tempo

I find staying off the interweb, and more specifically, bass forums cures the majority of the symptoms. Mind you I have no bass GAS, just amp GAS ('cos I ain't got one at the mo') ^_^

[quote name='Rumble' post='60414' date='Sep 14 2007, 02:28 PM']Thanks Pete, I must admit this is one of the things I'd recently thought about doing this. Where can I find nice pieces of music to have a go at? Ta Andy[/quote] I am taking it you don't read much standard notation from earlier post, [url="http://www.classtab.org/index.htm"]http://www.classtab.org/index.htm[/url] has loads of Bach cello pieces (and other classical guitar stuff) written in tab for guitar, you just need to make slight adjustment in fingering due to guitar tuning (not straight 4ths). Alternatively, if you do read (and its always good to), there are scores for most instruments and styles everywhere. Cheers, Pete.

As has already been said, you don't have to use the entire fretboard just because it's there. I've only been playing bass for about 15 months, but 6 (and now 7) stringers for at least half of that, so never become a 4 string expert before moving on. The longer you play on ERB's the more comfortable you will become with them, generally the tuning is always in 4ths, so the same scale/chord patterns apply all over the neck. I don't do much tapping (still in early learning), but I use chords all the time. One of the things I did to "discover" the range a bit more was to transpose some music from other instruments (classical guitar, cello, piano) to play on my 6 & 7. Good luck & keep at it. Pete.

I have three. A 5-string fretted, 6-string fretless & a 7 string fretted. Covers all my needs, GAS free for basses.

I've got one, had it for 'bout a year, very good construction. Great playability, OK sounds. I think it would sound miles better with a preamp and/or pickup upgrade. I've de-fretted mine since buying my 7 string. Still gets plenty of "play time" At that price its a steal, I paid 300, and that was a bargain considering the build quality. (they are made in Cort's Korean factory alongside my Conklin GT7 and £500 Ibanez, among others)

I can read treble clef, but not really done much reading for bass since taking the instrument up, I will get round to it; (got "heaven knows..." by The Smiths down the other week, via notation. Have got some Bach stuff I could transpose to bass clef as an exercise, find that helps speed up the learning process.

When I first took up bass (about 14 months ago) I felt comfortable with fingers straight away, even though I'd been playing guitar (electric & classical) for 15 years. And although I can still play guitar both ways, I can't get used to a pick on bass. Probably 'cos I moved onto 6&7 strings, and have developed the "floating thumb" technique.

I own both (a wenge/purpleheart necked Conklin 7, and a maple/rosewood Ibanez 5.) The Ibanez sounds very much like any other bolt-on maple bass (unplugged) to me, very springy and open, where as the wenge neck seems a bit darker/smoother, a more compressed sound. The Barts emphasize this when plugged in. My preference is always on the feel, and to me unfinished necks are a must, and wenge with its coarse grain is perfect. Sanded maple a close second. Pete.

Welcome to the forum. First things first, what's your budget, and do you have an amplifier? I myself "switched" from playing guitar for 15 years just over a year ago. There are some great basses in the budget range now (Ibanez, Yamaha etc.) Most of them do at least one model in lefty. [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-gsr-200l/581"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-gsr-200l/581[/url] This is the model I started with. As far as books and CD's/DVD's go there are thousands. You may find if you've already got some chord and scale knowledge from guitar, it will be pretty straight forward, but as far as bass specific techniques, a good teacher goes a long way. Pete.

After three weeks of recording etc. Trying to fit round all our day jobs, got a 5 track CD to hand out to local promoters etc. Let me know what you think (I'm a big boy so be as harsh as you need!!) [url="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=107783049&MyToken=64b36837-fc0c-4426-8e63-96edcac6269a"]http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea...63-96edcac6269a[/url] Pete.

Tried one a few months back at Curlys in Liverpool. Very loud, solid (but very heavy). Seemed to be let down by the speaker, in terms of tone. I think the better option is getting a pod, cheap power amp and a "hi-fi"cab. Would work out more expensive of course.

[quote name='Toasted' post='33609' date='Jul 18 2007, 01:54 PM']We have some great pickup manufacturers in this country, eh? My guitarists use Bareknuckle... I wish those guys did a bass set.[/quote] They do! They're not advertised on the website though. (I have B.K's in one of my g**tars,) Phone Tim, he will give you details, although AFAIK they only do P's & J's.

Curtly Ambrose, the great West Indian bowler has a dub/reggae band (don't know the name).

I find any bass (or guitar) horrible to play if it has a gloss neck, so a lot of fenders have never felt right. The BC rich "mockingbird" shape is possibly the most uncomfortable shape invented, also trying to play a "V" shape sitting down Ive never had any issues with neck sizes or shapes though, but i play a Conklin 7 with a runway for a neck. And an Ibanez with "jazz" style neck (as well as other basses & guitars). I love the few Warwicks I've played, yet not got on with virtually every Fender, the exception being a USA jazz deluxe 5- lovely.

If you like this check out Michael Hedges (R.I.P). He almost invented this style of acoustic wizardry. Jaw dropping.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='30786' date='Jul 12 2007, 04:19 PM']Actually Teen Town was recorded on fretted bass. Alex[/quote] Never knew that! I was always under the impression Jaco played fretless pretty much exclusively.... We live and learn.

[quote name='guyl' post='30635' date='Jul 12 2007, 11:31 AM']Don't worry if you don't gig your 6-fretless - it will be great for ironing on. Just be careful with the fret filler - might make a mess of your iron![/quote] Lol, it would be great for sleeves & trouser legs! Got the filler/sanding and polishing done. Took the fret slots down further and adjusted the action at the bridge. I'd never picked up a fretless before this, so was a bit of a shock. Absolutely loving it though, every bassist should have one. I don't know many fretless "lines" (Hey you, Teen town is about it), but loads of "normal" lines take on a different meaning, Rush's YYZ is a blast! [attachment=1143:12072007072.jpg]

I'm currently using a 2.5XL. I've tried the TP410, 410XL & 4.5XL. Sound wise, there isn't a huge difference between the XL & the TP. But the ".5" range are a different class altogether! Deeper lows, higher highs, more defined mids. The cabinets for them are a fair bit bigger, and therefore tuned differently. Not the lightest cabs in the world though (I see moving them part of my work-out ) Price wise, If you look at Thomann, there is a £30 difference between the 410XL & 4.5XL. (Thats 12 pints down the pub! How much is your sound worth?)

Well I've just filled the slots with some "plastic wood" from the hardware shop. got to wait a few hours before sanding again. Don't think I will be coating the board as it's not gonna get a huge amount of use. But then again if I notice too much wear... Ive filed the nut slots down a bit, will prob get them down even further, as the set up is done.

Wazz, you will prob get away with the duties etc. I have both times I've ordered four 6 string sets @ $80 (£40).

I've been toying with the idea of getting a fretless recently, but as I predominantly play a 7, didn't really wanna go for a 4 string just out of financial necessity. My Hohner 6 hasn't had any playtime since I got the Conklin, so I bit the bullet and de-fretted it this evening. Took about 45 mins to get the frets out, and spent a further 10 sanding it down. Not the finished article yet, I'm gonna fill in the fret slots, not sure what with yet. Any advice/comments welcome. Pete.

I use ebay shop "mymusicstuff" even after shipping from Usa, costs are well below anywhere I've seen in UK. Here's a link [url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MyMusicStuff_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm"]http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MyMusicStuff_W0QQ...sQ3amesstQQtZkm[/url]

You may find Ibanez don't release that particular model in Europe. There are quite a few differences in the catalouges between USA Europe and Japan. (eg. my RD605 is still listed in the japan market, but nowhere else). If you wanted one that bad you could import one from the USA. Personally I would just get the SR505, fantastic bass, much better neck and electronics than the lower series. Pete.

Neil Peart - Drums Steve Vai - Guitar Justin Chancellor - Bass Robert Smith - Guitars/Vocals

Amazing how predictable most of us are! I love Rush, Tool, The Cure (Simon Gallup), The Smiths (Andy Rourke) And Loads Of Others, but the most influential musician/bassist for me is J.S. Bach. The left hand of god!