EssentialTension

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='1136451' date='Feb 21 2011, 10:42 PM']That's exactly what she means. When she's asking you to do the hoovering it's really secret woman code for you to buy some Berg cabs, trust me![/quote] But I don't need a pair of Bergs.

[quote name='phil.i.stein' post='1136564' date='Feb 21 2011, 11:54 PM']you'd have to pay me not to blow your ears off.[/quote] Bargain.

And if you play lighter it always gives the option of digging in for effect.

[quote name='thodrik' post='1136422' date='Feb 21 2011, 10:28 PM']I don't know if its a widely used technical term, but its pretty much the term I have used to describe them since the age of 14. I do love the Musicman pickups though, they are generally stunning. The only problem I had with the Thumb was that I prefer a large body that is able to cover my... excess girth. I always think its great for people to branch out and try basses that are a bit more 'out there' than the traditional Fender design. So the long as the bass is in tune and properly set up, it shouldn't really matter what bass it is, so long as the bassist is comfortable playing it. I still take my Fender Precision to the first practice of any new project though, or any one off session, just because some people tend to listen with their eyes and consider any instrument not associated with Leo Fender to be rubbish! I feel that its good to put people at ease before I bring the Vigier out.[/quote] The Music Man has always been known as the toilet seat. Some people think they surpassed themselves with the Bongo.

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1136206' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:36 PM']it's how you get children to do as they are told. you request they do the opposite.[/quote] So when Mrs Tension says don't buy any new basses she actually wants me to buy some new basses?

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1136355' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:48 PM']... I only play round strings so how do I achieve that dark tone and mellow sound? I use my Mark Bass VLE Filter (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) cranked all the way to the right, and it works very well for me.[/quote] When I had a Markbass I used the VLE at 12 o'clock with my flats.

[quote name='3below' post='1136308' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:18 PM']No shortage of highs with my 5+ year old TI flats. Part of the answer is your speaker setup, Barefaced Big one with 6.5" doing the mid/highs. If anything too revealing of finger tapping, string click from damping/stopping etc. The big plus is virtually zero fretwear, unlike roto 66s on my 58 EB2 when I owned it - extreme fretwear was an understatement. TIs on Kramer and G&L just cut through in the bands I play in. The downside is the purchase price, the upside is the cost per year.[/quote] The speaker set up might sometimes matter but I used TI flats with two Ashdown 1x15 cabs for about three years without any lack of mids and highs.

[quote name='umph' post='1136301' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:15 PM']I think people get what your saying. They wouldn't play covers for free but would do originals since most people don't get paid for that anyways.[/quote] I wouldn't care whether they were originals or covers. I'd only care whether the songs were any good. I'd rather play good covers than bad originals any day. But we've done that thread many times already.

[quote name='TheRev' post='1136275' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:07 PM']I've actually gone back to roundwounds after 6 months of flats. I'm playing blues and soul these days so I splashed out on a set of TI jazz flats in the hope it would take off the some of the sustain & top end from my Sterling (and to curb my gas for an American std jazz...). Solo, the TIs sounded great but I just couldn't find a tone that sat right in the band mix.... I've now put my old sunbeams back on, stuffed a roll of thin foam under the bridge and I'm right where I should be - warm, thumpy loveliness. I reckon a set of Rotosound Tru bass will give me the sound I need but I don't fancy having to hack open the nut slots to get the buggers to fit.[/quote] I'm surprised at your TI flats story. I've always found them to sit well in the mix.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1136265' date='Feb 21 2011, 09:03 PM']Well, you got me thinking. Having never tried flats i'd like to give 'em a go. Would you say that they are better suited to active or passive basses or doesn't it matter?[/quote] Traditionally, i.e. back in the day, they went with passive basses of course. Although I believe the early active Music Mans also had flats. I've used them mostly with passive basses but also with an active bass with what I thought were good results. Like anything, you have to try them. There's lots af variation between different flats. They don't all sound the same.

I'm not a professional musician but I do like getting paid for doing what is my hobby. I guess most hobbies don't pay at all. Golf? I don't think so. Scuba diving? I don't think so.

What if you had to pay to play, like always in a rehearsal room? What if it was the law that you had to contribute financially to the BIG SOCIETY even when you only played in your bedroom?

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1136160' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:21 PM']it's like asking a prostitute if she'd still do it if she didn't get paid. . . .of course she would, she loves it![/quote] In your dreams.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136134' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:10 PM']I think it's a question of how much do you actually love playing live. Would you sacrifice that money?[/quote] It would depend on where the money was going. In someone else's pocket or to a good cause. I'm sure many people here would do a charity gig if they thought it was a good cause.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136120' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:05 PM']Do we enjoy playing enough to disregard the pay?[/quote] Not if someone else is making money out of my playing.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136110' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:03 PM']Let's just say the government decided it was illegal for musicians to get paid for gigs.[/quote] So, at last, music becomes a revolutionary act.

By the way, shallow here too.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1136001' date='Feb 21 2011, 07:13 PM']Alas he is going back to India.[/quote] I expect he has an opinion on sitars.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1135989' date='Feb 21 2011, 07:03 PM']I use flats for everything and they absolutely suit my needs. I can't imagine going back now[/quote] +1 again. I haven't been near a round since 2005.