Kongo

[quote name='Paul_C' post='887926' date='Jul 6 2010, 11:24 PM']So if you wanted to nail a busy bass line you could slow it down to give you more chance of picking out the right notes.[/quote] Indeed, and the biggest challenge of em all is taking your fast lick, and playing it slow flawless...It's so hard! Cause you got used to playing it fast you don't really register what it is...slow it down and it's a whole different ball game.

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='887424' date='Jul 6 2010, 03:37 PM']As long as it's OK on frets 1-5 I'll be fine.[/quote] Nashville bassist huh? [quote name='OldGit' post='887108' date='Jul 6 2010, 11:12 AM']So where do all the old strings go? I know some charities make jewelry out of celebrity players' old strings and sell them to raise funds but what else can we do? We should have a string re-cycling thread. There must be hundreds of people on here who'd be very glad have a set of one month old strings for free or postage rather than them going in the re-cycling. There was a charity taking them to Africa (where guitarist often use bike cables and fence wire as strings, I kid you not) but they ran into problems with the governments and transport from the city to the bush where they are needed most.[/quote] I recently chucked boxes of old ones away...I had stashed them with an idea of weighing them in, being steel and all...but didn't go ahead with trying...Can you weigh in bass strings? Other than that, making your own bass-string ball would be legend...

[quote name='Kongo' post='869611' date='Jun 17 2010, 02:02 AM']Refreshed my memory on "Invaders" by Iron Maiden and am continuing my work on "Scarified" by Racer X. Got my P-bass playing sweet again and what better to play than some good 80's metal!? Got my friend with his pink pickuped RG550 (ogh...) to learn it also and were gonna blast it out on Friday...thats 2 days to nail it...Mmm a worthy challenge![/quote] Forgot about this thread...Ah yes it was an interesting one. We got about 1/4 of the way nailed and it was real fun...I ain't practiced it since but lets say, the 2 days to nail it wasn't going to happen...I'm not used to the style their bassist uses in his solo's etc and it was completely alien to me to fit it in my style...needs a lot of practise.

[quote name='OldGit' post='886827' date='Jul 5 2010, 11:03 PM']Was that the orginal Elixirs? They were horrible but the second version - the Nano's are much less like plastic tubes. There was a post on the cleaning tube in one of the "boiling strings" threads. Can't find it now.. [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/how_to_clean_bass_strings.html"]This site[/url] is good on the subject including [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_string_cleaning_tube.html"]The Tube[/url][/quote] They came on my Ibanez BTB665mp a few years ago, Nanoweb. Dunno if they changed them but they just felt...well...tubey. That's just me tho, I'm used to raw steel I guess, shame, cause they could save me a LOT of money, I may try some again, come to think of it, I ain't tried em on my Yamaha TRB yet...being a much better bass the tone and feel could work well...It also slightly rejects my usual D'addario Pro Steels something fierce, so I'm on the lookout. And YES! That site does indeed illustrate and list my ideas in full! Awesome so it has been made and it DOES work! "denatured alcohol" That's the one...Hmmm gonna have to build one of these when I can now, although for it to work you can't use Elixirs, defeats the object. My guess is tho that maybe you'd wanna take em off in 2 weeks time to clean them depending how long you've played the strings, as a month could have corrosion set in, and no alcohol is gonna sort that.

[quote name='dood' post='884139' date='Jul 2 2010, 04:49 PM']I haven't put any Nexus strings on my bassses yet as Rotosound don't do a 'high C' string (yet) - however, I bought a set of guitar (electric) strings to put on my widdley-fest guitar. The perceived lower tension works pretty well so far and they look rather cool. Thewound strings are black and the other three are gold in colour - which looks sweet against the gold harware and black text on the instrument. I will see how they get on - but it won't be a fair test as this guitar doesn't get gigged, I only use it for writing with.[/quote] The strings themselves are coloured?

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='886871' date='Jul 5 2010, 11:39 PM']Well as I said in my last post on this thread, I've got an endorsement offer from GK now, so I'll take the endorsement and keep my gear. Or upgrade my gear, but keep the GK Artist series theme so it's just the same but bigger. I'll email Warwick once the GK deal's final and see if they want to offer me an instrument endorsement, but I'm happy with my GK for an amp. Our drummer just got an endorsement by SJC, he's getting a custom made snare to his exact specs for not a lot of money. We're quite lucky too in that I work at a small shop that "endorses" us, so anything they can get, the band can have at cost, which includes all the little bits, plus some bigger stuff too (musicman and G&L basses for example).[/quote] Wow that's great news mate! a Win / Win situation indeed. Enjoy.

Devin Townsend - Ziltoid the Omniscient!!! Funny album but damn, some tasty riffs, licks and the drums flow very well!

[quote name='OldGit' post='886891' date='Jul 6 2010, 12:01 AM']Don't look here then ... [attachment=53664:IMG_6868.JPG][/quote] :-O ...Trilogy...Is that you? *shakes head to wake up*...no...a dream...damn, before scratch-plate change, knobs etc that's exactly how she looked...with the maple on that is... Cept, this one being an Actual Fender would have more weight to the body giving it that solid anchor I love, but mine misses (the body is a Squier). OMG! That maple has such NICE GRAIN!!! But see I don't get it...technically it's an old, flawed, lacking options, simple design...yet I love it!

[quote name='OldGit' post='886862' date='Jul 5 2010, 11:35 PM']Ha ha Well that picture was a looooooong time ago Still have my Shuker 5 string Precision, of course, but my Wood n Tronics Ergon PJ now covers the posh four string department and a Japanese modded 62RI is the jam bass. I have a bunch of P's for sale, of course, including a fabbo 57 in Black with a Maple neck, Kongo [/quote] Oh so it was, I do apologise I didn't realise hehe...I jus saw some nice P-basses and it sent me off on one. Mmmm black with Maple...such a quality, if simple combo. Now is not the time to tempt me with sales when I'm saving to go Spain, but thanks for GASsin me up.

[quote name='OldGit' post='559739' date='Aug 3 2009, 10:27 PM']Found myself in an odd transient situation today so I thought I'd post a pic: [attachment=30218:5Precisions.jpg] Left to right: - Fecker Pretender: Sunburst/Tort/Rosewood SX/Noname heavily modded by BassBunny. (Sold and off to James "Moos3h" tomorrow) - Fender Japan 62 Re-issue Vintage White/Tort/Rosewood, non-export (Possibly for sale, one of the Japanese P basses has to go) - Fender Japan 1980's '57 Re-Issue CAR/White/Maple non-export (Possibly for sale, one of the Japanese P basses has to go) - Red/White/Rosewood USA 1979. The "Pass The Dutchie" bass (For sale in September, or now if you are dead keen) - Sunburst/Tort/Rosewood Shuker Custom 5 string P (Not for sale! Never, ever, ever )[/quote] Mmmm...Red one in the middle wins...because it has a Maple Fingerboard...Mmm Maple... I jus been spending an entire evening with my P-bass...they are...INFECTIOUS!!! I dunno...maybe it's maturing after playing for about 8 years but if you gave me a P-bass to play 5 years ago I would have started spewing such hot flames! How DARE you give me this outdated, single pickup, woody wood wood walk the plank sounding, 20 fret bass! What was my problem? I now LOOOOOVE My P-bass I put together from parts (DiMarzio Will Power equipped ), I think all you guys who get to play music in a band using a P-bass are lucky...they are a one trick pony...but the one tone they get they do it so well and it seems to work in any style. The power, the woody "meat and potatoes" sound, the girth and grit of the tone, especially when driven hard and using stupid wide bends, daring the string to break...I crave it!!! My main bass is a Yamaha TRB6II which I adore and it works very well in my band and does all I need and then some. Yet despite this, my P-bass is on par in terms of favorite...there's a fair few £K in cost between them! I'll post a pic of my P-bass on here tomorrow maybe, I feel it deserves as much, hopefully I've got one when it had it's maple on...It wasn't that great a neck and didn't survive the winter I'm afraid so it has a Squier rosewood one on for now...still plays nice but...there's a HUGE difference in tone since switching. Slight more Girth to the tone, but less snap if that makes sense? I think it sounded, played and looked better with maple...It's black finish and white pearloid scratch-plate...Excuse me, I do believe it still needs some playing. [quote name='metaltime' post='621437' date='Oct 9 2009, 11:11 AM']Ive never liked P basses but this thread s giving my gas. I don't no whats the matter with me [/quote] Give in...DO IT!!!

[quote name='andy67' post='366917' date='Dec 31 2008, 11:51 AM']I have one of these: [url="http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/el_basses/bb714bs_lava_red/"]http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_i...714bs_lava_red/[/url] and, I'm very impressed! andy[/quote] Ah, was wonderin when someone would post this. Are they any good? I heard Sheehan himself doesn't like the neck, wants a chunky one added to his, but beyond his own personal taste...how does it fair? [quote name='Sean' post='884555' date='Jul 3 2010, 08:15 AM']Proper photos; those Yamaha catalogue shots are weird, like they aren't even real photos.[/quote] I er...think I need a tissue...and FAST!!!

I dunno what angle to take...so much is typed on here but at the end of the day, it's like a classic / vintage car. It sure looks nice stored away in the dry...but it was built to be used and craves to be driven once more as it slowly seizes up, with only it's cosmetic side untarnished (for now). Jaco ain't gonna be playing this bass again anytime soon, and I'm sure a bit of his soul is inside that wood. The bass wishes to be played, not stored and looked upon, the words "This once belonged to a legendary bassist and sung many a melody" being said about it. Sure, Trujillo is completely different a player than Jaco...but that doesn't mean he can't play the legendary combination of wood and strings!

Genius!!! Sounds like something from Claypool's solo albums also!

Every month I change mine...I'm real picky on the tone and feel. Dunno if u notice but strings start to feel swampy after a month or so, as well as having a dull tone to em, I love the velvet tone of new strings. But as my main bass is a 6-string this can be costly. I did try Elixirs but they both don't have the tone or feel or non-coated string. Felt like a plastic tube to me, but this is personal experience and preference. I might try and break myself into changing them quarterly but...they just go so dull...many brands I have tried do this, my preferred brand have the longest life for my skin Ph. When I was in Music college my cash flow was...very low! So I used to boil them, and it works real well...for a short time. But I then noticed not only does boiling strings make them smell FOUL after a few times, it also weakens them. I did have an idea for making a string cleaning tube using alcoholic substance but never got round to making one to try it...that being said, I doubt I'm the only one and if someone has I'd like to know if it works...technically it should, and without temp change shouldn't weaken the strings any faster than they normally do through fatigue. A good 24-48 hour soak would work wonders!

The question I ask is...which do you prefere? Your GK or the gear ur getting from company X through Endorsement? If you like your GK more, then you may be sacrificing your tone and what you know just to be endorsed. Likewise, if you also love what the company with endorsement is offering then why not. I jus can't believe my drummer got endorsed by Shine drums!!! He's gettin a £2.5K kit for £950!!! And all he's doing is trading in his old Tama Rockstar...that's STILL a lot off considering... I ain't looking for basses or amps...I jus want strings!!!

Gee I dunno...Depends on the model. I admit I pref the look of the bass but then I pref the feel, it's much more full and hands on. I play, and own guitars also tho... But the vintage style P-bass, J-bass, Telecaster and Stratocaster have a place in any room...My guess is it's because they have been the norm for half a century.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='884830' date='Jul 3 2010, 02:54 PM']A lot of very formal answers about study and buying books and getting a teacher etc which may work for someone who wants to learn the ins and outs or scales, modes and a load of other stuff that I don't understand. When I first picked up the bass when I was 12 I didn't want to be like anyone, I simply wanted to play along to records. If I heard a tune I liked, I'd try and learn it. I was a huge Queen fan and enjoyed learning as much as I could. I went to see Eric Clapton when I was 14 and began listening to Nathan East as I thought it was amazing to see a guy playing the hell out of a bass with far too many strings and still being able to laugh and dance on stage. Shortly afterwards I first listened to 'Appetite for Destruction' and wore out the cassette tape by listening to it so much. It wasn't until I was 16 that I first heard the Chilis and Primus and that took me to a whole different level. i've listened to Jaco, Manring, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooton and all the others but find them boring as hell and don't seem to add anything that I would consider useful enough to want to learn from any of them. I get bored listening to people even talking about Jaco. Getting a good teacher, buying a good intructional book/DVD/etc may appeal to someone who wants to learn scales, apreggios, perhaps stuff that their favourite bass player did when they were starting out but it isn't necessarily the best way for everyone and I don't feel that I have lost out in any way. In fact, I bought my first book last week - Progressive Tapping Technique. Its something I've wanted to learn for a long time but because of its complexity of playing multiple notes at once, I felt a book would be the best way to learn as I can see the notes written down. I don't want to learn it so I can be like anyone else, just for something a bit different to add in during a gig where the music allows it. I know Bilbo is a big fan of proper learning and technique and as far as learning upright goes I'd absolutely agree as a bad techinque can lead to physical problems later down the line but its not what everyone wants or needs. If I had gone in that direction when I was first picked up the bass I'd probably have given it up long ago.[/quote] That's how a lot of bassists got where they are....you named one, Les Claypool, he learned by listening to records and learning them and by "putting my fingers where theirs are on TV". Steve Harris wanted to be a pro footballer...he plays his bass when he wants and doesn't when he doesn't, yet he's got some mad right hand speed and control. Billy Sheehan also, he's a dunce even to TAB, and the biggest user of the baseball bat grip hehe but I wouldn't argue with his technique, skill or 4000+ gigs he's done. I've personally done a bit of both cause I went music college for 3 years. I think there isn't a right or wrong way, and bad technique is only bad if it harms or nerfs you playing somewhat, if it's what makes you you and play how you do then it's just personal play style. I recon more upstarts should just play to records and learn "music" instead of over thinking and training as many techs as they can, yet cannot use more than 2.

My Perfect Dark soundtrack! HAPPY DAYS!!! Love a good soundtrack but this one takes me back...ah!

Middle, Index, middle, index. Dunno why but I've always been middle first...maybe it's to do with the middle finger of my left hand being the "Root" finger, my right hand thinks it needs to do the same? Or maybe it's just cause it has more wallop to it (or did before I realised all fingers need to be same strength)? [quote name='Dave Vader' post='884894' date='Jul 3 2010, 04:25 PM']As the awkward bugger I am, I'll have to say that I hit the lead note with my little finger and work back to my index finger. although I might be the only 4-finger plucker I know. Spent ages teaching myself to do it due to being mistaken while watching Steve Harris... he only uses 3 you know... I didn't Handy for speed though.[/quote] 2 fingers, he only uses two, common misconception i that he uses 3...and similar to yourself, is why I learned to use three. He goes middle, middle, index - middle, middle, index real fast.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='882897' date='Jul 1 2010, 12:35 PM']At first I thought his right hand was just totally regular going very fast (far too fast for me) but now i'm pretty sure it's not. Arrgh. If only there was a video of him playing it[/quote] Watch any Primus live vid you'll see it. It is his right hand, very fast bouncing off the string. His left hand will just be dampening the notes and that's it, bog standard slap technique just done fast is all.

[quote name='Lozz196' post='883517' date='Jul 1 2010, 10:53 PM']I`ve tried many different brands, and have established through this that I`m a Rotosound RS66 user, heavy gauge 50 - 100. Just tried a set of regular gauge Rotos 45 - 105, as none of my local music shops stock the heavies, and really can`t get on with them - so its back to stringsdirect/heavies for me![/quote] Stringsdirect FTW!