GAS

[ptooner]

I have the urge to buy a new bass, but don't know what I want or why. The
problem is that I am satisfied with the low end Ibanez I play now. I find
that tonal variation is more a factor of the amp than the bass (so far as I
can tell) and the instrument I have plays very easily. Now I really only
play country and rockabilly stuff so I'm not interested in anything
dedicated to slapping or the like. I played a 5 string for a while, and
while I liked the low B stuff it really didn't grab me. It did make it a
lot easier to play fast passages because you can stay nearer the same fret,
but that seemed a bit of a cop out. Oh, btw, I only use flat wound
strings - I like the sound and the quietness of not creating string noise
from my finger movement. The active basses I've tried all had roundwound
strings and were prone to fingering noise but I don't know if that's the
active part or just the strings that I am no longer accustomed to. I'm
currently favoring this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&viewitem=&item=170106208344&rd=1&rd=1
but I'm not sure whether it will give me anything I don't already have
except it's prettier. Anyway, can someone help me structure this search for
I don't know what? What should I look for? I've been trying everything I
could find at the local stores and nothing has really grabbed me.

Gerry

[Brian Running]

> I have the urge to buy a new bass, but don't know what I want or why.

It'll help to get out and hear as many live players as you can, and make
notes about the gear they're using. Playing a bass in a music store as
a means to evaluate how well it'll play live is a meaningless exercise.
Find someone whose sound you'd like to emulate, and then get his gear
-- or at least use it as a point of reference in your search. I've
never been impressed with Warwick basses when I play them in stores, but
they always -- always -- sound fantastic live. I didn't buy a Warwick,
but using the Warwick sound as a point of reference, I decided to buy a
couple of Spectors.

I agree with what you said about the most variability being in the
speaker cab, but I disagree with a 5-string being a "cop out." By that
logic, we should all be playing 1-strings.

So, to summarize: Find a 1-string bass player whose sound you like,
wait until load-out, and steal all his gear while no one's looking.

[Kloka-mo']

"Brian Running" <brunning@XXameritechXX.net> wrote in message
news:SeN_h.2568$RX.537@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net. ..
>
> So, to summarize: Find a 1-string bass player whose sound you like, wait
> until load-out, and steal all his gear while no one's looking.


I've seen you play, and I liked the sound of your Berginito 3x10... hmm...
When/where is your next gig Brian?

--
-rob Bartlett, TN
O>
/(\)
^^

[Ultra Man]

What model is the Ibanez you currently have?

[ptooner]

"Brian Running" <brunning@XXameritechXX.net> wrote in message
news:SeN_h.2568$RX.537@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net. ..
>> I have the urge to buy a new bass, but don't know what I want or why.
>
> It'll help to get out and hear as many live players as you can, and make
> notes about the gear they're using. Playing a bass in a music store as a
> means to evaluate how well it'll play live is a meaningless exercise. Find
> someone whose sound you'd like to emulate, and then get his gear -- or at
> least use it as a point of reference in your search. I've never been
> impressed with Warwick basses when I play them in stores, but they
> always -- always -- sound fantastic live. I didn't buy a Warwick, but
> using the Warwick sound as a point of reference, I decided to buy a couple
> of Spectors.

Thanks, good points there. The best live player I've heard recently was
playing a Warwick thumb but I think the sound I liked came from the Eden 550
and 4x10. (And from the fingers)

>
> I agree with what you said about the most variability being in the speaker
> cab, but I disagree with a 5-string being a "cop out." By that logic, we
> should all be playing 1-strings.

Well, I haven't been playing bass but about a year or a little less. I
found that while I was playing five string there was no incentive to force
myself to learn the whole fretboard. After going back to just playing 4
string I feel a lot more competent to play in any key on any part of the
fretboard. I suppose I could go back to 5 string now with no real harm but
I needed to get away from it when I did.

>
> So, to summarize: Find a 1-string bass player whose sound you like, wait
> until load-out, and steal all his gear while no one's looking.

There is a guy guys who plays one of those on a thursday night jam session
not too far from me. Of course you could always wash your clothes in it
when you weren't gigging.
Gerry

[ptooner]

"Ultra Man" <no_mail@anywhere.com> wrote in message
news:NmQ_h.6968$2v1.2370@newssvr14.news.prodigy.ne t...
> What model is the Ibanez you currently have?

It's a GSR200 made in either 1990 or 2000. Apparently there is no way to
tell which. It looks just like the current SR300 since none of the current
GSR series have three knobs. It's a bright electric blue that they don't
seem to show for any of the current models. I bought it used in 2000 so I
don't know much more about it. I had it setup to suit me (very low action)
and I really have no complaints about it at all.

Gerry

[Benj]

You have to have your own tastes, but if it were me, I'd be looking
hard in the high-end classic Fender direction. For country and
rockabilly and GAS all together to me spells FENDER! I know because a
while back I had "old school" gas! An Ibanez to me is a great bass in
a band, but for your music, I'd want some official "old school" in my
stable! It would allow you to adjust your tone from more modern to
"Old School" with a bass swap. The Fender also gives you an "official"
old school look (I got tortoise shell pick guard and tobacco
sunburst...how old school is that look?)

I'd be scouring the stores for "real" Fenders. Even play the over-
priced vintage ones! Come to grips with the jazz-P bass question and
answer it for yourself! Remember I"m talking FLAT WOUND strings here
so sound in a store will be misleading. My final decision was a 5
string used active deluxe and when I put flats on it "old school" just
came alive. Of course it had rounds in the store, and I had to
"imagine" the flat wound tone, but once you have a reasonable tone and
playability, things like switching to flats can only make it better!

Going a bit further along those same lines in case you have a SERIOUS
case of GAS and are looking for a REALLY big project.... Dare I speak
the word? Ok. ONE WORD: UPRIGHT!
Nuff Said! (unfortunately this happens to be where MY gas is at
present, though I haven't given in .... Yet!)

Benj

[Glen]

ptooner wrote:
<SNIP>

> Oh, btw, I only use flat wound
> strings - I like the sound and the quietness of not creating string noise
> from my finger movement. The active basses I've tried all had roundwound
> strings and were prone to fingering noise but I don't know if that's the
> active part or just the strings that I am no longer accustomed to.
<SNIP>

>
> Gerry
>
>

I guess I'm changing the direction of the thread a bit, but your point
raised a flag in my head. One of my basses is a Takamine acoustic. I
love the sound of the instrument un-amped, but plugged in I get a lot of
fingering noise, too much to suit me. I have never used flat wounds,
but from what you say, that might be the answer. What would be your
thoughts on using flats on that instrument? Are there some specific
strings you would recommend?

Thanks,
Glen

[ptooner]

"Benj" <bjacoby@iwaynet.net> wrote in message
news:1178343999.124999.69630@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
> You have to have your own tastes, but if it were me, I'd be looking
> hard in the high-end classic Fender direction. For country and
> rockabilly and GAS all together to me spells FENDER! I know because a
> while back I had "old school" gas! An Ibanez to me is a great bass in
> a band, but for your music, I'd want some official "old school" in my
> stable! It would allow you to adjust your tone from more modern to
> "Old School" with a bass swap. The Fender also gives you an "official"
> old school look (I got tortoise shell pick guard and tobacco
> sunburst...how old school is that look?)
>
> I'd be scouring the stores for "real" Fenders. Even play the over-
> priced vintage ones! Come to grips with the jazz-P bass question and
> answer it for yourself! Remember I"m talking FLAT WOUND strings here
> so sound in a store will be misleading. My final decision was a 5
> string used active deluxe and when I put flats on it "old school" just
> came alive. Of course it had rounds in the store, and I had to
> "imagine" the flat wound tone, but once you have a reasonable tone and
> playability, things like switching to flats can only make it better!
>
> Going a bit further along those same lines in case you have a SERIOUS
> case of GAS and are looking for a REALLY big project.... Dare I speak
> the word? Ok. ONE WORD: UPRIGHT!
> Nuff Said! (unfortunately this happens to be where MY gas is at
> present, though I haven't given in .... Yet!)
>
> Benj

Excellent advice, Benj, thanks. Yeah, I've considered the "Final Solution".
;-) If I should go that way, though, I feel like there would be no turning
back. I always thought the advantage of playing bass was I had so much less
stuff to drag in (I was a keyboard player) and bringing a home for my dog
along just doesn't seem like progress in that direction. Anyway, at some
point I think I'll wind up standing there beside the damn thing with a big
grin on my face but I hope to put it off for a while. Partly because I have
been told it really chews up your right hand. Is that true anyone?? As for
the Fender thoughts, I've been thinking the same way. I kinda think,
though, if I go that way I should buy an old original and that requires
knowledge I may not have to evaluate it.
Thanks again
Gerry
>

[ptooner]

"Glen" <gNOSPAM@ix.NOSPAM.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:Dz__h.8240$j63.1765@newsread2.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> ptooner wrote:
> <SNIP>
>
>> Oh, btw, I only use flat wound strings - I like the sound and the
>> quietness of not creating string noise from my finger movement. The
>> active basses I've tried all had roundwound strings and were prone to
>> fingering noise but I don't know if that's the active part or just the
>> strings that I am no longer accustomed to.
> <SNIP>
>
>>
>> Gerry
>
> I guess I'm changing the direction of the thread a bit, but your point
> raised a flag in my head. One of my basses is a Takamine acoustic. I
> love the sound of the instrument un-amped, but plugged in I get a lot of
> fingering noise, too much to suit me. I have never used flat wounds, but
> from what you say, that might be the answer. What would be your thoughts
> on using flats on that instrument? Are there some specific strings you
> would recommend?
>
> Thanks,
> Glen
First, I use these: http://www.daddario.com/DADProducts.aspx?ID=3&CLASS=ACDA
but I'm too new at bass for my recommendation to be worth a whole lot.
Secondly, I experimented with the acoustics because I thought it would fit
our bluegrass stuff better. The ones I tried didn't make much more noise
unplugged than a solid body. None of them I tried plugged in sounded too
great that way. Again, all I tried had high actions - I assume so you could
pluck them harder for acoustic use. I use a very soft touch coupled with a
lot of amplification because it makes the sound I want that way so they
didn't work well for me. I think flat wounds would help the fingering noise
problem, but they might make a drastic change in your sound. I'm just kinda
rambling here because I'm sure someone with more experience here will fill
you in.

Gerry

[Glen]

ptooner wrote:
> "Glen" <gNOSPAM@ix.NOSPAM.netcom.com> wrote in message
> news:Dz__h.8240$j63.1765@newsread2.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>> ptooner wrote:
>> <SNIP>
>>
>>> Oh, btw, I only use flat wound strings - I like the sound and the
>>> quietness of not creating string noise from my finger movement. The
>>> active basses I've tried all had roundwound strings and were prone to
>>> fingering noise but I don't know if that's the active part or just the
>>> strings that I am no longer accustomed to.
>> <SNIP>
>>
>>> Gerry
>> I guess I'm changing the direction of the thread a bit, but your point
>> raised a flag in my head. One of my basses is a Takamine acoustic. I
>> love the sound of the instrument un-amped, but plugged in I get a lot of
>> fingering noise, too much to suit me. I have never used flat wounds, but
>> from what you say, that might be the answer. What would be your thoughts
>> on using flats on that instrument? Are there some specific strings you
>> would recommend?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Glen
> First, I use these: http://www.daddario.com/DADProducts.aspx?ID=3&CLASS=ACDA
> but I'm too new at bass for my recommendation to be worth a whole lot.
> Secondly, I experimented with the acoustics because I thought it would fit
> our bluegrass stuff better. The ones I tried didn't make much more noise
> unplugged than a solid body. None of them I tried plugged in sounded too
> great that way. Again, all I tried had high actions - I assume so you could
> pluck them harder for acoustic use. I use a very soft touch coupled with a
> lot of amplification because it makes the sound I want that way so they
> didn't work well for me. I think flat wounds would help the fingering noise
> problem, but they might make a drastic change in your sound.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

I'm just kinda
> rambling here because I'm sure someone with more experience here will fill
> you in.
>

I hope some do. I could use the advise of some others more experienced
than I.

Glen

> Gerry
>
>

[5 String]

Glen wrote:
> ptooner wrote:
> <SNIP>
>
>> Oh, btw, I only use flat wound strings - I like the sound and the
>> quietness of not creating string noise from my finger movement. The
>> active basses I've tried all had roundwound strings and were prone to
>> fingering noise but I don't know if that's the active part or just the
>> strings that I am no longer accustomed to.
> <SNIP>
>
>>
>> Gerry
>>
>
> I guess I'm changing the direction of the thread a bit, but your point
> raised a flag in my head. One of my basses is a Takamine acoustic. I
> love the sound of the instrument un-amped, but plugged in I get a lot of
> fingering noise, too much to suit me. I have never used flat wounds,
> but from what you say, that might be the answer. What would be your
> thoughts on using flats on that instrument? Are there some specific
> strings you would recommend?
>
> Thanks,
> Glen
In general aren't flats a less flexible string? If so wouldn't they be
difficult to get the bend right (if at all) coming vertically out of the
bridge piece? I wonder if tape wounds might work better from that
perspective.

--
> www.google.com <enter> <
> search<insert query here> <enter> <
> <
> avoiding newsgroup wiseasses.... PRICELESS. <
> <
> For some things there is usenet <
> For everything else there is google............. <

[The Wuffler]

It`s all in the windikinns!
Probably the best advice was from this group when loads of people praised
these flatties
(Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats).
They work wonderfully on my `vette fretless
Although they seem a little loose ( but hey! sound very Mwbongish
Hmmmmmmmmm''''''''' What a long day!!!!!!!

> Glen
Cheers
Pete

[Misifus]

Glen wrote:
> ptooner wrote:
>> "Glen" <gNOSPAM@ix.NOSPAM.netcom.com> wrote in message
>> news:Dz__h.8240$j63.1765@newsread2.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>> ptooner wrote:
>>> <SNIP>
>>>
>>>> Oh, btw, I only use flat wound strings - I like the sound and the
>>>> quietness of not creating string noise from my finger movement. The
>>>> active basses I've tried all had roundwound strings and were prone
>>>> to fingering noise but I don't know if that's the active part or
>>>> just the strings that I am no longer accustomed to.
>>> <SNIP>
>>>
>>>> Gerry
>>> I guess I'm changing the direction of the thread a bit, but your
>>> point raised a flag in my head. One of my basses is a Takamine
>>> acoustic. I love the sound of the instrument un-amped, but plugged
>>> in I get a lot of fingering noise, too much to suit me. I have never
>>> used flat wounds, but from what you say, that might be the answer.
>>> What would be your thoughts on using flats on that instrument? Are
>>> there some specific strings you would recommend?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Glen
>> First, I use these:
>> http://www.daddario.com/DADProducts.aspx?ID=3&CLASS=ACDA but I'm too
>> new at bass for my recommendation to be worth a whole lot. Secondly, I
>> experimented with the acoustics because I thought it would fit our
>> bluegrass stuff better. The ones I tried didn't make much more noise
>> unplugged than a solid body. None of them I tried plugged in sounded
>> too great that way. Again, all I tried had high actions - I assume so
>> you could pluck them harder for acoustic use. I use a very soft touch
>> coupled with a lot of amplification because it makes the sound I want
>> that way so they didn't work well for me. I think flat wounds would
>> help the fingering noise problem, but they might make a drastic change
>> in your sound.
>
> Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.
>
> I'm just kinda
>> rambling here because I'm sure someone with more experience here will
>> fill you in.
>>
>
> I hope some do. I could use the advise of some others more experienced
> than I.
>
> Glen
>
>> Gerry
>>


I have a Martin ABG. I found I like tape wound strings on it, plugged
and unplugged. I don't like tape wounds on a regular electric bass, but
on this acoustic bass, I like the sound a lot.

-Raf

--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
mailto:rafseibert@suddenlink.net
blog: http://rafsrincon.blogspot.com/
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com

[Benj]

ptooner wrote:
>
> Excellent advice, Benj, thanks. Yeah, I've considered the "Final Solution".
> ;-) If I should go that way, though, I feel like there would be no turning
> back.

Yeah, that's about it. Though I did start that way so there is turning
away, which I did interestingly enough, for your reasons: Got really
tired of lugging a doghouse, amp and 3 X 12 in my VW BUG!!! Geeze,
worse than drums!

> Anyway, at some
> point I think I'll wind up standing there beside the damn thing with a big
> grin on my face but I hope to put it off for a while. Partly because I have
> been told it really chews up your right hand. Is that true anyone??

It was true for me for a few years! (both the big grin part and the
hand-chew part) Like many I had a huge roll of tape in the gig bag.
But wash my mouth out with soap, the answer is that "it's all in the
fingers"!!! After a while I got my technique down and finger chews
disappeared and never came back. Of course, I haven't played upright
for years (except a few quick numbers here and there for fun) so it is
of interest to me as well if the old blister etc. problems are really
gone or I have to re-learn technique all over again?

Benj

[ptooner]

"Benj" <bjacoby@iwaynet.net> wrote in message
news:1178505175.350896.169780@q75g2000hsh.googlegr oups.com...
>
> ptooner wrote:
>>
>> Excellent advice, Benj, thanks. Yeah, I've considered the "Final
>> Solution".
>> ;-) If I should go that way, though, I feel like there would be no
>> turning
>> back.
>
> Yeah, that's about it. Though I did start that way so there is turning
> away, which I did interestingly enough, for your reasons: Got really
> tired of lugging a doghouse, amp and 3 X 12 in my VW BUG!!! Geeze,
> worse than drums!

Damn, it MUST have been a convertible. ;-) I did discover that if I
recline the passenger seat as far as possible I can get my bass in my
Crossfire. No way on an amp or cabinet though.

>
>> Anyway, at some
>> point I think I'll wind up standing there beside the damn thing with a
>> big
>> grin on my face but I hope to put it off for a while. Partly because I
>> have
>> been told it really chews up your right hand. Is that true anyone??
>
> It was true for me for a few years! (both the big grin part and the
> hand-chew part) Like many I had a huge roll of tape in the gig bag.
> But wash my mouth out with soap, the answer is that "it's all in the
> fingers"!!! After a while I got my technique down and finger chews
> disappeared and never came back. Of course, I haven't played upright
> for years (except a few quick numbers here and there for fun) so it is
> of interest to me as well if the old blister etc. problems are really
> gone or I have to re-learn technique all over again?
>
> Benj
>

I have seen regular upright players with the tape thing happening a lot. It
seems odd that a flat wound string would be that hard on the picking hands,
but apparently it is the case.

Gerry

[Benj]

ptooner wrote:

> Damn, it MUST have been a convertible. ;-) I did discover that if I
> recline the passenger seat as far as possible I can get my bass in my
> Crossfire. No way on an amp or cabinet though.

Nope! But the secret was you had to take out the passenger seat (Just
slide it off the rails) and the seat part of the rear seat. The body
of the bass in it's case just fit where the passenger seat used to be
and the neck had to sort of angle back up against the rear window! The
3 X 12 was laying down crosswise where the rear seat bottom used to be
and the head was on the floor behind the driver's seat. AH!!! The
good old days!!!! :-)

Benj
(Who remembers the time he brought back a huge rubber tree from
Florida strapped into the passenger seat like a person, sticking out
the open roof of my E-type Jag! And NO, the bass would NOT fit in the
Jag unless the top was down!)

[5 String]

Benj wrote:
>
> Nope! But the secret was you had to take out the passenger seat (Just
> slide it off the rails) and the seat part of the rear seat. The body

I used to get a Fender Bassman w/4x12 cab in a VW bug like that.

--
> www.google.com <enter> <
> search<insert query here> <enter> <
> <
> avoiding newsgroup wiseasses.... PRICELESS. <
> <
> For some things there is usenet <
> For everything else there is google............. <

[Mike Rieves]

"5 String" <catdriver@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f1om5u$i67$1@news.xmission.com...
> Benj wrote:
>>
>> Nope! But the secret was you had to take out the passenger seat (Just
>> slide it off the rails) and the seat part of the rear seat. The body
>
> I used to get a Fender Bassman w/4x12 cab in a VW bug like that.
>
> --
> > www.google.com <enter> <
> > search<insert query here> <enter> <
> > <
> > avoiding newsgroup wiseasses.... PRICELESS. <
> > <
> > For some things there is usenet <
> > For everything else there is google............. <

We once had carried two guitars with amps, a full drum kit and three
people 25 miles, from Columbia, Tn to Franklin, Tn and back in a Volkswagen
Beatle. Two of us rode on the back bumper holding on to a rope run through
the windows of the bug. That was in 1967, I doubt you could get away with
that today.
The amps were a Gibson Falcon, and a Fender Twin, and the drums were Lido
Supreme with a 24" kick drum, two mounted toms, a floor tom and snare, with
hihat, cymbals, stands and hardware. The bass player carried his Bassman amp
and speakers in his car, an MG Midget with the passenger's seat taken out.
:-)