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Purely guitar mate. You could put a bass through it but it wouldn't sound great and may blow the drivers.
Purely guitar mate. You could put a bass through it but it wouldn't sound great and may blow the drivers.
thanks.
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…
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.
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
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.
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.
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!!!
@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!
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!
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...
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...
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! 😉
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?
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?
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...
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
FFS I wish I could just insert a link without a big picture advert appearing.
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
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
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.
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
Isn't the idea to mute the isolated bass so you can play along to the music?
isn't the idea to mute the isolated bass so you can play along to the music?
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.
Isn't it just basically root/5th anyway, with a few passing notes thrown in?
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…..
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
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.
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
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.
The little rubber ones do indeed work well. I got gifted some fender strap locks but they looked so massive I never fitted them.
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.
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.
this ones wider at 3.5, looks nicer (to me anyway), but no padding
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.....
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.
I don’t need them Theyve been in a bag for the last 3 years!
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 😀
thoughts?
Yeh. Sorry, but they're hideous.
What's wrong with the stopper seal from a bottle of Grolsch!
Something doesn't look right there, as if you haven't attached the strap to the "quick release" part of the strap locks.
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.....
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
Yep, just a cheap capo. Go for the trigger type, they're easiest to use.
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?
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
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.