Conan

Good calls on Ghost of a Chance and Firth of Fifth! Try these two for size... From about 2:30 onwards. Not complex, but so tasty you could eat it with a side of fries... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpDqX0HdnBM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpDqX0HdnBM[/url] This is just pure class... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UUMzE0A18"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UUMzE0A18[/url]

[quote name='orangepeelneil' timestamp='1340919434' post='1711660'] Yeah I love Jeff Ament, but three amps and a total of 28 speakers live just seems slightly excessive... [/quote] There are a lot of different heads up there - so surely he wouldn't have been using all of them?

Any chance you can try before you trade? Specs are just numbers on paper. Go with your hands and ears. I personally prefer EMG pickups over Barts, but the US Barts are much better than the Far East ones IMO... They are both decent basses with good quality control, so both will be able to do what you want from them.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1340779310' post='1709372'] I think he has the quintessential P-bass tone. Fat and mellow. [/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_g5SWui864"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_g5SWui864[/url]

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1340714233' post='1708425'] A nice P bass of course -[/quote] He used Stingrays a lot too...

Not sure how inventive it is, but this bass line/riff makes the track for me... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XqBEhK5aA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XqBEhK5aA[/url]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1340710821' post='1708342'] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE"]http://www.youtube.c...d&v=Oy9GmpowMUE[/url]#! [/quote] Had quite enough of that, thank you very much! Now - Transatlantic: The Whirlwind

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE[/url]#!

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1340709700' post='1708317'] Thats cool! Some very groovy/trippy/weird effects to be had with that. [/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Oy9GmpowMUE[/url]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1334420042' post='1616023'] I think Martin McAloon from Prefab Sprout used to have one in the 80's. [/quote] Ah! I always loved the bass sound on this track... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0PkIO1SmO8[/media] Also seen here... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqIyCP6G5g"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqIyCP6G5g[/url]

Thought I might try something new, so I've just bought a set of La Bella HRS from Stringbusters. 45 - 135s. Never used them before, but the price was good so thought I would take a punt!

Wow! That was quick! Replied

This monster came with the Carvin five string I have just purchased. It used to be on the bass when it was used in F#BEAD tuning a while ago. No idea of brand or gauge, but it is the thickest string I have ever seen in my life!! Must be at least .160 It looks pretty new and has no fret marks, kinks or anything. It may even be unused. I have no use for it. If anyone wants it they can have it for nothing. Good karma an' all that.

Cool! This forum needs more girls! Sounds like you had a great time.

Isn't good sustain usually a result of good design and construction? In which case the bass will probably sound good anyway... My Status, for example, sustains practically for ever. Not that It is an especially useful characteristic, to be fair!

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI9k06dGpg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI9k06dGpg[/url]

Depends on the bass and the type of music I am predominantly playing at the time. I do find, though, that I am preferring heavier strings than I used to. Just bought a new (to me) fiver and just about to look for some strings. Will probably go down the Newtone route and see what gauges they have around the 45-130/5 range...

I've used them and they were great. No complaints from me.

Not sure about his vocals... but his playing is very tasteful IMO. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pZQaKMo_soQ"]http://www.youtube.c...d&v=pZQaKMo_soQ[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkNDKsjSdsk&feature=relmfu"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkNDKsjSdsk&feature=relmfu[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7EqJwZdcig&feature=relmfu"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7EqJwZdcig&feature=relmfu[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHHBl8cz7eY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHHBl8cz7eY[/url]

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1340291948' post='1702412'] Besides I haven't learnt how to play or make use of 4 strings properly yet. [/quote] I'm reminded of a quote from Billy Sheehan. I think someone on here has it in their sig...

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1340291190' post='1702396'] I respectfully disagree. Most of the "classic" tunes that are famous on bass (not many i know) were done on a 4 string. [/quote] Maybe so, but what if the singers on those "classic" tunes had preferred keys of E flat or D? No low root notes to use then... consequently a possibly rather thin low end...

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1339931845' post='1696362'] In a 70's covers band (so no drop D, no Doom stuff) where the key we play in is as often determined by the singer's range as by the original recording, a 5-string allows me to drop the original key by up to a fourth with no issues at all.[/quote] This, for me, is the key value of a 5. And by a 5 I mean a bass with an extra low string. I just don't see any value in having more high notes - not for me anyway. It's not that I don't play up the dusty end, but I just don't need any MORE high notes! Depends on the music you play I guess. Quite a lot of music is written in E. Try to play those tracks with a singer that can't quite hit the high notes and dropping down may be the best option. That would mean playing the bass lines at the fourth ot fifth fret on the A string as the LOWEST notes on a four string (or, as others have advocated, dropping your E string down to a D - with possible associated string tension issues...). Despite saying, a few months ago, that I was done with five strings; I've just bought another one! As it is a significantly higher quality instrument (I hope!) than my previous two, I anticipate that several of the issues that I used to have will be improved. I sometimes use the low "extra" notes as an effect. They are great for impact. Depending on the band though, playing below E a lot of the time can cause problems with the mix. It certainly does (IMO) with my current originals band. The overall sound was improved by my going back to a four. Just "fits" better with the blend of sounds and instruments in that particular band. Hard to explain, but noticeable when listening to playbacks of recorded stuff.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1340282103' post='1702213'] I cant believe that on a British forum, talking about the blues, that the name John Mayall has not come up yet. He played a big part in reviving the blues, and brought it to a bigger audience, especially it it's country of origin. His "Beano" album with Eric Clapton, has become iconic, and is a "must have" in any blues collection IMO. Below is a track from the album, with the very under rated John McVie on bass. [/quote] You didn't spot Jazzneck's post on the previous page then?