EssentialTension

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1346000176' post='1783954'] Hey folks. My bass currently has .45 round wounds on it. Thinking about going to .40 flats - do you think this will merit a truss rod tweak? Would I be better sticking with .45? [/quote] What kind of rounds, what kind of flats? Even if the round and the flat G strings are both .40 or both .45, they are unlikely to be the same tension. Gauge alone can't tell you the tension. Expect to tweak the truss rod.

You need some surgical spirit, which is available from your local pharmacy. It will sting because the blister is broken but it will help it to heal. Put it on the unblistered fingers too. It toughens the skin whether blistered or not.

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1345982475' post='1783746'] I've read a lot about people not liking certain strings because of the high tension. I don't get it - why would you want floppy strings? The only reason I can hint of is bending, but otherwise, what is the advantage of lower tension? [/quote] I've read a lot about people not liking certain strings because of the low tension. I don't get it - why would you want to rigid strings?.......... Personally I like both. I like TI Jazz Flats (lower tension) and I like La Bella 760FS (higher tension). The lower tension requires a more delicate touch.

I'd much prefer to play Mustang Sally than any of those three that are banned. Good for the landlord.

I've never played the Hagstrom but I have used other semi-hollow basses. Is the Hagstrom semi-hollow or fully hollow, i.e. does it have a centre block? I wouldn't be at all surprised to find them feeding back at high volume with overdrive but I've never played one in that way. If it's fully hollow then it's more likely to feedback. It is possible to stuff them with cotton wool or foam but then why have a hollow in the first place. Shorter scale basses tend to have more of the fundamental note and less overtones and so might be described as sounding darker. However, they don't all sound the same and it's quite possible to change the tone by use of different strings, fingers or pick, playing near bridge or near fingerboard, use of EQ, etc. They also tend to be fast players because your fingers have less far to go. You really do need to try one. Is there nowhere in NI that stocks some kind of hollow or semi-hollow even if it's not a Hagstrom?

Very good.

While we're at it, here's the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell version with Jamerson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Os2eUa6NU

Just realised I keep spelling it Filmore when it ought to be Fillmore.

... and here's the studio version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoy7-GIZ1k

Here's the Filmore version with Jerry Jemmott stood right next to Aretha and King Curtis conducting the band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SSUf9iUMkA

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1345722596' post='1780837'] It definitely wasn't Janet Jackson [/quote] It wasn't Carol Kaye either.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1345720928' post='1780812'] Chuck would make sense, thanks, especially that sort slappy bit right at the beginning. Where do you find out from google? Def not JJ, the Tammi Terrell/Marvin Gaye version def is JJ (also superb bass playing, a classic!). It seems to me like a semi-written bass part, ie some sections are required to follow other instruments and repeats etc whereas others the bass player is allowed to vamp and the bass player hasn't been able to develop it much but, from his experience and ability, interprets the music with panache. One day, I'll get there. One day. [/quote] Careful because there are two JJs here - James Jamerson and Jerry Jemmott (who is definitely on the 'Live at the Filmore' Aretha version)

I can't quite recall the studio version but I doubt it would be Jamerson - or was he doing secret sessions for Atlantic in New York. Surely much more likely to be Chuck Rainey if it's not Jemmott.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1345675881' post='1780500'] I have the pleasure of studying this track as a cover, apart from the hair prickling singing and the lovely string parts, the bass playing is outstanding but I don't know who played. Any ideas anyone? [/quote] The 'Live at the Filmore' version is, I believe, Jerry Jemmott.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1345506037' post='1778413'] Yep, big JJ fan here but I agree. Shame there's no recordings of him playing jazz. Or is there.....? [/quote] Not quite what you mean I know, but this is Jamerson on upright on a track from the very first (at the time unreleased) Four Tops album. Things take off a little at 1.25. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac8SEcSD7xg[/media]

[quote name='wal4string' timestamp='1345475831' post='1777887'] Bit like asking which one of your kids do you prefer. It was the Lemon Song that made me take up the bass, at the time I was 15 and JPJ was 23 when he recorded Zep II, which gave me 8 years to get to his standard. Needless to say the 8 years has long since gone but still learning and loving it. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92HjH1GG3ro[/media] Mr.Baldwin played on so many sessions the list is endless. [/quote] Sorry, pedant alert again, but isn't that one Bobby Ray on bass?

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1345462910' post='1777691'] Your certainly not through to the next round then [/quote] Correct, I wasn't even entered for the first round.

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1345450106' post='1777501'] Although before Led Zep, John Paul Jones was producer and bass player on songs like this: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwA43FHkxjo[/media] [/quote] Pedant alert: I think JPJ was the arranger, orchestral conductor and bassist on the album that's taken from - 'Dusty ... Definitely' - but the producer was John Franz.

Jamerson = great bassist JPJ = great bassist Carol Kaye = great bassist Other than that, music is not a competition.

Yes, I love this album , great stuff.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1344722421' post='1768515'] "Time Flies Like An Arrow, Fruit Flies Like A Banana" - Groucho Marx (OK, it's not a song lyric but it should have been!) [/quote] Not a lyric either but my favourite Groucho line is: 'I would have beaten him to within an inch of his life but I didn't have a ruler.'

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1344695596' post='1768094'] I associate Pub Rock with a dearth of interesting musical ideas and the gloom and boredom of my youth in Ipswich. [/quote] 'Pub rock' was not really about interesting musical ideas, it was about entertaining an audience while they drank a lot of beer, ensuring that they would come back next week with more mates to do the same again.

I'm a much better bassist than I am guitarist but it was on guitar that I first learned the rudiments of music. Knowing something of a second (or third or more) instrument can only be beneficial.

[quote name='BRANCINI' timestamp='1344692188' post='1768058'] I saw Brinsley Schwarts on thge same bill with Dave Edmunds at Barbarellas in the early 70s ... [/quote] Me too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlyn0WoSjc