Obsidiandesire Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I was having a discussion with a Technician on friday, he mentioned to me to start using a pick (something I never do) to build the muscles in my left hand up for faster basslines and to be able to hit the string enough times. After we did a few takes (I was being recorded), he mentioned that my fingers were fast enough, and my left hand was [i]nearly[/i] strong enough (thank stu hamm's tapping solo's for that) but it still didn't sound so clear. We tweaked around, and came to the conclusion that it's just the way I play, it dims out the higher sounds Bearing in mind, I was plugged straight into the mixing desk for the tweaking, and I could probably set up my amp to help compensate. What effects pedal setup + EQ setup could I use to help me with this sound? Bearing In mind my age, I probably have £150 to £200 to spare =/ Meanwhile, I'm going to invest 60p and get a pick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Not sure why you have to use a pick for speed? Billy doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Holding and using a pick uses a different set of muscles than playing with fingers, I could see it [i]might[/i] have a benefit, not as much as just more practice with your fingers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Sheehan uses three fingers to pluck the strings on fast stuff, from what I remember from the masterclass at the Bass Institute - he also recommends many exercises which he uses to improve speed and technique, not intended for playing live, BBC take note Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obsidiandesire Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 Thanks for that, I noticed that Billy Uses fingers don't fret (hehe) I might start learning how to use 3 fingers, and perhaps buy one of his DVD's. I noticed that on one of his DVD's it mentions Pitch harmonics? I know this is a little out of topic, but I can do regular harmonics, how would you get Pitch harmonics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 [quote name='Obsidiandesire' post='154025' date='Mar 9 2008, 05:19 PM']Thanks for that, I noticed that Billy Uses fingers don't fret (hehe) I might start learning how to use 3 fingers, and perhaps buy one of his DVD's. I noticed that on one of his DVD's it mentions Pitch harmonics? I know this is a little out of topic, but I can do regular harmonics, how would you get Pitch harmonics?[/quote] pinch harmonics - you use the right hand only, typically the string is plucked with the thumb while the harmonic is made with the first finger - don't know how Billy does it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obsidiandesire Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 That's it I'm an idiot. Yeah, i'll youtube it and see if I can find any good tutorials.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenofthedepths Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 [quote name='Paul_C' post='154038' date='Mar 9 2008, 05:43 PM']pinch harmonics - you use the right hand only, typically the string is plucked with the thumb while the harmonic is made with the first finger - don't know how Billy does it[/quote] I do it the other way around - touch the string with the tip of my thumb at the right spot and just play normally! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 [quote name='queenofthedepths' post='154086' date='Mar 9 2008, 06:47 PM']I do it the other way around - touch the string with the tip of my thumb at the right spot and just play normally![/quote] s'how i do it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenofthedepths Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 (edited) That's how a guitarist told me he does it (except it's much harder to do that with your thumb whilst holding a pick - being a bassist is great!) Edited March 9, 2008 by queenofthedepths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Fresh set of bright strings maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obsidiandesire Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 I have a set of pretty new unwound medium gauge strings, I thought they would do the job really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Unwound as in flatwound? If so that could well be your problem. If you wanna sound like Billy get some nice zingy roundwounds on there. And practice 8 hours a day for the rest of your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mytola Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Stainless steel roundwound strings and a bit of compression would be my tips. Stick with the fingers as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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