Kongo

I'm a lover of all instruments and inspired by them equally...You have guitar thats done it all and developed over a long period of time...then you have the bass which is still developing and, concerning the electric form anyway, is a LOT younger. Sometimes I wanna grab some of that guitar influence and bridge it to bass...sometimes I like the gap and opportunity of the electric bass to do something different, even tho you know yourself its not. Then theres Piano / keys...Bass, melody and rhythm in one...awesome such a full sound solo or in a band... Now, apply to Bass and voila! Someone said about Violin? IMO it's a very distant and somber sounding instrument, but I guess thats cause of the application it is used in solo. However...apply to bass...what have we got now? Huge emotion and sense of a story! Excluding drums, because we know about rhythm and slap (and I LOVE drums!), by taking inspo from other instruments you have an entire toolbox at your disposal. I get along with guitarists and they get a long with me. In a band, All we have is each other, so lets get along! My friends (of whom are also guitarists in my band) are inspired by my playing and not holding back. In turn, Im inspired by them and their playing and the influences often lap over, I love the control one of them has! Its like his instrument is his own arm...but then he says the same so, I guess its the Grass being greener again. I don't even mind pick on bass no more, I personally find it a hindrance, but thats because it doesnt fit with -my- play style. I grew out of criticising such silly little things a while ago. At the end of the day, they are all instruments...and instruments do not play themselves! It's up to us what we play and how we do it. Blue, black or red ink. Biro, Fountain or Pencil...It's not what the Poem was written with, it's what -was- written that counts!

[quote name='FlatEric' post='867956' date='Jun 15 2010, 12:46 PM']Hi. I have one of these - dark metallic green and I have several other fretless to match it against. In my opinion, give the pots a quick squirt and leave it alone. You could spend a lot on it, more than the bass is worth, for not a huge gain. Mine is at a friends, at the mo' - he is gigging it. He turned down the offer of a USA Jazz, a Guild, a lovely sounding Peavey Foundation and a couple of 70's copies, in favour of the Yam. A local teacher, who has several high end basses had a go and was VERY surprised how good it was. If you fancy something different, perhaps try some others but for access at the high end of the neck, which is a cracker - so easy to play - the lightness and the range of sounds from the standard pups, you may have a long search. Save your $$$$$ and enjoy it the way it is. There, I've had my 2/- worth - 10p for the younger amongst you!! [/quote] I went to my first bass lesson in Music college about 5 years ago carrying with me...A Yamaha RBX170 (the uber cheap one)...Next to jazz, p-bass and a slew of Ibanez' as much as I loved it I felt a little...out of place...To my surprise my tutor sporting his Ibanez 6-string, asks if he can have a play "I love yammie's" he says as he slaps through Tommy the Cat. "Thats a nice bass!" he says when handing it back to me... Nice bass? well yes I guess it was...for £140!!! Unfortunatly I ran it into the ground, which is why I chose the RBX270 as a project to try and resurrect the old feelings...but Id moved on. The RBX range is great.

[quote name='bartelby' post='868234' date='Jun 15 2010, 06:04 PM']I'm a big Anthrax and Frank Bello fan but I'm not really a P/J fan. The Steve Harris bass is fantastic, get one![/quote] Dusted off my P-bass the other day and remembered why I grew to love em...A quick blast through "Invaders" and my hands got a nice workout. Never got to get his Sig model but maybe one day, my 1st inspiration and still a big part in my playing today I guess. Not to be underestimated.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='784219' date='Mar 24 2010, 01:06 AM']When the geezer is arguing Marcus Miller's sound I think it's relevant. If he was actually Jimmy Cliff then maybe it would be unfair. And you're a thick c***. Sorry is name-calling only allowed as part of a pun?[/quote] Good to see Trolls made their way here, everywhere these days...oh the power of the keyboard. [quote name='Pete Academy' post='783958' date='Mar 23 2010, 09:40 PM']Sorry mate, have to disagree. Marcus has the best slap sound on the planet. No ear-splitting treble there...but saying that, my treble hearing has gone.[/quote] Hear hear! His slap tone still makes me drool...audio wise...He has such a "soft yet aggressive" tone (my explanation)...his strings have the zing and boom...but with a kind of soft edge? I dunno how to explain, its one of a kind! Velvet...thats the best explanation I can offer... haha

[quote name='ead' post='866899' date='Jun 14 2010, 11:59 AM']Cheers Kongo, looks interesting....[/quote] Mostly Fender stuff... P and J and nothing else, but the bridge / controls / pups on the RBX are nothing special you could go anywhere with it! I was gonna go: DiMarzio Will Power + Model J Badass bridge Hipshot tuners Hipshot Drop-tuner Passive electronics. Was jus sposed to be a simple powerhouse but...Never got round to it, instead I fitted a Basslines 1/4 pounder in the bridge...did nothing...then flogged it! Instead I did a P-bass later and slammed a Will Power into that...and then crapped myself!!!

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='867222' date='Jun 14 2010, 05:34 PM'][/quote] The Wife! Now THAT is a well played bass...however I'm surprised Fender never jumped on the idea of releasing it as a "Relic" series sig. I know ofc that cant happen, Sheehan is with Yamaha, but you know Fender. I do like the Attitude as much as I like the Urge II because it's -Different- from the norm, its not jus a Jazz body with a P neck and stingray pups like companies seem to think makes a signature good.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='867446' date='Jun 14 2010, 09:11 PM']Victor Wooten = Yoda. Read any of his books?[/quote] Have to agree, as Yoda wasn't arrogant, just very wise.

Oh no clicked the wrong voting option!!! :-O I think in this case, Rosewood, but normally I LOVE Maple fingerboards...shame most basses I like don't come with them...

I'm a bit cautious of my hands, growing into a neck can work but if the strain is too much it may be more harm than good. Growing into a neck cause its different is just change, but a neck thats just too hard on your hands by design may need some re-thinking.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='866334' date='Jun 13 2010, 08:06 PM']Actually it just dawned on me... I do own a signature model.... yeah you guessed it the Pingray. [attachment=52170:pingray060.jpg][/quote] I looked at that...glad u got the neck working! Mine has...well lets say its coming off and thats the last time I go with Dr. Parts necks again! Your basses inspire me to completely break it down and start again actually...

[quote name='REDLAWMAN' post='866281' date='Jun 13 2010, 07:15 PM']I really appreciate everyone's help. Thanks very much indeed. Much to learn and plenty to go on.[/quote] Enjoy this time, when everything is new its great as you learn and expand and find things exiting and you keep focus and continue. The only thing to stop you is difficulty and confusion but learn to get past these (time will help) and your on your way to enjoying the best gift life can offer!

[quote name='No1skewenjack' post='865649' date='Jun 13 2010, 12:30 AM']I've just bought my first, what I would call expensive bass. A Fender 'P' Bass MIJ 1995. I used to have a 'Black' bass only cost £80 off the shelf and when I used to play about 10 years ago a Encore. So compared to my previous bass it is a major upgrade. I cant stop playing it. I finally know what people mean when they say a bass feels right. Anyway Do most people get an extra amount of enthusiasm from obtaining a new bass? there again it might be becuase I've nearly nailed my first song this time around.[/quote] My 1st three maybe four purchases before it got silly were like that...So fresh and new you love the feel, the tone and jus wanna break it in, especially more expensive models. Even more so when you buy one that just fits into your hands and you don't even realise its there.

[quote name='The Burpster' post='866324' date='Jun 13 2010, 07:58 PM']I like this discussion and I find it intriguing. Let me share my experience. I started playing about 5 yrs ago. My best mate who has been playing (6 string) for about 30 yrs was really excited, and has been/was really supportive (maybe in that one I am lucky!) To start with he was giving me tips and helping me find my way 'round the fretboard etc. I have always been dumbstruck by his playing he can play some really impressive stuff. Recently he has bought one of my basses from me as he fell for it as soon as I acquired it. Interestingly now when we jam, he will ask, "jeez how do you stretch to those notes? I've tried that and I cant do it without making my hands hurt!" Also try as he will he can't play finger style like we do, the other major point that he really apprecites is that he states in his own words...... "most guitarists can't keep time for toffee, and I kinda rely on your sense of rythym. Not many guitarists would admit that!" The tables have turned to mutual respect. That is a really nice feeling.[/quote] Indeed, tis an awesome feeling is it not? Oh if only they would all rise up and realise why a band is called a band.

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='866093' date='Jun 13 2010, 04:09 PM']While I appreciate that the thumbs aren't the best designed with balance in mind, I never have any problems with mine. Rather than limit your options on bass, get a nice thick leather strap, should hold it fine, my thumb stays put wherever I leave it.[/quote] +1 on the strap! With suede backing it both stops the bass moving AND with the width u cannot feel the weight, and I dont have the best spine in the world. 3-4" should do.

I've got nothing personal against Signature basses...as long as they are. I remember seeing a "signature Custom blink-182 P-bass" when I was starting out maybe 7 years ago...and all I could think was...they REMOVED the tone pot and put in a different pickup...and thats it and everyone in school wanted one. Some of the others like the Fender Urge II however I love, not jus cause I'm a Hamm fan, but because it is what I want in a 4-string by Fender...the pup combination is holy! and 24 frets is nice... But most of the time they don't work for me and I play whatever bass I find is good for me. I use a Yamaha TRB6II in a metal band...why? cause it plays and sounds how I want. No need for stigma. Ofc I wouldnt mind my OWN TRB6II now thats different.

Parts in these basses are not too far out, you should be able to find everything and more here: www.wdmusic.co.uk I upgraded a 270J fretted a while ago before I sold it here.

Even the guitarists in my band (who are also friends but still) say they can't play bass, because they play it like a guitar. That's their words not mine!

These keep getting delete due to "violations"... ok so not only are Tabs getting removed but backing tracks also? How does the bedroom muso lstart to learn to play now I wonder?

First and Foremost: Les Claypool If it wasn't for him...I woulda given up bass when an absolute catastrophe happened in my life some 5 years ago. I got my second bass (a 6-string) after wanting to play Primus songs and have NEVER looked back. Others include: Stuart Hamm (I listened to him and thought, hey, is that ME tapping?) Billy Sheehan (Say what you will, but noone has more experience, style, attitude or been worshiped as a God by GUITARISTS than this guy) Ryan Martinie (Indeed, gettin back into playing some Mudvayne...how does he get that tone!?) Victor Wooten (sorry for being boring, but I find his compositions at times very interesting beyond his techneque) ...Uhm my minds gone blank, too many that have already been listed! I'm influenced by everything (guitar/keys/drums) so I jus placed a few top inspos.

[quote name='geoffbyrne' post='865214' date='Jun 12 2010, 02:27 PM']Would it be just as economic to try & find a Westone Thunder Fretless II or III in decent condition rather than buy something (money) & then also pay for thre fingerboard to be done? G.[/quote] I've heard this one personally...such a SWEET Fretless!

No! I heard this too and couldn't believe it...Slipknot where and still are a huge inspiration to me, from 14 to my current age of 23... Paul Grey in some ppls eyes inst the greatest player but he just did what was needed, he was skilled outside of Slipknot but thats not the point. He was the main man behind it, and one of the 3 original members from Slipknots original phase (a funk-core band, like chilli's but heavier). Paul Grey was troubled but always happy with the fans, truly he achieved what many can only dream of...but DAMN this is a hit to the heart! Jus goes to show how much an artist inspires you when their death causes a part of you to die inside...Paul Grey will always be one of my inspirations, even if he is overshadowed as being nothing but the typical metal bassist...Constantly haunched over as he played live... I'm happy I got to front of stage last year @ Download and caught his attention...but...that was only a year ago...He cant be dead now can he? I'm afraid he is... :,-( R.I.P Paul Grey...Heroes get remembered...but Legends never die...Your memory will live on and each note I play is a tribute to you. My thoughts go to his wife Brenna and his child... 3 well known Metal Giants dead in such a short period of time...these are dark days for metal...

I recently got a Yamaha TRB6II, from a member who has posted on here I might add. Awesomely crafted, great tone, HUGE body and heavy weight add to this...not for the faint hearted (or spined for that matter, even tho I had a dodgy one). String spacing is the widest I have felt yet, maybe only outdone by Warwick broad necks. Im a devout 6er. I dont obsess on the High-C string, it's merely there when needed. I tap a lot tho, so having extra strings adds to that piano style range wise.

Bought 1998 Yamaha TRB6II off XB last week, after I made payment shipping was instant and professional. The Yammie is exactly as described and I'd flawless, it has aged well! Arrived well within 24 hours. Very impressed with the friendly AND professional service I got and couldn't recommend XB enough! Thank u so much for uniting me with a bass Ive always wanted to own! truely is the king of non custom 6ers.