EssentialTension

There was a long and technical discussion of this at the old Dudepit some years ago. In terms of the physics of it, the only things that affect [u]tension[/u] are (1) pitch, (2) vibrating length, and (3) mass of the string per unit length. Neither length of string past the nut or bridge nor break angle at the nut or bridge can affect tension. However, tension needs to be distinguished from [u]compliance[/u] or how tight the string feels to the player. At least that is so according to this source: [url="http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/perception.htm"]Lutherie Myth/Science: Human Perception of String Tension and Compliance in Stringed Musical Instruments://http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/perc...cal Instruments[/url]

Yesterday, I spent the day in London - mainly in clothes shops with Mrs Tension and I have to say she was looking good on the money [s]we[/s] she spent. Anyway, I did drag Mrs T down to Denmark Street where, in Macari's, I played a Squier Classic Vibe Precision in sonic blue. Played acoustically it was excellent and in my opinion beat the olympic white Classic Vibe Jazz that I also tried. I asked to try it amplified and got plugged into some tiny Marshall combo. It sounded awful. I told the guy 'Either the amp is s**t, or the bass is'. He plugged me into a slightly bigger but same range Marshall combo. It was louder but not better. From other reports here on the Classic Vibe basses, I suspect it was the amps. Also, the price was £50 (i.e. 20%) higher than at GAK in Brighton where I'll be checking one out through a proper amp later this week. So my bass of the moment is the Squier Classic Vibe Precision in sonic blue.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='638092' date='Oct 27 2009, 04:11 PM']I get much more from songs and band performances. I know bass can do a lot of things... I just don't really want to hear 'em.[/quote] [quote name='steve-soar' post='638106' date='Oct 27 2009, 04:18 PM']Welcome back to music.[/quote] Those two statements sum it up completely.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='637704' date='Oct 27 2009, 10:51 AM']Extraordinary! I've been a major-league Beatles fan since the mid-60's and I've never before seen Macca on a double bass. Ta very muchly Dave.[/quote] Neither had I, I found it accidentally looking for the bass lesson clip which I'd seen before. And not merely any old double bass!! I've heard that McCartney owns this one too:

And without a pick again:

McCartney without a pick:

[quote name='pete.young' post='632928' date='Oct 21 2009, 10:21 PM']I have a Giz skinz mixer case and while the main features are still good the zips on the pockets have gone bally busto in very short order and with virtually no use. I still rate Ritter, but hey.[/quote] I have a Gig Skinz mixer bag and - so far - no problem. It's lasted longer than my Markbass bag did.

[quote name='Jigster' post='634210' date='Oct 23 2009, 10:19 AM']thanks to all for the feedback so far - have decided not go with this as it happens - fell in love with the idea of the valves, but not sure it should be these valves in particular[/quote] I do think you could do better at the price quoted. Good luck.

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='635323' date='Oct 24 2009, 02:57 PM']I run my passive bass into the LMII with everything flat and tweak the magic VPL knob (or whatever its called) and the other magic one.[/quote] +1, although I prefer the Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator knob to the Visible Panty Line knob. On my Mesa Walkabout I'm still figuring out the parametrics - meanwhile I run it flat. In both cases my tone comes mainly from my fingers, hand position, strings, pickup selection, and rolling back the treble on the bass itself. If I had to run anything far from flat I'd think there was something wrong either with the room or with my equipment.

How about this one: Baker really impresses, great solo from Clapton at 4.16, and Bruce's singing - wow! - as well as top bass.

[quote name='Rayman' post='632341' date='Oct 21 2009, 01:26 PM']I think they're great, I saw Amy Winehouse's bass player using one recently.[/quote] A US version I guess. What colour was it?

[quote name='Clarky' post='632357' date='Oct 21 2009, 01:43 PM']Essential Tension (aka Dave) has one of these - you can see a pic of it in the SE Bass Bash photo thread (its the one of his rig comprised a Mesa Walkabout, this bass and his drool-some Tony Franklin fretless) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=63096&view=findpost&p=623614"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=623614[/url][/quote] Thanks Clarky, I'll be drooling over the TF at a band practice tonight.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='632301' date='Oct 21 2009, 12:42 PM']I love the look of the body shape , TBirdesque , but not actually that much like a TBird when you look closer.[/quote] If I understand correctly the body was designed by Lakland with advice from the now deceased Dudepit bass chat site in US. I've heard Dan Lakin describe it as a Gibson EB3 lower bout and a Fender Bass VI upper bout. The Skyline finish - translucent burgundy, black pickguard, blocks and binding, black headstock - was designed for a Gibsonesque retro feel by a small group of seven (including me) in the last days of the Dudepit.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='632301' date='Oct 21 2009, 12:42 PM']Stumbled on this while doing vital research on Derek smalls: [url="http://www.lakland.com/the-decade.htm"]http://www.lakland.com/the-decade.htm[/url][/quote] Here's mine and my cooker: and here's one that includes the kitchen floor: The first pic is a better representation of the actual colour.

[quote name='Davo-London' post='631883' date='Oct 20 2009, 10:22 PM']I've even got the original invoice.[/quote] And what's the date on it?

[quote name='Jigster' post='631434' date='Oct 20 2009, 03:41 PM']Have a chance to get one of these at around the £350 mark - recently re-conditioned and overhauled, seems pretty sweet - no DI of course as it's a late 60's I believe, what are people's thoughts on mic'ing a bass cab, shud a bass always be DI'd? And also, has anyone owned/played one of these - how was it? Ta[/quote] The very first amp I had - in about 1974 - was a Treble 'n' Bass 50SV like this: I wouldn't really recommend it very highly but it certainly did the job for me at the time.

[quote name='Clarky' post='631436' date='Oct 20 2009, 03:44 PM']Love the look of your fretless Shaggy, just wish I could play fretless well enough to justify buying it from you! Looks just like Essential Tension/Dave's beautiful Tony Franklin only with a bit of added mojo. Can't understand why its still available [/quote] The TF will be mojo'd eventually I expect. I also can't understand why Shaggy's is still not sold.

[quote name='WonderHorse' post='631360' date='Oct 20 2009, 02:28 PM']Yeah. My main bass at the moment is an MIA Jazz '75 reissue and I've always wanted a fretless but I'm just not that bothered about the Jaco tone. Fretless P + flats = amazing[/quote] Correct.

This might interest someone: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290361239072&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]

I always take it out because the atmosphere in my house is dry due to central heating. If I'd been out in the rain with my bass then I might leave the gel in.

Once I went flat, I never went back. -_-

[quote name='Beedster' post='629597' date='Oct 18 2009, 04:58 PM']This from a guy who found fretless bass too much Seriously mate, keep with it Chris[/quote] Steady on, Clarky was wailing very nicely on my fretless at the BB.

Hope the op goes well for you. And the Anderton's story is a poor show.

[quote name='alanbass1' post='623212' date='Oct 11 2009, 04:34 PM']'61 necks did not have binding, block markers or serial numbers on the headstock - the neck as previously stated looks to be a '73.[/quote] But surely the serial number is wrong for a '73 - as was already said the serial is a 2005 Japan serial.

It's gone very quiet in here.