thebrig

[quote name='scoobystig' post='1053250' date='Dec 9 2010, 07:38 PM']agree, i have a Fender Precision Lyte, really light, not much heavier than a strat, i can easily do a 2hr plus gig with and not notice[/quote] What do they sound like, are they up there with standard Precisions?

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1053213' date='Dec 9 2010, 07:00 PM']I have the self same trouble. There are light basses out there but to save yourself grief I'd define what you mean by light! IMHO it needs to be lighter than 9lb to qualify as light, whereas I've bought basses off Basschat whereby owners have made claims of 'featherweight' and 'the lightest bass I've ever owned'... one can only assume that the latter comment was from someone economical with the truth, who has only ever owned one bass as the bass in question was closer to 11lb! The Fender Precision Lyte basses are pretty light and many of the new CV Jazz and Precision basses are around about 9lb (the two I've owned were just over). Though many claim that the Lakland Skylines 'can' be light I've yet to find one that is genuinely under 9lb (x2 DJ's were both way over 9lb and the JO was the 11lb offender). As has been mentioned there is the 'cricket bat' option and SOME hollowbodies (though beware some of them have solid cores and the extra large body size on some, really bumps the weight), such as the violin basses. If your budget stretches you can find some very lightweight Warwick Streamer basses but they need to be the early to mid 80's ones; I have two, one of them is 7lb 7oz the other about 8lb. I also have a Zon Sonus which is 8.5lb. The obvious which I'm sure you already do is to wear a nice wide strap. Best of luck from a fellow sufferer. [/quote] Yes I do have a wide strap, and it is very comfortable, but the annoying thing for me is that my first decent bass, was a Warwick Corvette Natural which I got for a mere £300 on ebay (in the days when Warwicks were going for silly money). It was fantastic sounding but showed signs of wear, but it was the [b]lightest[/b] bass that I have ever played! Stupidly, I thought that I like Warwicks so much, I would sell it on and get myself a brand new one, so that I could call it my own, so I decided to go for the Bubinga version, and believe me, it is one of the best looking and sounding Corvettes I've ever heard or played, BUT! it weighs well over [b]11 pounds![/b] Recently I got myself the natural ash version, and although it is a bit lighter, it is still causing problems. If I could buy my original Corvette back (warts & all), I would happily pay double what I got for it. Sigh!

[quote name='Balcro' post='1053163' date='Dec 9 2010, 06:21 PM']The lightest bass I've come across (which isn't extra cheap) is the Ibanez SR500. Must be under 8lbs. Modern sound but doesn't do "a jazz". It's even lighter than my Cort.[/quote] Yes, I've picked one up once and it was very light, but never actually played it, but will definately consider one.

[quote name='Lysdexia' post='1053146' date='Dec 9 2010, 06:06 PM']The lightest one I recall playing was a Fender Aerodyne. It was [i]very[/i] light. Whilst it looked great. it also sounded pretty poor, but perhaps a pup/pre-amp change could work wonders for it. FWIW, I'm now on the hunt for an Italia Rimini deluxe which I just tried as I also need a light bass - it was perfect and sounded great![/quote] Tried out the 12-string guitar version a couple of years ago, and was very impressed with the quality. I will definately seek one out and give it a try.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1053120' date='Dec 9 2010, 05:48 PM']The Vintage Modified range of Squiers are popular here and they use light woods. If you are on about selling two to fund one I wonder if these are a bit below what you are looking for (?) but all the owners on here seem to rave about them.[/quote] I would consider anything that plays and feels right. I will go have a look and try. Thanks

Due to increasing pain in my neck and shoulders, I am on the lookout for a decent 4-string bass that is also very lightweight. Not to bothered about cost, because I could sell a bass or two to cover it. I play mainly covers, so a bit of versatility would be useful. I've already gone down the lightweight amp route, with my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 12 combo. Any suggestions on a decent bass? Thanks in advance!

joinmyband.co.uk Virtually formed a complete band with this site, we also auditioned 3 drummers in one night, after an ad was on there just two days! Many many responses to all our ads.

I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-12T Combo which I am very happy with. I now want to add an extra cabinet, and the obvious choice is the Genz Benz STL 12T 300w cab, but I would like to know whether the Genz Benz STL 210T 400w cab would be a better choice. Which set-up would sound better, and which would be the loudest?

I use a Roland Micro Cube Bass RX, costs around £165 new. Apart from sounding really good, with various amp settings and effects available, it also has an aux-in for CD/computer/iPod etc. It's great for playing along with songs and learning new stuff. It's tiny but packs a punch, can run on batteries too if required, and sits next to my chair in the living room, without my other half moaning.

I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-12T Combo which I am very happy with. I now want to add an extra cabinet, and the obvious choice is the Genz Benz STL 12T 300w cab, but I would like to know whether the Genz Benz STL 210T 400w cab would be a better choice. Which set-up would sound better, and which would be the loudest?

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1046911' date='Dec 3 2010, 10:42 PM']There's a couple of different bits that give the line a bit of an edge. e.g. at [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rnFKo4PAE#t=0m45s"]0:45 on this video there[/url] is my favourite riff in the song: [font="Courier New"] G ||----------------5-5----------------------------| D ||--------------5-----5------5--------5----------| A ||-5-5---0h2--3-----------------5----------------| E ||------------------------3-3-----3-3----3-------|[/font] and there's that quick bit at the end of one or two of the verses that goes: [font="Courier New"] G ||-----------------------------------------------| D ||-----2-5-2-------------------------------------| A ||-2-5-------5-2-3-------------------------------| E ||-----------------------------------------------|[/font] and the C on the way back up during the chorus is very important. It's the difference between sounding tight and sounding sloppy. Follow the drummer's cymbal at the last minute the first and third tie round, and on the 2nd and 4th, you need play the C on the last two offbeats (hard to explain because I'm not a rhythmical terminology buff! Sure someone can correct me. As for constructive advise. Disregard TABs, they are useful for getting things across quickly as i have tried to do above, but you will get MUCH better results with a pair of headphones on and the song on repeat while you play along. Headphones are the best method i have found to hear a bassline clearly! Hope this helps.[/quote] Thanks, this is very helpful.

[quote name='JTUK' post='1046910' date='Dec 3 2010, 10:41 PM']Not sure if you are a new band or not... but the idea is to make a song work with what you have. You may find on certain songs the drum part is very difficult .. (for example ) which many semi pro drummers have not a hope in hell of getting to grips with in terms of feel etc etc .. You then have to work as a unit/band to get the parts of the song you want to get across...in this case you have 3 chords or bass notess which should only really follow the accents of the gtr chords which is mirrored by the bass drum. The only place you want a frill is the second half of bar 2..but should not clash with the gtr. If in doubt, leave it out..less is more, and just accent the chords, as many bands will over play a simple progression. Less means it has a chance to breathe and not clash. But yes..if you can't make this work as a unit...you may as well give up... to put it bluntly, as it is all in the ears of the whole band and this is not an advanced song to try and get to grips with. For sure....many bands butcher it and make it a over played din.[/quote] Yes we are a new band, and I have only been playing for a short time, but when we play it live, it always goes down well, I think we do get the feel of the song right, but I just wanted to learn the trickier bits to see whether it improves the song still further. Personally, I don't like the song, but all the audiences love it, and that's what matters.

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1047166' date='Dec 4 2010, 10:40 AM']One part I didn't think of yesterday, is the solo bass riff that [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rnFKo4PAE#t=2m22s"]starts at 2:25[/url] and repeats during the outro: [font="Courier New"] G ||-------------------------------------------| D ||------------------------2-2--3-3--2--------| A ||-5-5-0h2--3-3-----------------------5------| E ||--------------0h2--3-3---------------------|[/font] Regardless of whether we personally like the song, I think the most important and fulfilling aspect of playing in a band in front of an audience is seeing them enjoy themselves. I still wouldn't play 500 miles again though.[/quote] Thanks, this is most helpful. We are a new band, and I have only been playing for a short time, but when we do it live, it always goes down well, and I think we do get the feel of the song right, but I just wanted to learn the trickier bits to see whether it improves the song still further. Personally, I don't like the song either, but all the audiences love it, and that's what matters.

[quote name='JTUK' post='1046870' date='Dec 3 2010, 09:53 PM']Wouldn't bother with listening to it, personally..it is a 3 chord groove which you should really..as a band..be able to make it worth listening to. If you can't do this...the band should give up.[/quote] Some bands have been playing for years, some are just starting up, are you suggesting that we pack up as a band, just because I want to learn a bass line properley? I was hoping for some constructive advice from this forum!

Does anyone know where I can get the tabs/transcription/video tutorial for the bass on 'Sweet Home Alabama'? Every tab I look at is just A string 55, 33 & E string 33. There is a lot more to it than that, I've worked out a few of the trickier bits, but would like to play them all. Any help would be much appreciated.

[quote name='mart' post='1007075' date='Oct 31 2010, 10:19 AM']Warwick won't help you, I'm afraid. They have a standard policy that they don't sell necks unless it's a straight like-for-like replacement of a neck that's broken.[/quote] Looks like I will have to find a good luthier.

[quote name='mart' post='1006691' date='Oct 30 2010, 08:54 PM']If you take your Corvette to a decent luthier, they will be able to make a short scale neck to fit, and nothing will need changing on the body. The sound will be a tiny bit different, because the pickups will be in a slightly different place along the strings, as well as because of the shorter neck. But there shouldn't be any issues.[/quote] Thanks for the reply. That's exactly what I was hoping, I have contacted Warwick custom shop (still awaiting their reply). I shall also be seeking out a decent luthier, if anyone could suggest one in the Herts/North London area, I would be most grateful.

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='1006927' date='Oct 31 2010, 02:43 AM']You could just put a capo on at the second or third fret & retune. Don't think that would help the neck & shoulder problems though, maybe getting a lighter bass would be better. [/quote] Thanks for the reply. I've tried a capo, and it does help a bit, but it's a bit off-putting and just don't look right. I've also tried lighter basses (many high-end), but I think it's the reach that is causing the problem rather than the weight. And from a sound point of view, I just keep coming back to my beloved corvette.

Does anyone know where I can get a Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Short-Scale Bass?

Does anyone know whether I could get a short scale neck made for my Warwick Corvette. Would anything on the body need modifying, or can it just slot in? I have neck and shoulder problems, so need to go down the short scale route, but love my Corvette so much, that I don't want to change it.

Does anyone know whether I could get a short scale neck made for my Warwick Corvette. Would anything on the body need modifying, or can it just slot in? I have neck and shoulder problems, so need to go down the short scale route, but love my Corvette so much, that I don't want to change it.