EssentialTension

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='513690' date='Jun 14 2009, 11:07 PM']As an update on my earlier post... Got my TIs from Stringbusters, so it looks like the "dead D" batch has been replaced. Strung up the VMJ fretless this evening. Wow. What a difference. It had D'Addario Chromes on it before (which replaced the horrible, horrible Fender rounds it shipped with), and I liked the Chromes a lot, but the TIs take it to another level. A lot more flexible than the Chromes, and I feel like I can play everything a touch more easily. Really sweet, thunky sound, without that zing of the Chromes. The only downside of the TIs compared to the Chromes is that I'd say the Chromes are even smoother to the touch, so the fretting hand can slip around even more easily than on the TIs. On the other hand... literally... plucking the TIs is easier, so it's swings and roundabouts there. I'm in flats heaven. Now I just need to try some La Bellas...[/quote] Give the TIs a few weeks and several hours of playing and they will sound even better. Then they carry on getting even better.

[quote name='Telebass' post='513538' date='Jun 14 2009, 08:00 PM'] However, the button on THIS bass was a mod... That's Freddie Tavares, and no SCPB ever had a HS strap button fitted...[/quote] [quote name='jezzaboy' post='513552' date='Jun 14 2009, 08:27 PM']1 What recreational drugs was this man taking when this photo was taken. 2 Where can I get some.[/quote] I thought he was happy because he'd found the one and only SCPB fitted with a headstock strap button!

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='513128' date='Jun 14 2009, 07:22 AM']Blunt alert..... I hear this a lot and it's complete bollox. It'll take you half an hour to learn what the basic scales are, what basic chords and arpeggios are and another half an hour to learn to play them. This is pretty much 95% of the theory you will ever need, it's dead easy and will stop you looking like an idiot when playing with other people.[/quote] +1

And which input did you use on the Ashdown? And does it have the same sensitivity as the Hartke input?

I think there are two versions of this bass. The earlier model is more hollow and has the Hagstrom single-coil Bisonic pickups (which Hammon Dark Stars are based on) and the later model which is less hollow and has the Guild humbuckers. Another place you might get more info is the guys at [url="http://bassoutpost.com/index.php"]The Last Bass Outpost[/url]

[quote name='Nostromo' post='512445' date='Jun 12 2009, 09:13 PM']Could anyone offer any advice on how to get hold of a Guild M85 in good condition ? I have no idea how rare they might be, no real understanding of what the market values are and even less of an idea of how to actually find one ? My various ebay and other internet searches over recent months have not picked up even a single sniff of a "for sale" example ? Are they as rare as hens teeth or am I just looking in the wrong places ? Any advice on rarity, values or chance of finding one very much appreciated. Nothing worse than wasting a load of time and effort looking for something that is not realistically out there in the marketplace to buy ? Cheers All [/quote] Hans Moust is the Guild expert and you can contact him [url="http://www.guitarchives.nl/guitarsgalore/"]here[/url].

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='512659' date='Jun 13 2009, 10:32 AM']I've noticed that some Fender Jazzes (seems to be early 60s and before, and also reissues) have a strap button on the back of the headstock. What's that all about? How would the bass sit if you connected your strap there? Any pics/vids of people playing like that? Seems to me that you'd end up with the 12th fret round your navel...[/quote] I don't know how the bass would sit strapped at the headstock but that was the intent. In the 1950s many guitarists used a strap tied behind the strings at the headstock. Leo Fender thought the new electric bassists would do the same.

Yeah, welcome to Brighton... er... Basschat.

[quote name='james_guitar' post='509123' date='Jun 9 2009, 03:18 PM']I know that using a plectrum on a bass is generally a taboo amoungst pro bassists[/quote] This is just not true, as this thread proves.

[quote name='JohnSlade07' post='509025' date='Jun 9 2009, 02:00 PM']I've tried fitting flatwounds to my Fender MIM P, however, I could have driven a bus through the action after I'd fitted them. They were Rotosounds incidently. If changing to flatwounds do you need to adjust the neck on most basses, or does it depend on the bass and brand of strings?[/quote] It would be common to adjust the neck and the intonation on any bass after changing to any different type of string. I wouldn't use the Rotosounds myself so I don't know but my guess is that they are higher tension than your previous strings and so you will need to tighten the truss rod and adjust the bridge accordingly.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='507004' date='Jun 6 2009, 02:46 PM']Without a doubt I recommend Gigs Skinz.[/quote] +1, I got one for my LMII plus pedals plus leads and cheaper and better made than the rubbish MB version.

[quote name='Brother Jones' post='507727' date='Jun 7 2009, 08:32 PM']What I'm concerned about is the way that less experienced players seem to be using flats because they are easier to control[/quote] what makes you say flats are easier to control? I don't understand why you would say that? But if it was true - which I don't really think it is - it would be wise for less experienced players to use them. [quote name='Brother Jones' post='507727' date='Jun 7 2009, 08:32 PM']in the same way that we played 30-90 Superwounds in the 80s because they had lighter tension and (often) lower action.[/quote] You may have used those in the 1980s, I certainly didn't - I don't even know what 'Superwounds' are.

[quote name='redstriper' post='507719' date='Jun 7 2009, 08:21 PM']I thought all electric basses came with flatwounds until Jaco came and changed the World.[/quote] The new Fender Precision I bought in 1977 had factory fitted flatwounds.

[quote name='Brother Jones' post='507318' date='Jun 7 2009, 12:39 AM']You know what I mean - ten years ago hardly anyone played them. Now everyone's jumping on the bandwagon. Ah well, welcome to groupthink central..[/quote] I don't think it's true that hardly anyone played them.

Oh no, not again.

Radial Bassbone is the answer if you don't mind paying out about £150 second hand - I've never regretted it.

I haven't been near a roundwound string for nearly a decade. TI Jazz Flats on everything.

[quote name='BassLand' post='504948' date='Jun 3 2009, 07:10 PM']This should be a great movie for bassists [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVlzykfuu-0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVlzykfuu-0[/url][/quote] That was great.

[quote name='hubrad' post='501589' date='May 30 2009, 01:27 PM']I particularly like the Franklin fingerboard shots, but then I would, wouldn't I?[/quote] Hey! That's my bass now!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='501665' date='May 30 2009, 03:14 PM']You're all right.. alas, all but the top three basses have since moved on. ..and I want most of them back. [/quote] Michael, you probably don't want the Tony Franklin back but you couldn't have it anyway because I'm rather in love with it at the moment. The rest all look extremely nice. Well done.

[quote name='KERMITNT' post='500620' date='May 29 2009, 09:48 AM']I tried 3 Jazz basses till now i couldent get comfy to any of them.. The neck is not for me at all. Even marcus miller that i like cant say that it felt home to me... In general i dont like jazz basses at all WTF? On the other hand stingray feels to me home.. I love them.. I am asking if is only me?[/quote] I like Jazz necks, but not Jazz bodies or pickups.

That's great, good luck.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='500464' date='May 29 2009, 12:17 AM']My main bass has individual bridges per string (so one would presume a comparatively low mass) and yet it sustains no problem. I just ran an almost scientific test against 2 other basses one with a standard MM "bent tin" bridge and the other a high mass brass 5 string job. I have them all suspended on the same wall on identical hangers and simultaneously pinged a string. Of course we have ash, poplar and maple bodies to factor in and for that matter it is the only one out of the 3 with a maple fretboard. Anyway it out rang them both. The thing is why would I want it to? [/quote] Good question. Why would I want increased sustain when I already have to mute strings that ring out for longer than necessary?

[quote name='Monz' post='500325' date='May 28 2009, 10:07 PM']Our guitarist slipped me a CD at our gig on monday and said "listen to the bass on <take me to the pilot>" I knew Tom our guitarist used to be /and still is a very good bass player but this track on Elton Johns second album was what fired his interest and I can see why... It's perfect bass for me... funky, not over the top and so in the pocket it's unreal. I guess you guys that have been doing this since God were a lad already know how good he was. Any other players/albums I need to listen to besides the ones with their names in neon?[/quote] +1 on Dee Murray. Whether there's anyone else depends on who you are already aware of. But, in my view, any bass player should be familiar with: James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Jerry Jemmott, Tommy Cogbill, Joe Osborn, Carole Kaye, Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Bernard Edwards, for starters.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='500203' date='May 28 2009, 08:02 PM']Hi Dave Sorry - been busy the last few days and not had a chance to check this thread for a few days... Yes; it's definitely you! I've met your drummer a few times as well (didn't he gig with Mickey Hart before?).[/quote] Yes, Nick Gates our drummer deps for Micky Hart sometimes and used to be in Rum Boogie who now are no more. Nik our guitarist and harp player plays bass for Micky Hart (and I dep for him with them sometimes) and he used to be the Rum Boogie bassist (except for a year when he was in Colombia and I was Rum Boogie bassist). [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='500203' date='May 28 2009, 08:02 PM']Absolutely; I've been playing with Burning Organ since 2006 and took over from mr_russ, another Basschatter.[/quote] I've heard very good reports about Burning Organ but never actually seen you. And mr_russ I think i know too because I taught him when he was at BHASVIC. [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='500203' date='May 28 2009, 08:02 PM']I really enjoyed the 3 or 4 numbers I saw of your set by the way; great vibe in the band, good songs and perfect for the setting I thought! Got to be honest Dave and say that I didn't notice anything being out of tune at all, and I hadn't even had a drink by then either! What I remember was a really lovely old skool sound from the bass/rig combination and some very fluid playing that gave the music a lot of energy.. reminded me slightly of that James Jamerson style of playing in and around the chord changes which keeps the interest going, even if the chord changes in the song are fairly standard..[/quote] Well, thanks very much for that - you're too generous I'm sure. [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='500203' date='May 28 2009, 08:02 PM']When are you next playing locally?[/quote] The Dover Castle, Southover Street, Hanover, Brighton, Sunday 7th June, 8.30pm. The Ranelagh, St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton, Wednesday 15th July, 8.30pm. The Romans in Southwick too but I can't find the date at the moment. Be nice to see you if you can make any of those - make sure you say hello.