Funky Dunky

Interesting. I loved the Dunlop SBs but I think I would prefer a little extra tension so I can dig in on the lower strings. The Foderas will no doubt be pricey, similar to DRs? I didn't even know Fodera made strings.

https://youtu.be/ZpRFcF6BlzA This is a decent comparison video. The nickel Ernie Balls sound pretty good. I'm yet to have a problem with the string life of nickels. I've been using Dunlop Super Brights, they're great on my Squier P but I don't like them just as much on my Sterling (is that weird?) So I'm about to take the plunge and shell out for DR Sunbeams.

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1430170043' post='2758683'] Don't Follow by Alice in chains - I used to play a huge "lead-bass" part through the second half of it [/quote] I think every bassline between 'Jar of Flies' and 'Sap' is probably worth a shout. I especially love Nutshell and No Excuses. Mike Inez's bassline on Down In A Hole from the MTV Unplugged set is also a peach.

All the Jamiorquai stuff is great fun to play. I learned Sir Duke over the weekend and it's an absolute joy to play! I love to play Disco Inferno by The Trammps as well, always fun. I Want You Back is an enjoyable line to play. You're The One That I Want is another fun bassline. Gets a great reaction from the laydees, they always recognise that bassline and laydees all love Grease! I get a kick out of nailing anything challenging too, so I love to play The Chinese Way by Level 42 :-) I almost forgot - Jungle Boogie Frankenstein

Not claiming to be an expert in this by any means, but my experience is thus: ● never had strings go rusty ● my instrument lives in its case when not being played, never sits out. ● I don't wipe the strings down, because back in the day when I played guitar I found that doing so only left wee bits of fluff in the strings, which were a pain to remove. ● I find a set of strings lasts me about six months before showing signs of deadening. ● I use nickel strings ● The only prerequisite is that I always wash my hands before playing. ● from my experience, Ernie Ball stainless steel strings are just the worst, they go dead quickly, they have the most squeak and handling noise and unremarkable tone. I hate them. Others love them though, so fair play.

https://reverb.com/blog/alcohol-and-the-loud-bassist-a-cautionary-tale?_aid=fb I've never had a drink before going onstage anyway, but I found this interesting nonetheless.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/22/jay-zs-tidal-app-falls-out-of-iphone-top-700-chart I'll never use it. I will support my favourite artists through direct downloads from their websites and gig tickets. I don't want a penny of my money going to these charlatans. *Awaits inevitable "Tim Burgess isn't involved" wisecracks*

Yeah, true. UK retailers will be gutted - stocking these things is a licence to print money.

Any word on a UK distributor for these bad boys?

Yeah, Hendrix was a chief exponent of the ol' choke technique.

Well I've seen Larry Graham ( to name but one) hang his thumb over the top of the neck and I'm not telling him he's wrong! I agree nothing is set in stone technique-wise. Where there is a rule, there are alway exceptions - people who shouldn't be able to play like that, but somehow can, and often brilliantly. I do think that with some things, there is a limit - maybe a time comes (or even just a lick or phrase) when you have no choice but to (for example) tuck that thumb back in (even if only momentarily).

Thanks for posting this, I've seen many of Scott's video lessons but not this one. Very helpful. Scott Devine is a beacon of the bass conmunity, he truly is making bassists better.

Lot of people here play Sir Duke. I have nothing to add to that comment, just an observation. Although, I think I should learn it. The only SW bass parts I have learned thus far are I Was Made To Love Her and I Wish. Two absolutely stonking lines.

Rob, my mate used this service for a demo and was very pleased with the results. If you want I can find out whom, how much, and will pm you?

The reason I play the riffs I named previously is that I'm a relative novice but the lines I mentioned serve a purpose; they're kind of go-to riffs to help me become at one with the bass. Pow is a speedy riff with slapping and popping. Lets me hear how the bass responds to percussive playing. Rio lets me get a feel for the neck. If I can't nail it, it's safe to say the neck is a bit cumbersome. Too Young To Die has no particular purpose other than I find it fun to play.

Sadly, music shops are a cesspool of egos and tosspots. Some staff, some customers. It was always thus, and always thus shall be. Worse if you're a guitarist. I wonder if triangle players are like that? First guy: Ting! Second guy : "is that all you got?" TINGTITTATINGTITTATINGATINGATINGYTING!! *walks away smugly*

Probably.... Too Young To Die by Jamiroquai Pow by Graham Central Station Rio by Duran Duran and a couple of things of my own construction.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1429471245' post='2751717'] For me it's the opposite. If I"m enjoying the exercise it means I'm playing things I already know and doubt I'm gaining from it. If I'm not enjoying it, it means I'm challenged and if I stay with it there's an opportunity for improvement. Blue [/quote] This. I agree with this. Also, you will know which areas of your playing are better and which areas need catching up. Identifying them is the easy part. Once you have done that, you can find exercise s which will help you bring them up to scratch. I tend to do this via isolated exercises, but then ALWAYS find a way to utilise them in a musical context before I move on. Nailing an exercise is grand, but ultimately useless until you know how to use it in context.

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1429468280' post='2751665'] I try to avoid ghost notes because they tend to scare me. I thank you [/quote] Nice.

I started woth Too Young To Die and When You Gonna Learn by Jamiroquai. Fairly easy lines to play but the ghost notes really brings them to life and makes them sound a whole lot funkier. In between learning songs I would practice playing scales with ghost notes. I feel it helped a lot. Now my playing is littered with ghost notes :-)

[quote name='dieseldalziel' timestamp='1429339342' post='2750507'] My hands are the same [/quote] the same as each other, or the same as mine?

I will try the Prosteels next then, and if they don't suit, back to the drawing board and maybe move up a gauge.

Thanks guys, I am using the nickel Dunlops as I want minimal handling noise and minimal fret damage. I had looked at the ProSteels and was interested. How are they for handling noise? My technique is fairly light on both hands, but I like a little leeway to dig in on occasions without flap/ping that light strings often produce. My concern about movig up a gauge was how quickly my hands would fatigue.

I could use help with this because I currently use Dunlop Super Brights .45-.105 but they are balanced tension and I find I could do with a bit more resistance as they're a little bit flappy. They don't do a heavier gauge, so I'm wondering if the best bet is just to get the same gauge from a different manufacturer which aren't balanced tension? Price is a massive factor too unfortunately, and while I'd love to try a set of DR, Elixir or Thomastik, I ain't shelling out that kind of dough for four lengths of wire. I saw GHS Boomers at a reasonable price but was a little put off by a reviewer who said he hated the feel of them. As someone said in another thread, strings are a "minefield" and it could take years of trial and error to find the perfect strings for me. Would be a lot less painful if they weren't so darned expensive, but at roughly £20 for a cheapish set, it"s not something you can experiment with over a few weeks.

+1 for The Beautiful South. And most techno/dance/house/drumnbass