Marc S

Hi ubassman, What do they call that device in your original post? You've got me interested in it now....

.... and in my earlier post, how could I have missed mentioning Steve Harris? o: and Cliff Burton... For very different reasons to my other influences

I tried playing while sat on a tall-ish stool but it did feel distinctly "odd" I think my intonations were out too Difficult to tell exactly, as I'm fairly new to DB (being a bass guitarist) But I suppose it is a lot to do with muscle memory and your posture probably will have some effect on that particularly if you aren't as comfortable as usual... Must try & play while sitting on a stool again sometime I think I'd be more comfortable, long term... Mind you, it'd be another thing to (a) sneak past the missus and ( cart around, and have to squeeze into the car!

JJ Burnell and Paul Gray (Damned, Hot Rods etc) I was a punk, and these guys had very different sounds to each other, but each played some brilliant basslines... Paul said his main influence was John Entwistle - and I really can hear that These days, I like John's basslines too Another big influence was Peter Hook - he just made the bass sound so different to everyone else and Andy Rourke of the Smiths Some of Johnny Marr's superb guitar playing must have been difficult to put basslines to but Andy managed to compliment the guitar superbly, with some of the best bass I've heard For DB, it has to be Danny Thompson, of course EDIT: Meant to say, some of Paul Gray's basslines are brilliant He got a superb sound from his Yellow Rickenbacker - never heard anything quite like it Listen to "The Black Album" to hear what I mean... Nice thread - please don't appologise for starting it

mmmmm.... not my cup of tea! each to their own though - I suppose

[quote name='elom' timestamp='1380234143' post='2222774'] This thread made me go and grab my own basses - I guess they are pretty 80s! [/quote] Indeed - very 1980's I like 'em all EDIT: Just don't go doing any 1980's hairstyles! lol

[quote name='sarah thomas' timestamp='1380020049' post='2219519'] Your bass had a set of golden slaps on previously, which is why they fit! I widened the nut slot to take the slaps, but didn't widen it all the way down to the bottom of the groove. That way, a narrower slot was available to fit other strings when needed. I think they're great strings for starting off on. Anyway, I just wanted to say that you should be able to dig in and play them hard without fear of them popping out. Go for it Marc! [/quote] Thanks again Sarah The new strings are definitely brighter and that "woody" sound is more prominent too.... I did wonder why it was they fitted so well Is it standard practice to slightly open the notches/ grooves on the bridge too? Marc

[quote name='MB1' timestamp='1380187418' post='2221931'] MB1. Strangely just reminded me of this tune... Give it Back The Dickies. (Doh!...Blast from the past!) [/quote] And now I am singing that other Dickies blast from the past "Banana Splits" Defo take it back - it shouldn't be moving about already

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1380202037' post='2222233'] bike reflector type lenses over the leds for big eyes? Love it Rich, excellent work. [/quote] Even more great ideas!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1380183678' post='2221844'] Yeah I think that might be the answer, It was fine when I tested it in the shop then a couple of days later the buzz came back... Maybe I have bigger problems with this bass [/quote] .... maybe the point that a few people have told me, about letting the neck to "settle" is true for some instruments? I know I used to leave an old bass of mine in a practice room where the temperature was up & down all the time ... played havoc when I had to adjust the trussrod

Sir, you are quite mad! What a fab piece of work! Really like the whole design, and the flashing LED red eyes are a master touch of genius Superb woodworking skills / luthier skills Re painting, if you're short of time, you could just go for a distressed look for now then finish it properly when you get back? Keep up the awesome work Marc

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1380182961' post='2221832'] Its on the first few frets so I should loosen it? Its annoying actually, I just got it back from the gallery last week where they were supposed to have set it up to stop this... Rob [/quote] Think I'd take it back to them then... They really should have sorted it out... I have heard some say that you shouldn't turn the trussrod adjuster more than I think it's a 1/4 turn an hour? - The reasoning behind this, was to let the neck "settle" I've also heard some say you should only adjust it with the strings slackened off, while others recommend leaving the strings at proper tension.... Just wondering what the accepted wisdom on trussrods actually is? Any thoughts, stories or advice fellow BC'ers? Marc

[quote name='fumps' timestamp='1379599726' post='2214661'] I have to raise the Ibanez SR as others have before me.....My bass has a thinner neck than most of my mates guitars. If I pick up a Fender I feel like I need to catch a bus to get round the neck lol [/quote] Indeed My Sr500 really is a superb bass And to raise the point about thin / fast again What neep said is partially true, the SR500 really does have a thin neck but its' speed - or the speed I can move my hand along it, is also down to the finish The neck is, I believe Bubinga wood and somehow, the wood has a really low-friction coating I don't know what sort of varnish or coating that is, but I dread the day it wears out and needs re-coating So far, so good - it has stood the test of time But anyone doubting that some necks are faster than others really should try one of these basses out Fender necks to me, are incredibly chunky I've had 2x USA build Fenders, but my Indonesian Squire has a better neck than any USA model I've played Also, the USA Fenders seemed to have a varnish / finish with that bit more "drag" factor to them If you've never tried an SR500 or the other Soundgear models - give one a try

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1379574996' post='2214256'] Ah ha! Westone Thunder 1, my first 'proper' bass indeed. [/quote] Yes, really liked Westone basses As I said earlier, I had a Westone Thunder Jet It was a lovely bass The first time I ever saw a bass neck with so many frets A nice light, small body, and a fast, thin neck It produced a great sound too The only thing I didn't like about it was the bridge The adjusting grub screws used to protrude up, out of the saddles They were sharp, and tended to dig into the side of your hand EDIT: When played with a pick I really should have replaced the screws with something shorter and it would have fixed it but I then got keen on another bass and did a swap.... Still, really nice bass for the money at that time

I very recently bought a set of silver slaps I couldn't wait for the trial set - being Mr Impatient lol On fitting them just a couple of days ago, I must say I was immediately impressed Very easy on the fingers, and just the sort of slightly lower than metal strings tension I wanted They have a lovely deep, and clear sound too They're still "bedding in" at the moment i.e. they're still stretching But starting to settle..... Some BC'ers mentioned the need to widen the slots in the nut of their basses and I could see straight away that these strings are thicker than the Honeys the bass came fitted with However, I haven't needed to widen the slots in the nut I haven't played the strings too vigorously just yet But they do seem to stay firmly in place so far and I think the tension is sufficient to keep them there.... Anyhow, just thought I'd offer my findings so far, to anyone considering these strings, as Daf has been so helpful in his descriptions If you're thinking about the trial set, and are a bit more patient than me, put your name on the list.... Cheers all I'll update my thoughts when the strings settle more Marc EDIT: I also meant to say they don't seem "floppy" to me either

[quote name='maldy' timestamp='1379841444' post='2217164'] When I first started playing bass I, shamefully, came to the premature conclusion that people who played with a pick weren't very good. There were many reasons for this, most out of ignorance. Many years down the line, I realise that there is actually I huge skill to playing with a pick and making it sound good. I'm absolutely rubbish with a pick and I sound like a bag of sh*te. I can slap the bass, which is supposedly a complex thing, but can't pick for toffee! So if the pick is so inferior, why do I find it so hard! I realise my error in judgement and one day hope to get decent with a pick. But at the moment I've got a long way to go. So respect to all you pick users. I really don't know how you get such a smooth and even sound. Hats off to you and keep doing what you are doing. [/quote] Yes, many players made a similar mistake But the key is that you realise now this is an "error" so to speak... Of course, you don't HAVE to play with a pick I just think it's good if you can play in all sorts of styles It makes you a bit more flexible in your approach and gives you different dynamics, more variety of different sounds too I try to keep my skills up, playing pick and finger Slapping is a bit more tricky still - wish I could do them all with equal proficiency Practice them all is the key

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1379702661' post='2216005'] Ive used a bit of rubber matting, you know the sort with holes in that is used for lining tool chest drawers etc. I tried it doubled over, but it muffled the slap too much, but a single layer seems to work quite well. [/quote] Thanks for that advice ChrisF

I actually started playing bass finger-style Which at the time, was dismissed by my punk & heavy rock playing pals I started playing with a pick, but tried to keep playing with fingers - just to keep the ability to do so It actually gave me some confidence in my playing Because if I ever dropped my pick, mid-song, I knew I could continue playing albeit with a different sound & feel.... A couple of years back, I was in a Ramones tribute I know a lot of people think that's just simple 3 barre chord stuff, but the Ramones played downstroke only After about 10 or 12 songs, this can hurt - especially more mature fingers, shall we say It's not simple at all, the left hand may not have much to do but try playing an hour this style, at very fast pace, with only a few 2 second breaks between songs It's something of a physical workout It really gives the songs a sort of "cutting edge" style, It's almost mechanical, and a bit like an express train, thundering along the tracks - especially when you hear it live It grates on me a little to hear people playing Ramones songs when they aren't playing them this way I can't imagine how you could get this sound & style if you didn't use a pick + 1 to everyone who recognises that all styles of playing are valid

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1379592982' post='2214547'] I've never understood why using a pick to play bass gets such bad press, or why people assume that pick-playing bassists can't be deft, quick, subtle, expressive etc. Look at all the guitarists in the world who use a pick; can the same criticism be levelled at them (other than in jest!)? [/quote] +1 I tend to do both, but play more with the pick, depending on what I'm playing But certainly live, I'd say the pick gives the notes more of an "attack" sound

Hello from a rainy UK Zak You'd probably be better off selling umberellas & raincoats today Welcome to basschat Marc

Probably a [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Steinberger - although they weren't a particular favourite of mine... An earlier poster said Westone were everywhere in the late 80's My Westone Thunder Jet was a lovely bass My Ibanez Roadster 11 was even better [/font][/color]

Saw someone playing one of these on telly, years ago I can't recall who, but that's the only time I ever saw one... I wonder how many are left out there now? Looks as if it might be uncomfortable to play? Maybe.... Not a particularly attractive looking instrument in my opinion.... but that's just my opinion...

Interesting that your finger muscles didn't develop much especially as you were playing for so long... Wonder why that was? Mind you, I've been through phases where I go to the gym regularly, and never get past a certain point..... most disheartening..... Ah well, I've got a double bass to cheer me up

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1379409226' post='2212207'] I know of 3. The EDA, EDB and EDC. They had numbers, but can only recall the one I owned, an EDB600. The five strings were EDB605, just like the current Ibanez numbering system. Do be aware that the newer ones- with different designations again- are [b]Wooden[/b], not Luthite like the old ones. Luthite is a resin, not dissimilar to that used in the manufacture of Tenpin Bowling balls. The bodies are injection moulded, giving (theoretically) great consistency of manufacture, and the ability to make weird and wonderful shapes- like the EDA. Any two bases of the same model were likely to weigh almost exactly the same. The necks were maple with rosewood fretboards. 24 frets IIRC. I've never seen a fretless. I owned an EDB600. It was excellent for the £80 I paid for it. Until... It fell off the sofa when my back was turned. Our floors are solid concrete, and whatever underlay the previous incumbent had used was rubbish. Result, the entire lower bout around the control cavity cracked right through and fell off. A write-off. From an impact that would barely have marked a wooden bass. Luthite can be [i]very brittle[/i]. It sounded great with DR FatBeams on. Very neutral. Only my Vigier and Status Streamline are more neutral. The 3 band Eq was good, as were pick-ups, and I could coax some nice sounds out of it. The next one I tried was similar, but lacked something... So I didn't buy it. Probably the set-up or the strings made the difference. If you get the chance, try one. You might just like it. DO get Straplocks, and DON'T drop it! [/quote] Thanks for that LfAlex, As I said, the one I played (unsure of model) felt and sounded great It was a Luthite version, and I did wonder about the strength of the material Don't drop it is good advice, but there's always a clumsy other band member to worry about, of course and I'm not implying drummers Wish there were 1 or 2 in a shop nearby - just so I could have a try I don't exactly "need" one - so I'll keep looking Cheers again Marc