silverfoxnik

[quote name='AM1' post='375646' date='Jan 9 2009, 09:08 PM']It is growingly increasingly obvious that it is not just absolute beginners, whom will benefit from a new players/beginners section. Expediting a beginner's forum here can only be of benefit to those persons, as well as many more experienced players and will strengthen the community, by facilitating pupil/mentor relationships and encouraging interaction. A beginner's section is undoubtedly something that needs to be an integral part of the forum. A number of people have volunteered to assist in the mentoring/moderating capacity and I am certainly prepared to contribute as many resources and reviews as possible since I am on the learning curve. It will save others so much time in locating valuable information and I would like to share the benefit of my research, to assist others.[/quote] +1 There's some very interesting stuff being talked about in this discussion, so if that is any indication of how stimulating and interesting a Beginner's Forum could be, then I think it can only be a good thing..

[quote name='AM1' post='374640' date='Jan 8 2009, 11:41 PM']Hi Nik I meant to respond to your excellent first post on the topic, but you beat me to it with another excellent contribution. To set up another forum is a simple administrative task and achievable quickly. To run it, the adminstrative overhead is small, however the moderation overhead may be a different matter. With the right positive attitude, a well-managed beginner's section will enhance the forum significantly and I would be happy to kick it off by adding my reviews of some beginner bass books I am currently working through. I have emailed the authors and afforded them the opportunity in the first instance, to see any reviews, prior to publication. If enough people contribute this kind of material, eventually it should be possible to create a directory of reviews, which will undoubtedly make matters easier for the average beginner, picking up the instrument for the first time, who may not have the resources for private lessons and finds themselves faced with a vast array of bass learning books. Regards AM[/quote] Ok - so the real challenge would be to moderate it... In the world I work in (Voluntary Community Sector), mentoring plays a valuable role in helping people new to a situation gain the skills and confidence they need to progress, whether they're new to a job or a school, a charity etc, etc.. and as a rule, it works really well. One definition of mentoring is: [i]"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be." [/i] It's also about allowing the new person to explore new ideas in confidence.. So if your idea were to become a reality, then perhaps more established members could contribute to a Beginners Forum in a sort of mentoring capacity, leaving plenty of space for beginners to interact at a level that's comfortable for them but being there to help if needed? Just a thought....

[quote name='alexclaber' post='371876' date='Jan 6 2009, 12:18 PM']Tried in it band practice last night using preshape 1 on the U5 to even out the current midrange hump. Hands down the best live bass sound I have ever heard and incredibly consistent around the room. I did think that The Compact was so good that The Big One might be a lot of extra cost and a fair bit more size for little improvement but it is truly in another league to every other bass cab I have ever used. Depth, fatness, growl, punch, thickness, clarity, the lot! Am dead chuffed. Alex[/quote] Alex - are you aware that barefacedBass.com has already been name-checked on the 'Walbassesnaturally' group on Yahoo? Some guy in the states was asking for recommendations from forum members for great lightweight cabs, and you were mentioned...

[quote name='Merton' post='374111' date='Jan 8 2009, 03:01 PM']Just to prove to Alex that I'm able to avoid the telephone better than he, I thought I'd better post here! Alex very kindly dropped off the Big One at work today and we had a lovely lunch talking all things bass. This cab is unbelievably light. Bigger than a Trace 1153 but astonishingly light in comparison, it almost feels lighter than my LH500 in its flightcase We were, at first, slightly concerned it wouldn't fit in the boot of my car (04 Ford Focus hatchback) but it does with consummate ease (picture proof later!) At present the cab has 2 strap handles; Alex went through his ideas for wheels and placement of a third strap handle. Wheels are definitely a luxury rather than a necessity, this cab is so easy to pick up and with the third handle there will be a multitude of carrying options. That said, the wheels will provide that extra transportability (is that a word? it is now!) The crossover is still the original design; Alex has plans for finishing the new design and fitting it soon, plus a great idea for an L-pad style switch in the middle port - easier to switch in and out from the front than leaning over to the back! Well, that's about all I can say for now. I cannot wait to get this plugged in and hear it; the rehearsals and gig next week wll be awesome fun![/quote] Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this next week Mert!!

They look very good together Rob! Also agree that you need a Jazz in that collection to finish it off

[quote name='Dmanlamius' post='374268' date='Jan 8 2009, 05:48 PM']I think it's a great idea. That Wiki...I was advised to stick all my lessons up there, but it's a bit hard to understand, and no-one would give me any advice on it. I've seen some great musical snobbery on this forum (most likely from people that don't have the right or accolades to be snobs . My thoughts are on confidence. I've noticed many questions ignored. I've noticed many people made to look like they are "wasting peoples time" when asking questions as well. On a whole, this is a good forum and people are friendly and willing to help. But one act of arrogance and snobbery of one person alone can knock someones confidence enough for them to not bother with the instrument. Those people that see fit to stick their noses up wouldn't bother visiting a beginners forum, would they? It would keep those that would sincerely like to help beginners in one central place. Those people that are annoyed by questions, don't need to be anywhere near that part. I've had plenty of mails from people, asking me questions because they are a little un-confident to post, or they "don't want to look stupid". I think that a beginners forum would become a great resource where they could all bounce ideas and learning off of each other. Those that feel a little more confident in their ability could still visit the rest of the forums, and happily gain information like they were before. Think of it as a nest, before they move on...[/quote] +1 I think there would be much more traffic in a Beginners Forum than there currently is on some of the other Forums that we already have here, especially as the site is growing rapidly with new and inexperienced players joining all the time. When I first started playing as a kid back in the '70s, it took me years to find things out, which was so frustrating! So whenever I tell people about what's so great about Basschat, I point out that it is a fabulous and wonderful resource that offers short-cuts to learning just about everything there is to learn about being a bass player and about basses and gear. Which is great... .. But IMO, there has been a change in the atmosphere over the last 6-9 months or so and I do believe that in some respects, Basschat isn't quite as friendly or as open as it was during the first year or so. And if I was a new person to the site, I think I might find that quite intimidating or off-putting, especially if I was a little unsure of either my own confidence or what kind of reaction I might get from other more established members. And in those circumstances, I think I would naturally gravitate towards a Beginners Forum until I felt a bit more confident and a bit more established. Out of interest, what would it actually take to set it up and run it?

[quote name='Beedster' post='373778' date='Jan 8 2009, 06:58 AM']FYI I fell so in love with the fretless that I have now bought a fretted Jazz (and it's a real beaut, pics to follow). This means I have to go back through Basschat and revise about 400 posts or appear to be a complete idiot Nik, you were right all along! C[/quote] Well, that's a first! Look forward to seeing some pics soon...

[quote name='AM1' post='373579' date='Jan 7 2009, 10:08 PM']For Mods...any chance of setting up a beginner forum section? I have found that there are a multitude of bass books for beginners, I would like to review a few that I have found excellent and useful. A beginner's forum will enable new people to instantly find that type of information. Also, a dedicated section will save us beginners bombarding the same poor peeps with idiot level questions Cheers AM[/quote] Not a bad idea at all....

It's getting really 'Grumpy Old bass-playing Men' around here, regardless of everyone's age.. Love it !

[quote name='NancyJohnson' post='367694' date='Jan 1 2009, 01:16 PM']Harking back to one of my earlier posts [What constitutes a build diary?], I think this project truly encompasses the spirit of a home build, by someone who has the tools, knowledge and ability to do the job. This is exactly what I was trying to get over in my original post. Al has built [himself] a great looking bass, on a reasonably tight budget and for all the right reasons. It looks great. Well done. P[/quote] +1 Really fabulous work and thanks for sharing it!

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='373389' date='Jan 7 2009, 07:11 PM']I collected my ACG Harlot from Alan in Moffat today. It’s my 2nd Harlot, my 1st being a 5 string. I’m a late starter into the world of playing bass and a 4 string makes life easier for me and it does all I need and more besides. I tried playing a 5 but it didn't work out. I love the type S single cut style of the Harlot and carried it over to the 4. This is the 1st single cut 4 that Alan has created. Zigmondo now owns the 5. I’d 1st like to stress that Alan’s creations are 1st and foremost working tools (I know that Alan would agree here), instruments for the creation of the low end. These basses are designed 1st and foremost to be used. Design wise he dares to be different and if you ask him to make you a Jazz he’s likely to point you back in the direction from which you came. I personally love the flowing lines and perfect balance that both my ACG’s have had. I also like to be a bit different. I’m not a disciple of the ‘tone wood’ gospel and I think that bass/amp/string etc. manufacture has more than its fair share of b*llshit in a b*llshit laden world. I do think you have a choice, use any functional wood and paint it or use something that has its own unique ascetics, lacquer it and celebrate its beauty. I don’t understand any of this ‘coffee table’ comment crap either, each to their own (I have both and appreciate them all), this bass is a ergonomic delight being tiny and light, has a superbly comfortable asymmetric neck and just about the lowest action I’ve ever experienced. Alan carefully chooses his pickups that are made entirely to his specification with magnet type and windings to suit positions on the instrument and to complement his double low pass filter pre amp. This is another example of Alan’s commitment to instruments that provide a huge variety of real world tones. The tonal range is so wide that these basses can’t imo be categorised in terms of tone at all. So having stressed the fact that ACG’s are not simply exotic wood artefacts but are remarkable musical instruments that celebrate a natural phenomenon in a quite unique way and that having a say in the crafting of such an instrument is a real pleasure here’s some photos of my new bass. I can’t wait to let it loose in anger. Peter[/quote] The woods and the build quality look exceptional Peter - congratulations! Very nicely worded post too if I may say so...

Very nice Paul.. Looks the business! I'm a fan of those Dimarzios as I have them on my '84 BC Rich Eagle and they sound great! What would a P-Bass like this cost to have built by your good self then?

I had a similar problem when I has a KSD 5 string which was quite a bit longer than a usual 35" scale bass. But it did fit in a Tribal Planet case that I bought, so maybe that might work for you?

Very nice!

[quote name='CyberBass' post='372065' date='Jan 6 2009, 03:02 PM']Sad news today. Ron Asheton Guitarist for The Stooges was found dead today. Ron also played Bass for The Stooges for a period including playing Bass on the 'Raw Power' album. Personally am gutted. R.I.P. Ron[/quote] +1 Sad news indeed...

[quote name='alexclaber' post='372320' date='Jan 6 2009, 07:14 PM']This is why too many beginner instruments contain appallingly nasty active circuitry - because louder always sounds better, it's the nature of the human ear, and this is particularly apparent with lower frequencies. If you want to compare a passive bass and an active bass you have to match the levels. But if you want to sell basses to beginners it's easier to stick a cheap circuit in that boosts the output and bottom than try to educate them to the benefits of passive basses. Now I'm not saying that all active basses are bad - but even the MEC circuit in my Warwick Streamer sounded rubbish compared to bypassing it or the Aguilar OBP-3 that replaced it. Quality active onboard circuitry cannot be done cheaply though it doesn't have to be very expensive. Alex[/quote] +1 Words of wisdom as per usual Mr Claber!

[quote name='Mickeyboro' post='372564' date='Jan 6 2009, 10:57 PM']Watched with a bass on my lap! Inspirational stuff...[/quote] +1 Made me want to get the bass out, which is what I'm going to do after a little browse around here..

[quote name='Linus27' post='372417' date='Jan 6 2009, 08:54 PM']I don't get the people who say real bass players don't use picks or no good bass player uses a pick. To me thats just narrow minded. It's just a different style, the same as slap is and finger playing. Some songs sound better with a pick and the style works better with some songs. Also, a lot of people can't play effectivly with a pick. There is a skill as much as playing finger style or slap.[/quote] +1 I use both finger style and pick style when playing, depending on the song and surely the aim is to always do what's right for the song... There's loads of snobbery about using a pick which is totally unwarranted IMO. For example, on the 'Isolated Bass Tracks' thread I was listening to the 'Beat It' bassline and that's all done with a pick, so if it's good enough for Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones (and either Louis Johnson or Steve Lukather who played the line), then it's good enough for me!

[quote name='Delberthot' post='372027' date='Jan 6 2009, 02:30 PM']right, deep breath: people who play 6+ string basses in rock bands Ashdown - its sh*t wooly, indistinct crap that generally fails most of the time Spalted maple tops - yes I'd like to have some overpriced crap that looks like OSB put on the top of my bass and I'd like you to charge me one squillion pounds for it. Fender - One downside of Fender being the first mass produced bass manufacturer is that everyone associates bass with them, like Coke. There are more ranges of basses that seem to overlap than something something. People are still going to buy them as they are either ignorant of the many basses that are better than them or are name Snobs. Gibson - How could a company that producs such fantastic guitars produce such sh*tty basses - 'hey guys, I have an idea: lets make a range of very fragile basses that try to hit the floor every time you let go of them. What we'll do is glue the neck to the body as well so they can't simply change the neck when it does break because they all will eventually. That way we'll be able to sell more of them' Marcus Miller - stop trying to look cool with the pouted lips thing and smile once in a while - why can't you be more like Nathan East? He never stops smiling. Double thumbing - nothing there I can't do with 2 fingers and be less tired by the end of it. Active EQ with more controls than the Hubbel Space telescope - Unless you play a tube amp, chances are your amp has an active EQ built in that can acheive the sound you are looking for. People that use the words/phrases/acronyms: Dial in the tone, the dude totally owns that bass, in the pocket, mwah, wood shedding, anything else you may see on Talkbs, etc. The fact that most bass players only see how many watts an amp/cab/combo has rather than how efficiently it can turn it into sound due to brainwashing by companies promoting their gear that way. eg an 8x10" 6000w monster cab with an SPL of 92dB Why do valve amps need to be so expensive? Most of the designs have been around for years so unless they are point to point hard wired by the ghost of Leo Fender there is no reason why they should be sometimes 4-5 times as expensive as tranny ones Rickenbacker & Musicman basses. I love the shape and the look of both but cannot get either one to sound like how you'd expect them to. Rickenbacker - why haven't they caught up with technology and produced a single truss rod that anyone can use themselves without fear of the fretboard popping off? Why is their bridge design the same? It makes it so difficult and time consuming to adjust the intonation. Most people I have spoken with prefer the pickup cover off. Why haven't Rick produced a design that doesn't result in turning your bass into a cheesegrater for your fingers when you take it off without putting one of those pickguardian thingy on? Coated strings. I thought the purpose was to make the coating invisible? They feel really sticky and cause my fingers to drag across them. They also sound dead straight out the packet. Flatwound strings - I love the strings but why can't they tell you what their roundwound equivelant is so that i don't have to go through 10 sets to find something that doesn't feel like I'm playing with rubber bands, or an Ashbory? Plectrums - I love the sound that Chris Squire gets but when I use one, i don't feel like I am actually playing. I cannot play with any emotion. I am not dissing them, I just cannot get used to the fact that only one hand is touching the strings. I feel something is lost when using one. And, yes, I do use one for a couple of songs that need one to emulate the sound off the record. In fact I use the same ones as Chris Squire Single cut basses - they simply look wrong. Dosn't having what would effectively be the top horn attached to the neck affect what you can do with the truss rod without breaking something? Alembic & Fodera. I don't personally see how spending as much as i would on a second hand car could possibly sound that much better. Maybe its the spalt. Any company that claims to be at the cutting edge of design with amps and then produces very innefficient cabs Companies that produce a signature series bass that someone famous uses which is no where as good as the one the actual artist uses.[/quote] That's an excellent rant to start off the year with!