PaulKing

[quote name='slobluesine' post='974167' date='Oct 1 2010, 03:20 PM']not sure about the end of the board on yours tho Paul [/quote] You can thank Mr Laws for that. I was a bit surprised, but... I really like it actually, though not on every bass, and certainly only on violin shape. Not gamba, too ostentatious for a gamba.

[quote name='JoshJ' post='975208' date='Oct 2 2010, 05:36 PM']Does that sound sensible?[/quote] Aye.

It's not a stupid question. Very uneven tension is not ideal, and makes it hard to play too. Try swapping the E for an A 'bumped' (down-tuned) to E. Surprisingly it works pretty well, though better the stretchier the strings are. A very stiff string sounds rubbish slackened that far, but stretchy strings don't. To match tension with whackers and guts I play 'bumped' Innovation strings on the A and/or E. Brilliant match. In fact I recommend you do this anyway. No whacker E sounds really good. Neither do plain gut E. And most whacker As are pretty poor too. You'll want to start thinking about substitutes for the E at least: Velvet Garbo, Innovation Silver- or PsychoSlap, Pirastro Oliv (flat-wrapped gut), Presto... there are several options. Steel is not a good match in most people's opinions..

[quote name='bob_pickard' post='973901' date='Oct 1 2010, 01:13 PM']Brilliant maybe I should dig it out and give it a go - need the bridge sorted on my bass first as the string alignment and spacing isn't the best at the mo so if I remember the poles didn't line up too fantastically. As for your Kay - next time the urge takes you to part ways give me a shout - it's still invoking major GAS here !! I just need to convince my wife.....again....(and again - the excuses are wearing thin!)[/quote] That 'Henry Ford' bass ain't a patch on your Kay though JC. Or mine for that matter... Don't sell it man...!

[quote name='endorka' post='971574' date='Sep 29 2010, 11:57 AM']I find it doesn't make too much difference for pizzicato, but substantially cuts down the volume of bowed notes...[/quote] Yeah i bet ... you can probably tell from the lack of rosin around my bridge that a bow never touches those strings. Nice big calluses on my fingers though...

[quote name='TheRev' post='971541' date='Sep 29 2010, 11:31 AM']I have a heavy duty rubber mute that I don't use any more. This one: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ultra_kontrabassdaempfer.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ultra_kontrabassdaempfer.htm[/url] You can have it for the price of postage. Dave[/quote] Yeah that Ultra makes a bit of difference, but not much. It doesn't impede the strings at all, just deadens the bridge. I lined mine with a strip of foam cut to shape, so that the foam actually dampens the strings, makes much more difference. Can achieve same effect by wrapping a cloth or bungee around the strings just above the bridge .. of course it f***s with your sound, but cuts the volume big time. I also close off the f-holes when i practice at home after kiddy bedtime. Made these myself:

[quote name='Clarky' post='970533' date='Sep 28 2010, 11:56 AM']Thanks Paul. I am nr Hammersmith - so also West London - and would welcome advice and tips. FYI, I have a c.15 year old Andreas Zeller 3/4 bass (carved front, rest is laminate) with Thomastick Spirocore strings and a Shadow 950 pickup and am currently playing through my TC 450 head and TC 1x12 cab - have feedback/volume problems with this so am after a Fishman Platinum preamp.[/quote] I'm Ealing .. easy. Shadow 950 should give you good sound with that set up. For my music I moved off Spiros a good few years ago, but they're great all round strings. Dunno much about your amp, but good EQ and yes, preamp should sort it out, somewhat. Feedback is always an issue though. You'd be welcome to try playing through my Fishman if it helped. And see what you think of synthetic strings... You have transport? Welcome to drop in at mine at weekends if you fancy, bring the bass? Loud playing not very welcome to the neighbours though!

+ 1 on the Fishman PlatPro, and into front of amp. There are plenty other decent pre-amps, but the extra features on the Plat Pro (phase, depth, compressor) make it a real feedback fighter, and gets the best out of your bass. Sharing technique tips ... I'm always up for that if I can get an hour or two off baby care. I'm West London, where are you? That bluesy gutsy sound is my thing, and I've crossed a lot of bridges in 20 odd years.

[quote name='Clarky' post='968904' date='Sep 26 2010, 10:01 PM']Thanks thisnameistaken. I got the DB gig with Rattlin Bone today and the constructive criticism I got when auditioning was that I was playing a bit quietly. So its something I definitely need to work on. Appreciate your answers.[/quote] Yep, the sideways finger thing is all about getting good purchase and giving that string some real welly. Your thumb against the edge of the board gives extra leverage too, until you start playing with your whole arm which really gets the strings moving! DB is MUCH more physical than electric bass. You want to dig in and get those strings moving. You'll get much more volume and pronounced attack from your strings this way, without having to rely on over-amplifying ... which just exacerbates the feedback problem. Make sure you post first gigs with Rattlin Bone ... PS where in London are you? I'm always up for sharing tips and ideas with like-minded bassists. I been doing this for a long time now! Strings, pick-ups, amplifiers, technique ... it's a mine field.

[quote name='steviedee' post='970337' date='Sep 28 2010, 08:39 AM']The 'Ungentle Art' DVD by Mark Rubin and Kevin Smith is good if you can get it[/quote] As is Nic Dubouchet's DVD, visit artofslapbass.com, or search for tehcuodub on youtube for some tasters [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGwwol9dDVo&feature=player_embedded"]here[/url] (follow the links to any of the tutorials by Memphis Evil, Scott Hinds as well)

[quote name='Clarky' post='968726' date='Sep 26 2010, 07:38 PM']I auditioned today and I think I got the gig Very excited. Great songs and the main man, Wily Bo Walker, is a gent. Its DB practice for me from now on and a 10-to-12 song set to learn Woooooooooohooooooooo[/quote] Get in there! Good one, wondered why he was ignoring my messages ... not very gentlemanly I thought! Hey if you need a dep, hit me up, very happy to be back up. Love the sound of the band.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='964607' date='Sep 22 2010, 04:04 PM']Someone's given me the idea of taking Thomastik spiros F# tuning and dropping them to E to lower the tension. Has anyone done this before and how did it work out for you?[/quote] It's a standard practice, great way of lowering tension. Really for slap, the Spiros are going to give you a very harsh and noisy sound, tending to drown out the bass notes themselves. You'd be better off with something like Innovation Solos, or Jargar Dolces. There's a youtube clip of me somewhere playing the Innovation Solos tuned down just as you say .... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41F2ukjtBf0"]Here[/url]

[quote name='andrei' post='966855' date='Sep 24 2010, 04:05 PM']Hi, I did search through basschat but couldn't find anything about this. I know left handed double basses are quite hard to get your hands on. I know about the thomann ones but I was wondering if I could convert a regular one. The same question applies for electric ones as well. Cheers, andrei[/quote] It's easy to switch the strings around so a righty plays lefty. You'd find the bridge is cut wrong though, and likely the fingerboard arched wrongly too. You could still play it, but not ideal, and to adjust the bridge and f/board quite expensive. Even more significantly, the bass bar and soundpost are positioned like they are for a reason. The tone from your bass will not be at its best with the G string over the bass bar and the E string over the soundpost. It'd be a phenomenally expensive job to open up the bass and modify the post and bass bar inside. That said, if it's a cheap bass and you're playing amplified you'll probably get away with just switching the strings around .. it's been done before. But for a carved bass, playing acoustically ... buy one built as a lefty. Watch out for cheap new 'left-handed' basses. Sometimes they are just rightys strung as leftys.

It all depends what you want to play. The Realist is the standard for many jazzers, but it really lacks definition ... one for just adding some oomph to your bottom end in low volume situations. Or for arco. For pizz: The wing transducers are all very similar. Underwwod is safe, quality, great tone, the King of piezo transducers. It suffers from phasing issues between the two paddles, but easily fixed by pulling one out. Can't go wrong. Bassmax, Shadow 950 and Schatten are similar, hotter signals than Underwood. Bassmax sounds a bit more compressed and bassy. But both very good. Just fitted a Schatten RB1 to one of my basses, looking forward to trying ... similar tone to Underwood but I'm hoping it's even more feedback resistant, as promised above. Never tried Rev Solo but many people get just as good results as from other wing transducers. Feedback is an issue for some though. There are others ... usually you get what you pay for, but there are some cheap ones that perform really well, and expensive ones that sound like crap on some basses played in some styles..

I'm interested. Love that swampy sound. You heard of the Aces from US? Check em out. I'm a bit restricted on number of gigs i can take on ... but I'd be interested in working with you if needed. Ealing based. Playing mainly 40s jump and roots blues on old gut-strung basses. Howlin Wolf? Yeah man... www.myspace.com/4stringsking www.myspace.com/jump66

While I'm here ... difficult to see from the pics but: There's a centre seam on the front. Is it carved/pressed solid wood? That would up the price, I concede. Or is it ply? Most of what I say applies to ply really. The finish is interesting and pretty - not original though i'd guess? Did you strip yourself? Or am I wrong? And go on then .. what's the new more unusual toy?!

[quote name='slap_it_hard' post='949800' date='Sep 8 2010, 07:46 PM']Hi Paul, I thank you for your time in your response & you're quite entitled to your "opinion" of course, although it might not have been put the most eloquent way![/quote] - Well, reasonably eloquent I thought, but yes a bit blunt, sorry. Thanks for replying in a civilised manner, realise I'm taking a bit of a dangerous stance here. Let me explain my thoughts... [i]"No one said I needed to shift her quickly, but it sounds to me like you just might no someone that would be happy to take her off my hands the 30 percent cheaper you quote. Anyway, that said, when the time is right & so is the person, Karma will take its natural course."[/i] You said yourself 'has to go due to purchase of new toy'. That's why I said 'IF you have to shift it quick'. Equally I said if you want to wait to get the full whack then press on. I agree on the Karma, and there WILL be a buyer out there at that price, [i]eventually[/i]. No, I don't know a potential buyer ... sorry if it looked like that. [i]"Nice picture by the way, although I couldn't really see myself at this point having my photo taken with a bow!"[/i] - That's Arthur Askey... 60s comedian and actor. If I dared put a bow anywhere near my bass it'd make an awful noise. I'm happier slapping, just like yourself, if your name's anything to go by. [i]"So, what bass, or basses do you play, & with what set-ups if i may be so inquisitive?"[/i] - You may. Over the years I've owned a couple CCBs, 40s Czech hybrid, Hungarian Golden Strad, fully carved 40s German blonde, factory-new Strunal ply, 1968 Kay S-9. But now settled on trio of 37 King Mortone, 38 Kay M2 and 68 Boosey and Hawkes Czech ply. I'm always on the lookout for interesting basses though. Various string combinations of plain gut, Cordes Lambert Deluxe whackers and Innovation PsychoSlaps. Underwood pick-ups mainly, but still running a K+K too, through an LR Baggs mixpro. Fishman Platinum Pro-EQ. And Markbass CMD121P with ext cab. There are some pics at www.myspace.com/4stringsking [i]"Maybe you could be so kind as to pass me the details of the Vintage bass freak in Holland?"[/i] Well, I sold to Huey Moor, he found out about the bass through the grapevine, passing details from bassist to bassist. Advertising didn't work for me then. I don't think he wants another ... that was his 'special bass'. Again, it was the name he wanted. I'm guilty of that too. But you could try Markus Potts at Rockability.de . He sells interesting vintage roots basses to discerning buyers ... ie at good prices, because people know what they're buying. [i]"Oh, forgot to mention, who says that those that want to buy 'that special bass' are waiting for Kings and Kays?"[/i] - OK maybe not everyone. But certainly in the billy, blues, jump, swing, bluegrass circuits (which are of course heavily influenced by Americana) those are the names that excite people, for whatever reason. A known name is ALWAYS going to be worth more, ply or carved. Of course plenty of people are wise enough to know it's the sound that counts and just keep up the search for the bass that speaks to them, wherever it's made. And good European basses kick the ass of many US built name brands. BUT ... there ARE those people who say 'what I'd really like is a Kay...' and they'd find that last £2-3k for 'that special bass'. [i]"I'm sure there are way more unusual & special basses out there!"[/i] - Absolutely. The market has slowed though. I am a nerd, and I've been watching the price of basses that go through the bay and gumtree etc for years. These days desirable US 'name' ply basses can go for up to £2-3k. Good Euro ply basses rarely go over £1k. Sometimes very decent basses go for £500 or less. As eye-catching and great-sounding as your bass is (and I'd LOVE to give it a go...) there'd need to be damn good reason for it being elevated into the top price category for a roots/jazz bass. Of course that reason may be the sound alone ... and to the person who falls in love with it, £2k is not too much to pay. But I still maintain, you've been advertising this bass for what, a year? There's a reason no-one's bought it yet. I genuinely sympathise if the bass owes you that much ... which is why I recommend selling by word of mouth to serious buyers, not open sale. I've been in the same position. I would happily pass on to a few names in Europe if you like. I'm sure this all sounds like I've got it in for you, or I'm just being a smart-arse. Well maybe the latter a little bit, but in reality I'm just trying to be a bit helpful. We can delete this and go private if you'd prefer?

[quote name='slap_it_hard' post='948610' date='Sep 7 2010, 06:32 PM']Wow, you guys are all quiet![/quote] I've respectfully kept quiet long enough. I just think you're asking too much, still... How long you going to wait, another year!? Don't get me wrong, i think your bass looks really special. The market is in a different place though... If it owes you this much then press on, be patient, try a dealer like Peter Tyler or Thwaites. Or sell direct to the roots players in Europe - this will go in Holland or Germany better than in UK. When I sold my Kay S-9 I knew noone would pay the true value over here, it went to a serious vintage bass freak in Holland. There just aren't enough of us here, and those that want to buy 'that special bass' are waiting for Kings and Kays. If you need to shift it quick you gotta come down another 30% at least IMHO.... Sorry. I'll delete this if you think I'm screwing up your sale, but no-one's biting are they?

Tips to soundmen: A lot of upright bass tone is in the midrange. It is not a dub sub bass instrument. You need mids and highs to be heard. Getting heard through the mix is not just a case of boosting volume and low frequencies. That way feedback lies. So yes, roll off the extreme lows, allow the mids and mid-highs to breathe to make it stand out in the mix. At sound check you actually want it to sound slightly more unpleasantly mid-rangey than you think.. but then it cuts through the mix and allows you to pick out the low end better.

+ 1 on the Fishman Pro Eq bass. It's designed to do the job, specifically for upright bass, no tone colouration, and it is not too expensive. The EQ is a bit limited compared to expensive alternatives, but it's perfectly adequate. Phase reverse and Hi Pass filter (Depth control) make feedback control a cinch. Ground lift and pre-post DI out make sure you send the soundman best signal possible. Useful little compressor too. If you're after a good quality DI/preamp box for upright bass with piezo pick up, that allows you enough control to help out or even override the sound man, this little thing does it all for you. I too never gig without it, whether I'm going into backline or straight to PA.

[quote name='slobluesine' post='907920' date='Jul 28 2010, 10:19 AM']here go Chris.... [attachment=55195:lowdowndog.mp3] EUB or Upright?[/quote] Nice JC. Jumpin.

[quote name='slobluesine' post='901854' date='Jul 22 2010, 01:25 PM']oh yeah, poster of Walbassists's Avatar too , plz tell me that's not your missus or girlfriend Wal, if it's you can i have your tel no plz, she's hornier than my Kay[/quote] Haven't seen Walbassist avatar, but maybe his profile will get a few hits today. I do keep lusting after a cherry burst K162.... no idea why. I've NEVER played an e-bass live. Or with a band. Just in private. With the doors closed. And curtains drawn. and NO frets. Makes me feel dirty.

[quote name='PaulKing' post='895951' date='Jul 15 2010, 08:33 PM']noodle noodle whacko jaco [/quote] A quick derail, by way of bumping your ad John. Jaco doesn't really move me much, even if he is technically brilliant. See, he's wearing a headband. Understand? But to show I'm not a complete prog-jazz heathen, I do find Squarepusher fascinating, amazing and much more pleasant to listen to. He's about as close to Jaco as anyone's ever got. With added snare-rush. COOOL. Check the Ultravisitor album, loads of Pasto-style solo doodling there.

[quote name='slobluesine' post='895782' date='Jul 15 2010, 04:58 PM']whooooah!!! lightweight hey.... i'll lend you a Fender and a few Jaco tabs here go... a little lightweight hippy one to be gettin on with.... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I63bOi477cA&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I63bOi477cA...feature=related[/url] featherweight one... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwJJ4oK79Wg&NR=1"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwJJ4oK79Wg&NR=1[/url] [/quote] noodle noodle whacko jaco