Prosebass

Hi Jack if you are going to spend that sort of money I would ensure the bass is original and not refinished as this will have a major influence on re-selling the bass in the future.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='641859' date='Oct 31 2009, 01:39 PM']Y'know, I never imagined for an instant this would turn into a serious discussion.[/quote] Its not the first time..... I started one as a repost to a certain thread being closed after 3 posts and at last count it had over 40 replies

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='641650' date='Oct 31 2009, 06:51 AM']James Jamerson played [i]loads[/i] of open strings, using them as passing notes across pretty much any key. It's one of the things that defines his style in my eyes. I play shedloads of open strings in my stoner-doom bass role. Especially the drone side project. [/quote] Me too I play open strings as a Root with runs over the top of them, open string harmonics, chords with open strings, open strings with a slide up to the octave , or chord. The fact they may sound different is good, it gives you more tonal variations. Geez guys try something different than 'thump' 'thump' 'thump'

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='638662' date='Oct 28 2009, 12:11 AM']I don't know about a difference in tension, but through body stringing does give a thicker tone with more bottom end. I love the difference on my Am.Std. Jazz.[/quote] This is correct but brings in other factors other than the tension of the strings at rest. I suggest everyone reads this explanation [url="http://www.tothestage.com/upload/StringTension_1949.pdf"]D'Addario PDF[/url] There are only 3 variables that can change the tension of a string. The unit weight ( the weight of the string between the nut and bridge contact points) Scale length and the frequency of tuning , covered by the equation below T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)2) / 386.4 In simple terms vibrating length, mass and pitch. Thats it... What most people are experiencing is 'percieved' tension which brings in lots of variables and is entirely different for each individual instrument and string type used. That is to say a certain string used on a certain bass that is not through body strung may have more 'percieved' tension than the same string used on a different bass that is through body strung. Conversly changing the string type on the same bass may exibit more 'perceived' tension irrespective of whether the string is through body, and with a given string changing from through body to standard stringing may increase the 'perceived' tension. Its a minefield and what works for a certain bass / bridge / string combination is not necessarily a universal rule. 2 identical basses will exibit different perceived tension quite easily ! I fitted some new 105 / 45 Rotosound flats to the last Picobass (30.25" scale headless, Steinberger style bridge) that I sold and the strings seemed to have more tension than on one of my standard scale basses fitted with some old 100 / 40 Rotosound Roundwounds strung through body but when measured the tension was 2lbs less ????? So in answer to the question......it depends on the bass, the nut, the bridge, the string type, the gauge. The only way to find out is to try it and if it feels good then do it...Personally I never go off the mathematics or what one manufacturer says against another and build my basses so that they 'feel' right. Or put your action up to about 10mm , your strings will seem to have more tension and its cheaper than a bridge change

I think this quote may sum up a lot of ego-centric bass playing.... [quote]I decided to make a profession out of what i do best but i could'nt make much money from masterbation so i decided to fall back on my skills as a bass player. - Les Claypool[/quote]

[quote name='Craigmartini' post='638279' date='Oct 27 2009, 06:24 PM']Skankdelvar, You are way to kind, Thank you!! I will try to add something here but I think you guys covered the important stuff. In my opinion what has kept me going is: 1. Always be prepaired for the gig by knowing the material fully. ( I spend a lot of my time learning songs ) 2. BE ON TIME OR EARLY to gigs/rehearsal 3. Be relaxed, don't let little things upset you. No one likes to be around someone who bitches about everything. 4. Have a good bass sound and reliable gear. 5. If you don't know about something............. Respectfully listen to someone who does. 6. BE NICE! 7. (most important.....) DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8. Don't squander you money when times are good, because during the lean times you will be stressed out and may be tempted to give up and do something else that is more "stable". If you plan on touring, Forget everything you know about the comforts of home. At least until you are riding around in you own personal tour bus. Sometimes, you will be hungry, tired, sick, homesick, annoyed, need to use the bathroom, desperate for a shower, and all the while you will need to be on top of your musical game and not be a prick to be around. These are the tough times of touring. The good stuff in my opinion, far outweighs the bad though. You get to see the world, eat food you would never get to try otherwise, hang with other musicians 24 hours a day, play music in front of amazing fans, meet new people you would never have met, and all because you are playing an instrument you love to play. I wish you all the best of luck! Craig[/quote] Very wise words Craig and not just applying to bass playing but life in general.......this should be pinned .

I was intrigued with a 3/4 size precision they had for sale at £49.00 and my curiosity got the better of me. When it arrived I opened the box, took one look and sent it back for a refund. Worth a £10.00 for my curiosity to be satisfied. There are some good ones out there, I bought approx 20 various basses and guitars from a Chinese factory when I was going to set up an import business and to be honest they were all reasonable and for the money excellent. Its a bit hit and miss so with stuff like this you really do need to try before you buy.

[quote name='Doddy' post='637743' date='Oct 27 2009, 11:28 AM']The guy's who are successful in an original band are usually the ones with a short career.What happens when the band eventually ends? I've noticed that the players who sustain a long career are the ones who can and will play everything from original music to pure cheese. When you work as a freelance musician-as I do-'art' is not always the reason for playing. I personally don't have a great deal of interest in doing my own music right now.I have worked with plenty of original projects,but it's not 'my' music.I am happy to be a sideman at the moment,but that may change in a couple of years.[/quote] Excellent insight for me to digest. Many people go through life not liking the job / careers they choose and I suppose even if you enjoy your lot there are days when you would rather do something else. Having never considered playing as a profession (and I have taken a different path to persue now) I never considered playing bass as a means of income , rather as a means of enjoyment and relaxation and getting some tracks down just for the fun of it. Does this mean the pro bassists job can have an analogy with a plumers job in so much that somedays you are un-blocking a toilet and others you are fitting a luxury bathroom ? Or is it just that different bassists get a different experience from whatever they do just as in other walks of life ? I suppose some people wouldn't consider getting covered in wood dust and standing at a workbench alone all day fun but I do. Very interesting to get different aspects and opinions on being involved in the music industry as a means of income.

Interesting thread in that there seems a distinction between bassists who play other peoples music, and those who are sucessful doing there own stuff in original bands. It would be interesting to know what the ratio is of this ? I haven't played in a band for 20+ plus (just as well some may say) but I was never interested in playing any music other than my own when I did play in bands, and never considered playing bass as a career other than by playing original stuff. I'd be interested to know if the pro - bassists would rather be doing their own stuff , or are they happy to do what they do providing it pays well ? Are there times when it is just 'another job' with very little stimulus or reward artistic or otherwise ?

[quote name='ped' post='636981' date='Oct 26 2009, 03:35 PM']Here are some I took recently: [/quote] Are those black tights or stockings you are wearing ? You look quite fetching Ped !

[quote name='steve-soar' post='635562' date='Oct 24 2009, 07:09 PM']I must be some kind of pervert but is this the most disturbing post on Basschat yet? [/quote] oh dear....I think you have answered that yourself...

HI Ben Good to hear from you, I thought you were going to New York....have you been and come back ? Good work on some cool tunes there mate. 'Together' is very good , has that MAW , Full Intention vibe . I would still love to come over with some of the short scales for you to peruse , they have had yet another re-design. Hope to see you sometime... cheers...Paul

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='635416' date='Oct 24 2009, 05:03 PM']This thread explains why all my pics look crap, I have a standard camera I'm guesing you need proper lenses and stuff.[/quote] nope , all mine are with a £40.00 Canon Powershot A550, like anything else you need to have some amount of natural aptitude and a lot of practice.

Here are a couple of 'arty' ones....

[quote name='Duarte' post='635121' date='Oct 24 2009, 10:03 AM']Also, what bass is that in the pic? It's gorgeous and I want it...[/quote] Its one of my early (2008) builds from parts. Mighty Mite Ebanol Precision Neck, poly coated basswood body from my Chinese buddy , Q-Tuner pup and Schaller 3-D bridge. It sounded sublime....

Here is one of my efforts

Sonic Reality Raw Funk Grooves software. Doesn't need a van, doesn't have 'moods' , minimal set-up time, bang on the beat time after time. oh and Buddy Rich...

[quote name='steve-soar' post='631691' date='Oct 20 2009, 07:18 PM']Cringe? Maybe it sounds like stucco wallpaper now after 30 years but when I was 13, Kate Bush was responsible for more "fossilized" tissue paper under my bed than was healthy.[/quote] Glad you said that, I just thought of saying it...

[quote name='Spoombung' post='631663' date='Oct 20 2009, 07:02 PM'][color="#FF00FF"][size=4]*CRINGE*[/size][/color] You've gone too far now, Paul.[/quote] Point taken.....thought that clip would at least provoke some comment. It is a great fretless tone, obviously some chorus or double tracking on it. I'm trying to justify it now and there is none ...sorry...

[quote name='Spoombung' post='630853' date='Oct 19 2009, 10:24 PM']You're far too modest, Paul. I thought you sounded rather accomplished. I was intimidated, to be honest.[/quote] Cheers mate....you doth flatter me ! Heres another from John Giblins bass Killer tone Nice Double Bass Kate Bush...........nuff said Happy days