EssentialTension

I can't understand at all why anyone woudln't use open strings. It's four (or five or however many) notes that are easily available in any position.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1368119436' post='2073507'] Mr. Nice chap from Lakland replied to say they frequently offer strings to all their UK dealers, but none take them up on it... [/quote] ... and if they did take them up on it then it probably wouldn't be the flats that they decided to stock.

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1368028544' post='2072254'] Just wondering if any of the contributors to this thread (those wondering how to avoid import tax) were outraged with Starbucks, Amazon etc. for their tax avoidance antics. [/quote] Yes and I'm all in favour of everybody paying their taxes.

In summary: [b]Value[/b] £0.01 to £15 [list] [*]No customs duty [*]No Import VAT [/list] £15.01 to £135 [list] [*]No customs duty [*]Import VAT due [/list] £135.01 and greater [list] [*]Customs duty due, but waived if the amount calculated due is less than £9 [*]Import VAT due [/list]

[quote name='dincz' timestamp='1367995480' post='2071946'] I've been a dabbler on bass for many years but haven't owned or even used a lot of gear. I read a lot of complaints about the EQ on various brands/models - "the mid control operates at too low a frequency" or similar. It seems to me that multi-band parametric (even semi-parametric) EQ allows a range of tone shaping that should satisfy almost anyone, so I'm wondering why fixed frequency EQ (eg Fender tone stack) with frequencies chosen to suit someone else, seems to be the norm. [/quote] Because it's good enough for many of us. I don't want loads of knobs that I rarely if ever use.

Yes, unless it's compicated in some way then it is not going to matter, so do whatever.

It's just a Jazz bass really, isn't it?

[quote name='Stingraybob' timestamp='1367601645' post='2067505'] Hi there Have been playing a 4 string jazz for the last few years but having been diagnosed with ms I'm finding it increasingly difficult to play down by the nut due to stretching problems. My idea is to buy a 5 string where I guess I can start with the bottom e string on the 5th fret of the low b and transpose from there playing most of the common forms between the 5th and 12th frets. Appreciate any views on this [/quote] If you are going to play from the fifth fret only then you might well be better off getting a shorter scale bass (30" or 32") and playing in normal positions. You can check it out by putting a capo at fret one (=32.1" scale) or capo fret two (30.3" scale) and tuning accordingly. Fifth fret is equivalent to 25.5" scale.

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1367576715' post='2067081'] Sure... this looks quite difficult, but... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOjHhJd70f4[/media] [/quote] There are no words to describe how awful that was.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1367568294' post='2066899'] Maybe, but bear in mind that Jaco is not one of my main musical heroes - I'm just saying that people should recognise what he did and not come out with spurious comparisons to James Jamerson! He was always going to have more of an effect on someone like Bilbo because be likes that kind of music. My point about people getting defensive when they hear brilliant musicians was way more general than just talking about Jaco... [/quote] People do not get defensive when they hear brilliant musicians. Or perhaps I'm just hanging around with the wrong people.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1367532087' post='2066705'] ... Some people get very defensive when they hear someone who is better than they are ... [/quote] Some people get defensive when other people are less keen on something they love.

[quote name='JustaBass' timestamp='1367176681' post='2062239'] ... i think has round wounds on it with light blue wrapped ends does anyone know what make they are? [/quote] If they are rounds then they are not D'Addario Chromes which are flats.

You buy a rule with 64th"s or at least 32nd"s. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/150mm-Metal-ruler-measurment-drawing/dp/B00439KNQU"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/150mm-Metal-ruler-measurment-drawing/dp/B00439KNQU[/url]

[quote name='EMG456' timestamp='1367416276' post='2065358'] We're all on a musical journey and some are further down the road than others. [/quote] Music isn't a competition.

Fender say for vintage Jazz bass pickups:[font=sans-serif][size=4] Bass Side[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][size=4] 8/64”[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][size=4][font=sans-serif][size=4] Treble Side [/size][/font]6/64”[/size][/font] [font=sans-serif][size=4]EDIT: Oops, beaten to it.[/size][/font]

If you google 'fender precision boil egg' then the top hit is this thread - it's a small world.

[quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1367357352' post='2064756'] If you [i]shell[/i] out for a Precision you could play Little Red Rooster or The Chicken on it [/quote] A shell pink finish?

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1367356693' post='2064741'] What's the best bass for meal? [/quote] Sea bass, of course

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1367353072' post='2064672'] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9iaqFtyWfE[/media] This was the one I was talking about. I was a 17yr old rocker and the opening guitar got me right away but the rest of it was so fresh sounding to my naive ears. 1.19 on was lovely and then, bang, the groove at 2.34 and then again at 3.06. [/quote] I liked that a lot.

On Hejira, so 1976 I guess, excellent but I like the Max Bennett tracks too. But I've never liked Jaco just doing his own thing - always seems soulless to me - I know y''all disagree.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1367350602' post='2064610'] ... People may scoff and say that's not proper music and the bass player's job is to sit in the background and perform a specific function - that view is rather narrow minded - could be described as PJ (pre Jaco!!). [/quote] ... or pre Jerry Jemmott or pre James Jamerson or pre Jimmy Blanton etc.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1367265719' post='2063495'] ... Stanley for dropping his upright at Birmingham Town Hall, and the neck breaking off - and then announcing to the audience that it's OK cos he has another back home about 1976!! [/quote] I think I may have been at that gig. Although it's all slightly vague at this distance in time.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1367265016' post='2063479'] I think it's possible to play one badly, with poor technique and get away with it (certainly as far as a non tehnical audience is concerned) whereas some basses would sound dreadful (and expose poor playing technique more obvioulsy). [/quote] That sounds like a Fender bass strength and not a weakness. So, which luthiers are making instruments that are difficult to play?

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1367220777' post='2062598'] ... without everything being taken into consideration (and using my licence fee to do so ). [/quote] If you really want everything taken into consideration then your licence fee will need to increase.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1367170492' post='2062100'] Danish-Dutch, I'd say. best, bert [/quote] Hmmm, you're correct. Frederick's father was the Dutch ambassador to Denmark and that's how Frederick got born in Copenhagen.