Count Bassy

[quote name='7string' post='127966' date='Jan 25 2008, 07:06 PM']I've got a Fender Urge Mk1. 32" scale and I love the thing !! It's in Burgundy Mist, NOT PINK [/quote] Me too, I've got a Mexican in a Turquoise/bluey colour (just the two Jazz pickups, not strung through, less versatile electrics) and the US one in black. I love them both. In fact I was in a couple of music shops in Northampton at the week end and decided to try out a few basses. I tried out a classic Fender Jazz, a Precision, and a Jaguar (all 34"), and I've got to say I wouldn't have swapped either of my Urges for any of them. Not only do I like the scale on the Urges, but I also like the small body. The Urges aren't perfect however (what is?): Ideally I would the outer strings a little further in from the edge of the fret board, but this would mean a new bridge and nut. Also, on the US one I would like a bit more difference between the sound of the P pickup and an equal combination of the two J pups. Also the US one goes a bit thin when I drop D tune it (the mex one doesn't, so it might just be a string issue). I also have my first ever bass, with a 31.5" scale, which I built for myself about 30 years ago. This has a single piece utile body and a set sapele neck with a rosewood fretboard. It has a really dark sound compared to the Urges, and the E detunes to a D, or even a C without losing tone, but to be honest I don't play it much since getting the urges. 7string, is yours the one that was on E-bay about 10 months ago - I remember the distinctive colour? Clive

Thanks for your thoughts Mottle. I'm considering my options but will get back to you if I decide to go that way. You've also explained why I could find reference to it in other threads - I was spelling it wrong (ie Rocket, not Rock-it). I've now done a search for "rock-it" and see that it has indeed been discussed several times, so I'll refer to those threads for further info! Thanks again Clive.

I'm sure I've seen these discussed in a thread before, but a search for rocket did not reveal it (perhaps it was on bass world). Anyway, I'm doing a lot of traveling and spending nights away from home at the moment, so am looking for something portable (ie fits inside the bass case) to go between my bass and the headphones, preferably battery powered. The Pocket Rocket is one that springs to mind, but a few reviews on the 'interweb' mention excessive hissing. Does anyone have experience of these or equivalent devices, and if so what are your thoughts/recommendations? Thanks in advance people, Clive.

If I getv to it I will be bringing my Fender Urge Mk1. Clive

I've not been to one of these Bass bashes, but Northampton is close for me and I might give it a try. What exactly goes on? Is it aimed a a particular level (i.e Will I feel a complete plonker because I'm not particularly good?) Clive.

[quote name='Musky' post='121112' date='Jan 15 2008, 08:48 PM'][url="http://jeanoroid.com/danogirls.jpg"]http://jeanoroid.com/danogirls.jpg[/url] [/quote] Typical women though - all guitar and no bass! Clive

Yes, Happy Jack is right of course, it all depends on your aptitude and previous experience. Personally I don't believe that there's any secret magic to setting up a giutar. Its really a case of doing stuff in a logical order and very carefully. But: If you don't know the logical order, or if you don't feel confident/competent to do it, then get someone else to do it. HappyJack, where can I get a full size (or life size!!) copy of your avatar? Clive

If I'd answered last week I'd have had to say that "No I'm not in a band", and that I was finding it incredibly frustrating. This week, I can happily say that the old band has got back together, and that I'm very happy about it! My new years resolution was to start or join a band as soon as possible, and lo and behold, last Friday night we were all up the pub at the same time (first time since the last gig) and it seemed that we were all missing it - even the singer, who was the main reason for it stopping in the first place!. We had a practise on Saturday night and it all just slotted back together. Brilliant!! We're not aiming for anything big, perhaps just 3 or 4 local gigs in a year, and a regular once a week practise, but it gives you something to aim for. Our last gig was back in June, and I've got to say that practising and playing on my own, without any particular target was just not the same. I'd be playing along thinking (occassionally) "oooh , that sounded good", but then I'd think "what's the effing point?". Clive.

Is the action still very high, even after you've taken the bow out of the neck with the truss rod? If straightening out the neck has bought the action down then you may need to raise the action again. Remember to leave some relief in neck, and definitely don't have the neck bending backwards. Having said that, it sounds as if either your 2nd and 6th frets are very worn, or, more likely, your 3rd and 7th frets are high. Fret it at the 3rd fret and see what clearance there is between the string and the 4th fret. Then fret it it the 2nd fret and see what the clearance at the 3rd fret is. The two clearances should be about the same. Similarly for the 6th and 7th frets. If you have got high frets, and as long as the slot is deep enough, then you might be able to tap them down with a hammer, BUT! using a bit of wood. Don't hammer on the frets directly. Hope this helps with the diagnosis, if not the cure. Clive.

I managed to listen through it all, but it was difficult. Wonderful technique no doubt, but, apart from one or two moments in the middle, pretty un-musical. I'm sure there are far more musical things that can be done on a solo bass guitar, but as has been said, perhaps someone asked him to 'do that really fast slapping thing'. I'm not questioning his right to do this, just stating that it does nothing for me personally. If I had that much skill on a bass I don't think I'd choose to do that. On the plus side if he were to do this as solo in a band situation it would give the band and audience a chance to go to the bog/bar. Clive.

Excuse my ignorance, but can someone tell me what a compressor actually does? I have one built in on my combo (Marshall B65), but acoustically it seems to make very little difference. Thanks Clive

Ah, all becomes clear! I just assumed it was you, and I was wrong. (don't tell my wife though - I tell her that I'm never wrong) Clive

[quote name='metaltime' post='105852' date='Dec 18 2007, 11:55 AM']I really like the bass and its not easy to find a 6 string left handed so i think my best bet is to upgrade this one.[/quote] Just curious, because in your photo you seem to be playing right handed. Do you swap about? If so I'm very impressed! Clive

[quote name='TheBigBeefChief' post='103456' date='Dec 12 2007, 05:56 PM']I don't think there is such a thing as an offensive [i]word[/i]. It all depends on who's saying it and the context.[/quote] That was sort of my point in typing the list. All slang or abbreviations for certain communities which someone could find offensive, but only one deemed offensive by the automatic filter. As for the idea that if someone somewhere might find a word offensive then it is offensive - I'm just left shaking my head in despair. I apologise for steering this thread off topic again, but it wasn't me who started crying 'Racism'. Clive.

Perhaps, to avoid future disputes/upset, there should be a list of acceptable and unacceptable words somewhere. Could someone start by indicating which of the following are acceptable or not (and why)? Brit Limey Frog Kraut Aussie Yank Geordie Chink Jap Taff Scouser Mex Ruski brummie Mick eytie n****** whitey paki cockney kiwi That's all that spring to mind instantly: Please feel free to add to the list indicating acceptability or otherwise. Clive EDITED To add: I see that the famous N*gg*r word has been filtered out by the system, but none of the others have. Isn't that racist ?

I'm not saying that an oversized plug helps in anyway, but, personally, I would have thought it most unlikely it would cause any problems to the spring contact in your socket. What make was the original socket, & how old was it? Clive.

One thing that has not been mentioned much is the use of a metronome to check you're not speeding up/slowing down when practising on your own. ie, not the timing withing the bar (ahead or behind the beat etc), but maintaining the corect pace throughout a tune. When I started playing music, (on a squeeze box - so generally playing the melody) I was terrible for speeding up. I bought a metronome and, once I'd realised that it was working OK and not slowing down!!, it was a great aid to ensuring I kept the pace steady. Regarding the timing before/on/trailing the beat I tend to think that this is a matter of feel - playing what's right for the tune rather than analysing what your actually doing. Clive.

The old chestnut: "It's no good practising until you can play it right; Practise until you can't play it wrong." I heard it attributed to Yehudi Menuin (Yehudi who?), but I'm sure that it, or a version of it, has also been said by and/or attributed to many others as well. Clive Also: "Practise, practise, practise, and when you'e sick of practising practise some more." I heard it attributed to Dave Mallision ( a melodeon player) but again I'm sure it's been used by many people. Clive

[quote name='SJA' post='96109' date='Nov 29 2007, 12:56 PM']yeah, it's an easy excuse to get out of learning theory, learning scales etc- I've been in bands with guitarists who sneer at technically advanced players when their own playing could benefit greatly from some practice and learning to expand their capabilities. re. my own technique, i can't do double-thumbing, but then i have no intention to learn it either because the sound of it does nothing for me- ie. for fast playing i'd rather do it fingerstyle for tonal reasons.[/quote] Forgiving me I'm mis interptreteing you, but don't these two paragraphs sort of contradict each other?, or is that intentional? Clive.

[quote name='BeLow' post='96138' date='Nov 29 2007, 02:02 PM']It is my opinion I do not need to tell anyone I am right and they are wrong because they can have their own opinion. ....... - but I should think twice about saying he is rubbish compared to anyone else.[/quote] To be fair, I don't think anyone here has actually done iether of these things. People have simply said what they prefer to listen to and or/play. This thread is is under 'General Bass discussion'. Its an exchange of views which, IMHO, does not have to 'go anywhere'. Clive

I've developed a wierd technique where I tend to use the thumb and first three fingers on the E,A,D & G strings respectively, and tend to rest each finger on its string when I'm not playing it. This has the advantage that when you've plucked a string you can drop the finger straight back onto it to kill it dead, allowing a very crisp, quite percussive sound. It also means that you can play, say, E string, G string, E string etc very quickly. When I need some very quick notes I'll drop two, or three fingers onto the same string, and have even used the little finger on occassion, although that is still relatively weak. I also will drop the little finger onto a string near the bridge while plucking it with another to get a very muted 'Plop' sort of sound. One downside is that your playing each string at a different position, so there may be more than normal tonal variation across the strings. I had no lessons when I started, and had previously played a squeeze box thing (Melodeon), so using all the fingers available just seemed natural. I'm not claimimg it as a good technique (I've not come across anyone else using it, so that must say something), but it works for me at the moment, and I thought it might add to the discussion. Clive

Console yourself with the thought that they are obviously a load tw*ts anyway, and you'll be better off without them. I'm also between bands and I know how frustrating it is. You practise away, but start to think what's the point? Clive

[quote name='lee4' post='95796' date='Nov 28 2007, 08:57 PM']I recently watched some Bass solo vid's on Youtube and I was suprised by how much they did NOT interest me.I feel like a traitor to bass players everywhere.I found I did'nt get off on extra fast shredding,or two hand taps.Slap by Wooten,sorry,not for me.I'm more impressed by a good groove or run in a song.I know that I will get some flak for this but I feel its time to come clean;to me bass is supportive.[/quote] I'm glad you said this. I've felt the same for a long time. You can't help but admire some of these people's skills, but some/most of it leaves me completely unmoved. Clive

The PW has a switch built into it so you can mute the instrument without unplugging it. The Neutrik silent jack has an automatic mute as you unplug it, but you still have to unplug it to kill the sound. i.e. they are not the same thing, so you can't really make a direct price comparison. Clive

I have a B65 Combo, and it's done everything I've wanted it to. Mainly used at home for practise, but have also had it on stage iether DI'ed or mic'ed up. I should point out though that I've not much experience of other maker's stuff. EDITED to add: Actually I do have a problem with it. If using compression, then the first time it kicks in there is a bit of a click. Mind you the only time I us compression is when I try to work out what possible use it is, so it's not a great problem to me. Apart from that - Fine. Clive