EssentialTension

[quote name='BottomE' post='1138559' date='Feb 23 2011, 01:48 PM']+1 The Stax band were amazing and their sound not "disturbed" by all that furious tambourine jangling which is a characteristic of so many early Motown tracks[/quote] +1 on the Stax stuff and that will be the great Jack Ashford on tambourine (and also vibes).

[quote name='dlloyd' post='1138531' date='Feb 23 2011, 01:34 PM']Tescos are doing the Motown Chartbusters series for about a fiver for the first four discs. Loads of classics on that.[/quote] Very good place to start.

Isn't it too soon for another four versus five thread. Tha last one has hardly had time to go cold.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1138470' date='Feb 23 2011, 12:52 PM']OK, I'll ask; what's the point of bright flats? How long before they just sound like flat flats?[/quote] They are differently constructed. GHS Brite Flats are roundwound but ground down to be flat on the outside: [quote]Ground Roundwound Alloy 52 is very kind to your frets and easy on the fingers. The wrap wire is built up with multiple layers and then micro-ground to exact gauge and smoothness. The perfect sound for all your bass brilliance. GHS has made the highest quality strings since 1964. The choice of numerous bass greats.[/quote] Whereas GHS Precision Flats (like most flats) are wound with flat tape: [quote]GHS Stainless Steel Precision Flatwound Electric Bass Strings deliver traditional deep percussive tone due to a unique cross-winding process. The final wrap is a polished stainless steel flat wire.[/quote] So, I presume, if you were after the brighter sound but the flat feel you would use Brite Flats and change them when you felt it was necessary. On the other hand, you could use normally constructed flats and never change them.

[quote name='silddx' post='1138309' date='Feb 23 2011, 11:00 AM']... Look at the gap between the neck and the top side of the body if you're buying a 70s three bolt. If you could get a used condom down it, you know what happened.[/quote] Should the used condom be removed first? You're not clear on that point.

I can't make that but have a good one.

[quote name='Daor667' post='1137948' date='Feb 22 2011, 11:48 PM']wow Thanks for the prompt replies guys on your low to high recommendation F# B E A D G would you say dropping the F# to an E would be ok so i match the 8 string guitar work?[/quote] I'm not qualified to answer that because I use four strings and don't match the guitarist(s).

[quote name='Blademan_98' post='1137939' date='Feb 22 2011, 11:40 PM']If you are tuning a 6 string bass then keep it in 5th's. Low to high: F# B E A D G or B E A D G C[/quote] That will be 4ths but if I had to have six strings that's how I'd tune it too.

[quote name='risingson' post='1137882' date='Feb 22 2011, 10:56 PM']I guess now isn't the time to start drawing up parallels between Macca and Peter Hook's bass playing then? [/quote] One of them is left-handed but I'm not going to say which in case it starts an argument.

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='1137803' date='Feb 22 2011, 09:53 PM']Hmm - does this mean it's now fair game to have threads where people deride bass players they don't like? I mean, for example, what if someone was to wander into the forum , post a link to a YouTube Jaco clip and ask 'Huh? Is this supposed to be a good? His tone sounds like a duck trying to fart it's way to freedom from a plastic bucket' etc etc. Would that thread get binned...? [/quote] We've done that thread several times. It usually comes just before the Macca thread and after the Mark Fleaking Slapper thread. It's probably due any time next month. BTW, I agree about the duck.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1137548' date='Feb 22 2011, 07:36 PM']Which 2 is that then? (I'm not being sarcy - I honestly can't think what you mean right now)[/quote] +1

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1137403' date='Feb 22 2011, 05:56 PM']... I'm very used to singers flipping the key about[/quote] But I hate it when they don't even know they've done it.

Sorry about the TAB but it seemed the quickest way to show it.

[quote name='daz' post='1137181' date='Feb 22 2011, 03:17 PM']I sometimes see a slide symbol in notation and in tabs, where for instance a sequence of notes in a bar might be something such as C E E A with the slide on the A note. (see pic below) My question is; If the note before the slide is on a different string how on earth is one supposed to slide up to it? [attachment=72957:SLIDE_QUERY.jpg][/quote] In that example I would play: --------------------------- -------2--2--------------- ---3----------------------- ---------------/5----------- Using middle finger for the C, first finger for the E, and then slide from G# to A using little finger.

I've bought a few things from Thomann. It's always been quick service between three and five days.

He's added an extra pic now after starting a clean up job.

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='1137081' date='Feb 22 2011, 01:34 PM']I think if you won't play for nothing, then you shouldn't be playing, as you clearly don't love doing it.[/quote] Yeah, free festival now.

[quote name='mrpink1991' post='1137101' date='Feb 22 2011, 01:57 PM']La Bella do 'Deep Talkin'' Flats in 39's I believe. Have a look on the Stringbusters website![/quote] La Bella extra light flats are 39-56-77-96

I played a fretted Zenith today in GAK. I was disappointed. Body finish looked nice but I was less keen on the feel of the neck - had a cheapish feel to it, whatever that means, but sort of reminded me of 60s and early 70s Japanese stuff. I played through a Markbass combo and at first was suffering from some crackling/rattling - I wasn't sure whether it was the combo, the bass socket, or the lead but either way it didn't help - but seemed to right itself after a while. The action wasn't bad but I think many people would want it a little lower which, with no bridge adjustment other than filing down the saddle, would probably mean a neck shim. Sound was pleasant enough but the difference between the magnetic and piezo pickups was less than I'd hoped given that having those two options available would be my reason for buying the bass. The feel of the pots was feeble and I suspect the electronics are the real weak spot of the bass. The blend control seemed to run quite unsmoothly from piezo to mag and back. I'll be going back to try out the fretless version when they have one but my experience moved me from 'maybe a fretless Zenith would be nice' to 'I doubt if I would buy a Zenith'.

[quote name='Martin E' post='1137000' date='Feb 22 2011, 12:49 PM']I've always played roundwounds in a light gauge - 35 to 95. I struggle with anything heavier. I latched on to Stadium Elites many years ago and have never changed – their light gauge set runs 35,55,75,95 and I use them on both my fretless and fretted basses. I would really like to try some flats but am struggling to find anything in the same gauge. The nearest I can see is D'Addario XL's which can be bought as single strings in some slightly odd gauges. I really dont want anything heavier. I've tried many times to use thicker strings but I can't get on with them and I really don't want to start re cutting nut slots either. Anyone got any recommendations please?[/quote] It is the actual thickness of the strings that you are concerned about or the tension? TI Jazz Flats are 43-56-70-100 and low tension.

Always had a good experience with them.

It's nothing that couldn't be sorted by a complete set of hardware and a refin.