AM1

[quote name='Adrenochrome' post='469305' date='Apr 22 2009, 09:41 AM']Okay, after 2.5 years use, the strings on my main bass are in a poor state and I'm going to buy some new ones. I can probably go up to a budget of £20 inc. delivery The bass is a Peavey Millenium AC bxp, 34" scale, thru-body stringing, tuned EbAbDbGb. I like(d) the strings the bass came with, I believe they are Peavey 45-105 nickel, tension seems just right for Eb tuning. I play with what I'd describe as 'average' neck relief and action. I play 50/50 fingerstyle and pickstyle. Not looking for extremely bright or deep sound, somewhere in between. My left-hand technique is heavy - I can wear frets quite fast. Any recommendations gratefully received as I don't buy new string very often! (eg I've seen some D'Addario nickel 45-105 that looked like they'd do the job and are within budget)[/quote] Hiya I've got D'Addario 45-105 on just now, but they died really, really quickly. Someone in another thread mentioned Hi-Beam strings not being shrink wrapped and that they are dead straight out of the box. I wondered if that was the case with my D'Addarios. That apart, before they died, they feel nice to play on and had a good sound (that's on a Precision).

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='468890' date='Apr 21 2009, 06:21 PM']It's a commitment issues thing. But I don't know why I can't 'receive' messages. Probably the voices in my head...[/quote] Ha, it says you have chosen not to receive. You miserable, anti-social, grumpy old git.

[quote name='The Funk' post='468858' date='Apr 21 2009, 05:52 PM']Even the [i]2 Girls, 1 Cup[/i] reference? [/quote] [b]Especially[/b] that reference! Now, you've been particularly slow on replying to my Master Blaster post, it simply won't do. Come on, I'm working on it now! Pesky thread, I had just weaned myself off learning basslines! Addictive!

Skank, am trying to PM you but it says you can't receive. Sort it out before the cake gets finished!

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='468826' date='Apr 21 2009, 05:39 PM']Sorry, absolutely not aimed specifically at you, more at the general turn of events and sense of witch-hunt. Huge respect for your posts and what you have to say. [/quote] I'll second that, TheFunk has made some useful contributions to my questions, much respect from me.

[quote name='The Funk' post='468809' date='Apr 21 2009, 05:25 PM']I went on about experience for a reason. I didn't bring it up and only pointed it out to explain why there's such a bad reaction to some of AM's posts. When someone says something along the lines of "in my experience such and such is the case" and then to someone with much more experience "you are wrong" or "you don't know what you are talking about", they're bringing personal experience into the discussion.[/quote] In this thread, where did I make ANY such comment with specificity to anyone's experience? Where did I say "you don't know what you are talking about" or any such comment? I respectfully must point out that it was others making those kind of comments to me! Your discussions are usually quite lucid but in this instance, you seem to miss the fact that I simply stated I find Ampeg distinctive and I love the sound and that for me, nothing comes cloes, then the respondents challenged MY experience and starting ranting about all the Ampeg emulations and how I cannot possibly be able to pick out Ampeg sounds. I can and I have, that is a fact. Call me all the fools/beginners under the sun, but it doesn't alter the fact that I find Ampeg distinctive and can pick it out. We're going in circles here, I am glad the OP is feeling reassured with his choice. I truly rate my SVT, it's a great amp. I need to go back to my bass now.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='468774' date='Apr 21 2009, 04:56 PM']Can you hear this? [size=1][i]Your eyes are tired. Very, very tired. You're falling asleep, a deep, deep sleep. Now, think about that lovely Vantage that Skank's selling over in Basses for sale. You'd like to buy it, wouldn't you? Now, I'm going to count to three and when you wake up, you're going to PM him an offer. 1,2,3![/i][/size][/quote] Haha.... Get some subliminal recording done and post a few grooves in the groove library. Then, we can justify GAS-induced purchases by saying "but the voices made me do it".

[quote name='alexclaber' post='468707' date='Apr 21 2009, 04:19 PM']If that was really the case Ampeg would have gone out of business too - I've lost count of how many threads I've read about how different (and how much better) the early SVTs sound compared to the current all-valve ones. And that's forgetting the solidstate and hybrid models.[/quote] That's a different discussion altogether! [quote name='alexclaber' post='468707' date='Apr 21 2009, 04:19 PM']1. My opinion on how to play jazz is far less weighty than Bilbo's. My opinion on how to play punk is less weighty than that of waynepunkdude's. My opinion on how to play funk is more weighty than either's but less weighty than some others. 2. At what point does an opinion become a statement of fact? And thus become true or false? 3. For a better cheap shot, check out AM1's other thread on ampage. Amazing what a guru she's become in a month.[/quote] Well if I wanted to ask some really in-depth technical questions on ampage, what bearing does that have on my ears and my ability to recognise a certain tone. You're making a habit here of conjuring up psuedo-arguments and credibility challenges, rather than offering any constructive advancement to the debate. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8kdWpB3U4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8kdWpB3U4[/url] Where is the Ampeg simulation here? I picked it out first time. You cannot disprove the fact that I can recognise a tone I find distinctive. I know what my ears tell me! To keep doing so is just flogging a dead horse!

[quote name='alexclaber' post='468698' date='Apr 21 2009, 04:11 PM']That's exactly my point. You still aren't even considering the effect of where you're playing on the neck upon what tone you get. Alex[/quote] If I want to get a certain tone, I'll play in a certain place. I was chasing phrasing, not tone. How many times have I stated in my posts, I'm really into phrasing!! Where you play has a massive bearing on not only tone, but phrasing. You can bend the facts any way you like to suit your argument but it's convincing no one. Except possibly yourself.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='468681' date='Apr 21 2009, 03:59 PM']Just because a sound is distinctive doesn't mean it can't be created by anything else. You're implying that nothing can create "that Ampeg tone" other than an Ampeg. Clearly Ampeg SVX VST Plug-in sh*ts on that claim.[/quote] Not at all. All sounds can be re-created to a degree, but they won't necessarily be identical or even really that close. I have heard plenty emulations, some were actually quite close. In fact, the Sansamp has a good Ampeg sound but it is still not identical. Let's face it, if any of them had absolutely nailed it, Ampeg would be out of business. In fact, if sound sampling as a "science" was absolutely nailed, we'd all be playing through a box, by which any sound could be re-created as an exact and identical copy of the original. We are not there yet. It's still a relatively young "science". All the sonic scientists in the world can offer up their theories of physics etc, but those things on the side of your head speak the truth.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='468680' date='Apr 21 2009, 03:59 PM']I'm sorry but I totally disagree. If you're still at the point of asking basic tone related questions how can you justify presenting such strong opinions and arguing them to death? If I gave you advice on how to wire your house and then you found I was posting a question elsewhere like "what's the difference between radial and ring main wiring?" wouldn't you feel that my advice was unqualified?[/quote] You are making up your own interpretation of my Master Blaster question to fit your argument. NOWHERE in that question did I mention tone. Not even vaguely. I asked about PHRASING. Now you are using that question to denigrate my opinion about finding Ampeg tone distinctive. This is just an utterly weak argument, even by your standards.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='468677' date='Apr 21 2009, 03:57 PM']Me and AM1 in agreement. Who'd a thought it. Enjoy it while it lasts, peoples Waiting for the lock![/quote] You're not a bad sort really. Still wouldn't share any of my chocolate cake with you though!

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='468669' date='Apr 21 2009, 03:48 PM']Dirty pool, Alex. Using someone's genuine query on another thread to diss 'em. AM1 and I have had our moments, too, and she can sometimes be ...err..."high maintenance" - but that's just uncalled for. Also - those of you who feel that posting an opinion about a [i]sound[/i] requires years of experience, that 'less experienced' posters should gracefully roll over when challenged by self-appointed experts and that moonlighting as a semi-pro cab builder entitles you to sneer at a genuine query - you know what you can do and where you can do it.[/quote] Well said that man!

[quote name='alexclaber' post='468644' date='Apr 21 2009, 03:27 PM']But why I'm arguing with this point with someone who's just asked...is baffling me. If you're still at the stage where you're learning about the tonal differences across and up and down the neck why on earth are you digging your heels into a determined argument about tone?[/quote] My question about Master Blaster score was actually about phrasing and nothing to do with tone. Sure, we can all chase a bit more resonance through the bottom strings, low end, but my question focuses around A) phrasing of Master Blaster and B ) deciding where to play certain sequences on the neck. There are other factors which need to be considered other than tone! As for Ampeg, as I said already, I can and have picked it out of recordings and live performances. I find it distinctive. It seems you think you know my own ears better than me! I find Ampeg recognisable. It's that simple. I don't know why you are arguing with me over something I know from my own personal experience, to be fact! Again - my music background is not limited to the bass, which I am new to, but that not mean that my opinion is any less valid. Does one have to spend years making alcohol to be able to recognise the taste of wine?

[quote name='YouMa' post='468582' date='Apr 21 2009, 02:39 PM']You and your phrasing [/quote] You and your 'tache.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='468591' date='Apr 21 2009, 02:43 PM']Sorry for the confusion but I was looking at you whilst talking to AM1. The perils of sightlines from down here to up there. Alex[/quote] Are you off again?! It's like the Grand National this, except usually when a horse falls, it doesn't get back up! I'm getting strange looks here because of how much I'm laughing!

What do you guys do in terms of working out the best fingering/fretboard position, for a piece of music? The score doesn't show anything? The immediate theme after the octave intro...there's a certain type of phrasing that you hear in the original, but recreating that means working out the notes in a certain position on the fretboard. When you see a series of notes written down, those notes can be played in several different positions on the bass, I'd be interested in what method is used to decide where to play.

[quote name='The Funk' post='468539' date='Apr 21 2009, 02:19 PM']So, I think everyone's agreed that you buy and hang onto stuff that sounds good to you, regardless of brand. There's also a big disagreement over whether Ampeg as a brand has its own distinctive sound - and as to whether the various products in the Ampeg catalogue share such a sound.[/quote] But more importantly, you admitted that you've been in some dodgy movie and didn't discount making another

[quote name='mildmanofrock' post='468517' date='Apr 21 2009, 02:12 PM']She? Hey AM, I had you down as a big hairy-bummed bloke bassplayer! Great stuff![/quote] The power of assumption is absolutely fantastic! Am chuckling away to myself here! Fear not though, I'm working on the classic bassplayer beer-gut, it's coming along nicely! A keg is better than a six-pack!

[quote name='ped' post='468483' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:52 PM']Sorry AM1 I thought you said you hadn't been playing for very long, so got confused. Not that having played for a long time makes ones opinions any more valid.[/quote] Hiya Ped Not very long on the bass, but bass is not my first or only instrument. It's a good point though about length of playing versus validity of opinion. Sound is a really subjective entity to me - maybe we should have a basschat oscilloscope session Followed by beer! Then tBBC and TheFunk can mud-wrestle, naked. I'll film. Sounds good to me!

[quote name='The Funk' post='468460' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:37 PM']I'm not trying to do a character assassination with this post. You asked for examples. Here are three. [u]One[/u] From what I remember, BigRed's been pro or semi-pro for over 10 years. Here you've dismissed his experience as a sweeping generalisation.[/quote] He made a specific comment which was that EVERY time you see an Ampeg, it will be DI'd. That is nothing to do with anyone's experience, it is a black and white statement. So, I did not comment nor denigrate his experience. Experience simply did not come into it. It is impossible to make a valid statement that every time you see something, it will be configured a certain way. [quote name='The Funk' post='468460' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:37 PM'][u]Two[/u] Here you've dismissed the experience of someone who builds bass cabs professionally and has fronted his own band on vocals and bass for several years.[/quote] Where? Again, I did not comment on Alex's experience, I responded to a comment that suggested I was being swayed by marketing and further commented on my own experience of hearing a certain sound for a long time and pointed out that I find the tone distinctive and mentioned some instances in which I recognised Ampeg sounds. So, again, this is not a valid example of where I questioned or challenged someone's experience. Please try harder. [quote name='The Funk' post='468460' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:37 PM'][u]Three[/u] Here you've ridiculed the experience of someone who I think has been playing for a lot longer than most of us (20+ years?).[/quote] The HAHAHAHAHA was about the PJB amp not the poster's experience. [quote name='The Funk' post='468438' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:20 PM']Otherwise it can look a bit silly/rude when a beginner tells people who make amps or who have engineered 1000 gigs or who have been playing for 35-odd years that they don't know what they're talking about because their experience counts for nothing against your experience.[/quote] You still haven't shown me where I made such comments. It was my experience which was challenged, I did not even mention anyone else's experience.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='468454' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:35 PM']The issue isn't about subjectivity. It's about not alienating yourself.[/quote] So, let me get this right. I have stated that I find Ampeg tone distinctive and I love the sound. I was then told that it could not be possible to recognise a certain tone, despite my providing specific examples of times when I have done so. When it was impossible to rebut those examples, I was then challenged over my experience. And you say [b]I [/b] should not alienate [b]myself? [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='468454' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:35 PM'][/b]However I'm sure you will make your bed up as you wish to lie in it. Is it true that you've already been banned from another internet forum?[/quote] Yes, absolutely. That is what happens when you challenge those who place commercial sponsor agendas over safety and human lives.

[quote name='The Funk' post='468444' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:26 PM']Why?[/quote] Because I'd like you to show me, where I questioned or commented on someone else's experience. [quote name='The Funk' post='468444' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:26 PM']I'm not trying to criticise you, I'm trying to explain why people don't always react well to some of your posts so that it can be avoided in the future.[/quote] That's very kind of you.

[quote name='The Funk' post='468438' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:20 PM']Otherwise it can look a bit silly/rude when a beginner tells people who make amps or who have engineered 1000 gigs or who have been playing for 35-odd years that they don't know what they're talking about because their experience counts for nothing against your experience.[/quote] Could you provide the examples of where those words were used by me on this thread?

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='468418' date='Apr 21 2009, 01:06 PM']this will be you advancing your argument then?[/quote] That argument was over before it even started when you mentioned PJB as providing a better Ampeg sound. Sometimes, the other guy has fallen before he even realises the battle has begun.