bluesparky Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I saw one of these advertised online: http://www.thepocketpicker.com/index.html Has anyone got any experience of these / any thoughts? I do a lot of travelling with work, it's not always possible to take a bass and I was wondering if this was potentially and good. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 looks about as useful as tits on a kipper why is there no video demonstration? are they embarrassed or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I think Fender do a long-scale version. [size=4] [/size] [size=2](Other manufacturers are available...)[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1412500602' post='2569292'] looks about as useful as tits on a kipper why is there no video demonstration? are they embarrassed or something? [/quote]http://www.thepocketpicker.com/Videos/videos.html I agree with you looks about as useful as a chocolate teapot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1412500602' post='2569292'] looks about as useful as tits on a kipper [/quote] Ha ha! Nice, I'm going to use that phrase in future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) i see it is french at least it wasn't cut from a diseased tree by a blind german i missed the video too busy looking for some nice soft runny cheese i was Edited October 5, 2014 by steve-bbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 Ok, cool. The consensus seems to be "a bit crap". Thanks, it's always nice to have another opinion. I'll look into the fender one too, or is that just as pointless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) on a serious note - if you have a laptop/ipad type thingy with you why not use the spare time away to do some theory learning stuff - plenty of apps and vids and tutorials online [url="http://www.notreble.com/apps/"]http://www.notreble.com/apps/[/url] Edited October 5, 2014 by steve-bbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1412502050' post='2569315'] on a serious note - if you have a laptop/ipad type thingy with you why not use the spare time away to do some theory learning stuff - plenty of apps and vids and tutorials online [url="http://www.notreble.com/apps/"]http://www.notreble.com/apps/[/url] [/quote] I'm already doing that - I'm about to do the ABRSM Grade 6 theory as soon as I'm back in the UK long enough to enter the exam(!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='bluesparky' timestamp='1412501733' post='2569312'] Ok, cool. The consensus seems to be "a bit crap". Thanks, it's always nice to have another opinion. I'll look into the fender one too, or is that just as pointless? [/quote] No, no..! I was kidding..! The Fender long-scale version is the Precision. Sorry. It's seldom that anyone even reads my posts, still less believes them..! [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 April 1st was months ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1412503525' post='2569334'] No, no..! I was kidding..! The Fender long-scale version is the Precision. Sorry. It's seldom that anyone even reads my posts, still less believes them..! [size=4] [/size] [/quote] Ha! Well, I'm the gullible one who fell for it - I'm a bit slow on the uptake today... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Mo Foster made one of these in the early '70s for finger-style practice. Carried it in his pocket, must have found it useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1412500602' post='2569292'] looks about as useful as tits on a kipper [/quote] Phwoor! Breakfast and sex.. Mmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Lol at age 14 in music class we were asked to design an instrument. I designed something very similar to this but smaller it fit in your palm and would be strapped to your hand, and with a ratcheting tremolo system for each individual string, that by a complex system that probably wouldn't work be operated by each finger. Had a standard pickup tone and volume. I called it the hand guitar and the teacher was very impressed as i recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 [quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1412506780' post='2569389'] Mo Foster made one of these in the early '70s for finger-style practice. Carried it in his pocket, must have found it useful. [/quote] what for? squashing spiders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) I wouldn't recommend using one of those whilst in your pocket when travelling on the London Underground in rush hour. Edited October 5, 2014 by BetaFunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1412500602' post='2569292'] looks about as useful as tits on a kipper why is there no video demonstration? are they embarrassed or something? [/quote] seems like a totally pointless and tedious to use contraption... If you're not away from a bass for months, you won't lose dexterity. If you are away from a bass for months... get a new bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1412627115' post='2570622'] seems like a totally pointless and tedious to use contraption... If you're not away from a bass for months, you won't lose dexterity. If you are away from a bass for months... get a new bass! [/quote] I'll show that comment to the boss / wife and see how I get on convincing that this is a valid point and I'm now obliged to buy another one! The outlook is bleak.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Seems a shame that the collected brains of Basschat see fit to slag this off without anyone (apparently) having actually tried it!! I haven't, but as my left right hand technique is probably my weakest point (one of many weak points), and I spend quite a time in hotels, I would be prepared to give it a go before I condemned it. As well as technique could also be useful just to keep the finger tips in trim. If they did a 7 fret version it would also be useful for practising scale shapes over two octaves. Having said that, for travelling in the UK, a 5 string short scale headless "cricket bat" would probably be more use in the UK. For travelling that includes flying I could see it being useful. Mind you: 74 Euros ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneyg42 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Is it any good for metal!!! *I'll get me coat!* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1412513088' post='2569454'] what for? squashing spiders? [/quote] I think you need more strings to squash spiders. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182955-interview-with-mo-foster/page__view__findpost__p__1752696"]http://basschat.co.u...ost__p__1752696[/url] "You started out as a pick player and then switched to fingerstyle. What made you switch? Do you ever use a pick these days?" "When I started session work I noticed that the good players were playing mostly with their fingers, and to help me to learn to play this way I designed the Bass Practicer. It consisted of a 6" piece of wood, one string, one tuning peg and a jack plug casing for a bridge held in place by two nails. It fitted perfectly in the pocket of my ex-Swedish army officer's coat, and as I rhythmically plucked the solitary string it definitely helped me to develop hard calluses on my finger tips. I had to be careful though, since the repetitive motion of my hand inside my coat could easily have been misinterpreted! I still use a pick if I’m impersonating players such as Paul McCartney, Anthony Jackson, or Duane Eddy." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelfin Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 You could always consider one of these.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yfKsRzLHqY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 [quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1412639422' post='2570739'] Seems a shame that the collected brains of Basschat see fit to slag this off without anyone (apparently) having actually tried it!! ..... Mind you: 74 Euros ! [/quote] How is "I don't know, I haven't tried it" going to drive a lively discussion? Much more fun to slag it off and see if anyone disagrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 [quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1412690900' post='2571060'] You could always consider one of these.. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yfKsRzLHqY"]https://www.youtube....h?v=-yfKsRzLHqY[/url] [/quote] Hmm, interesting, I think I saw something similar at the Bass Guitar show a couple of years ago and I wasn't overwhelmed - but then again it was hard to hear / do anything with the amount of noise going on. However - It's different - I fear change!!! I'll see if I can find one in a shop somewhere. My tour is back in the UK this week so I'll hunt around a few of the popular haunts and chase one up to try it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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