them more than I did (mentioned this in the OP, basically the second sentence). Research not required. [/quote] Point taken. It's just that I (wrongly... obviously) interpreted from your OP that you were [i]surprised [/i]by the low tension.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1380465153' post='2225641'] 'Playing through the pain' would be a mistake. Your body is trying to tell you something. [/quote] +1. My advice would be to get the advice of a doctor or physiotherapest before playing again. If/when you get the go ahead to proceed, perhaps you should revisit your technique. IMO it is unlikely that while the precision neck might be uncomfortable to play, I doubt that this in itself caused your wrist problem. Heres hoping that you get back to painless playing ASAP !!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1380448371' post='2225281'] Don't worry about being a hard hitter. I didn't have any issues & I can be quite aggressive with the strings (I suppose that's why they only lasted 3 years). [/quote] That seems a very short life time for any flats. You must really give your strings some abuse.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1380365162' post='2224283'] For me the songwriting is the most important thing because without that there is nothing to play. [/quote] True to a certain extent, but you need a certain calibre of musician to interpret your music and to convey it in the way the writer intended. James Jamerson put such a mark on any song he played on, that at one stage, he was not allowed to go on tour, but had to stay in the studio, because writers/performers would not record without him. If what you say was absolutely true, then artists would not be particular about the musicians they choose for an album recording. I remember reading that "Steely Dan", when looking for a guitarist to solo on a certain song (cant remember the song title at present), went through five or six guitarists, before they found the "right" one. IMO, without the top notch musicians that Becker/Fagan insisted on recruiting, their songs/music might not sound quite as good.

[quote name='stjohn' timestamp='1380308682' post='2223717'] Tony reeves! Good choice! Was he the player on 'beyond the turning point'? [/quote] No. Stephen Thompson and Larry Taylor (another early influence !) played bass on that album. AFAIK, Reeves only played on one Mayall album.. "Bare Wires". Notwithstanding this, Reeves along with drummer Jon Hiseman rate among the tightest and most dynamic rhythm sections that Mayall ever had (IMO of course ). Here they are in full flight on "Look In The Mirror" from the "...Wires" album. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnLOm74SoAM[/media]

Tony Reeves (Colosseum & John Mayall)), Glen Corneck (JethroTull), and Peter Cetera (Chicago) were my early influences.

[quote name='bumnote' timestamp='1378841704' post='2205501'] I Love em, no problem with string balance at all. i prefer the softer feel [/quote] +1. OP, with regards tone, and whether you like it or not, trying new strings for the first time is always a gamble. As for the low tension, if you had done some research, you'd have found a tension chart for all their strings on their website. As for being affordable, yes they are expensive...at the start. My set have been on my bass for the last ten years, still (IMO) sounding great. How is that for value ?

Yes, the nut width plays a big part in the comfort of the neck, but so too does the radius and the width from front to back. Like most posters, I find the jazz width neck more comfortable, though on other forums I have come across people who much prefer the chunkier necks. They say their hands cramp up when using the thinner necks. Horses for courses, I suppose.

[quote name='MFD' timestamp='1379245925' post='2210184'] I see how intervals are useful, and I will practice them. The perfectionist in me wants the perfect pitch. My thoughts are that it would help me with fretless playing, which is a future goal. [/quote] Looks like I did misinterpret your post. There is no doubt but that having perfect pitch is an asset. That is not to say that you wont be a good bassist without it. IMO there are other things that are just as important and should not be neglected. For instance, timing. Not much good having perfect pitch, if your timing is not up to scratch. My point....everything about playing the bass is important.

[quote name='dincz' timestamp='1379236153' post='2210023'] The way I read his post, he wants to develop perfect pitch rather than intervals (relative pitch). A rare ability and not very useful. Recognising intervals sounds much more useful to me. Probably good to begin with 3rds (major and minor), 4ths and 5ths. [/quote] Indeed I could have misinterpreted the OP's post and he wants to develop perfect pitch. I agree that learning intervals are more useful.

Having a natural talent is generally just the rough diamond. This has to be cleaned, polished and shaped by years of practice and hard work. Any of the bassists whom we consider to be at the top of their class, despite their natural talent, were not like this from the moment they picked up a bass.

If it's worth doing, then it's worth doing [i]right. [/i]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1378849451' post='2205671'] I can't really understand all the fuss over a format - it's the music that counts. [/quote] Yes, the music is paramount, but have you considered the handiness, ease of use, mobility, space saving, issues etc of the modern formats ? If you have the space to store hundreds of LP's and only do your listening at home....fair enough.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1378897153' post='2206141'] Because forums are living, breathing, real time gatherings of people. Because people take things personally, for better or for worse. Because the opinions are presented and written as if they are facts, often in a sanctimonious, overbearing, arrogant and holier-than-thou kind of way by people who I'm willing to bet are actually in no position to speak authoritatively about the subject matter outside their own little world, with little consideration given to the thoughts, opinions and feelings of others. I'm not saying I'm blameless either. [/quote] What you say is true, but I think it is a case of "dont shoot the messenger." As generally agreed, they are for expressing opinions. How those opinions are expresed, and how valid they are, we have no controll over (except in severe cases when a Moderator feels it necessary to step in). If people cant accept this, that is not the fault of forums. If people who use forums are inclined to feel as you describe, then perhaps forums are not for them. Internet forums, being the nature of the beast that they are, can be elightening, helpful, frustrating, humiliating etc. Users have to be able and prepared to take the good with the bad, and to take "facts" with a pinch of salt.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1378892530' post='2206041'] Well spotted. [i]IMO[/i] [/quote] There...fixed it.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1378892326' post='2206035'] Anybody else spot the contradiction between quote A & quote B? [/quote] Well spotted. OP, are we to assume that this is your opinion, as you did not say so ?

Forums are there for people to express their opinions. Therefore I would have thought that any statement therein would be an opinion, without the person having to actually say so. It is up to the buyer to take all opinions into account, then armed with these, to make an educated choice as to whether to buy or not. Most will try before they buy anyway. With film, theatre, and music critics we accept that what they write is their opinion. Why can't we do the same with forum posters ?