MiltyG565

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1357241314' post='1919764'] Ok, so there are the obvious classic bass guitars ... Those basses which have endured and continuously prevailed through the ages, and endless fashions of music. Those basses are ingrained in our consciousness, so familiar are we with the sound and sight of them. Instruments which are the successful formula of aesthetic appeal, functionality, sound capability, quality of manufacture, and clever corporate voodoo. But is there anyhing else? At what point can a bass rightfully be called a "classic"? It may not be a Jazz, a Ray, a Rick, but a Steinberger XL2, a Warwick Streamer, an Aria SB1000 ... Is your bass a classic? [/quote] A bass is a classic when people start saying things like "Sounds a bit like a *enter classic bass here*". They also have to be fairly common, otherwise, they aren't that classic. I'm sure everyone could point to a bass that sounds/looks fantastic, and they wished they owned, but because they price is many many thousands of hard earned pounds, and there are only 100 being made, it would be difficult for it to become a classic. Classics tend to be the ones that change everything. The P has it's own unique tone, and changed bass indefinitely. It made bass easy, transportable, loud and relatively cheap. That's isn't the formula for a classic, but again, you can point to a stingray and say it's a classic, because of it's tone.

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1357239139' post='1919700'] As dilemmas go, that's got to be up there with salted or buttered pop-corn. That said, strings are a whole heap of mystery... you mention the design, but there's a whole of other parameters (gauge, scale, material, core design, bridge presentation)... to me the most mysterious being tension and flexibility. Try lots... or better still, play other basses and identify the strings... I'd recommend Rotosound round-wounds as your reference set from which to explore... (medium gauge if you're into more 'modern' styles, standard, i.e. heavy if you're more 'traditional'). [/quote] They are steel with chrome coating i believe, for a warmish brightness. My jazz is just a bog standard... standard? It's got a maple neck, with no mutes on the bridge. They are 45-100 scale. I believe the core is steel? I played a fair few sets of rotosound rotobass. While the tone and feel of them was alright for the price, i found that the QC could be a little inconsistent, and also that the tone of the strings was completely gone after a month. So i ditched them, and have used Ernie Balls, GHS, and currently revising the D'Addario's. [quote name='mart' timestamp='1357239397' post='1919712'] Oh, that's okay - just turn the bass upside down. [/quote] It's currently upside down. Worried about all the blood running to the head and bursting a vein...

[quote name='Wan' timestamp='1357237949' post='1919655'] Wicked !!! Thanks Man :-] [/quote] Just made a quick video of how i do it if you are willing to wait a few hours to see it?

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1357238670' post='1919680'] Just make sure you get the half-rounds the right way up. [/quote] Aw feck, they are upside down!

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1357238208' post='1919664'] Can you not try both ways? [/quote] Not really. For one, the OLP isn't exactly one full instrument atm (the neck is screwed off. Was intending on keeping a set for when i screw it back on again in a few weeks.) Also, the winding post arrangement would mean i would have to leave a hell of a lot of extra string on the G string just in case i decide i want to put them on the Jazz again.

So here's the dilemma, I got a set of Half-rounds today, and also a set of roundwound strings. My basses are a Fender Jazz bass, and an OLP MM 'Ray. I was thinking maybe the half-rounds for the jazz bass, and the rounds for the 'ray. What do you guys think?

[quote name='Wan' timestamp='1357232055' post='1919519'] Hi people, I've got to make a few Bass related Videos and I need you help as to how best do it.... I've got a Mac running Logic, an Ipad and an iphone.... What do ya think ? Ta Wan [/quote] The way i usually do it is- record your track in a DAW then use the camera in the mac to record. You can do this by opening iMovie and clicking the little camera symbol, about half way down the screen. Then you click capture, it starts recording, and also start recording your bass. You might want to kill the volume input for iMovie, because it will also record whatever sound is being picked up (although not to the same quality as your DAW). You can also record on your iPad and send it to iMove on the mac. or even your iPhone, multiple angles is good, makes it a bit more interesting. Then you simply edit it and line the audio up with it. That can take a little bit of time, but it needs to be right. If you want transitions, make sure you insert them while editing, and not at the end, because that will throw your audio and video out of sync. You can check out a couple of my covers on my YouTube channel if you like, that's how i record them. The link to my channel is the red link in my signature below this post. Good luck!

[quote name='aende' timestamp='1357134387' post='1917871'] And a Happy New year So, why am I here? I am an ex pro guitar player.....alright, I only had 2 pro tours, but they were big...for a boy band....lets leave it there! Anyway, I have always 'toyed' with bass and find it a fascinating instument to groove on. Unfiortunately, I play bass the way I play guitar - something I am trying to change as time goes by...IMHO guitar players make bad bassists....but I am keen to re-learn. [/quote] Hello, and welcome! Happy new year to you! Got a question, just for my own curiosity. Why switch from guitar to bass when you were already a pro player with loads of lovely vintageyness? Also, the boy-band, where you in any way a member of the boy-band, or a session musician for them while on tour? That being said, i play bass and guitar (bass to a bad standard, guitar to an even worse standard) and i still prefer bass. I don't think being a guitarist makes for being a bad bassists, but i think guitarists who think that playing bass is just playing the root notes of the guitar chord are normally the worst (in terms of bass playing ability, and just to talk to generally ) But i have found a fair few guitarists pretending they could play bass. My mate's a guitarist of 8 years, and actually now filling in on bass in his punk band untill they find a decent bassist. I believe he is making a fair job of it.

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1357205160' post='1918951'] WOW Bert Well yesterday was pretty good on reflection. Band practice and did rather well at Badge (other band mates hadn't practiced their parts as much as they should). Then, we were about to play another track.... which has a fairly simple but "busy" bassline..... and the guitarists (we have 3) said "We did tell you about the key change didn't we? Its in C now not A"...... Um, no you didn't. So I replied "Well expect the bassline to be crap then whilst I transpose on the hoof".... well I amazed myself, only made 2 mistakes in the whole song, and transposed as I went perfectly other than that. Really boosted my confidence it did!! [/quote] My normal response to something like that would be "No it's not" then keep playing it in A. It's probably why i'm not in a band Haven't really played bass in a good while. I played yesterday when i was very tired, but it was no use.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1357139847' post='1917976'] Where do you start recording an EP? That's a real how long is a piece of string question. In the end only you can answer it through trial and error finding out what works for you and what doesn't. Personally I wouldn't even think about hitting record until I had the basic structure of the piece worked out. I'm not a massive fan of using "the studio" as a compositional tool, it's great for finishing off your ideas, but not really for generating them. There are people who can work this way but they normally have an inside-out knowledge of the equipment they are using, or are working in conjunction with someone who does. If you're going to be doing it all by yourself (rather than involving other musicians) you really need to be working to a rhythm that is tied to the bar and beat structure of your chosen DAW. That way edits and changes in the structure of the piece are far easier to manage. You could record your first instrument free-form and then fit everything else around that, but unless you are very sure of the overall structure, you may well find that it's easier to start from scratch if your need to move parts around. Also fitting a MIDI or plugin drum part to this will be a complete nightmare unless you are very good at playing drums or playing them in from a MIDI keyboard. TBH your best bet is just to try stuff and see what suits you. Be prepared to chuck everything away from your first few attempts when you find that your chosen approach leads to a dead end later in the recording/composition process. Remember while there's loads of sound advice in the posts so far, what works for one person won't necessarily work for you. Good luck! [/quote] Cheers, i really appreciate that. [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1357199753' post='1918887'] MIDI Drumming is easier than ever with all the software available. You can go from free programmes up to high end. They all come with midi loops, just drag and drop. Use them as a starting point then edit in the PRV to suit your needs. You don't have to play keyboards or be a drummer to do this , although i find playing them in on a keyboard is good for getting natural velocity levels, but again you can change this in the PRV view. If you are struggling with playing other Instruments, learn the basics of MIDI input, you could even just write it in. There is plenty of videos on YouTube for this stuff. Garry [/quote] Yeah, i get something done in terms of the drums. Cheers.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1357145014' post='1918105'] To most non bassists...yes! Dont forget there are also still many out there who consider bassists to be second class musicians. This is not quite as prevelant as it used to be. When I started playing there was almost a stigma about taking up the bass..."Your only a bass player because you couldnt cut it on guitar!" This is still the case with many of the uneducated and ignorant. Surely others on the forum can relate??? [/quote] Yup, one of my mates always stuck to the party line of "But it only has 4 strings, and guitar has 6, therefore it is 2 easier". Trying to explain the difference in trying to create a good groove and good chord progression went completely over him, but he was an industrial metal and speed metal fan, so what do we expect?

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1357132492' post='1917830'] practice, practice, practice. just literally work out which key is the kick, and the snare, then come up with a rhythm using them... ignore the symbals and toms to start, just worry about the rhythm and build from there [/quote] Yeah, i've done that before, but it didn't go well, any time i tried it. I think my downfall is my unfamiliarity of a keyboard, my reducing strength and fine motor skills, and my fairly poor timing with regards to keyed instruments. It's a good enough reason for me to learn the keyboard, but right now....

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1357129230' post='1917747'] get yourself a cheapish midi controller/keyboard. i acquired one last week and being able to play the beats that come to your head rather than have to think about programming them makes life a bit creative. [/quote] Already got one, although i can't use it to track drums, because i'm useless. [quote name='charic' timestamp='1357130206' post='1917773'] It comes down to how you write songs. I wouldn't focus on writing an EP to begin with, write the first track that suits the "theme" or "sound" that you want. After that you essentially just have to stick to that theme or sound. [/quote] Yeah, i already have a solid idea for the EP. The main track will be quite a melodic slap bass kinda track (kinda like moving between chords rather than moving a shape). The second song is in a similar vein, only not slapped, so it's safe to say the theme for it is pretty solid, there's 2 good ideas for songs (in my opinion). I just need to expand them out a bit, then write a couple more, and stick guitar, drums and maybe some other stuff to it.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1357121852' post='1917609'] I don't hate Fenders, I'm just not too keen on the body design. Same with Ford Escorts, good value cars, but they're not aesthetically pleasing to me. [/quote] The mark 2's aren't good value. Up until recently, boys were still paying 2 grand for a decent shell! (bare, no running gear at all!). There's no accounting for taste, as they say, but i don't find either item particularly displeasing.

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1357118250' post='1917571'] The title of the thread can mean different things... - 'Classic' meaning iconic and has stood the test of time - 'all rounder' meaning really versatile. This can be achieved by being able to create a variety of tones to suit whatever genre (J) or to have a limited range of tones which will fit in any genre (P) IMO, suggestions like an ACG six string can't satisfy the first of these criteria, and a Stingray can't satisfy the second. [/quote] Yeah, i get the meaning of the thread, but I honestly can't see why anybody would say that a P suits the sound of every song whereas a Ray doesn't. They are both incredibly distinct sounding basses that any of us could spot a mile off. They are both incredibly similar in terms of what they offer, so how can you honestly say that one is more of an all rounder than the other? I think people are just more used with hearing a P being used to play everything, so they think that it suits everything song better than a similar bass with the same abilities and qualities (like a ray). The general consensus seems to be a Jazz, and i see why, it can do ray-ish or p-ish if you want, or any combination of the both.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1357118067' post='1917568'] I'd go for my Jazz. Not sure why the arguement about Jazz not standing out in the mix with both pups on full. Simply adjust the vol pots to accomodate what you want and need - easy. Love the look and sound of the Stingray but always felt the necks a bit too wide more like a precision so couldn't realy get used to them. Is that true about all Stingrays or have i played a bad one back when they first appeared. ? Would def consider one as an all rounder if necks had a slimmer feel. General conscensus of opinion on thread so far seems to be the Jazz. Can't all be wrong i guess. Dave [/quote] I think (and i'm nowhere near an expert in this, so feel free to correct me) that all the rays have more precision style necks. I have been told before though that the sterling necks are slightly slimmer (again, no expert).

Good job mate! You're new to the site, but you clearly have been playing a good while. I also have some bass covers (along with some pretty ridiculous other stupid videos) posted, which you can check by clicking the link to my youtube channel in my signature below (the red link). You have put it into my head now to cover this song. Not much a of a Beatles fan myself, but now i know why people say auld Paul is the best bassist.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1357116235' post='1917548'] IMO Fenders are a bit like ford escorts, they sure ain't pretty! A lot of the design looks fine, but some bits are just "why!". Like that top horn. Though they do sound good enough, there's basses with better sounds (again IMO). I would say an Ibanez SR would cover the majority of sounds, but I wouldn't say it's a classic bass. [/quote] They are a bit like ford escorts in that they are ancient and everyone still loves the look and sound (well, not everybody). I can't see why people would hate on fenders. It seems to be usually because they are tired of the designs (understandable). But, like an old escort (my dad is literally a MK1/2 Escort guru), they have a big following for a good reason. Personally, i love an escort and a decent fender. Can't imagine what it would be like to hate them. Peugeots on the other hand....

[quote name='Johngh' timestamp='1357076515' post='1917304'] That's just it, a Precision can't give you any tones other than a horrid farty thud, they're useless. Puts on tin hat. [/quote] Ohh, i wasn't going to go that far! *slides out side door*

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1357066301' post='1917087'] P bass or Ray. Love the Jazz tone but I think it's harder to stand out in the mix with both pups on full. [/quote] It is quieter with them on full, ironic... isn't it? I would say a jazz. Some people have said a P bass. surly it can't achieve that many different tones with one pickup and tone control? I mean, that is what we are talking about, isn't it? how many variants a bass can pull off well? well, the P does have a distinct tone that anybody could spot a mile off, and you could play anything on it (like any other bass) but i don't think you could call it an all-rounder.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1357042251' post='1916599'] Yeah, rust is not a friend of the old Mini. A friend of mine has a an original 1960s Mini Cooper. It's been re-shelled, had a new engine fitted, new wheels, new seats and the interior has been re-trimmed.............A bit like Trigger's broom [/quote] haha, 17 new heads and 14 new brush shafts. I don't see the appeal of a mini. Surly there are better small cars out there now? i would go as far to say people only buy them for the look (which would be looking like a 1960's hairdresser).

[quote name='Rimskidog' timestamp='1357042950' post='1916610'] Just put down what's in your head and build from there. there is no wrong way. I've started with lyrics and worked backwards, started with drums and worked forwrd and every way in between. Trying to make your muisc fit a pre-determined pattern will stifle your creativity.. My find of 2012 for getting writing ideas was garageband for ipad (it has different features than the standard garageband). so my tip to you is pay the £3, download garageband to your iphone/ipad, open smart drums, set the tempo and keep rolling the dice until it throws up a drum track you like. [/quote] Cheers for that. Unfortunately, i don't have an iPhone or iPad, and it doesn't look like i'll have one any time soon.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1356984583' post='1916154'] Yes but that was 20 plus years ago! I don't think anyone would re-shell many cars nowadays if it was rolled. They are just written off now. I think the only cars that have a re-shell are classic cars. My mate still re-shells the old type Minis. [/quote] Yeah, but old type minis is alright, for 2 reasons- They are a huge seller. They rust like f***.

[quote name='musophilr' timestamp='1356981532' post='1916109'] Yes, I've got one. Estates or vans. [u][i][b]Nothing[/b][/i][/u] with a lip that goes between the floorpan and the outside world at the back. [/quote] Worst thing ever is having to bump gear over a lip, then it gets all scratched and torn. My old bosses van was ply-lined in the back and had a bit of angle iron across the back that was sitting up above the ply a bit. It was a bastard. I also scraped a load of paint from the back sill one day with a yard brush when he made me clean it out. Fun times

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1356979238' post='1916061'] Not at all. There must be hundreds of cars on the road that have been re-shelled that have never seen a rally stage. The company i worked for some years ago re-shelled a car that only had 40 miles on the clock after someone rolled it coming out of a car hire compound. [/quote] So you did a full reshell? must have been pretty badly damaged, and also been worth the cost of it. (unlike if i rolled my 106, it would just have to be scrapped).