KingBollock

Well, my Violin bow didn't work. I did get some faint sounds from it but because of the shape of the Bass body I couldn't use it anywhere near the pick-ups. That was on roundwounds, I didn't bother trying flats.

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1340484366' post='1705216'] I'd love to try and get something like the fernades sustainer into a bass. [/quote] There are videos on YouTube showing how to make your own sustainiac. Though I haven't seen one for Bass and don't know if you could build one string enough to move Bass strings. Be interesting to look into it though. Depending on how much work goes into building the circuit I may give it a try, I have the ideal Bass to try it on too.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1340480867' post='1705174'] Ah yes, had I bothered to watch it on YouTube I would know that. What a bloody show-off! Actually it makes perfect sense - one Ebow per two strings... he must have big hands, though. Which leads me on to... Eewww! Bass/porn face alert! Someone should start a topic on whether the two faces are the same... [/quote] I have a theory that Bass players pull that face to make everyone believe that the b*ll*cks they're aimlessly noodling is actually brilliant and meaningful. I hadn't given any thought as to whether Porn actors do it for the same reason.

[quote name='Dingo' timestamp='1340437527' post='1704373'] To pick or not to pick, that is the plectrum. Like others on this thread, I struggle to use the things. But, I saw Dr Feelgood a few years ago and Phil Mitchell was using one and I thought he usually played fingerstyle. Chatting to him afterwards, it turned out earlier that day he'd cut a finger doing some DIY at home, so had to use the pick. Absolutely took nothing away from the sound. If that had been me at the time, I couldn't have played. Now I know that British Rn B is perhaps not the most technical musical form in the Bassoshere, BUT, a pro is pro. Phil taught me a bigger lesson that night than any instructional video - adapt and overcome. Blessings. [/quote] This is the reason I started playing with a pick in the first place. Being a 13 year old kid that loved nothing more than climbing about in trees or quarries, I always seemed to have a plaster on my right hand playing fingers, so I gave a pick a go so I didn't have to stop playing and it stuck. I play pretty exclusively with a pick and have done for over 20 years. The only thing I found difficult to play with a pick when I first started was slow Blues stuff, but, being a Metal Head, it didn't bother me too much, and I can play it just fine now. I have recently, over the last 6 months or so, started to Slap a bit, but, oddly, I find it easier to do it using my middle finger to pluck, with my pick in my curled up index finger, than I do using my index finger to pluck.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1340403468' post='1704231'] A group of us should start playing electric bass with a bow, that would upset some people [/quote] I have a Violin bow that I keep meaning to try but never get around to, I might get it out tomorrow and see what kind of noise I can make with it. And Bass players who use a pick are awesome.

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1340401746' post='1704206'] Likewise. And I struggle to think of a type of music where I'd require my bass to sustain for extraordinary periods of time, the idea of 'sustain' on basses marketed as such always seemed a false economy to me. [/quote] I think it's nice to allow high notes to ring for a while, but I find I use the sustain more when I'm droning one string and playing notes on another while using a pick. On Basses with less sustain I will use thumb and two fingers instead, but I prefer playing with a pick.

Someone will be along in a minute to tell you that it would be useful if you let people know where abouts you are. ... Oh yeah, that'll be me... Shame I'm not a drummer because that sounds like a lot of fun.

My new main Bass is neck-through and has oodles and oodles of sustain. This is brilliant for noodling around the higher notes, it sounds lovely, but for some of the lower stuff I'm finding I'm having to alter my technique to keep it under control, else it can start to sound muddled, even with flatwounds. As has already been said, it's easier to take it away if you've got it than to add it if you ain't.

I almost tried flats 20 years ago, but the Guitar shop I worked in only had them as single strings, no packs, and after spending an age looking for enough strings to make up a set, I discovered they were short scale! Bugger. About six months ago I decided to finally give them a try and went for Chromes. I adore them and as soon as my Wife lets me (£47!), I shall be putting them on my 5 string too. Such a lovely tone, so fast and still as good now as when I put them on. Actually this is the second Bass they've been on as I got myself a new main Bass a few weeks ago, and they're still as good as new.

Stuff with bongs in it. Thanks to Seashell!

[quote name='Ben Jamin' timestamp='1340052281' post='1698428'] Nooo! That's like saying "wouldn't it be gross if someone excreted, urinated and vomited into a pot, boiled it, stirred it and served it as stew? Say, could the culinary geniuses conjure me up a sample just to try?" [/quote] I'm not going to look to find out, but that's probably already on Youtube.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1339979022' post='1697264'] Fender Jazz [/quote] Yup! I'm afraid to actually try one in case I like it, they're so bloomin' ugly! Warwicks too. Actually there are loads, but they tend to be the more expensive ones so it ain't ever gonna be a problem.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1339978742' post='1697262'] Funny, I suddenly felt like drinking some milk. BTW worst photoshop I've seen for a while... in fact it so bad it's probably not even photoshop. [/quote] Scissors and Sellotape? Grammar Nazi's and Bullsh1.t detectors will have a field day with the text on that page.

Pop into your local Guitar shop, they will probably have a an old Ice Cream tub full of things like that, the trouble is getting matching ones. I was able to get a single replacement when I busted one on a Banjo years ago.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1339536386' post='1690297'] ... but your strings wouldn't last very long. [/quote] I don't think that would be a problem because of the way the Big Stubby is shaped. Especially if I get the edge smooth enough. I have a pick that I made from a 1mm thick (4cm diameter) washer and it's pretty good, the edge doesn't snag in any way. I don't like using it because the hole, while making it easier to grip, makes the rear part too light so the balance is wrong, and it's not thick enough. Which is a shame because it sounds lovely.

I've got it into my head that if I could make a 3mm Big Stubby out of aluminium, it would be the best pick in the world. It would feel and sound perfect and would last yonks. Can I find a piece of aluminium thick enough? Can I b*ll*cks!

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1339344831' post='1687139'] [/quote] You look different, have you done something with your hair?

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1339268703' post='1686230'] My Dad suggested I take up an instrument when I was 19. I immediately asked for drums. That got vetoed, so I went for bass... the next bit goes just like this.... ...Right down to the Westone Raider 1, which I still own. Spooky! [/quote] Lucky bugger. I miss that Bass with all my heart. I sold it out of desperation.

Just to explain my previous post... I was 12 and my Dad had decided that my 3 brothers and me were going to be a band and he was going to manage it. None of us had ever played any instruments before, and while My Dad had bought a Classical Acoustic Guitar and a Chromatic Harmonica, he'd never played either of them. For some reason he decided that I was going to play Drums and that's what I was going to get for Christmas. I desperately wanted the Tamiya Lunchbox Radio Controlled Monster Truck (I still do!). I was a huge Iron Maiden and Motorhead fan at the time (and still am, well, at least of Motorhead. I still love the early Iron Maiden (upto and including Seventh Son of a Seventh Son), so the Bass player was important in the music I was listening to. I also knew a few Guitarists and Drummers in school, but not a single Bass player. It made sense to me that if I played Bass I would always be able to get into a band and I really didn't want to what my Dad said, just because he'd said it. I explained this to my Dad (not the bit about not wanting to play Drums because that's what he wanted me to do) and he thought it was a good idea and I got my first Bass, a Westone Raider I in Silver/Grey, that Christmas. My next youngest brother (I am the oldest) was a promising Guitarist, it seemed to come naturally to him, though he never played in a band that hadn't been put together by me. He stopped playing altogether when Heroin became more important than the Guitar. Such a shame.

Steve Harris and Lemmy. If my Dad had had his way I'd have been a Drummer. If I'd have had my way I'd have had a Radio Controlled Monster Truck.

About 18 years ago I had the bright idea of installing a jack plug on my lead that screwed onto a supplied nut that you had to fit to the Bass. I'm not quite sure why I did it, I had been in a band where the lead Guitarist had the habit of standing on my leads and pulling them out, but only of the amp, not my Bass... Of course, when I sold that Bass guess who forgot to remove the special nut...? One useless lead left. As people are talking about jack plates too... I know these are incredibly cheesy but I am thinking about a BC Rich Warlock here... I have seen these Jack socket plates and Truss Rod covers, they have skulls and bones and stuff on 'em! But I'm not keen on ordering from the US and was wondering if anyone knew of anywhere in the UK that might sell something similar? http://guitarheads.net/products/hardware/plates/plates.html (about 1/3rd down the page)

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1339182282' post='1685128'] [/quote] Oh I know the sort, my wife has different coloured ones for different food stuffs... I don't think she'd be very happy with me if I did that! I can't imagine being able to make anything quite like a Big Stubby with a cutter. I have made my own picks, but they tend to be made from coins or washers. Washers are good actually because the hole makes good grip.

One of my favourite picks was a black Dunlop, I'm not sure how thick it was, 1mm I think, but it could have been slightly thicker. I had stuck a rubber foot from a TV on it for extra grip. This was 20 years ago, I loved that pick, I called it "Old Faithful" and used it exclusively for over a year. The chaps in the Guitar shop I worked in at the time took the p1.ss out of it but it was great. I used it until it was round and none or the edges showed around the foot anymore.

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1339180771' post='1685082'] [/quote] I was only kidding dude, having such an aversion to smilies really doesn't help me sometimes... I honestly didn't know those cutters did that, that actually does make them useful. Though not to me, unfortunately, I do love a gadget.

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1339174334' post='1684966'] Anyone tried or purchased one of those plectrum cutters ? Theyre on ebay for £22. Any old bits of plastic laying about stick it in the machine and.. Presto.. [/quote] Yeah, I've got something like that, but it's more versatile, it will cut lots of different shapes. Not as expensive though. I believe they're called scissors...