thepurpleblob Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 The block of wood between the pickups... I think that's what it's called. I occasionally see players using them. Why? And why might I want one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 you can't dig in too much... i guess it suits people that wanna go towards a "light touch".... if you dig in... don't... gonna piss you off... anyways changed my life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 Really? I ask because I don't think I have a great right hand technique. I tend to 'pop' the strings a bit - i.e. not pluck at 90 degrees. I wondered if one might help. Get a bit of timber and start sanding I suppose. How close to the strings should it be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I used to use one when I was a kid, would use it to jump things on my BMX. Not sure what it's used for on a bass though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Up to you! On 1 of my basses I have 1mm clearance when fretting at the 24th fret. Have to play very gently with that bass! Sounds lovely though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Swings and roundabouts I would guess. They can encourage/enforce a lighter touch, yes - but surely at the cost of limiting dynamic range? What's so bad about "digging in"? I wouldn't have one, but then again I am heavy-handed and not very subtle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1330011242' post='1551387'] I used to use one when I was a kid, would use it to jump things on my BMX. Not sure what it's used for on a bass though. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Yes, just make one. get it to 'jam' in between your pick ups so your not attaching it to your bass. if it's what you want, great.If not, can I have it so I can make 2 cheese wedges out of it to keep gear load-in doors open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 I sense some negativity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Here's mine: [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/SeiLEDs.jpg[/IMG] I like to pluck the strings at a variety of different points between the "24th fret" and the bridge depending on the tone I want. Mine has been arranged so that the fingerboard, pickups and ramp are all level, giving me a uniform playing surface and thumb rest from the end of the neck to the end of the bridge pickup. If I need to "dig-in" I'll normally be plucking the strings between the bridge and the pickup anyway. Works for me on this bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I don't think you need a ramp to play lighter... just practise right-hand technique! The only use i see for a ramp is the ability to suport your thumb everywhere from the neck to the bridge pickups! "Can of worms opened? Holly cr*p!!! I'll get my coat..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1330011766' post='1551398'] Here's mine: [/quote] You know they put those wretched things at PRECISELY the point I want to dig in. The inconvenience of it all. Tut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 it's all up to people's preference stunning sei bass btw for some people they work.... for some they don't i know for me, playing with a ramp has cleaned my technique a lot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Always find it odd that some people need a ramp to stop them digging in, or need to feel something under their fingers whether playing over the pickups or in between. Makes sense as a thumb rest though.... whatever works for you I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Put it this way, I would not put a ramp on a jazz bass or my Rickenbacker as I want to dig in at times. However, on the Adamovic five string I have on order, I am definitely getting a ramp. Ramps make it feel as though you're playing over a pickup all the time. It doesn't get in the way, it just reinforces your muscle memory so you don't play to hard. I like them, but not on my 'rock' basses...plus yes, the design I'm getting is a 'rampbar'. So there is good thumb supprt across most of the playing area. Dream bass time... N Edited February 23, 2012 by Cairobill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Cairobill' timestamp='1330014389' post='1551469'] Put it this way, I would not put a ramp on a jazz bass or my Rickenbacker as I want to dig in at times. However, on the Adamovic five string I have on order, I am definitely getting a ramp. Ramps make it feel as though you're playing over a pickup all the time. It doesn't get in the way, it just reinforces your muscle memory so you don't play to hard. I like them, but not on my 'rock' basses...plus yes, the design I'm getting is a 'rampbar'. So there is good thumb supprt across most of the playing area. Dream bass time... N [/quote] Like the line 6 one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1330016634' post='1551526'] Like the line 6 one? [/quote] It's a housing that contains the pickups like this... [url="http://www.adamovic.nl/3Options/Pickups.htm"]http://www.adamovic....ons/Pickups.htm[/url] Edited February 23, 2012 by Cairobill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1330012241' post='1551408'] You know they put those wretched things at PRECISELY the point I want to dig in. The inconvenience of it all. Tut. [/quote] Which is why this bass is mine and not yours ;-) When I first started playing fretless I found I liked the feel I get when I played over the end of the fingerboard, but often the tone was too mellow. So when I had this one made one of the main specifications was that the fingerboard, pickups and ramp formed a continuous surface that gave me the playing feel I wanted and the tone(s) I wanted at the same time. Besides if I need to dig in at one of the more conventional places I have another fretless bass that allows me to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 When I had a stingray I was always playing over the pickup anyway. It had exactly the same effect, I developed muscle memory to allow me to play over those sharp metal polepieces without hitting them too hard. When I wanted to hit the stingray hard, I would use a pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Can you not use your touch to determine, how much sensitivity, or lack of you want..? sorry havent read whole thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I used to play fingerstylet very, very hard. I've been weening myself off it and have a gentler touch nowadays but I can still overcook it at times. Ramps definitely keep my touch nice and light and help me to play with much more dexterity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 The ramp I think originated with Gary Willis although the raised pick-up thing works the same too which is one of Billy Sheehan's 'secrets' which he happy to tell everyone in a clinic. A lot of people working on their right-hand finger-style technique, particularly using the Gary Willis approach, use them to govern their attack to ensure a light touch. The common element between Billy and Gary being that they both use three fingers to pluck, using the ramp/raised pick-up to provide a resistant surface to govern the slight uneven length and strength of the three fingers. More broadly, you make the amp do the work in terms of volume, keeping your right-hand agile and tension-free. If you look at Gary's videos on YouTube, he certainly gets great dynamics. Over-playing, particularly to compensate for poor volume or monitoring is potentially very damaging to your hands. That said, in reply to an earlier post, I wouldn't stick a ramp on a vintage Rick or Fender either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1330011766' post='1551398'] Here's mine: I like to pluck the strings at a variety of different points between the "24th fret" and the bridge depending on the tone I want. Mine has been arranged so that the fingerboard, pickups and ramp are all level, giving me a uniform playing surface and thumb rest from the end of the neck to the end of the bridge pickup. If I need to "dig-in" I'll normally be plucking the strings between the bridge and the pickup anyway. Works for me on this bass. [/quote] Sorry, but I am going to have to say it....... you have wooden pickups, they will never work you know! Coat ready and on my way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I don't use a ramp for two reasons. One: i dig in a lot. Two: as inconsistent as my attack might be because of this, I just enjoy it and it feels right to me. Inconsistencies are smoothed out with my compressor (I know, it's kind of cheating!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1330011766' post='1551398'] Here's mine: I like to pluck the strings at a variety of different points between the "24th fret" and the bridge depending on the tone I want. Mine has been arranged so that the fingerboard, pickups and ramp are all level, giving me a uniform playing surface and thumb rest from the end of the neck to the end of the bridge pickup. If I need to "dig-in" I'll normally be plucking the strings between the bridge and the pickup anyway. Works for me on this bass. [/quote] What a sweet little bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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