r16ktx

A while back I was in a heavy metal band with two guitarists locked in a volume war and so I ended up hitting the strings as hard as possible (i thought) as the amp just couldn't get loud enough (hartke 3500). I didn't end up with calluses though, but from some of the other replies on this thread it seems that this is expected, so am i right in thinking that using a high enough volume to allow for a mostly light, soft touch generally regarded as good technique? Or is it possible either my 'hard as possible' isn't really very hard or that my skin is related to rhinoceros hide?

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1405774471' post='2505138'] In what way is my post arrogant? [/quote] OK it appears that I misinterpreted your misinterpretation of my post, in which I was genuinely asking a question as I don't think getting the sound is important, but the OP clearly wanted to. My apologies.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1405760963' post='2504978'] I think most of the "it doesn't matter" replies are because not many on here are familiar with who you are referring to - maybe post a clip of the sound you're after? [/quote] That is a pretty arrogant assumption. Why must the OP provide a clip of something that is easily found online? Also, how can you say something like "most of the 'x' replies" where there has only been three replies, of which one was humorous.

I'm just curious really, but how many in the audience are going to be shaking their heads and muttering that mid-90s tone with those songs is so wrong?

[quote name='Thor' timestamp='1405707472' post='2504616'] That's a sure way to get GAS [/quote] Yeah there is that :-) surely everyone has latent GAS though?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405705228' post='2504562'] So it's a choice between a P or a J? How long is a piece of string? [/quote] +1 Why not buy & sell second hand for a while and see if anything grabs you?

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1405586548' post='2503217'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Anything by Yngwie, I can't stand him[/font][/color] [/quote] Anything by inkvee, I can't spell him Everything has its context, and that guitar solo's context was a time when people couldn't play guitar :-D The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there...

Isn't there a UK music man dealer that you could order from? Possibly even to do the import bit from the american dealer as that maybe allowed by the contract?

If only they did bass liver oil... :-D

Just keep in mind that you do it because you enjoy it (I hope) and how way better you are than the guitar hero game types :-) oh and there is always someone better, but that's also something new to try and learn, that even if you don't get will still have moved your playing on (I hope)

Surely a 'song' is primarily about the vocal (melody) and all instrumentation is supporting accompaniment. Whereas an 'instrumental' is about anything _but_ the vocal :-) reminds me of a (VHS!) Instruction video I once saw with a guitarist saying '... When you're in a 3 piece band, ya know, three musicians and a singer...' Still chortling :-)

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1405364200' post='2501285'] I also felt uncomfortable and actually very disappointed at the way Thunderbird was being mocked by some of the people that I've always previously had respect for. [/quote] Having read that thread to make sense of this I didn't see much mocking so much as someone who had maybe made a mistake but understandably didn't want to lose face publicly admitting it. The gracious thing would be for the others to let it drop. Even though he clearly felt he had a genuine grievance the sensible thing for him would have also been to drop it. The latter seems to have happened, so...

I get just as nervous when one of the band members teenage kids comes along and merely stares at their phone, as I do when in a hall with 100+ people staring intently at my fretting hand and shaking their heads (or so it seems) Play what you feel works without reservation, that's what the 'name' players do. Even Billy Sheehan said 'if you make a mistake then play it again and everyone will think you meant to do it' which is pretty much what I chant to myself throughout the performance to overcome the nerves/paranoia

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405342438' post='2500952'] I'm sure you don't. Nor do I. [/quote] [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405343264' post='2500973'] And this is just consumer goods. There's also transport, the food industry, agriculture, big pharma, big oil, the military-industrial complex, catastrophe capitalism... on and on it goes [/quote] :-) [quote name='Subbeh' timestamp='1405344431' post='2500993'] I'm awaiting delivery of a new lefty bass from Thomann, of course I tried my local retailers, and several national ones first. None of them stocked it, or were prepared to order one on my behalf, I'd have happily given one of them my business if they were in any way interested. Instead I had no choice but to go with Thomann, who also went back on a recent price increase on this bass in order to make the sale, if my local music shops go, I really won't miss them. [/quote] As it happens I received my new bass from Thmann in-between my last post and this. A bass model that I had found second hand at a UK store via ebay, to be promptly informed that they had sold it already. The listing had been added _after_ they said they had sold it. So I bought it new from Thomann being the only place that seemed to supply that particular model - also I emailed an enquiry about another bass to a very well known UK bass store - still waiting for a reply. I emailed the enquiry to the manufacturer in the US and received a reply within 48 hours both answering my question and offering further help from the VP of that company. So why is it that UK stores are going to the wall?... [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1405344658' post='2500996'] No doubt forums don't help...we all buy far too much. [/quote] Are you telling me I buy too much? What else would I do with the money I work hard for? Work less hard or give it away? Capitalism is often confused or conflated with Consumerism. In order to have a conversation about the merits or not of any idea, or concept, there first has to be at least a consensus on the definition.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405336457' post='2500853'] It sure is, and it's heading for extinction. Along with the rest of us. [/quote] I shouldn't believe everything you read in the Guardian :-D [quote name='kerley' timestamp='1405338284' post='2500884'] This is more evolution of shopping than capitalism as such. Shops that sell a small amount of what is available are not going to last much longer. 20 years ago you wouldn't have been contemplating buying bass guitar gear from a warehouse supplier in Germany yet now it is so easy to find and buy the stuff why wouldn't you. [/quote] This chimes with a popular view in the late 90's about the effect of the internet on commerce; "If a shop doesn't have an on-line presence within 10 years it will disappear" I thought at the time this was a little hopeful, but adding 10 years to develop that on-line presence then I guess those commentators were about spot on

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1405335783' post='2500846'] Reverting to the OP, equally relevant is the fact that there is too much competition, too many over-priced devices on the market all claiming to do much the same thing. I have no problem with this at all, in fact I love it. But none of these businesses has a God-given right to remain profitable and successful ... capitalism is evolution in action. I couldn't tell you how many high-end bass pre-amps and pre-amp pedals there are on the market right now, but I bet if half of them left the market right now very few people would notice, and very few people would find it life-changing. If Thomann can sell this particular item very cheaply, for whatever reason and for whatever purpose, then as a consumer I am delighted. In the unlikely event that this leads to a manufacturer or supplier leaving the market, there'll be another one along in a minute. Harsh, but true. [/quote] I certainly agree, apart from; isn't it the (hayekian) market that is evolution in action, where capitalism is wealth in motion?

Been using thomann pretty exclusively for something like 10 years now as their prices have been consistantly better, cs very good and range of products much larger in comparison to others, and their website is much much better. Would hate to add up how much I've spent in that time, but not as much as I'd hate the wife to do the adding up!

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1405331545' post='2500768'] Is that on Warwick Rd, Knightsbridge? If so, I once fitted the signs there! [/quote] Or is it on Warwick St, Worthing?

Thanks guys, now I can start to educate my 'funk' ear

Probably best to see a doc just to rule out anything other than a technique problem. There should not be a reason that extended playing should cause any problems so it will be technique, an unrelated underlying problem or more likely both

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1405064983' post='2498377'] +1 on the recommendation to contact Thomann for a refund. The OP's contract is with Thomann, and it is them that is in breach of contract if the goods are not fit for purpose. Having the packaging or not doesn't matter if the return is because the goods are faulty. [/quote] Another +1 to; the contract is with thomann and no-one else is involved pov And also on the charitable giving; you can ask, but that doesn't oblige a company to give away their products

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1404915196' post='2496948'] yeah i know what you mean. but this isn't funk . thats why the word Neo is in front of it. i personally find proper funk, a bit unmusical when it comes to harmony/changes etc. it has its limits musically shall we say. like you say, each to there own. [/quote] Could you provide an example of proper funk as I'm not getting it - a musical limitation I hope to overcome...

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1404820518' post='2495963'] I knew the ZZtop one but I've no idea which other one I got right... [/quote] Yeah, I recognised the one beard too, probably cos I prefer playing and listening to the bass, rather than watching videos of jumped up accompanists

Fair enough - takes all sorts, just a pity he couldn't be polite and honest is all, if it isn't my "big bones" just must be my trademark dirty look then "black steel"

Ask him to make sure he has tissues if he wants to w*** his fretboard... Haven't had that kind of comment in 30 years of playing lead, rhythm, and bass guitar in various sorts of bands, but maybe being big and fat helps :-)