White Cloud

Looks like my old DJ if I'm not mistaken. 

Killer jazz bass!

There always seems to be a greater fascination with advancing ones collection of gear as opposed to advancing ones ability on this and other related sites...

I might be going out on a limb here however, could it be related to the overwhelming male membership? 

In the parlance of psychology longstanding sociological studies have revealed males are far more interested in 'stuff' whilst the female of the species tend to gravitate more towards people. 

Casting my mind back, none of the female bassists I've known have ever been as remotely obsessed with the intricacies of their instruments (fingerboard radius anyone) like the guys.

Just putting it out there ☺️

On 12/05/2023 at 14:32, BigRedX said:

 

But on the other hand consider this bass:

 

 

Which I have taken to a couple of bass-bashes in the past. Pretty much everyone who has had a go on this says that it sounds just like a P-Bass (ignoring the fact most people who have played it also make it sound slightly different). Maybe that's because it has a P-Bass pickup in exactly the right spot rather than the wood it is made out of.

Is it good for metal? 

17 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

My thoughts. . . .  music is all about rules.

 

The "no rules" thing is describing when someone puts together a new set of rules. Even Archie Shepp and Sun Ra had rules.

 

IMO overplaying is an easy way to make bass playing sound bad, but to some people bad sounds good.

Interesting 🤔

Great input folks...I'm genuinely surprised at the amount of support for 'adding some seasoning to the recipe'

Brilliant 😍

Now then, it has come to my attention that I'm particularly undisciplined when playing covers. That is, I tend to get carried away with nonexistent ghost notes, fills etc. that definitely do not feature on the originals. This is exacerbated when we are egged on by an enthusiastic crowd live (which happens every now and then).

Having done a bit of self analysis it seems I like to play songs by feel or 'as I think they should be ' as opposed to 'how they are'. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever played any song the exact same way twice!

I've happened upon a great many players that really obsess about covering originals to the nth degree - but am now wondering if I'm either some sort of lazy free radical ...or just a lazy sod!

Hey, music is art and there are no rules and all that, however what's your thoughts on all of this? 

Maple is definitely brighter. The inherent tone of any bass is attributable to neck/fingerboard material. 

The best way to overcome beer gut woe is to ensure that you consistently drink enough beer on a daily basis to not care ...

Rotosound swing are very low tension and very bright.

5 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

The bass has been returned for a full refund.

Good shout. Truss rod aside I would have considered the loose fit of the neck joint unacceptable. 

Crazy deal!!!

58 minutes ago, Rayman said:

I love H&C. Pat Kanes’ voice is a thing of beauty, and let me tell you, having seen them live a few months ago, his voice is as good as ever. 

I agree. He had a bit of an ego issue when he was younger but has mellowed with age. Top voice!

I've lost count of the basses I've owned over 45 year's of playing: Everything from the sublime to the ridiculous. I enjoyed them all (in one way or another) but have come to the realisation I don't miss any of them.

At the end of the day they were just things -  instruments, tools of the trade or a means of expressing my musicality if you like.

I've always considered the name of the player much more important than the name on the headstock.

I'm weird.

11 hours ago, NickA said:

Eb cobalt flats on my bitsa jazz bass.  Because 

 

... I never much liked the sound of flats, but the cobalt's are quite bright and zingy.  They don't wear out the fretless fingerboard and they feel great. 

 

Nice strings tho perhaps a bit too full of their own character.  I put some on my fretless Wal and they made it sound like a bass with eb cobalt's on rather than a fretless Wal.

 

Going to try some thomastic jazz flats on the Wal but sticking to the cobalt's on the jazz.

 

...as old age advances my pro zing anti flatwound prejudice reduces.  Though I can't yet agree with Beedster that they're good for slap.  Examples please!

Flats on a Wal? Nnnnnnnnoooooooo

Oh dear, I kind of liked it (there must be something wrong with me 🤣)

Even so I generally agree with everything said here 🤔

It's so subjective given that ebony is wood at the end of the day: No two pieces will be identical regards hardness/tone etc. 

Ebanol is obviously much more consistent and is an excellent alternative of sorts.

For me, ebony is my optimal fingerboard for the reasons already stated!

Despite 'getting it' I have to confess I absolutely hate that tone on bass...

Great music and playing though.

It simply must be flats fitted for that dull thump. 

1 hour ago, gafbass02 said:

I used to often boil strings as a perma-skint teen back in the 90s. They tended to sound bright again for maybe a few hours, and I was always told it made them brittle, but I never had one snap. These days strings can be had so cheaply it doesn’t seem worth it anymore.

Oh the memories

Same except my experience occurred throughout the skint 80's. 

Love the bass, love the colour, love the price, love that I'm near Glasgow... hate that I don't need it 😞

A bottle of Jack Daniels and an upper class hooker ... Just joking 😁

Gorgeous!

Super basses, congratulations 🎉

That is a peach! Lovely old girl.

Sound might have the capacity for altering the state of the listener? 

Who knew ...

20 hours ago, Philly said:

I’m wondering how many of us bass lot manage to do backing vocals in bands. I play in a covers band and need to start doing some, but have had several attempts and usually ended in failure. 
 

Does anyone have any techniques to make this easier? 

I song both harmonies and lead vocals. I'm not sure that I can share techniques other than practice, practice, practice. It's kind of second nature now...

Incidentally I cut my young teeth endlessly playing and singing along with the Rush album 'Exit Stage Left' in the 80's which must have helped no end.