EssentialTension

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1338975789' post='1681756'] My wife has got a mustang bass (as well as her P Bass) and I put a set of cut down 45-105 long scale strings on it, but it still feels sloppy. I presume this is because of the shorter scale (I can't play my Les Paul with 9-42 because it feels sloppy, but s strat is fine) Do I need to go heavier than 45-105? advice welcome, but I may start another thread [/quote] The shorter scale does lead to lower tension with the same make and same gauge of string for the same pitch but I wouldn't cut down long scale, buy short scale strings.

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1338974852' post='1681736'] What's pyramids? [/quote]

I always thought the 'bubble' referred to so-called disco octaves.

If you're going to sell tickets, then promote it yourself just as the fisherman says.

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1338935454' post='1681509'] Dig. I also really love the idea of Ed Friedland's "open string bounce" - good way to move quickly up the neck! (Edit - not that Ed was the first or only guy to think of this, just he has a good name for it) [/quote] Yeah, I forgot to mention that.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1338930833' post='1681398'] Looks like a bass, sounds like a bass, plays like a bass, played through a bass rig. That's good enough for me [/quote] Doesn't look like a bass, doesn't sound like a bass, no idea whether it plays like a bass or not but if it's got that many strings I suspect it plays more like a harp, and I've played keyboard and guitar and DJed through a bass rig. That's not good enough for me. But then I don't even like five strings.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1338933435' post='1681453'] .. too many open strings sound as bad as they do on bass guitar ... [/quote] I actually really like open strings, I don't think they sound bad at all, and play them a lot, seems odd not to, but on fretless or upright I use them even more as an intonation reference.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1338899153' post='1680749'] Am I the only one who likes to try out on the upright the easier basslines I learn on bass guitar? Pop or rock, or whatever I've been learning at the moment, I will try just for fun, unless the bassline's too fast or jumps around the fretboard too much for my present skills. [/quote] I do that and I find what's most interesting about it is that, often, I'm really not going to play exactly the same on the upright. It's likely to be simplified and to contain more open strings.

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1338928425' post='1681342'] Can you get them in the UK ??? ....Im not very comfortable with ordering stuff from abroad. [/quote] You can certainly get them from Thomann in Germany but I've ordered stuff from Gollihur in US with no problems whatsoever. From the US you need to allow for possibly having to pay approx 25% in tax and duty but you may get away with it if you're lucky.

Caro Emerald: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcQtvM82MdQ&

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1338916756' post='1681083'] Er ... that's not exactly saying all pianos are bass pianos. There's a historical context here, where some instruments are made in families and some are not. But again: the wider the range, the less all of these names make sense, as you said and I confirmed. [/quote] OK, maybe I misunderstood you.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1338915447' post='1681044'] Yes, like illicit booze. [/quote]

... and this is not a bass piano:

I dont see how it can be a bass flute and have a six octave range - that's like saying all pianos are bass pianos. This is a bass piano:

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1338914254' post='1681007'] It is indeed slightly yellow! I like it myself, but... YMMV, GLWTS, NASA, TUC, EIEIO, etc. [/quote] Perhaps I'll keep it in a paper bag.

I'm not familiar with that bass but if you're going passive you won't need a new pre-amp, in fact you won't need a pre-amp at all. I presume the pickups are MECs. If they are the passive ones then you wont need new pickups, if the pickups are the active ones than you'll need to replace them with passive pickups. You'll also need some passive vol/tone wiring and decide what to do with the spare holes from the old pre-amp controls.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1338913938' post='1680995'] I think they go for around £100-£110. It's also an active DI Box with true bypass and ground lift. The Level Boost gives you a clean volume increase with no overdrive or distortion. I'd get one like a shot - if I didn't already have a MB LM250... [/quote] However, it is slightly yellow and might need a respray.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1338913256' post='1680987'] Yes! I love those filters. And you don't need to own a Markbass amp to enjoy them... [/quote] When I had an LMII I always liked those filters but I didn't know you could get them in a pedal. I might have to give it a try.

[quote name='AttitudeCastle' timestamp='1338894791' post='1680608'] .. I personally place them in the same family, as I would a valved Trombone and a slide Trombone ... [/quote] But trombones come in various ranges: e.g. tenor, alto, bass. Being a [b][i][u]bass[/u][/i][/b] guitar is about the range of the instrument not the construction, it's the construction that makes it a guitar. Similarly, for trombones (or any other instrument) it's the construction that makes it a trombone (or whatever), it's the range that makes it bass or alto (or whatever). The wider the range of the instrument the less possible or sensible it is to call it 'bass' or 'alto' or whatever.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1338895172' post='1680626'] I think 9-string bass is one of those instruments that has as many players as it has listeners. [/quote] ... and roughly the same number of strings?

[quote name='bigbottomend' timestamp='1338904864' post='1680843'] ... I have been playing through a markbass F1 and 2x10" tho at jam gigs and it sounds horrible, flat and lifeless ... [/quote] [quote name='bigbottomend' timestamp='1338904864' post='1680843'] ... If you know how to set up your gear right you would never sound bad ... [/quote] ... and there you have it.

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1338896079' post='1680665'] I've been through this topic a few times now , and note the definite division of Pro-fridge users and those who condemn them as an extinct dinosaur ... [/quote] You're missing out those of us who are neither pro- nor anti- but vehemently deny that you really [i]must have[/i] an Ampeg (or whatever) and an 8x10 to sound any good. It was 'the bigger the better and it must be so and the rest of you are all wrong and jelaous and only have small penises unlike us with 8x10 penises' that was being denied. There's a place for a big rig but it's not at every gig. If I turned up at almost any of my gigs with an 8x10 I 'd be laughed at, and rightly so. I'd also sound sh*te.

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1338895117' post='1680622'] Has any pro other than Macca or guys in tribute bands ever been seen using one of these? [/quote] Robbie Shakespeare (of Sly and Robbie) and the bloke in the Fleet Foxes. Here's Robbie: