BassTractor

As said before, I'm no bass player yet, but I am a musician. My take, and one I can't stress enough: [b]Do not train for speed. Train for quality. Speed is the bonus result.[/b] Speed is the result of playing a lot and playing at the highest level of quality that you can. This means you play the stuff in the same way next time you play it (same fingers on same strings and positions, using the same technique for damping, etc.), and that you play at your top level as to musicality. The core is that you do this at slow, comfortable speed for a rather long time, and augment speed (carefully) only when the stuff sits perfectly. This way the muscles are trained, yes, but way more importantly, the brain area for playing is augmented considerably. The more brains cells are freed up for it, the more you'll be able to do exactly what you want. Good luck with your hand! bert

Hi Debs, Welcome to BC! I'm sure you'll like this friendly site. Can't really help you with recommendations on online courses, as I'm a total noob myself (one without any substantial guitar experience at that), but I just went the cheap way, and bought some books off Amazon that came highly recommended in the Amazon reviews. Satisfied with that. YMMV and all that, of course. Enjoy! bert

[quote name='walplayer' timestamp='1337253426' post='1657826'] What's wrong with a company wanting to establish or improve customer relations ?[/quote] Nothing. I welcome it. [quote name='walplayer' timestamp='1337253426' post='1657826'] Would you rather the opposite or a J.Hall Rickenbacker approach?[/quote] No, I wouldn't like "the opposite", whatever that might be. No, I wouldn't like a J.Hall Rickenbacker approach. Not that I know what that is, but I understand from this forum that J. Hall is an a**hole. So, did I answer your questions? I think so. Did you really relate to what I'd really written? I think not. Rather, you set up straw men. I fail to see why I should be the target of your straw men, seeing as I first welcomed Garey, and only reacted negatively after his over the top adspeak. Up to this point, Garey has warmly thanked for any support, but has failed to adequately respond to the core of the criticism: that he abused the forum with adspeak when he could just have relaxed and be one in the gang, and a highly appreciated one at that. [quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1337255041' post='1657872'] Thanks Walplayer. Our goal is that, exactly. We are interested in bridging the gap between company and player. In the end, we hope it will be a benefit to everyone. [/quote] I still warmly welcome this, Garey. You are in a position where you can be an important part of building the finest of relationships between factory and user. Boasting about the superduper range and what important people use it, should not be part of that. Also, being sorry for the effect of your words is not the same as being sorry for the words, you know. Now please be a good boy, do your work well, and we'll be good friends. /condescendence best and good luck, bert

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1337092887' post='1655289'] I see your point, Bert, I was slightly irritated by that post of Garey's too, but I think we should cut him some slack, as he's new here, and stick to constructive criticism. I'm sure he - and his company - are more likely to take our suggestions on board that way. [/quote] You may be fully right, Bluejay, and I hope you are. However, I have a hard time seeing this as a newbie's need for slack. I honestly think it's a result of corporate thinking, and planned ahead, including plans on how to tackle criticism. I do however hope that I'm wrong. best, bert Edit for spelling "Bluejay".

Welcome to BC, DD! I hope and trust you'll enjoy. best, bert

Enthusiasm for music - 95% Musical perception - 99% Emotional connection - 82% Social creativity - 96% Musical curiosity - 99% Like others, I was quite surprised that I didn't score higher on Emotional connection. Then again, I do see that music doesn't rule my world like it did 30 years back, so maybe the results show some old git relativism on my part. Like some others, I was bewildered by the music styles, thinking they meant classical, jazz, reggae, hip hop, pop and rock, whilst still giving me only four groups. Maybe I read the instructions poorly, but I gave the slightly off-beat examples the OK, thinking that it was OK enough for a test like this. Wrong! I was very disappointed with my ability to compare the piano tunes, and felt I was more lucky than I deserved. Happily though, I will live. best, bert

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1337092180' post='1655273'] but I'm not sure why that should cool your opinion of them! [/quote] Well, at any rate, It's not about my opinion on the basses themselves. But I do react strongly negatively to this type of forum abuse. As an importer/distributor, and having my own forum on my own website, I never use that forum (my own forum, mind you) for corporate cut 'n' paste or blatant adspeak. It's distateful. I hope it also is unintelligent. best, bert

Hey Gothmetaldude, Welcome to BC. Yeah, loud and powerful is a good thing. Only drawback of loud and powerful must be the design of some instruments. best, bert

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1337085252' post='1655097'] Thanks for the feedback! We've recently combined the pages to offer the New Warwick & Framus Facebook page. Warwick Basses and Framus Guitars are made side by side here in Markneukirchen, Germany (as well as the Framus Vintage/Artist Series and the Warwick Pro/Artist Series, made in Korea)...which many people do not know! Fred Wilfer (Father of Warwick's Hans-Peter Wilfer) created the Framus company in 1946. For decades Framus was one of Europe's leading stringed instrument company, played by artists such as John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Billy Lorento, and Bill Wyman. In the late 70's Framus was forced to close due to competition from the Asian market...but after a couple years of transition, Warwick was founded: 13 September 1982, by Hans-Peter Wilfer) Now, 30 years later, Warwick and Framus offer an amazing array of models and options...as well as an incredible Artist roster. The factory is a blend of cutting-edge technology and hand-craftsmanship...with a dedication to high environmental standards. We welcome all your comments...thanks! [/quote] After that post, and the intense FB advertising, my warm relationship to Warwick is already cooling down, I'm sorry to have to say. bert

Welcome, Chris, from another old noob. I'm sure you'll enjoy this forum. best, bert

Welcome back then, Rob, though of course your best 99.9% won't be affected by my welcome. best, bert

Similar as above, of course, but we were putting a band together for doing some originals and some covers, of which I remember a Gentle Giant song and one by Dalbello. In comes this guitarist with his axe tuned to an E minor chord. A barré (that the word when you pinch all strings with one straight finger?) plus one finger is major, right? Explains he was in a metal band that got a record contract after they'd thrown him out. best, bert

Hi Garey, Welcome to BC. I hope you'll be able to enjoy as well as shed professional lights. Love my RB Corvette! best, bert

Welcome to BC, DarkHeart! Enjoy the ride! best, bert

It depends on the music for me. In rock or pop, I listen for stuff that I just happen to like. That would normally be the harmonic and rhythmic drive, but might be just one nice interval, a chord progression I have a weak spot for, or whatever rocks my boat. As far as instruments go, despite having been a keyboards guy for 45 years, I mainly listen to the bass and the drums. Melody is not my force, and I'm totally lyrics-deaf. Recollection depends on the song. Some stuff will never be remembered even after dozens of listenings, whilst other stuff sits "photographically" in my brain after just one listen. When listening to classical music, there's both the composition and the interpretation. As to the interpretation, I listen for whether the artist has anything new and interesting to say about the work, has balls enough, sensibility enough and enough prowess to show both the analytical side and the "lyrical" side of it, in a personal yet balanced way. (I don't know if this makes sense, and bravely hide behind the fact that it's almost two o' clock now, and I should def. be sleeping.) As to the composition, I'm rooting with the composers, and don't want them to fall into traps they set up themselves. So I tend to be an active listener in that I concentrate on the rhythmic and harmonic machines, and "talk" (in my head) to the composers as the music unfolds, as in "Do NOT repeat this II, V, I now. At least use a VII, or else you're gonna have to land this movement prematurely." I have little recollection of the piece until after many listenings, but I'm a bloodhound for quality, often being able to pinpoint the composer on basis of sheer compositional quality, like: "The composer of this late Renaissance music is so good, it can only be Monteverdi. Or: each time this composer is confronted with a problem he created himself, he'll quickly run back to the root key. So it must be Vivaldi." bert

To me it seems like a bloody great way to do it. Have never tried though, but was taught to sing along with the different parts while studying organ pieces, to get a feel of the "breathing" of the themes. best, bert

Hi Aj, Welcome to BC! Switching to bass was a great move indeed. Me, I switched from keyboards after 45 years, and only wonder why ever I didn't switch earlier. Enjoy the ride! bert

Indeed he probably means the E string on both. Now I wouldn't know, but someone I know says the very same. For decades, this guy has worked as producer and studio technician for Nile Rodgers besides playing guitar, bass and keyboards. He has worked with people like Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Bowie, Diana Ross, The B52's and lotsa others, so at the very least, he's not a noob. He says you'll never get the same great tones from the E string on a 5 string bass as from the E string on a 4 string bass, and he's very specific and firm about that. I trust him in this for several reasons. My guess is that neck and joint stiffness, or lack thereof, as well as sympathetic resonance issues, would be likely causes. best, bert

Hi Rick, Welcome to BC! I hope and trust you'll enjoy both the friendly atmosphere and the loads of info one gets here. best, bert

IME and IMHO: no for like 99.9% of families. Within the circle of musicians that I belonged to, professional musicians all of them, NOBODY had a good, stable income - with the exception of those who taught at the college of music. In a travelling band, things are a lot worse. You'd have to be one of the extremely few. Good luck to you though, should you decide to go for it. best, bert

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1336662126' post='1649120'] Thanks mate. very nervous about sticking that on here in this company lol [/quote] Just remember that also company like myself are here, and at least one person like me got a lot of inspiration from that vid. Thanks so much for sticking it on here! back to practising, bert

Hi Alan, Welcome to BC! I'm sure you'll enjoy this friendly place. best, bert

Ah! The bliss of being self employed! When I eventually do get disturbed by customers, they'll have to wade their way through basses and amps. Have no money, of course, but can play bass whenever I want. best, bert

Yes, it's rubbish in my opinion as well. That being said, in my experience it can be used for its purpose, so I'm inclined to think yours is faulty. Happily, these days we have mobile apps that do the work sooo much better. OTOH, they require relatively expensive adapter cables that generally lack the sturdiness of the AmPlug. Personally, I prefer the apps by far though, and just treat the cable carefully. best, bert

Welcome, Maurizio! Please tell us a little about you and/or your gear. Enjoy the site! bert