EssentialTension

My P bass through Phil Jones Bass Buddy and Beyer DT250s sounds fine. But I agree it's in the mix that matters.

[quote name='Shaggy' timestamp='1423991052' post='2691136'] A Mike Lull custom maybe? [/quote] Maybe but the headstock is untypical for Lull. Some internet sources claim it's Fender CS.

Is it a Bluesman?

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1423926908' post='2690453'] Yes, but at my club periodicals of the day are present, ladies are not permitted and there is a no talking rule. [/quote] Shhhh....

McCartney should never be underestimated. He not only played that ISHST bassline, he was singing at the same time. Learning McCartney is a good idea; didn't Billy Sheehan suggest all new bassists start by learning the whole of Sgt. Pepper? But the reason for learning other people basslines all the way through is because they make us play stuff we wouldn't normally play and so back to basics in some sense and so expand our abilities.

I think this is a matter of technique - don't slide unless 'slide' is what you want.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1423790815' post='2689190'] Yes, what IS that? The thinking seems to be that if you have a 5-string bass you're somehow going to play too many notes and what's worse, probably not shut up ... [/quote] Funny really, because I've never had anyone suggest any of that to me - probably because I always play four strings. [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1423790815' post='2689190'] ... stand at the back and play roots and fifths like I want you to so that my great guitar skilz can come to the fore, thanks very much please. [/quote] Ah that's what it is, they think a four-stringer can only play roots and fifths and they were wanting a proper real bassist.

[quote name='ddawson2012' timestamp='1423765649' post='2688840'] Don from D'Addario here - we've been talking about some Balanced Tension bass sets - nothing in stone as of yet. In the meantime, you can use our new String Tension calculator to figure out what might work for you - www.stringtensionpro.com - let me know if you have any feedback. You can reach me at [email protected] Don Dawson Product Marketing Specialist D'Addario [/quote] They are already on your website:

[quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1423689340' post='2688043'] Balanced means exactly that: balanced. Within the practical limits of manufacturing, the actual tension nut to bridge for each string at pitch is as close to the same as can be made. D'Addario and Kalium (fka CircleK) publish these figures. [/quote] So, that's balanced or equalised tension across the four (or more) strings - of course not exactly fully equalised tension but a move towards it, or so it looks from the Kalium or D'Addario figures. I have never thought that my strings were unbalanced, so I still don't really get it. [quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1423689340' post='2688043'] Now, balance and feel are two completely different concepts. Depending on setup, break angles over bridge an nut, action height, the flexibility of the string, one may feel completely different from the other. This can be demonstrated on a single bass: set up with low action and proper relief, a given string will feel good. Raise the bridge and loosen the truss rod, and even though the same string will have the same tension between the nut and the bridge, the latter will feel much stiffer. [/quote] Do you mean 'balance and feel are two completely different concepts' or did you intend 'tension' and 'feel' are different concepts? I assume that by 'feel' you mean what is usually called 'compliance' or sometimes 'elasticity'? Compliance is the feel of the string under the fingers, the way it moves elastically and it is most definitely different to tension, although there is a general correlation between higher tension and lower compliance and vice versa. Are so-called balanced tension sets also somehow balanced in compliance?

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1423579770' post='2686565'] You'll never guess who I got a phone call from today... So Wunjo got in touch with JG and asked if there was anything he could do. He's written a letter of provenance, stating when he bought it where it was used - signed and delivered to Wunjo on fancy paper. I picked it up at lunchtime, and will be keeping it somewhere very safe indeed. [/quote] That's great news. What strings have you got on the TB10? I've been using Rotosound Trubass black nylons for ages but I just now put on some La Bella Deep Talkin' flats 760FS. I am very pleased with the effect.

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1423403807' post='2684354'] ....if I know there's going to be another bass player at a gig, I'll leave it at home and take the Precision instead. I can't bear to think that another bassist will see me playing it. Mad isn't it? [/quote] Read a few threads on BC and see how much dislike there is for Fenders of pretty much any kind and perhaps you'll start taking the Greg Bennett instead.

My son's band has a viola player who puts piezo pickup straight into the PA and has a monitor. If I was going to buy an amp especially for viola I'd be tempted by an amp for acoustic instruments.

I have a Mesa Walkabout Scout 1x12" combo. I'll wager ten pence that it sounds more like a Mesa Walkabout Scout 1x15" combo than some random other 1x12" combo.

I've got a Phil Jones 2x5". It sounds OK to me.

I use flatwounds of one kind or another and I only ever change them if I get a new bass or if I want to try a different string. No strings get thrown away they just move between storage box and bass as and when I fancy it.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1423057892' post='2680101'] I spotted some music stands so I'm out. [/quote] I think I spotted a stool as well. What is the matter with these people?

All other things being equal, thinner strings will have less tension. Of course, all other things are not equal if you change manufacturer or model and the construction is different. I have never used DR strings so I can't comment on them. Thomastik Jazz Flats and Jazz Rounds are low tension and high compliance. Flats are JF344 for long scale. Rounds are JR344. As always with this kind of thing you have to try to find out what you like. It's not a cheap business.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1422977307' post='2679067'] That looks a hell of a lot easier and more intuitive than the AD-1 preamp I had (with all those presets etc and multiple buttons/sliders to grapple with)! [/quote] Yep, you got it right.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1422958816' post='2678746'] Right - what's the difference in spec between the CTP-2 and -4? Is it one of these two? [url="http://www.takamine.com/electronics/pre-amps/#ct4-dx"]http://www.takamine....re-amps/#ct4-dx[/url] [url="http://www.takamine.com/electronics/pre-amps/#ct4Bbii"]http://www.takamine....e-amps/#ct4Bbii[/url] [/quote] The CTP-2 has the tube in it and costs a lot more. Mine is the CT-4BII like this: I had an exchange of emails with Takamine about which preamp to get and I can't now recall why I settled on the CT-4BII except it being simple. I still have the AD-1.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1422399542' post='2672319'] Man does "pig in sh*t" impression [/quote] Looking good.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1422271530' post='2670437'] ... Regarding B-10s - I hope I'm not out of order posting this and will delete if required - in my homework I discovered this on eBay, [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271741958638"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271741958638[/url] - am I right in thinking that the AD-1 preamp is digital and tubeless - thus making this guitar a B-10? [/quote] Yes, B10 had the AD-1 preamp. TB10 has the CTP-2 Cool Tube preamp. However, my B10 now has the much easier to use CTB4 preamp.

I have a Takamine B10 which was the predecessor of the TB10 - although the only difference is the preamp and I have changed that anyway. The Takamine does not sound exactly like an upright bass although nor does it sound quite like a fretless bass guitar. It is kind of in the middle with a sound of its own. I think the best alternatives are also pricey (e.g. Rob Allen) and I suspect an ordinary fretless acoustic bass guitar might well sound very good but not quite like the TB10. Second hand TB10s do occasionally appear on BC - that's how I got mine.