guitarnbass

On a bass I got for 305 from Japan, I paid 91.00 custom fees, but then, a bass is big. I got a computer part shipped but it was well sealed and inside covered in gift wrap, marked as $14 on the parcel and so I didn't have to pay anything. I didn't know it was coming from the US until after the guy sent it, but he's been sending thousands of parts using the same method, and hasn't yet been caught out, so I guess if you can convince the people sending it to do that, you won't have to pay. Actually, now that I think about it, I've bought my EMG's from the states from a guy who just marks the parcel down so I didn't have to pay, I got guitar pickups from him too a few times, all stuff I wouldn't have been able to get if I were to pay the stupid prices the stuff is here. [quote]They simply won't let you have the bass until all the paperwork is sorted.[/quote] Not always.. I got a conklin from the states, got the bass first, then the parcelforce bill, which I never paid, and that was like a year ago. Was lucky, but it happens.

good times

Like the guy said, bass day.

I like the look of that bass, anychance of some quality pictures? it's ok, just found some on the google images.

I bought 2 stagg items before, one was a drum stool, the other a mic stand, the mic stand fell apart on the first day, and the drum stool lasted a week, put me right off them really, get what you pay for. btw, I reckon there's some better alternatives on ebay you might wanna check out, and I agree about the squire. If I were you, i'd probably save a little more, and get a fender standard fretless, or a used one on ebay.

Tell you the truth, obviously it'd improve the strength of your fingers, but that doesn't mean improving your technique in the slightest. Like I said, I have pissweak fingers, but it doesn't stop me playing tough or fast lines on the bass. It's like this, if you use excessive amounts of pressure to play something, you'll wear your hand out in no time. The trick of playing with good technique is playing with the lightest touch, using the least amount of pressure and movement as you possibly can, and that can only be achieved by playing the bass; working on that light, floaty feeling, letting go of tension you don't need in every part of your body, and minimizing those finger movements. Fact is, things like gripmasters are no substitute for practicing the bass, there is no good substitute. 1 hour of solid technique practice with a metronome is enough for anybody on the bass in one day, and if you can manage that, you won't need a gripmaster. Remember as well that for those gripmasters to be effective, as in improve the strength in your fingers(not make you play better), you need to use it regularly, and I don't mean excessively, but if you just pick it up now and again, every other day, it won't do squat.

How do you know we haven't owned gripmasters? I had one years ago, sold it on ebay.

See, this is what happens when a bloke tries to do the cleaning..

Exactly, I doubt he's ever really used one, but they'd pay people like him loads to endorse their stuff, cause he's such a technician...

[quote name='David Nimrod' post='22031' date='Jun 22 2007, 05:44 PM']That's exactly what was on my mind pretty much the whole time I was there. I kept a *very* close eye on the procedures. Still worried though...[/quote] You should be, the only 2 times I was in hospital over here I got MRSA, can you believe that?... Shifted it thank god but jesus, I heard of people losing limbs and even dying. Scary stuff..

Practicing bass is damanding enough for your fingers, I think that if you practice enough and practice properly, using a gripmaster would be ott. Also, how strong do your fingers need to be? Mine are long and weak as anything, but I don't have any problem getting around, maybe if I wanted to do full bends at the 3rd fret I might struggle but it's not like I'd ever do that anyway... If your bass is hard to fret, lower the action and use soft strings.

could have been worse, could have got MRSA at A&E

Best way to increase dexterity and strength in the fingers is to >playpractice

So, which one is your favourite? I like the look of the status, never played one though.. ahh, just noticed they're basses you've owned...

[quote name='lukeward2004' post='20761' date='Jun 20 2007, 01:58 PM']If you want a good song suggestion for something funky, musical and with a good rhythm, watch this: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tu08cgOzXg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tu08cgOzXg[/url] Andrew Levy is a master of writing musical and groovy basslines IMO - someone to study for sure.[/quote] found that pretty boring to be honest, sounded really generic. I guess what I would say is learn your favourite tunes and licks, cause if you're just practicing scales all the time...

don't like the look of that..

Jesus christ, that's so much gear... I couldn't live with all of that stuff.

Yeah but they're so expensive, especially when that new feeling dies so soon.

That new string zing dies after about 2 hours of play, at least with all the brands I've tried. My last bass strings were on my bass for 5 months, pretty dead but unless you're recording or gigging, what does it matter?

The Paul Jackson vids are funny.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='16829' date='Jun 13 2007, 12:06 PM']ebony sounds good too. [/quote] I always wondered why you almost never see ebony on mass produced stuff, and it's because they can't fret it by machine, because it splits or something. My classical guitar has an ebony board, but I think, (like many manufacturers who occasionally use ebony) they cover it in leather dye or something similar to give a real black appearence, it must be why my fingertips are always black after I play on it.

that dingwall is pretty

you can get a degree for bass guitar?

A famous bassist on basschat, very cool. I loved the sound of your bass on industrial zen.