TPJ

[quote name='tiki613' timestamp='1328964146' post='1535330'] thank Daf actually , i use evah pirazzi weicht , the tension is good , the honey have same tension? [/quote] I think the Honey's are less tension tiki. I've had both on my bass and prefer the Honeys as the tone bloomed more on the bass and the tension was less. The string diameter is considerably bigger than the Evah's though and if you like digging into a string, the Honey's give you more to grab.

pm'd BIMF

Well, any kind of preamp will help but you're right, the BP100 can be "challenging". I've used several preamps to good effect. DHA DI EQ, Art Tube MP, MXR80 (this works really well with my bass for some reason). Where are you based?

[quote name='daflewis' timestamp='1328789111' post='1532596'] Hi Artisan, As the guys have said there's quite a choice from innovation... here's a quick run down: [b]Silver/Golden Slaps[/b] Pretty much covered by the guys, the lightest slap string that innovation do, with a polished round wound outer wrap giving that "fuzzy rope" feeling - (though i probably wouldn't have described it quite like that myself!) Some people mention that you get quite a lot of noise when shifting position. Though primarily a slap string they finger pizz well with a nice toppy click at the front end, but don't bow well and are very breathy and scratchy . Very popular with slap players. [b]Super Silvers[/b] Based on the same idea as the silver slaps, but with higher tension. [b]Psychobillys[/b] A string similar to the super silvers in tension, But thicker. If the round wound feel of the Silvers puts you off there are a range of black nylon wrapped strings - these generally have a darker sound and bow (slightly) better (i must admit that i love the ultra black as a jazz string!) [b]Rockabilly[/b] black nylon coated medium tension string originally designed to replace gut for slap playing, but actually bows and finger pizz quite well too. A darker sound than metal strings but with some sustain and a good gutty slap. Well suited to straight ahead jazz and rockabilly (of course!) [b]Ultra Backs[/b] A black nylon wound string with a bit more tension than the rockabillys. A real dark horse this one, has a lovely punch to the pizz and a good amount of growl and sustain; it also bows surprisingly well. Finally we have the metal wrapped strings.... probably not what you're looking for but I'll mention them anyway - [b]140H "Honeys"[/b] A fairly low tension, slightly thicker than average, metal wound string designed primarily for jazz, but that bows very well too though with quite a “breathy" sound. They have a gutty thump at the front end with some sustain but a softer sound and less growl than most metal wound strings. The windings are non-ferrous so these strings will not work with magnetic pickups. (piezos are fine) [b]140B "Braid"[/b] Slightly lower tension than the Honeys and more flexible; a metal wound string designed primarily for arco work, but they do pizz well (though with a bit less sustain than the honeys). They have a great gut like sound and speak very quickly under the bow. Hope that's of some use! any questions just ask! Cheers, Daf [/quote] Daf, I'd ask the mods to sticky this bit, it's really useful info

I don't know if anyone else does this, but when we put the DB in the PA, we cut the low bass out, roll off anywhere from 80-180hz and below. This cleans up the DB tone to no end and keeps those headroom eaters at bay. You'd be surprised how much "bass" is still there but it's tamed.

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1328359654' post='1525927'] I slip my little finger in between the fingerboard and the G string. If it is a tightish fit it's about right. Not precise, I know, but it's served me well over the years. [/quote] I use the same method, but with my index finger. Halfway up the nail is my action.

Good luck and have fun. Sounds like a great first gig

Solos can be what ever you make them and need not be daunting. Look how BB king solos, very few notes but lots of rhythm and feel. Same goes for DB

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' timestamp='1328116908' post='1522118'] 7-5mm isn't too low, in my opinion. Yes for slapping but I haven't read that that's what Artisan is going for. I'm suggesting 7-5mm only because I wish my first upright had action like that, or that I know it could be changed. [/quote] It can be relative to the strings you're using too. I started with Honeys and set the G about 10 and E about 13, but the strings are low tension so the height isn't as much an issue. Spiro orchs would be hell at that height.

Great stuff bud. Enjoy. Keep the commentary and questions coming too, and of course pics

Even if you get a "boring wood" model, there is always paint!

[quote name='phil625sxc' timestamp='1327584336' post='1513722'] thanks Tom - it's not something I've done much of at all so will give it a go. Maybe a silly question but when transcribing is it done with your bass in hand or all mentally ? [/quote] Now I just do it in my head after getting the pitch, but generally when starting out I used the bass or guitar or keyboard... Mostly I just sit and listen a few times then start and stop my way through it until completed. Then, play it all on your bass when done. IME it all works together, hearing the parts and understanding the intervals and rhythms that make up the music. If you transcribe a lot eventually you can just listen to the song and write the lines as it goes by with out using an instrument. This site is in my bookmarks [url="http://www.blanksheetmusic.net/"]http://www.blanksheetmusic.net/[/url]

Another way to help reading is to transcribe. It helps develop the ear as well as recognising rhythms and intervals. Start with something easy and when you get comfortable then move on to more challenging pieces. What you'll find is that after a little while you can read both treble and bass clef. Practice transcribing all the parts, bass as well as melodies and solos. You'll be able to read fly sh*t on a wall after transcribing for a little while

Just thought I'd chime in. I run a DHA Bob the Blender along with a few different preamp pedals. I bought a OneSpot to power all of them, they sell a reverse polarity adapter. There is a little difference in sound between 9 and 12v but nothing major, maybe not as much grunt when running at 9v. The OneSpot seems like a good quality, affordable and flexible power supply.

Believe it or not, I use an MXR M-80 a lot of the time for DB. I've used DHA-DI-Eq which is nice too, Sadowsky and an Art Tube MP but the MXR seems to get the best tone for my bass, recording and live. We're not overly loud and usually run either with a very low volume backline or none at all.

That Krappy site is fantastic and they look to be a great intro into this style of playing. My sausage shaped fingers would make this sort of thing rather difficult I would think