Bassists of Singlet...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

Bassists of Singletrackworld....

1,071 Posts
69 Users
270 Reactions
26 K Views
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

Another song that I used to really enjoy playing, back in a certain time of my life, was St Theresa (Joan Osborne, from the "Relish" album) Played originally by Mark Egan on a Pedulla Buzz. It's actually the reason why my wife bought me my MM Sterling fretless, back in '93.

But, as I might have said before, I have a liking for playing fretless in "inappropriate " situations. I once depped with a hardcore RnR band for a few weeks and played only fretless.It was a damn good physical workout - they played long sets, three sets an evening. I can't remember anyone, in the band or the audience, ever commenting on the fact it was fretless.......if they even noticed?

Look at some of Jack Bruce's back catalogue - most of that is fretless,  Aria SB1000 and Warwick.


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 1:51 pm
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

Well, it’s different, but nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be. Andy R will, I’m sure put me right if I’m wide of the mark, but I’ve learnt that with a perfectly intonated string at the twelfth dots, more or less every note will be a hair sharp if you fret right on the dots. Fretting just to the nut side appears to be the answer, so that the string touches the board at the dots, rather than your finger. 

So funny that you wrote that. Was listening to a SBL podcast in the car today. It was with Tony Franklin and he was saying how much he hates lined fretless basses as the note is never on the line and it really annoys him. He did say even after all this time, he still likes side dots for a guide though. Some great stories in that podcast, well worth a listen. It’s. Episode 163. 

St Theresa is an amazing song, I loved it when the album first came out. Will need to go back and listen again. 


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 4:49 pm
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

Yep, and the more I play the more I get to know where the pitfalls are. The perspective change as you play lower down the strings means extra concentration is required. 

I was concerned at first that I’d miss the frets or at least the fret lines, but I’m glad this one only has side markers. 


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 5:14 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

Posted by: clubby

St Theresa is an amazing song, I loved it when the album first came out. Will need to go back and listen again. 

Relish is a great album -(Karen just reminded me that it must be 30 years since I bought it for her)  I think we had four or five songs from it in our repertoire, just to throw in among our originals - Spider Web, Dracula Moon, Crazy Baby, Pensacola, along with St Teresa.

I can't overstate how much I miss those days - listening to these songs again could easily bring tears to these old eyes - I'll never work with such fine musicians again, that's for certain. Now one of us (Carol Lefevre)  is in Australia, the guitarist, George Hughes, (a very dear friend of mine) is practically deaf and doesn't play anymore and our drummer, Roger Leece, threw himself off a cliff and into (I hope) a better world.......

Everything I've done since then has, in a way,  always been an attempt to recreate that inventiveness, that passion, that comradeship. I've never succeeded.....

 


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 6:36 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

Hipshot D tuner added, just for that low D in the coda of St Teresa and a gratuitous old band promo shot...


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 6:52 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

These should have been in the previous post....


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 6:55 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

Ignore the last two posts - there should have been images attached…..


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 7:17 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

E3166851.jpeg IMG_0722.jpeg J7


 
Posted : 31/03/2025 7:20 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 
Report

If you search for “song title” bpm you’ll usually get a useful answer!

thats worked a treat, thanks.

been asking on the bassbuzz forum and discord groups about drum backing loops to play along with.  the forum suggests the drumgenius app, altho it wont accept my bank card for some reason so probably not viable.  the discord group suggests the 'beatbuddy mini 2' drum machine at over £100, so clearly the more expensive option.  

im just after some rock drums that i can set the bpm to play ramones/sex pistols/undertones etc etc either on my own or jam with my mate who's playing guitar.....

ill also use the metronome to work on timing, this would just be another tool.  

i dont mind paying for the right thing, so what would you recommend?

 


 
Posted : 02/04/2025 9:42 pm
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

Again, YouTube has loads of drum tracks available. Search terms like “rock drum track 90bpm “

will throw up loads of options for free. Capture them with audio capture extension and off you go. 


 
Posted : 02/04/2025 10:49 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

thanks, i should really have searched that first.  ive searched for the relevant bpm for all the songs i want to practice and theyre all there, who'd have thunk it.

cheers


 
Posted : 03/04/2025 6:07 am
Posts: 103
Free Member
 

Personally, i'd use an AI drummer from Logic Pro, £200 software on a mac/ipad. Garageband might even have the AI drummer functions. This isn't an option for everyone, but if you want to learn about DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and have a Mac/ ipad it can be a really good tool as you can play along to AI drummers. You can adjust the speed, complexity, timbre, swing and also the amount of fills the AI drummer plays. 


 
Posted : 03/04/2025 9:17 am
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

im just after some rock drums that i can set the bpm to play ramones/sex pistols/undertones etc etc either on my own or jam with my mate who's playing guitar.....

 

Fender Tune. Free app with lots of drum tracks. Variable bpm up to faster than you’ll ever need. Nicely adjustable metronome I. It as well. 
Has a good variety for playing other styles as well, which might come in useful in the future. 
Much easier than capture options. 


 
Posted : 03/04/2025 9:19 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

Fender Tune. Free app with lots of drum tracks. Variable bpm up to faster than you’ll ever need. Nicely adjustable metronome I. It as well. 

downloaded and just been using it thanks.  only issue i have with it is i cant seem to cast it to my chromecast audio (and hence my speakers).  can play deezer through it fine as theres a cast option, but even if i go straight to fender tune from deezer it doesnt play the drums through it.  can just about get by with the phone speaker turned up but still......

EDIT:  just found out my (hifi) amp has bluetooth, so sorted now.  

 


 
Posted : 05/04/2025 10:26 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

couple of questions to keep me going if you dont mind.  trying to up my game and learn love will tear us apart.  seems like its 2 strings at once a lot of the time, sometimes 3.

firstly, my 'multi-string' playing sounds like sh1t 😀 im trying to keep my wrist loose and do both up and down strokes (a la hooky) but it just sounds garbage.  the D string thats droning seems to be louder and is drowning out the notes on the G, also got a bit of fret rattle.  any recommendations other than practice practice practice and sloooow it down?  ive tried slowing it but still struggling.

also, there seem to be 2 different endings ive seen.  one on songsterr (3 strings at once and i struggle with my finger positions and sounds AWFUL as i cant make the '5' on the A string make any difference to the sound) and one that looks easier (cos its only 2 strings) on a youtube playalong bass tab.

Screenshot 2025-04-07 at 15.53.20.png

or......

Screenshot 2025-04-07 at 15.54.36.png

any of you learned gentlemen (or ladies maybe) play LWTUA?  and if so which ending do you generally use?

also a quick question around the 12 bar blues.  i posted the original bassbuzz video on a previous page if you remember.  ive just hit it again in the course, and this time the pattern was different, tho also given by josh.  if you remember the first one went something like 1-5-flat 7-octave.

this one was the 1-3-5-3 triad.  and also a different 12th bar.  original 11th and 12th bars were I-I, this one ended on I-V.

can i now assume that there are many many versions of 12 bar blues then?  just pick any old pattern you like as long as it contains notes from the same scale, and end on either I or V as you so wish?


 
Posted : 07/04/2025 3:06 pm
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

I V ending is called a Turnaround and a very common variation. Spices things up before going back into the I at the start of the sequence. 1 3 5 3 is just another easy pattern that works over the chords. Blues is a lot about improvisation. The sequence repeats every 12 bars, numerous times. Your job as a bassist is to assist the guitarist or whoever else is taking their solo. If all you do for all night is play the same pattern, it’s pretty boring for you and then. Using different pattern each time round keeps it fresh for everyone. 
Just wait until you get to 16 bar blues and 12/8 time. 


 
Posted : 07/04/2025 3:58 pm
Posts: 510
Free Member
 

Re LWTUA - I've had a wee try at the Songsterr version, and it seems fine. I wouldn't worry too much about it sounding crap, because you are a beginner, and you've spent the last several weeks learning how to fret and play single notes at a time. Now you are trying to strum chord shapes, basically. Its a new skill, it'll take time.

However, thanks for prompting me to give it a go, its fun to try!

If you get that, I challenge you to Sabotage. Should be simple. He's doing 1 thing the whole song, apart from that wee run he plays, but there must be a knack to it. Despite everything, I can't get it sounding decent at all.


 
Posted : 08/04/2025 2:19 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

Now you are trying to strum chord shapes, basically. Its a new skill, it'll take time.

yeah, its probably a combination of newbie, maybe the bass isnt set up perfect either, crap strumming action, and finger flexibility.

you managed that 705 finger placing ok did you?  i find that as the D needs to be open and im fretting on the A and G strings that i struggle 'not muting' that D, and my hands in a really awkward position trying to fret 5 and 7 and avoid the D at the same time 😀

any tips on strumming chords on a bass?  is it the same for newbie 6 string guitar players too?  or is that easier because of closer strings maybe?


 
Posted : 08/04/2025 5:38 pm
Posts: 510
Free Member
 

Well, I can't play the guitar, so I have no background of strumming chords. I think its just practice and building up finger strength and dexterity and the strumming technique, which is a bit different from the plucking technique you've been learning. I do find that either strumming with my fingers, or with a lighter pick held lightly helps.
The "705" shape was fine, though I found I have to use index finger and pinkie, rather than index and ring finger like you'd expect. Thats a wee bit much for me and feels really awkward otherwise.
I've just noticed though, assuming standad tuning, that "5" and "0" are the same D note, so I'm not sure what the effect of playing them together is. Maybe you could get away with "cheating" and just playing the open D and the 7th fret D on the G string? 


 
Posted : 09/04/2025 9:16 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

I've just noticed though, assuming standad tuning, that "5" and "0" are the same D note, so I'm not sure what the effect of playing them together is. Maybe you could get away with "cheating" and just playing the open D and the 7th fret D on the G string? 

wow hadnt noticed that, seems obvious when you think about it, wonder why hooky plays the A5 too.  just for a 'deeper' tone maybe?

seen this for sale locally.  i see chat on here about cabs and amps, and i like the orange look.  

Orange PPC412 240W 4x12 Guitar Cab + Crush Pro 120W Amp Head CR120H

orange amp.jpg

is it a bass amp or purely guitar?

 


 
Posted : 10/04/2025 6:22 am
Posts: 1613
Full Member
 

Purely guitar mate. You could put a bass through it but it wouldn't sound great and may blow the drivers.


 
Posted : 10/04/2025 6:34 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

Purely guitar mate. You could put a bass through it but it wouldn't sound great and may blow the drivers.

thanks.


 
Posted : 10/04/2025 6:36 am
Posts: 13942
Full Member
 

I’m back to walking along with the iReal book app, as my bandmates are being flakey and I’ve reached peak work stress due to the economic chaos of Trump’s tariffs. Reading charts is hard - but singleminded focus will help keep me sane…


 
Posted : 14/04/2025 10:48 pm
Posts: 18073
Free Member
 

I'd happily play bass throught that Orange amp and cab. Just turn the bass well down, the treble off and the middle up. Nothing will blow.

Lemmy used Marshall MF280L 4×12 guitar cabs - well they were considered guitar cabs when he started using them but then Marshall cottoned on and started marketing them as Lemmy Kilminster bass cabs. Obviously it won't have the deep thud of a bass cab but you might like it.


 
Posted : 15/04/2025 7:45 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

i think im ready to start improving my experience now and experiment with picks, get a comfier strap etc.  id like to try a multi pack of dunlop picks but theres even a multitude of multi-packs to choose from!  any recommendations for a pack so i can get a favourite sorted?

and also any recommendations for a comfortable 4" strap, or something non-slip to prevent neck dive?

thanks


 
Posted : 17/04/2025 1:34 pm
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

First pack I bought was a Dunlop bass mix, most reasonably thick. Later I bought a light/medium mix after hearing a lot of punk players preferred a lighter pick. The heavier of this pack were also the lightest in the bass pack. 

Didn’t really get anything useful in the lighter pack that I didn’t have from the original pack but you might find you prefer them. 

Favourite go to is a yellow (0.73) Tortex in the wedge shape. Green (0.88) is also ok. Can see how the nylon 0.6 is good for fast punk but a bit small for me. Also don’t like too big or stiff either. 


 
Posted : 17/04/2025 5:45 pm
Posts: 510
Free Member
 

I pretty much did what Clubby did, for the same reasons. I've settled on the green (.88mm), sometimes the blue (1mm) standard shaped tortex. That's after trying yellow (.73mm) and purple (1.14mm). I now have enough picks to last me a lifetime.

The mix packs are good, guaranteed there'll be some that float your boat.


 
Posted : 17/04/2025 10:30 pm
Posts: 1268
Full Member
 

@sadexpunk I’ve sent to a pm re picks.


 
Posted : 18/04/2025 6:17 am
Posts: 643
Free Member
 

OK, so please dont laugh but as a beginner, Ive just had a revelation!  Ive been learning since last September and Im working on Atomic just now.  TBH, i think its beyond me just now and I struggle with most of the stretches but I have just found a pattern on the fretboard and I am delighted!!

On the E and A strings, if you play a note, lets say G on e-string (3rd fret) if you move 2 frets up and 2 strings up - thats a G too! And it works across the whole fretboard for the E and A strings.

 

OMG - I worked this out by myself!!! I have actually learned something!

 

Sorry but I had to share!!!

 

 


 
Posted : 18/04/2025 7:04 pm
Posts: 1398
Full Member
 

@pandhandj and that’s the beauty of bass / guitar.  Frequent small victories / bursts of understanding meaning its stays fun at whatever level you are at. it used to blow my mind as a teenaged guitar beginner that  every bit of music i was listening to lived somewhere in the neck of the cheap guitar i owned and all i needed to do was find it!

 

IMG_0041.jpeg

Just replaced the cheapo stock pickup in my cheapo squier mustang with an alnico 2 blade from Jamie at “the creamery pickups”

it sounds awesome. Little clip here if you are interested….

Can’t  say enough good things about Jamie’s pickups, I’ve got a set of his p90s in a jazz master that sound amazing too!


 
Posted : 18/04/2025 7:17 pm
Posts: 643
Free Member
 

Cheers ceepers, TY!  Nice looking bass that!  I have a sterling sub4 - its a way better bass than I am a player.  As yet, I havent looked at the electronics at all (Even though I was an electronic engineer for 10 years 🤣).  I hve to get my head round playing before i start messing with tone, etc.  Maybe one day...


 
Posted : 18/04/2025 7:42 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

Was it somebody off here (probably not) who snagged the Transparent Violet Peavey Palaedium from Bass Direct for £400??

£400 for one of the finest passive 4 strings ever! Bloody unbelievable. Why they priced it so low I will never know - I'm still kicking myself for not spotting it sooner. They were made in three colours - Amber, Violet and Red. Violet is probably the rarest colour of an already rare bass, I'd have loved the opportunity to own a second one - someone will rightfully be feeling like a dog with two dicks, just a pity it's not me...


 
Posted : 19/04/2025 11:41 am
Watty reacted
Posts: 13942
Full Member
 

The tidy patterns on a bass neck will always be such a delight!

I’m happiest on four strings but I own a five too and have tried six and and sevens over the years and if you follow the patterns it doesn’t really matter how many strings there are.

I get why guitars aren’t tuned like this as their standard tuning makes chords much easier to play - but it does confuse me!

@pandhandj - now you’re spotted the octave pattern, have fun making everything sound disco! 😉


 
Posted : 19/04/2025 12:02 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

Was it somebody off here (probably not) who snagged the Transparent Violet Peavey Palaedium from Bass Direct for £400??

not me.  i wouldnt have known what i was looking at even if i had seen it.  just had a look now and even tho i dont know my basses yet, id probably still have been tempted to buy it.  its a looker isnt it!

Nice looking bass that! 

i agree, lovely pastel colour, one of my favourites.

On the E and A strings, if you play a note, lets say G on e-string (3rd fret) if you move 2 frets up and 2 strings up - thats a G too!

@pandhandj yep, same note just an octave higher.  and have you also twigged that as the 5th fret on a string is exactly the same note as the next highest open string, then 6th is the same as fret 1, 7th is fret 2 etc etc?

and the 2 dots on the 12th fret signify that the fretboard 'starts again' from there?


 
Posted : 20/04/2025 2:15 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

If you use a desktop or laptop then download Chrome audio capture extension. 

Find the song you want to play on YouTube. Use the playback speed function (settings icon bottom right of the screen) to set it to a tempo you're happy with. I generally found that 75% was usually pretty workable, and capture the audio as an MP3 file. 

Open Moises and choose the split function and upload the file you've captured. The freebie version is a bit limited but you can split it to vocal/drums/bass/other .  Once processed you can remix the four parts to suit, or simply isolate and export (download) the parts you want. 

Limited, because the free version will only do five minutes max file length.  If your chosen 75%tempo track exceeds five mins, then you can use a free DAW (I like audacity) to do the tempo stretching.  So this time split a full speed track in Moises, download all 4 tracks as separate files, load them all into audacity and use the change tempo without altering pitch function to create your own personal backing track at the tempo you're happy with. 

thought id have a play at this today as im trying to work out the correct bass line for dirty old town.  songsterr goes down in tone, youtube vids go up.  pretty sure im happy with how im playing it now but thought itd be interesting to see if i can split it for accuracy.

im struggling tho.  i installed the audio capture extension.  i set the song going on youtube and start recording with the extension.  it asks me if it can use the microphone, i accept and i assume its recording.  i get a bit of mic feedback from time to time which i dont mind as i think that must mean its working.

once its finished, i download the file.  however, its not mp3, its webm.  and when i upload to moises theres no song, its just blank, with the odd bit of mic feedback.  tried twice now and you only get 5 uploads a month for free, so id better sort it out before i try again 😀

any idea why its not working?  i dont get an option to save as mp3, all i get is a download file button and it is what it is.

EDIT:  been googling and it suggests the extension should be opened on the same tab as the song.  i try that tho and it just opens the extension in a separate tab, dont know if thats the issue?

Screenshot 2025-04-21 at 08.55.34.png

Screenshot 2025-04-21 at 09.01.58.png


 
Posted : 21/04/2025 8:57 am
Posts: 643
Free Member
 

@sadexpunk

Thanks, I hadn't noticed the ,5,6,7 fret pattern! I did know about 12th onwards though.

With the previous talk of LWTUA, I've just had some pics delivered. As expected, my strumming is awful. 🤣

I'd like to suggest Sabotage by the Beastie Boys as a wall of sound type of bass line...


 
Posted : 21/04/2025 3:05 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

and also any recommendations for a comfortable 4" strap, or something non-slip to prevent neck dive?

The gruvgear solo neo (or something like that) is 4" wide. A 4 inch strap is quite wide, it could possibly press into the neck if your shoulders aren't broad enough, I think Josh from bassbuzz uses that strap, but he is something like 6' 5" 

 

I like levy's right height straps, easier to adjust than traditional straps, I have a leather 3.5" wide one, and certainly don't feel the need for anything wider. I just noticed they also do a comfort strap still 3.5" https://www.thomann.co.uk/levys_ultra_comfort_strap_325_bk.htm?__cTr=82678a7e-cb9a-4a25-891e-543d5bfc2686&shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiZ2IiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6NCwibGFuZ3VhZ2UiOjJ9&reload=1


 
Posted : 21/04/2025 3:30 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

FFS I wish I could just insert a link without a big picture advert appearing.


 
Posted : 21/04/2025 3:33 pm
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

The Chrome audio extension runs on the tab you’re listening to. 
Download it here and it’ll show in your extensions  folder at the top right hand corner of your chrome browser. 

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/chrome-audio-capture/kfokdmfpdnokpmpbjhjbcabgligoelgp?pli=1

When you click on it it records any audio playing on the tab you have open, and you then save it to your downloads as an MP3  

 

 

 


 
Posted : 21/04/2025 3:40 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

The gruvgear solo neo (or something like that) is 4" wide. A 4 inch strap is quite wide, it could possibly press into the neck if your shoulders aren't broad enough, I think Josh from bassbuzz uses that strap, but he is something like 6' 5" 

 

I like levy's right height straps, easier to adjust than traditional straps, I have a leather 3.5" wide one, and certainly don't feel the need for anything wider. I just noticed they also do a comfort strap still 3.5"

good point, 3.5" would probably be better.  thanks for the levy link, id prefer a brown strap tho and cant see that they do one in that size/colour.  i'll keep looking but will look for a comfortable 3.5 now.

Download it here

thanks, thats sorted it.  who'd have thought that 'chrome audio capture' would be different to 'audio capture for chrome' 🙂

saved to mp3 now although opening it and stripping in moises leaves the bass very quiet.  its shown me where the tone rises and falls, but i dont think i could use it to try and identify specific notes.

thank you


 
Posted : 22/04/2025 6:05 am
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

saved to mp3 now although opening it and stripping in moises leaves the bass very quiet.  its shown me where the tone rises and falls, but i dont think i could use it to try and identify specific notes.

 Once you've separated the tracks in Moises it gives you the following screen: You can use the sliders on the left hand side to "mix" the volumes of various tracks, so you can lower the volume of all except the bass to make it prominent. . You can then export (download) the mix you have created, or separate tracks which you can then manipulate to your heart's content in a DAW. 

Screenshot 2025-04-22 130640.jpg


 
Posted : 22/04/2025 12:13 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

yep i used the sliders to silence everything apart from the bass, but it just leaves a very quiet 'muddy' bass sound, even with my volume cranked up to max.  the mp3 plays ok at normal volume, so maybe its just the youtube video that had a crap bass sound.

i exported that bass line to see if that file was any different but it wasnt, so ill just try again when i get another song i want to dissect.

thanks


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 11:08 am
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

Isn't the idea to mute the isolated bass so you can play along to the music?


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 2:14 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

isn't the idea to mute the isolated bass so you can play along to the music?

maybe in most cases, i just wanted to hear the notes of 'dirty old town' to see if youtube or songsterr were closest as theyre nowhere near each other.  im thinking songsterr's way off the mark with it.
 
Screenshot 2025-04-23 at 15.29.28.png
 
i think this below is closest.....
 
Screenshot 2025-04-23 at 15.31.53.png

 
Posted : 23/04/2025 2:34 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

For that I would again. mute the bass in the original, and try both to see which feels right. But I am pretty bad at listening to something and repeating, I am (marginally) better at feeling what fits with the song.


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 4:54 pm
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

Isn't it just basically root/5th anyway, with a few passing notes thrown in?


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 5:35 pm
Posts: 1398
Full Member
 

For Moises, the “best” thing to do is pay 99p for the song you want in iTunes, then upload that to Moises to split. Most of the time you will get a pretty clear bass only track. If you don’t it’s maybe more to do with way the track is mixed.

 

also ( & I don’t think this is the case with dirty old town) but there are quite a few isolated bass tracks uploaded to you tube already.

 

for example, you mentioned the ramones earlier…..

 

 

 


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 6:45 pm
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

I use it to notate tricky lines. I personally find music notation more useful than tab, and if it’s much more than a repeating riff or a line based on roots or arpeggios, I can’t learn stuff like that by ear.  So I’ll slow down the song, bring the bass forward but keep the drums audible and notate the whole thing bar by bar. 

Doing it that way means I have a reference for learning it, especially where the verses have slight differences or the chorus changes or whatever. 

I  can then play the song a few times with the music before it sinks in so I can play from memory. The process of analysing it by ear also means I know most of the song by the time I’m ready to play  

Liquid State Notation.jpg


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 6:45 pm
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

Here's another-- I tried to pay it by ear, I tried to play it from tab, but just could not nail the rhythm. Once I'd split, isolated and slowed it down to notate it I could get it accurate. 

Citizen Erased_01.jpg


 
Posted : 23/04/2025 7:05 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

i think its about time i stopped procrastinating and bought that new wider strap.  if im going to do it id rather do it properly and buy strap locks at the same time.

there appear to be a plethora of different shapes and sizes, any recommendations?  do they generally require wider screws, or are most universal and would fit onto the 'buttons' i have on there currently?

thanks


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 8:55 am
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

I would buy some strap lock fasteners, although these are meant to be effective and a cheaper option, it is surprising how often a guitar/bass can slip out of the standard "buttons" for no apparent reason.

 


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 11:40 am
Posts: 1398
Full Member
 

The little rubber ones do indeed work well. I got gifted some fender strap locks but they looked so massive I never fitted them.


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 3:31 pm
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

I’ve got Fender Schaller  style locks on both the Fender and the Status. The Fender Schaller  ones need a bit of bravery to fit as the screw is slightly bigger than the standard screw. The Status came with them as a “factory fit “ option.  

I have a 4” wide leather strap from Amazon about 30 quid, on the Fender and the Status has its own brand wide leather strap. The fretless has a 3” Lekato neoprene wide strap (Amazon25 quid)  and standard buttons with the rubber grommets that came with the strap. 


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 5:01 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

nice one, i think ill probably just buy some of those cheapo jobbies then if they work well.  unless @ceepers is selling his fenders on of course 😉

as for straps, ive got a couple in my gear4music basket, just need to decide which one to delete.

this ones 3" and padded.

Screenshot 2025-05-05 at 18.48.25.png

this ones wider at 3.5, looks nicer (to me anyway), but no padding

Screenshot 2025-05-05 at 18.49.27.png

main aims are non-slip to combat neck dive, and comfort.

The Fender Schaller  ones need a bit of bravery to fit as the screw is slightly bigger than the standard screw.

yeah, think id be a bit frit of widening any holes, youre committed then arent you.....


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 5:52 pm
Posts: 18073
Free Member
 

If you end up with a hole too big just stick a match in (with a smear of wood glue if you're a perfectionist) then screw the screw in without the button and leave while the glue sets. Break off the excess match with the screw still in then screw the button back on. 


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 7:17 pm
Posts: 1398
Full Member
 

I don’t need them Theyve been in a bag for the last 3 years!

IMG_0052.jpeg 


 
Posted : 05/05/2025 7:28 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

well i did indeed stop procrastinating, bought the 3" padded leather strap, and also bought the strap locks off @ceepers

turns out the screws were slimmer than the ones in at the moment, but rather than use the 'matchstick' method i just drilled the holes a bit wider to accommodate the original screws.

now theyre on im not sure i like them 😀 yes it makes sense to use them, but they do seem to stick out a bit dont they 😀

IMG_20250511_145236.jpg

thoughts?


 
Posted : 11/05/2025 6:04 pm
Posts: 24498
Free Member
 

Yeh. Sorry, but they're hideous.

What's wrong with the stopper seal from a bottle of Grolsch!


 
Posted : 11/05/2025 6:25 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

Something doesn't look right there, as if you haven't attached the strap to the  "quick release" part of the strap locks.


 
Posted : 11/05/2025 7:02 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

Something doesn't look right there, as if you haven't attached the strap to the  "quick release" part of the strap locks.

durrrr.....bloody idiot.  yes, a case of RTFM 😀

looks a bit better now buuuuuut still not convinced.....

IMG_20250511_201925.jpg

IMG_20250511_201936.jpg

IMG_20250511_201940.jpg


 
Posted : 11/05/2025 7:24 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

next question.  capo(e)s.  im reading theyre frowned upon in bass land but i guess thats for playing.  i want to get adept at setting my bass up, and you really need 3 hands for truss rod setting.  is a capo a good idea for that?  i think last time i tried it i was wedging something metal between the strings to hold the E down at 1st fret.

what are you all using, a capo or something else?  and if a capo, are they all the same?  so a cheapo jobbie might do?

thanks


 
Posted : 12/05/2025 9:37 am
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

Yep, just a cheap capo. Go for the trigger type, they're easiest to use. 


 
Posted : 13/05/2025 8:28 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 

thanks, cheapo trigger jobbie ordered.

just browsing away and i saw an orange cab (OBC115) that seemed a decent price but then i realised ohhh, ill actually need an amp head to go with that.  blimey theyre a bit pricey arent they?  much as id like a barefaced cab (keep it in the family so to speak) i couldnt justify the cost of one, PLUS the corresponding head.  

idle musings....are we really spending upwards of £2000 for separates to shake the walls, when a rumble 100 or equivalent would (probably) be loud enough for a gig in a small hall?


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 1:35 pm
Posts: 1398
Full Member
 

Its a bit like bikes with added cork sniffing. You can buy a boardman or a yeti. Or a yeti once ridden by john Tomac

There are good basic amps that don't cost the earth, Solid state ( transistor ) amps generally are cheaper than valve powered ( which allegedly have a distinctive warm tone (ut the solid state stuff can sound just as good just not as "cool"))

Different brands / models often have a specific characteristic basic color to their tone.

then there are the "legacy" amps that are on lots of famous records ( ampeg svt for example)

then there are hand wired amps from legacy brands, then there are vintage amps etc etc.

Speaker size / number is as important as wattage for bass amps id suggest. 

The fender rumbles are good basic amps i think. The 100 can be loud enough with a drummer, depending on your drummers enthusiasm / music you're playing. Its loud enough to make stuff in the room shake. The next one up is probably a better bet for a regular gigging unless you are reinforcing by using the bass DI into the pa as well


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 2:13 pm
Posts: 510
Free Member
 

As an ex-drummer, theres an awful lot about this I don't understand, and amps are one of those things.
Ultimately, buy whatever you like, its your money, but massive amps seem a particular waste of money if you aren't gigging, and arguably even if you are.
Case in point, the bass player of my sons band doesn't have an amp. He has a wee DI thing that lets him plug into the venue mixing desk and emulate whatever tone he likes. It sounds thunderous.
Another case in point. My cousin is a bedroom player, but has a ludicrous 450 watt amp and cab setup that takes up loads of room and he can barely use.


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 2:18 pm
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

I started with a Rumble 25. Was more than loud enough for my home use but once I could actually play, it became obvious that the low E’s were very muddy and not really defined. Not really surprising considering it was a single 8” speaker. No need for a massively overpowered set up, so traded in for a Rumble 40. Don’t run it any louder but the increase in speaker size to 10” really makes a difference sound quality wise. The low E, F and G are much more defined and you can actually feel them now, same for ghost notes. Considering it’s not much bigger overall than the 25 and surprisingly a whole lot lighter, I’m very happy with it. 

As much as I’d like one of the new Darkglass combo units, it’d just be a waste. 


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 3:04 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

I have an orange crush 50 combo amp, much more than needed to practice at home, I do sometimes wonder if I should have bought the 100 in case I do some gigs in the future as it would only have cost about 25% more, but purchasing mission creep and always wanting the next biggest or best is damaging to the wallet, and I might never actually join a band. My current goal is just to create my own bass lines for songs I like, so a bigger amp isn't on my horizon.

 


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 3:21 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

He has a wee DI thing that lets him plug into the venue mixing desk and emulate whatever tone he likes.

 

Oh, that reminds me, has anyone played bass through a FRFR cabinet with a multi effects pedal?


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 3:23 pm
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

Anyone play a 5 string? 
Quite a few of the new tunes in Yousician have 5 string versions. I have vintage style P and Jazz basses but never had a modern style bass. Kind of fancy an active 5. Harley Benton do a reasonably priced one that looks good, although if I’m going to go modern, I could go all out with a headless Ibanez. 

Talk me into or out of it! 


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 5:22 pm
Posts: 18073
Free Member
 

My current goal is just to create my own bass lines for songs I like, so a bigger amp isn't on my horizon.

I love doing that, mixing bits of the melody of the song with bits of the original base line.


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 5:37 pm
Posts: 516
Free Member
 

Posted by: clubby

Anyone play a 5 string? 
Quite a few of the new tunes in Yousician have 5 string versions. I have vintage style P and Jazz basses but never had a modern style bass. Kind of fancy an active 5. Harley Benton do a reasonably priced one that looks good, although if I’m going to go modern, I could go all out with a headless Ibanez. 

Talk me into or out of it! 

Cort B5 Element bass here. Wanted to try 5 string at relatively low cost (got it for around £350 new as i recall and had some decent reviews). It surpassed expectations, especially the tight and defined low end B. Modern looking too.  I like playing it. Also had a headless 4 str bass back in the day, and like that aesthetic!

 


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 5:42 pm
Posts: 181
Full Member
 

Posted by: sadexpunk

thanks, cheapo trigger jobbie ordered.

just browsing away and i saw an orange cab (OBC115) that seemed a decent price but then i realised ohhh, ill actually need an amp head to go with that.  blimey theyre a bit pricey arent they?  much as id like a barefaced cab (keep it in the family so to speak) i couldnt justify the cost of one, PLUS the corresponding head.  

idle musings....are we really spending upwards of £2000 for separates to shake the walls, when a rumble 100 or equivalent would (probably) be loud enough for a gig in a small hall?

 

For my bedroom playing I have a fender rumble 40, and I love it, however for gigging it won't be enough (acoustic gigs aside in a café or something like that). I have a line 6 Helix stomp that would work better for gigging with a DI box, but it's unlikely I will gig. a 10" speaker such as that in the Rumble 40 is the minimum I think for bass, even at low levels. The advantage of the 100 is the XLR output, not sure it would be enough for a small hall on it's own.  

 


 
Posted : 14/05/2025 6:58 pm
Posts: 510
Free Member
 

Posted by: clubby

Anyone play a 5 string? 

I almost talked myself into a cheap Sire V3 or V5 5 string on Reverb last month. I figured it was a low cost way to give it a try, I'm wondering what that low B string may feel like. 
It may yet happen. I've been saving for a bit, and while, officially, this is my ebike fund, N+1 applies equally to bass guitars as it does bikes.
Plus! I'm 2 weeks from the end of finishing an Open Uni degree and the temptation to treat myself as a reward is unbearable.

 


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 9:09 am
Posts: 3845
Full Member
 

I tried a 5 string. It was early on in my bass journey and I found the B string got in the way so I couldn't see what I was doing. I got fed up with it in the end and got rid. A lot of the stuff I play in church  is written in Eb so I have a Hipshot D-Tuner on both basses. If I need anything lower I use the Octave pedals. 


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 9:30 am
Posts: 2091
Full Member
 

I bought a s/h MM Stingray V about ten years ago to see if it could be useful to me. Very nice bass, pau ferro board, "Copperhead Bronze" finish, white pearloid scratchplate.

I gigged with it quite a bit over the next couple of years but ultimately, once the novelty had worn off, it just didn't really do it for me (in the same way that Fenders don't).

The hardest thing to get used to (for me) was just damping the 5th string, especially when doing any slap and pop stuff, which I don't do a lot of, mind.

Anyway, as it was pretty much mint I sold it for quite a bit more than I'd paid and off it went to somewhere in  the RoI.

As I'm still in Greece atm, I've still got that transparent violet Palaedium waiting at Bass Direct, to be delivered to me when I return. That's the one that was marked as sold and actually wasn't....


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 10:40 am
Posts: 1268
Full Member
 

Posted by: Andy-R

I've still got that transparent violet Palaedium waiting at Bass Direct

That looks lovely Andy 👍


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 10:44 am
Posts: 7423
Free Member
 
Posted by: Andy R

 

I've still got that transparent violet Palaedium waiting at Bass Direct

 

 

That looks lovely Andy 👍

indeed it does, nice one 🙂


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 11:08 am
Posts: 1819
Full Member
 

Posted by: luv2ride

Cort B5 Element bass here. Wanted to try 5 string at relatively low cost (got it for around £350 new as i recall

 

They look really nice but prices seem to be nearly double that now. 

Those Sire basses do look like good value. 

It's not like I "need" one though, just curious. It's better than having a pedal addiction though, i suppose.


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 3:25 pm
Posts: 510
Free Member
 

I'm not particularly after a jazz bass, even still, this Sire V5R in that finish is tempting.
https://www.sire-usa.com/products/v5r-5st?variant=43877453136010

However, I have a thing for Stingrays. Full blown MusicMan models are too dear, but I'm going to try some Sterling models out as soon as I'm finished with uni.
Sire have dipped their toe there too recently, with the Z3 and Z7. But, I don't know, they aren't quite a Stingray to me.
https://www.sire-usa.com/products/sire-marcus-miller-z3-4st?variant=44078159528074  


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 4:15 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

I have an inking for a 5 string at some time as well, not quite yet. I actually fancy building my own with body and neck from warmoth. But I should really try something cheaper first.


 
Posted : 15/05/2025 4:33 pm
Page 12 / 14

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!