Conan

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1290878383' post='1039007']DRs.[/quote] How long are they? I know they have no silks, but at what point does the string get thinner (particularly important on the B and E strings)?

If your drummer changed to a different brand of cymbals, drum heads or sticks and didn't tell you - would you notice? Really?? But if he noticed, and it improved his playing pleasure, it would benefit the whole band. If you like the upgrade, it is 100% worthwhile!

You could just buy this... [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dio-Years-Black-Sabbath/dp/B000NA77YO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1341490038&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dio-Years-Black-Sabbath/dp/B000NA77YO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1341490038&sr=1-1[/url]

[quote name='fumps' timestamp='1341319860' post='1716908']I will never fully understand the beauty of the instrument I love so much & I feel like I have abused for so long, by not understanding the capabilities of the Bass I am letting myself down & will never be able to play in the way i want. I think it's time to really do the right thing by the instrument that has been amazingly kind to me.[/quote] A bass guitar is a musical instrument. It is a tool. It has no inherent worth without somebody to play it and release the music. That's where you come in! You don't owe the bass anything man! [quote name='fumps' timestamp='1341320793' post='1716937'] I like different things for different moods. it all depends with me. i have become a lover of all kinds of music so the idea of staying with one style makes me feel like I'm trapped......if that makes sense ?!?![/quote] It's called maturity. Maybe other band members feel the same? In which case you can re-invent yourselves in the light of your new-found grown-upness. The band could be even better!

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1341305863' post='1716550'] If you're going to play a slap bassline I'd suggest trying to be as melodic as you would be with any other technique, then add a few slappy tricks on top for effect. [/quote] A melodic slap line can sound amazing - [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZ87M4PloM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZ87M4PloM[/url] but I always view slap as a very percussive technique. Because of that you have to listen carefully to what the drummer is playing and sit in tight with him. I still don't understand the problem that some people on here have with slap playing though. Yes, if it is done badly it is horrible - but so is badly played pick or finger style! I suspect that there is a bit of jealousy among those who can't do it very well! Oh, and those who eschew Clutterbuckery

I use a damp e-cloth. Seems to do the trick and certainly removes a lot of crud. I've never found it necessary to treat the board with any type of oil...

Sorry, but that's just taking the piss. Unless the ticket price includes a three course dinner - cooked by Copeland and Clarke themselves.

Another lovely piece of tasteful twanging... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX8jGx3gAnc&feature=fvwrel[/media] And here from 3:20... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATsBY5MQvRQ&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATsBY5MQvRQ&feature=related[/url]

Good calls on Ghost of a Chance and Firth of Fifth! Try these two for size... From about 2:30 onwards. Not complex, but so tasty you could eat it with a side of fries... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpDqX0HdnBM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpDqX0HdnBM[/url] This is just pure class... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UUMzE0A18"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UUMzE0A18[/url]

[quote name='orangepeelneil' timestamp='1340919434' post='1711660'] Yeah I love Jeff Ament, but three amps and a total of 28 speakers live just seems slightly excessive... [/quote] There are a lot of different heads up there - so surely he wouldn't have been using all of them?

Any chance you can try before you trade? Specs are just numbers on paper. Go with your hands and ears. I personally prefer EMG pickups over Barts, but the US Barts are much better than the Far East ones IMO... They are both decent basses with good quality control, so both will be able to do what you want from them.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1340779310' post='1709372'] I think he has the quintessential P-bass tone. Fat and mellow. [/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_g5SWui864"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_g5SWui864[/url]

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1340714233' post='1708425'] A nice P bass of course -[/quote] He used Stingrays a lot too...

Not sure how inventive it is, but this bass line/riff makes the track for me... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XqBEhK5aA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XqBEhK5aA[/url]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1340710821' post='1708342'] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE"]http://www.youtube.c...d&v=Oy9GmpowMUE[/url]#! [/quote] Had quite enough of that, thank you very much! Now - Transatlantic: The Whirlwind

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE[/url]#!

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1340709700' post='1708317'] Thats cool! Some very groovy/trippy/weird effects to be had with that. [/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE[/url]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1334420042' post='1616023'] I think Martin McAloon from Prefab Sprout used to have one in the 80's. [/quote] Ah! I always loved the bass sound on this track... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0PkIO1SmO8[/media] Also seen here... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqIyCP6G5g"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqIyCP6G5g[/url]

Thought I might try something new, so I've just bought a set of La Bella HRS from Stringbusters. 45 - 135s. Never used them before, but the price was good so thought I would take a punt!

Wow! That was quick! Replied

This monster came with the Carvin five string I have just purchased. It used to be on the bass when it was used in F#BEAD tuning a while ago. No idea of brand or gauge, but it is the thickest string I have ever seen in my life!! Must be at least .160 It looks pretty new and has no fret marks, kinks or anything. It may even be unused. I have no use for it. If anyone wants it they can have it for nothing. Good karma an' all that.

Cool! This forum needs more girls! Sounds like you had a great time.

Isn't good sustain usually a result of good design and construction? In which case the bass will probably sound good anyway... My Status, for example, sustains practically for ever. Not that It is an especially useful characteristic, to be fair!

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI9k06dGpg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI9k06dGpg[/url]