EssentialTension

[quote name='steviebee74' timestamp='1468229615' post='3089335'] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Bit of an odd question I guess but hoping someone on here might be able to help.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][color=#000000][size=3]When setting up basses, the usual protocol (as we all know) is to place a capo at the first fret, use your right hand to fret the low string at the point where the neck/body join, measure half way down (usually the 7[/size][sup][size=2]th[/size][/sup][size=3] fret) and use a feeler gauge etc…[/size][/color][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]The question is: If a bass has a “Zero” fret, do we count this as the first fret and measure from there or do we still fret at the (regular) “first” fret and proceed as normal?[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Thanks in advance,[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Stevie[/color][/size][/font] [/quote] The point of the capo at fret 1 and finger or thumb at fret 13 is to make a straight edge of the string in order to measure the relief at fret 6 ... Or alternatively you could use an 18" ruler. The zero fret is not relevant to that measurement but if you do use the zero fret without the capo then it ought to be thumb at fret 12 and measure relief at fret 5. That's what I would do anyway.

1977, North Staffordshire Polytechnic (now Staffordshire University) ... hole opens up in stage and drummer with kit collapses slowly ... oh how we laughed.

As has already been suggested, gauge alone does not tell you tension or the need for a setup. Different strings have different tensions when at pitch due to their having different masses per unit length and that depends upon the general construction of the string and not merely upon its gauge. Hence, there's no substitute for learning how to setup the instrument yourself and it's not difficult. There are many guides on the internet, not least on YouTube. I like these ones but just find one that makes sense to you. http://youtu.be/cIzV9462xeE http://youtu.be/D4MdWzN_100

[quote name='the boy' timestamp='1468160780' post='3088906'] You could buy a capo for your bass..... [/quote] Nothing wrong with that. If you can use frets then you can use a capo.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1468069592' post='3088413'] What a cool looking instrument, [/quote] Thanks, that was my feeling too ... and as guitarist is playing the guitar below, I couldn't resist ...

I have La Bella 760M (52-73-95-110) on a Precision and tuned DGCF. It works.

Peerless Retromatic B2 ... not quite white but ivory ...

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1467986825' post='3087854'] Speaking of which, what about using chairs? ... [/quote] I have told the drummer many times but he insists on sitting down. He says it helps him to see his music stand.

What if I prefer music stands over guitar bands?

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1467975068' post='3087688'] ... think of it as I, IV, V ... [/quote] Much better - as long as the correct key is named.

[quote name='Mottlefeeder' timestamp='1467974551' post='3087678'] ... [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]you are given the chords, but the guitarist plays it in a different key ...[/font][/size] [/quote] Either you have been given the wrong chords or the guitarist is playing in the wrong key. I can't bear when people with a capo can't name chords correctly.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1467882842' post='3086901'] Not the usual tab vs dots question... [/quote] Surely that ought to be DOTS.

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1467834890' post='3086661'] Can anyone tell me what sort of space these things have for controls etc.? Would a darkglass tone capsule preamp fit? [/quote] There isn't much space to spare if the Darkglass has more than a volume pot and a tone pot.

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1467837906' post='3086687'] [/quote] Looks like Mr Burns' jacket is ocean turquoise metallic.

OK, I am going to try to make it this year .... 01. Hamster - 02. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Hayman 4040, Schecter Diamond P5, Ampeg V4BH amp & 115 Classic cab 03. TheGreek - not sure what I'm bringing yet... 04. Happy Jack - I'll be there with a love that will see you through 05. JapanAxe - probably everything in my signature. Orange Valve Tester - get your tubes tested for free! 06. Macdaddy. 07. obbm 08. Billy Apple. Spectors, Marshall valves and EAD 09. Nancy Johnson; Thunderbirds/Whatever amps I'm running. 10. TrevorR - Wal MK 1 Custom, Wal Pro IIE (well, I had to...!), Ariapro2 SB700, Markbass LM2 and Traveler 2x10 and 1x15 11. Bluejay - cameras, video equipment; no basses, unless someone asks to see a specific model. I will also be there as BGM's reporter 12. NickD - Maruszczyck Elwood L5A, TE Series 6 1x15 Combo, Zoom B3. 13. Rumblefish - Rumblefish Bass,Fender Roadworn Jazz, Acoustic 370 amp,Acoustic 1x15 cab.Copy of Herbie Flowers single. 14. Bottle - the usual: Ibanez bass, 1x12 Cab, 1x10 Combo, Pedals 15. alexclaber - Barefaced things and a RIM Custom 5 and maybe an old Warwick Streamer 16. Ordep - Fbass, Zon, amp, pedals etc 17. moooper-Warwicks,Sei Flamboyant 6,Genzler Amp,Eden maybe 18. chimike 19. Sibob - '71 Precision, Xotic XJ-1T 5, Maruszczyk Jake custom. If I'm gigging, my Markbass/Barefaced rig 20. EliasMooseblaster - I have no idea what to bring. Maybe my 8-string. 21. timmo - Clover Avenger, PJB Bighead 22. louisthebass 23. Graham 24. sockdeluxe_mikey - Custom Shop Fender Jazz Bass, pedal board with goodies on it, Markbass/Barefaced 25.WalMan - PB1680 well it would be rude not to Probably 2 x US L2500, Gen3 BigBaby2 & Tonehammer 350 as they'll be going straight out in the evening 26. Cetera - Wal Mk1 Geddy Lee & fretless, Spector NS2, Spector Euro, Hamer Impact, Yamaha BB3000, GK800RB, GenzBenz Neox212, Pedalboard 27. Grangur - I'll bring some Warwicks (see sig) and a One10 & LM3 28. Stingray5 - something old, something new... 29. Jabba_the_gut - Not sure yet.....but something home made 30. zero9 - Strata + 4 x PJB cabs + Acoustic Image amp 31. Barneyg42- Status s2 5-string headless + Markbass LM3 + Schroeder 212pl and possibly my old post office red series 1 Status 5. 32. EssentialTension - Lakland Decade, Peerless Retromatic B2, Takamine B10 (probably for sale if not sold by then), Mesa Walkabout Scout.

I'd say that's maybe slightly on the low side but if it feels and sounds ok then it's not a problem. With a capo at fret one and string held down at fret thirteen then at fret six expect to have about 0.2mm (0.008 inch), so 0.1mm is not awful at fret one.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/287578-rip-scotty-moore"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/287578-rip-scotty-moore[/url]

[quote name='archie84' timestamp='1466859383' post='3079409'] hi everyone. iv been playing bass for about 3 years now and been gigging. im finding it hard to set the eq. im basicly cluless. im getting plenghty of low deep bass but when im playing mid neck on the a and d strings im finding it hard to punch through the rest of the band. what should i adjust. are there any simple articles out there to explain to a clueless non tecknical person. lol thanks [/quote] Sometimes it's not specifically your EQ that's at fault. Instead, it's the guitarist or the keyboardist getting into your sonic territory. Mid-neck bass on A and D strings is bottom end of the guitar. Is guitarist playing with a bass loaded sound?

Maple looks worse ( because I prefer rosewood).

Gibson Thunderbird here ... http://youtu.be/KaV9GYPSM94

Downloaded and it works.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1466245563' post='3074371'] My guess is that La Bella had a different string design back in the 50's. [/quote] Very possible.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1465980628' post='3072520'] You mean you couldn't hear the Slab? [/quote] I've tried for ages to come up with a smart arse reply to that comment but I've gone blank.

That's USA I think and the OP was looking for Europe.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1466234339' post='3074270'] I know what you mean. On some of them it's a must, think my old 52RI was string through only. [/quote] Yes, it is slightly odd that the original Precision bass was string through only and came with flats (there were only flats) and yet flats apparently suffer more from string through.