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[quote name='bass_ferret' post='167609' date='Apr 1 2008, 01:36 PM']Ah - so thats why Cream were such a crap band, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. They were all 3 piece bands that did not have a bass player chording on a C string.[/quote] No need to be flippant. Jimi Hendrix Experience IMHO sound crap. They have great songs, fantastic ability, fiendish riffs, and very cool tone, but the overall sound is thin. If they were around today, i'm sure Jimi would be begging me to come and sort out the sound. ( ) Anyway, bass distortion and harmonies would have helped this, not extra strings. I occasionally play a 2nd guitar part in some more chilled out sections of music, or where the bottom end isn't required. God knows why people are talking about retaining the low end on a high C string. It's a high string!

I have two six strings and a 4 string acoustic. I take the 4 string to acoustic nights and such, but when I play it I really miss the low B. I use the High C to play chords, and to play guitar parts in the contect of a 3 piece band. I think that it works quite well. My High C certainly doesn't sound like a cheap imitation guitar, but I have a slightly unusual set-up. I don't NEED any more than my E and A strings to play "bass lines". I sold my 4 string because I can play the 6 string just as easily, and it provides me with flexibility. RE: Alex - You can't play 5 string chords on a 4 string bass!

I use different techniques to do the same thing. I'd love to try that though, I might try and modify my backup bass.

Do you have two outputs on your bass to do this? That's cool!

I really, REALLY hate dream theatre. So so boring. This kind of music is basically there because musicians like to show off, and other musicians like to watch musicians show off. If musicians didn't buy music, dream theatre would be flat broke. Someone mentioned the Mars Volta, who I have seen with Juan Alderete who was pretty astounding. I thought he had left the band now though?

We always find out exactly how long we're allowed on stage, and then practice our set so that it's comfortably within that time scale every time we play it. This doesn't stop people cutting us short though. I wish more gig-organisers would be strict about this so that the bands who are actually wasting the time get cut short, rather than the bands who are actually punctual.

[quote name='The Funk' post='161546' date='Mar 21 2008, 07:23 PM']We'd probably give them away for nothing - although a S.A.E. would be appreciated! I'll keep you posted.[/quote] Astounding pun!! Well done. Please let me/us all know if you sort out a disc and i'll be happy to pay.

[quote name='Higgie' post='160797' date='Mar 20 2008, 01:37 PM']Massively cheap.... Just kidding [/quote] You wrotter! I might sound massively cheap though, it's only my opinion.

Cheap stuff doesn't have to sound cheap. It depends what you do with it. I gig with 20 odd cheap pedals and I don't sound cheap, I sound f*ckin' massive! (IMHO)

Heh, I haven't seen that one actually. I have the same model but in blue. If you put a guitar through it and make the pre-amps distort it gets pretty nasty in a way that I like.

[quote name='aryustailm' post='156858' date='Mar 13 2008, 05:12 PM']My point is, it should never be subconcious. You should actively know what you are playing, and not just 'hope' for music to happen.[/quote] I suppose it depends what you're doing. If you're improvising a solo infront of an audience then obviously you'll need to know what you're doing incase you f*ck up and look a c*ck. If you're just sitting at home playing around while you watch tv or whatever, you can let your mind wander while you play. I do this, and sometimes it comes out with some really cool stuff (IMHO). I agree with everything else in your post (and it's a good one!), except [quote name='aryustailm' post='156858' date='Mar 13 2008, 05:12 PM']If you truly have no problem analysing music just by listening, and no problem getting your ideas across, then you should be able to hear something once, and play it back perfectly. (Ignoring speed/physical aspects, just melodic lines/chords/phrases/rhythm).[/quote] That's not true at all. ANYONE can analyse music just by listening and thinking about it, not just musicians. Whether or not they can communicate those ideas is limited by thier language skills. I don't see why you would have to be able to totally analyse every single detail in a peice in one listen. Are you comparing this to reading music or something?

I think that there are rules, but i've no idea what they are. I'd go with personal taste.

I see, that's a great example then! Do you play a piglet with your foot or what?

Heh, that's quite crap. Does your phone not do it? Also, i've just remembered a bit of kit I saw in the "other musically related..." for sale forum. I think it was Tascam, and it was a digital recorder with two built in mics for high quality XY type recording. It'd be more expensive, but that's kind of what you're looking for. I wish I could remember a product name or number or something. You'd do well to find the for sale thread.

I don't see how knowing theory will make you more able to play a teapot, a shirt, or a piglet. I'll give it a watch if I ever find free time though. Speaking of weird instruments - I've been messing with my girlfriend's "thumb piano" recently. The notes don't seem to conform to any normal key (although maybe they should?) but you can still use it to make some fun music. Music theory in this situation would surely be entirely useless, although once you've played it for a bit, I suppose you're developing your own subconscious theory, and if the instrument gets popular then people will start writing about it etc...

Ahh, right, that might be the best way for him to try one then. I'd like to see a pic of yours, I love the shape. If you were local we could have sorted out a try-out. Nevermind!

Is it the same as [url="http://www.firstguitarshop.co.uk/view_product.php?product=OLPTPBAC63"]this?[/url] He won't spend any money until he's tried one anyway, no matter how many times I tell him it'll be fine.

Due to some circumstances out of our control, me and my guitarist could possibly start playing as a duet, with me on drums, and I have suggested him on baritone guitar. He's never played one before, and they're quite hard to find! So: What baritones are there? I swear I saw an Epiphone LP one on Ebay a while ago, and it was really cheap! Where can we find a baritone to actually play in a music shop? (stoke, brum, manchester are our limits) Are the strings on a baritone really thick, like bass strings? Or will it not be much different to heavy guage guitar strings? Ta

the mic on the digital dictaphone wasn't great to be honest. There was a gain control but the quality was always verging on telephone. I guess 'cos it;s designed for voices. Does the Ipod adaptor have a built in mic? Or is it a pre-amp adaptor for the Ipod that you can plug any mic into? That would be good.

What's the longest thread ever? EDIT: How long is a bass chat thread? Does it ever end?

[quote name='jakesbass' post='156738' date='Mar 13 2008, 02:23 PM']glad you realise it's a good natured poke, we have been over some ground in this one some of it a little rocky. [/quote] A good natured poke aye? I'll be round in a bit

In the past I have used a digital dictaphone, and been able to transfer the files into cubase (but there are free DAWs out there) to mess with and/or record over. I think you should go for digital if you do want a dictaphone. If your Ipod is something you carry around all the time, and you can just get an adaptor so that it'll record you, that sounds like the best option to me. I use my phone because it's always with me, and I can transfer the files off if I want, but I never do 'cos the mic on it is so crap.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='156735' date='Mar 13 2008, 02:19 PM']Glass of champagne anyone?[/quote] I'd like a consolation bottle!

[quote name='Paul_C' post='156722' date='Mar 13 2008, 01:47 PM']having knowledge will only stifle creativity if you choose to let it.[/quote] After reading everyone's posts, I suppose that has to be correct. In which case you'd be better off with as much knowledge as possible, so yeh I guess my idea is crap.