Funky Dunky

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1434775111' post='2802702'] At the recent Herts Bass Bash we had a presentation by Andrew of D'Addario. Bluejay will be posting a video of it when someone has improved the sound. What Andrew told us was that compliance isn't to do with flat or round, but it's down to the core thickness. Thicker cores give less compliance. How you find out the core thickness is of course another matter. [/quote] I would be very interested to see that video.

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1434728604' post='2802294'] It's both. Next... [/quote] You win the thread!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1434722748' post='2802218'] i see where you're coming from, but if you listen to James Jamerson then Steve Harris (P Bass), John Paul Jones then Tim Commerford (J Bass), Gail Ann Dorsey then Bernard Edwards (Stingray), the distinctions between basses becomes blurred and those between style and technique become clearer... all in my humble opinion, of course. [/quote] Well okay, but Jamerson used flatwounds, Harris's attack iis largely different, sure. John Paul Jones and Tim Commerford - I'll break that down to Timmy's amplification and effects (he uses Lakland basses). I've not heard Gail Ann Dorsey so I can't comment. There are more variables in their tonal differences than just their hands though. I'm not denying you make a valid point, however

I see Dunlop do a Heavy Core string as well, seems to offer a similar thing to the DR DDT strings. Plenty of food for thought but it will be a trial and error job I reckon.

Thanks guys, I'll maybe give D'Addarios a try. I would give flats a spin but I play a lot of slap and I hear they're not ideal for slap, is that correct?

A P Bass sounds like a P Bass and a J Bass sounds like a J Bass. A Stingray sounds like a Stingray. These basses have pretty unmistakable tones regardless of who is playing them. There are subtle nuances which can be brought out via the hands/touch/technique but the gear itself forms the basis of your sound.

I'm a nightmare, I'm thick but bear with me and help me if you can. Squier VM PJ. Cheap but I like it. It's light, comfortable and plays alright. But here's the thing. I think it's setup to Fender spec. I use Dunlop Super Brights 45-105. These are balanced tension. Now, as my playing evolves, I have noticed I like my strings to be tight with very little waggle. The tighter, the better. But the thickness of the string is ideal. Any thicker would be tricky under my fingers. I recently tuned up to F (don't ask) and it played like a dream - just so taut and perfect for plucking. How do I get this feel, but in Standard tuning? Are there hi-tension strings? (I don't want thicker strings) How should I set it up differently? I want the action as low as possible without buzz. Or should I just take it to a tech, explain my needs to them and pay through the beak for it?

Neil Young had to cancel a tour once, because he sliced the tip of his finger off while making a sandwich. He was in a jam that day, for sure. Coat/Taxi.

In France, it's called 'Confiture'

At its best, jamming is where the magic happens. All the musicians come together on the same wavelength and grooves come down from Heaven and settle under your fingers. Everyone connects, creativity flows and you can hear colours and smell numbers. At its worst, everyone is trying to shoehorn their latest flashy licks into places they don't fit, eveyone steps on everyone else, space goes out the window and you end up with a volume contest inevitably won by the bloke with the biggest amp. All too often, it's the latter.

ALL Jamiroquai basslines are fabulous!

Rio by Duran Duran. It sounds killer, but it's an easy structure and once you get the grace notes down it's a walk in the park, albeit a brisk one!

Why does nobody ever talk about the SB14?

How 'bout the wee SB14? I haven't played one but I've seen videos and they look and sound like cracking wee basses. Again not the easiest to come by, but maybe worth looking out for.

I have a Sterling Sub Ray 4, have had it about four months now. Here's my thoughts: The preamp is a nightmare and the bass has incredibly high amounts of clack and zing which I'm finding really difficult to tame, even adjusting the setup and changing to nickel strings hasn't tamed it. The neck is a treat to play, and it's a good way to get the Stingray sound for a pittance, but I regret buying mine. I think I would rather have spent the money on a Sire V7. The Ray looks nice and plays comfortably but that preamp - eesh. If you're not tech-minded, prepare to stump up to get it fixed or replaced. I think a Stinger preamp is £40, which is nothing, but what will a tech want to install it?

Where do you buy yours? I never ever see them in shops up here, not even in WH Smith, and it makes me sad because it's something I would buy fairly often (although not often enough to subscribe). Never any problems finding between four and six guitar magazines on the shelves, but absolutely hee haw for bass. Which are the best publications for bass guitar?

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1433676686' post='2792974'] oh what a shame, i didn't know that... [/quote] I apologise, it was just a joke in very poor taste.

Used to love Shakin' Stevens when I was nipper. Ironically, he actually has Parkinson's disease now.

FWIW (not a lot, by the looks of things!) I think Praying For Time is a brilliant song. Unfortunately ol' George is a bit of a joke figure in the UK, he's a troubled but talented guy who doesn't do fame particularly comfortably. He seems to have struggled with his sexuality, the deaths of his mother and his long-term partner and became a bit reclusive. Something of an enigma. Not a genius, but talented certainly.

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1433633064' post='2792700'] [attachment=193779:George Michael bass.jpg] Being a life-long liner notes geek I've noticed that George Michael gets bass credits on a lot of his stuff. Now this pic might just be a singer picking up a bass for a noodle during a quiet 5 mins in the studio. Anyone know the truth? [/quote] Here it comes.... There's a rumour that George Michael plays bass....... .......but it's just a careless whisper. I thank you. /coat

[quote name='mike f' timestamp='1433622180' post='2792637'] Thanks ChunkyMunky, I enjoyed that clip. The bassline to Club Tropicana is particularly spiffy. [/quote] True dat. Slaptacular!

Wham! Deon Estus is a fantastic player and yet nobody ever seems to say it. Did you know the dude was Jamerson's student? I was watching videos on YouTube and for some reason I clicked on a bass cover of Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (a truly terrible song) and was suitably impressed by the basswork. Hard to find footage of Deon in action, but by jingo, what a player.