Kongo

Primus - Green Ranger.
The entire Green Naugahyde album actually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGhfGbeM6o

[quote name='Killerfridge' timestamp='1354402286' post='1885693']
I think it's the case that it will always sound better live, and they probably can't hear the mistakes that appear obvious on TV.
[/quote]

A music judge that can't hear mistakes eh? Seems legit. :-P
But in seriousness, the show influences people into thinking this is what is good and what they should buy etc...targets the musically dumb.
That's my opinion.

Do any of the classic body BB's come with 24 frets? I know the revision came like that as standard but I'm not too keen, I'd rather have the classic shape.

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1354322060' post='1884954']
[b]Bass Collection SB320 fretless:[/b] Lovely low-end thump, it's a bit special but lacks muaaaarh at the moment.
[/quote]

Not this one. You'll get less with flats.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1354319129' post='1884909']
Can I throw in a couple more? What is a slim neck? Is it slim top to bottom (ie shorter frets) or front to back?

Also, which is 'C' and 'D' shape? Is a C rounded and a D more square, flatter at the back?

I've always thought slim was front to back and thin shorter frets (like Jazz). Am I right?
[/quote]

A slim neck would be like one on an Ibanez SR; very thin. Doesn't always need to be thin at the nut, it's just not as "chunky". Visualise a P-bass neck, now think of a neck opposite of what that is.
I agree though, it's very subjective. Billy Sheehan is one of the fastest guns in the west, yet he plays the chunkiest necks you can get.
But then again, doing that on anything other than a 4-string could be tiresome.

It's not just about neck thickness though. People look at that and feel it the deciding factor. Fingerboard radius also counts, as does spacing.

As someone said above; the great thing about Yahama's, although a double ended sword if you need to shift one, is that they depreciate like mad!
Even the TRB series can be picked up for peanuts. That's a LOT of bass for your money!

So, if you like Yamaha basses, your 2nd, 3rd purchase etc won't cost much if you don't mind 2nd hand. Which I don't. :-)

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1354182804' post='1883081']


So anything produced using GarageBand would be 'Applecore'?

I'll get me coat.
[/quote]

Haha that's amazing. I'll use that one from now on... Also yes! Now you see how bad this "core" addition is haha. It really is that bad.

[quote name='spinynorman' timestamp='1354188861' post='1883222']


Would anyone else agree with you though? Would my kids, winding back to when they were 15, agree with you? Or would they fix you with that whithering stare that says you can never, ever even begin to understand our tribal structure, let alone join in.
[/quote]

They will, it's all about deliverance. Too many people either go in too brash or conderscend when tryig to explain.
Been into metal since as long as I can remember and I too was 15 once. I wouldn't talk down to them I'd explain using examples they can relate to.
If they tried doing the whole "you can't understand thing"; which is a teenage phase and nothing to do with metal then they'd be firing blank ammo.
9/10 these days if a kid is listening to metal, it'll be metalcore with bands like Bring Me the Horizon or While She Sleeps.
I can't stand that stuff but to each their own. Got members in my own band that are into metalcore.
It adds to the big mixing pot of influences.

...I'm should stay out of this one.
Sub-genres can be a right headache, but they allow for easier categorisation.
For DJing it helps to know...The whole "Core" thing has taken it too far though...everything has "core" on the end.
Play me a track and I can fit it into a category somewhere. They all have little staples and isms.
"Core", coming from Hardcore (Black Flag, as an example) focuses on more basic playing and lots of breakdowns.
Whereas Death metal will use things such as blast beats, tremolo picking, fast tempo's etc Deathcore instead chugs on the lowest notes, often a diminished triad, has medium to slow tempo and lots of breakdowns...Not really a fan of Deathcore but some of it's OK.

As for what I read before though, progressive, math and technical, 3 different things.
3 typical examples;

Dream Theater - Progressive
SikTh / Dillinger Escape Plan - Math
Necrophagist - Technical Death metal

Yes...I need to leave this thread!

Vintersorg - Sharpen Your Mind Tools

Lovely laid back fretless genius play and nothing but clean vocals and acoustic instruments besides. :-)

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7D6_T-Zwhc&list=FLe95cea1mO9TxlriPEMR4fA&index=5&feature=plpp_video[/media]

[quote name='merlin' timestamp='1354030910' post='1881116']
Just had first rehearsal,with fretless bass no one noticed.

[/quote]

Good intonation then. :-P

I think unless you're a big Sheehan fan, or just want a P-bass with manly gar, the Bongo would be a lot more useful. :-)

I started with a Yamaha RBX170, will be 10 years this December. Found it in my local keyboard shop...yeah I know, but he started stocking a couple of guitars / basses and a friend had work exp there. Price was within parents present buying range, so I played it for a bit and off it went to Santa. :-P
Couldn't have asked for a better bass, it took me to wherever I wanted. 24 frets, P/J config...Took me from Maiden to Wooten, all through college, then I retired it after 4 years of heavy use...and I mean HEAVY use.

I agree with the comment on the RBX270. I got one so I could have tribute to my 1st bass and modded it, sold it as I barely play 4-string unfortunately.
They are quite a bit better; Alder instead of Agathis and a pan pot instead of dual volume.
When it comes to Yamaha you just can't loose. They may not have Ibanez like specs, but to hell with that superficial nonsense...Have hands, will play!

Welcome to the world of bass. With a Yamaha, the journey will be that much better. :-P

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1353979789' post='1880546']
I only use rotosounds because they were what were in the my local music shop when they set up my bass last year and when i restrung it with the set that they accidently left in my bass bag that I didn't hand back.. Naughty me!

I really need to look into the whole EQ thing, I lack knowledge in that area. I did recently play a Ernie Ball Stringray with a 3 Band EQ and it was so nice. it was the reason I started to look into getting an active bass.

Cheers for all you help!
[/quote]

Just have a play around. Better to do them amp end I find and then you can fine tune mid song with the active EQ on you're bass but a good thing is to just dial in something that sounds good.
You'll hear things like "a bass should sound good flat" but I don't go by that. best to start with a bass that sounds good from the off, but don't fear tweaking the EQ.
Also, it's easier to remove what is there than add what isn't, if you know what I mean.

As for strings: [url]www.stringsdirect.co.uk[/url]
All I've every used for years. 2nd bass was a 6-string, shops didn't stock strings. This place was in a magazine, used em since. Rapid next day delivery. :-)

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1353977694' post='1880541']
Please do

I did not know that, i always thought cutting the mids was how you got the 'slap' tone. And with the whole Fieldy slap thing, in my opinion it's a bit Meh.. not a fan really.

Changing the strings is something that I will do as i like light strings and the ones that come with it will be the standard gauge.

Quick question on strings, I've been using rotosound strings but was going to try out some D'addarios, are they better do you know? I understand it's personnal preference but opinions are always valid

Cheers
[/quote]

Other than fretless I HATE Rotosound, always seem half dead but that's to my ears and fingers. Plus, for the 35" scale world they ain't too kind as in, few seem to fit. SR's are 34" scale so will be fine.
I use D'addario Pro Steel strings, have done for 7 years now. Have dabbled in other strings since but always come back very quickly. They are quite textures, some find rough to the touch to begin with, but a few hours in your fingers will develop further callouses.

Cutting mids seems to create a clean tone, and some mids aren't needed as much, like the shoebox sounding ones near the 800hz mark, but I'd still not fully cut them.
Actually, mid scooping back when seems to come from the Stingray, and people didn't cut mids at all, the boosted the bass and treble instead, as they came with 2 band EQ.
It will clean the tone up a bit but you'll loose power as well. You can get a decent tone without scooping too many mids.

That being said, there's thousands of ways to EQ a bass. End of the day one factor that is almost always overlooked is your hands.
The way you attack, the flesh on your fingers, the angle of attack...All adds to the overall tone. :-)

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1353933500' post='1879816']
Thank you

The Thunderbird was a 'oooh my favourite bassist plays them, I must get one' childish buy. But it has served me well and now i'm looking to upgrade.

It sounds to me that I can't go wrong with the Ibanez
[/quote]

You aren't the 1st, and most certainly will not be the last to do that. :-P But now you have experience in knowing that what your favourite bassist plays doesn't always work for you, it will save you in the long run down the road. Half of GAS is often caused by your favourite bassists and new ones that come along the way. :-P

Can I put my 2p in here though? The mid cut switch? Not missing much. Common misconception that cutting the mids makes a more cutting sound. That it does sound a little more pleasing the ear and give that KoRn like "Click boom" tone, in a band setting you'll be lost in the mix and as the human ear picks up on those frequencies the most, you'll notice a drop in volume as well.
Ibanez still sell a lot of basses based off of Fieldy's love of cutting mids.
Of course, this is completely IMHO, it may work for some people.

Final note, when you buy the bass, consider changing the strings to the ones most pleasing to yourself ASAP.
You'll be surprised how strings can change the tone and feel of the bass. You may hate it, then change the strings and love it.

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1353723720' post='1877925']
Afterwards we were outside talking, and I suggest maybe downsizing their rigs to one 4x12 and a lower wattage (possibly switchable) head. Ofcourse this was met with cries of "Everything below 100W sounds cr*p" and "Big rigs and rock and roll" etc etc.

[/quote]

What kind of guitarists where these? Higher wattage will just need them to push the amp harder to overdrive the valve. Unless they want clinically clean tone that's double the amount they need. 50 watt is more than enough in most situations...Silly pair they are. :-P

As long as the pain doesn't last when your done playing and isn't crippling, you'll do fine. It's just a muscle challenge, difference in feel. They'll strengthen up.
It's like when people go down to light gauge and glide all over the place but then come the time to go back to heavier, hands can't do it.
Just give it time and remember to back off a touch if the pain becomes too much. :-)

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1353676242' post='1877267']
If those are the only options I suggest adding a 'kill yourself' button.
[/quote]

Got it right here. :-P

I have the 1998 TRB6II and I too use it in metal. No clue why they put these out as being for Jazz / Fusion. The electronics are so damn aggressive!
As for these ones, I only played a 5-string years ago and I forget; what is the neck like? My Jap series II is fat like a P-bass.
I know the spacing is 17mm on these, so closer than the Series 2, but what's the neck profile like?

An Ibanez SR of any kind will get you well on your way in the world of "fast neck" basses. They don't feel too flat either, which is good. I hate it when Ibanez make pancake necks.
Pickups and electronics won't let you down, nor will the build.
Certainly a lot more ergonomic than a Thunderbird. :-P

These are fantastic basses and VERY worth the money. I remember when they were £900 RRP about 5 years ago on GAK. I phoned them to ask on stock but they we're in the transition of getting the new Lava Red models in so I couldn't buy one when I had the money. Shame because inflation hasn't been very nice to them and they go for £1600 now. Still prefer seafoam green.

I will warn, the necks on them are CHUNKY! Like an old 60's P-bass, Sheehan likes them like this.
But that being said, it doesn't stop you from gliding around the place once the action is set nicely. The neck goes all the way into the body as well, past where you can see, so it ain't going anywhere. :-P

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1353756824' post='1878109']
What an interesting turn of events in this thread.Thanks, guys.

While Sean Malone has been a hero of mine ever since Cynic's "Focus" came out, I had no idea about Steve DiGorgio. Also had no idea about fretlesses being used. Thought Sean played a Warr or maybe a Stick.

You're gonna cost me money again, demmit.


best,
bert
[/quote]

Sean Malone does also use Chapman Sticks, 12-string Grand Stick to be precise, so yes, you will need to shed out some more sterling.
I'm kinds surprised, but then not that people don't realise DiGiorgio uses fretless basses. He has done so since 1993. Figured it suited him more and also provided something new. Very few dare to use fretless in metal, even fewer succeed. Either they cannot intonate under such conditions where rapid speed licks mean having frets can be a welcome crutch, or they fall prey to what many here have done so; failed to cut through.

In all honesty though, I don't feel there's enough respect or care for them around here, so I'm more than willing to spread knowledge of them.
DiGiorgio is also mainly a session metal bassist, so he's very busy a lot of the time, having a lot of fun I'll bet.
Not quite as outspoken in the metal scene as Webster is, although he does speak his mind a lot more directly when asked.
He's as big an influence of mine as the rest of them. If I could find the right bass, I'd convert to fretless fully for sure...But until I get one that feels AND sounds how I want...I won't do.
Have thought about following in his footsteps as I already play F-series basses, purely because a friend recommended one to me...But I'm none to fond of blatantly copying. Still, a fretless F-series may be the answer.

Here's another song few know DiGiorgio dabbled in. Again, on a fretless, of course.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQxBvDZauwk[/media]

And here's a take of the intro in the studio, as you can see, using a full blown, custom fretless ESP F-series...That Forest Green colour is beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZWMGIF3b-c

I do have to say though, it really puts into perspective how much effort and difficulty there is in being an organic being.
Look how high tech, large and clunky a piece of machinery has to be in order to do something we learn to do merely by our hands.
The human body still remains the most complex and amazing machine to this day.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1353718805' post='1877903']
I must do more homework,cheers!
[/quote]

Hey man, any time. Don't get to chat what I really care about much on here enough. :-P

The drum machine was mean't to kill drummers...I still see drummers everywhere. :-P
We ain't going anywhere.