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My work bonus hit my paycheck. It was pretty decent, but I have some money-sucking hobbies that I usually spend a lot of my bonus on. I ride bicycles. I play the Electric Bass. I have a third hobby that really freaks some people out, especially some of the bicycle people. And... this time... well, I had some needs. See, my 1997 Precision Bass Special has never been 100% awesome, although I've put 25 years of miles on it. I have known for the last few years that it really needs some fret work, because there are dents in the first several frets from where I've played. But for even longer, I've had a bigger issue with that bass--fret buzz. If I set the action to Fender standard, it buzzes. If I raise it until the buzz disappears on open and low-fretted notes, the action is just high enough to be a noticeable problem. But, it's a problem I've learned to deal with. Today, I took the bass to the shop in E-ville, and the guy set the neck straight as hell and started taking measurements. No matter how straight he made the neck, there was a rock in the frets around the middle of the neck (maybe the 8th or 9th fret), so the frets weren't as level as they should be. That's going to get fixed for a pretty reasonable fee, and this is a tech I've heard great things about, so that's pretty cool. My Jazz Bass 5-string needs the same exact treatment. But, that means I have to take my only 5-string out of the rotation, and since I've been pining for a 5-string with a thinner neck anyway, I decided to get another 5-string. I looked at the multi-scale instruments, but of the ones that were in my price range, most were either visibly not great (like the Ibanez Soundgear that has a standard headstock, so there's a weird triangle on that end that makes no sense) or headless, which I hate the look of. So... I'm getting a Schecter Guitar Research C-5 Plus 5-string Bass Guitar. The guitarist in the last originals band I was in loves Schecter, and they get good reviews, so I can't wait until it gets here. I hope my Fenders and Squiers don't mind! Edit: Killer snipe! tarlibone fucked around with this message at 10:46 on Mar 3, 2024 |
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Mar 3, 2024 10:28
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Sound neat! I'll be interested to know if the fret on a Schecter bass are as high as those of their guitars.
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Mar 3, 2024 14:31
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tarlibone posted:I have a third hobby that really freaks some people out, especially some of the bicycle people.  go on...
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Mar 3, 2024 18:01
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Is it hunting bicycle people for sport?
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Mar 3, 2024 18:25
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Dang It Bhabhi! posted:
This is the bass thread, we're all weirdos here
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Mar 3, 2024 19:25
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Dang It Bhabhi! posted:
 says they're a triathlete.
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Mar 3, 2024 20:36
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Modal Auxiliary posted:
disgusting
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Mar 3, 2024 22:26
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I've been playing bass for just about 3 years at his point (already played guitar) and this year I've been trying to make it a personal goal to actually get out there and meet musicians. So today I had a two-hour "audition" with a band who've been playing together for the best part of a year and sent me a pdf with song names and chords which I practised beforehand. Turns out the chords and song names were wrong, and I spent the first hour struggling to play with 4 complete strangers who yelled out chords on the fly that I had to a) translate from the solfège system and then b) account for the capo. I choked more times than I count from the nerves. There are plenty of complex pieces I can play adequately enough at home but I'm terrible with an audience and just fall apart. After the second hour I calmed down a lot and got into the swing of things a bit better and stopped feeling like I was being assessed. By the end they said I played really well and they wanted to have me. I still feel like a fraud I'm excited to see where this goes.
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Mar 4, 2024 00:35
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Captain Splendid posted:. Congratulations, you made it! If you ever feel like you're just taking up space, keep in mind that you're part of the rhythm section, so that's literally your job. Also, listen to the Rolling Stones, CCR, and a lot of other classic rock to see how easy it is to steal a living as a bassist. Advice I got early on is that no one has ever been fired for playing too few notes. If you can keep time and know the progressions, you're in good shape and most bands will be glad to have you.
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Mar 4, 2024 00:46
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I still get nervous before every gig and Ive been playing bass for 20 years and in bands for 8 of that.
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Mar 4, 2024 03:08
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Being anxious in studios is just one of those trial by fire thing you have to go thru to be a good practicing musician. I've had some absolutely poo poo experiences that probably made me a better player and now ten years of playing out later I just play with people I know and are friends with but still can kill on stage and it's great. But I should still try to push myself to be uncomfortable i.e. play with musicians that intimidate me. Played with some jazz school kids recently and man that was a humbling exp lol. As long as you just keep at it with as many people as you think will make good music it's fine tho.
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Mar 4, 2024 17:40
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I've found that the main thing that people will appreciate in a bassist is a willingness to try, basically a good work ethic. And if they don't appreciate you trying then gently caress them they're dicks and not worth playing with anyway. In the end, this is supposed to be fun.
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Mar 4, 2024 17:43
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just remember most people cant even tell if the bassist plays a wrong note they just like feeling a rumble
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Mar 4, 2024 21:37
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The band might notice in the in ears but the audience still felt the flat note so you’re good
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Mar 4, 2024 21:42
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I dunno, I think mistakes by bass players can be the most noticeable of all. Depending on the length of the note and rhythm of the line, you can create some ugly dissonance that can really only be matched by a guitar player or keyboardist holding a bad chord. The audience probably won't know what was wrong, but they'll definitely know that something sounded bad. Your band mates will know, though, as will any other bass players hanging around, and those are the groups that I focus on when I get nervous before shows. Completely unrelated, but the scarcity of drummers in my city is absurd. One of the bands I play in has been using a hired gun for a few months. The other band has a converted bass player who is thankfully pretty good but not great. I should have been a drummer. BrianRx fucked around with this message at 01:14 on Mar 5, 2024 |
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Mar 4, 2024 22:35
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Drummers are scarce everywhere. Good drummers with their own transport? Yeah, good luck. Every drummer I know is in at least 2 bands.
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Mar 5, 2024 03:50
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Drums are expensive, require a ton of maintenance, space to put them (and use them), and a car to transport them. It’s crazy that anyone maintains it into adulthood.
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Mar 5, 2024 04:03
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In hindsight, what swung it was probably slapping "Block Rockin' Beats" between songs.
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Mar 5, 2024 07:27
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Henchman of Santa posted:Drums are expensive, require a ton of maintenance, space to put them (and use them), and a car to transport them. It’s crazy that anyone maintains it into adulthood. I have compromised on all of those. We played with a drummer who was on a student visa from Finland and spoke very poor English, did not have a vehicle, lived over an hour away, and didn't even have cymbals. Someone always had to add two hours to rehearsal to pick him up, and he frequently cancelled day-of. He was good, though.
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Mar 5, 2024 22:28
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Managed to give myself a blood blister on the newish strings of my new Pulse II 5er Spector, I don't know what the hell strings they put on them but they're rough as guts, bright tho, don't feel like standard D'addario XL's. I like these EMG 40DC's they sound modern but still got that 80's humbucker sound that is Spectorish-Stingrayish depending on how you set the preamp. I was rather enthusiastically going over some RHCP which led to the blood-blister: its nice to be able to play the high register chords of Blood Sugar Sex Magick with ease on this bass compared to my other basses where its far more difficuilt,
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Mar 6, 2024 10:46
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The only strings that chewed up my fingers so badly I replaced them almost immediately and never went back were stainless steel, if I recall correctly. I don't know if anyone makes them anymore, but I was a babby bass pwayer who finally had enough money for something better than the $15 Darco strings from the local music store, and I feel for the high-output hype. Don't get me wrong, they sounded great. But, they were extremely harsh on my plucking and fretting fingers. Never again. Nickel or nothing for me.
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Mar 6, 2024 15:16
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New gear day! The picture doesn't do it justice. This is a handsome bass.
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Mar 7, 2024 02:49
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I have a Soundgear 5 with those EMGs in, they'll do you well.
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Mar 12, 2024 06:17
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Filling in, possibly permanently, in my friend’s punk band on bass. Very excited to play fast, loud aggressive music for slow, loud drunk people. Unironically. edit: First practice was super fun and I got to test my little HX Stomp XL + two QSC K10.2 powered speakers on bass with a full band, including two guitarists with jcm 800 half stacks. It held its own, I was very happy about that. Dang It Bhabhi! fucked around with this message at 06:57 on Mar 14, 2024 |
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Mar 13, 2024 22:45
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I'm not sure if there's a better thread to put this in: I have a Shure in ear monitor system, and my 9 month old battery won't take a charge. I'm pretty sure it's on me, since I let it drain all the way down (which is still a bullshit design) and I didn't know they had issues with accepting a charge once they were completely drained and sat for a bit. Is there a way to "jumpstart" the battery like I've seen for drill batteries?
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Mar 14, 2024 12:49
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Dang It Bhabhi! posted:Filling in, possibly permanently, in my friend’s punk band on bass. Very excited to play fast, loud aggressive music for slow, loud drunk people. Unironically. Punk is absolutely the cheat sheet for being competent on bass quickly. You can just rely on feel and enthusiasm until you start branching out E: level 2 cheat code is then joining a cover band, preferably funk
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Mar 14, 2024 13:09
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Shageletic posted:Punk is absolutely the cheat sheet for being competent on bass quickly. You can just rely on feel and enthusiasm until you start branching out  as one of the guitarists said last night: “you already know what it’s supposed to sound like just do that.”
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Mar 14, 2024 17:27
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Shageletic posted:Punk is absolutely the cheat sheet for being competent on bass quickly. You can just rely on feel and enthusiasm until you start branching out This is exactly my path. There is quite a gap between punk and funk, though. I played before a punk band last night and stuck around to listen to them. Forgot my earplugs and I'm paying for it today. I feel so old.
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Mar 14, 2024 19:05
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Tinnitus is no joke; please please please be careful with your hearing.
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Mar 14, 2024 19:20
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Seventh Arrow posted:Tinnitus is no joke; please please please be careful with your hearing. Yep, I usually at least bring foam earplugs. I actually left halfway through their set but apparently it was enough to cause damage. Dumb on my part.
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Mar 14, 2024 19:31
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BrianRx posted:This is exactly my path. There is quite a gap between punk and funk, though. Yeah played some local original bands the drummer from the punk band tapped me for (helped that he was my best friend) before the funk band but there was big jump there. Actually got ahold of a bass teacher to help me out. Funk songs are no joke on bass.
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Mar 14, 2024 19:34
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Gonna order some Etymotic ER20s. Anyone recommend something they like more for hearing protection?
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Mar 14, 2024 22:45
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I use those Etymotic ER20XS for concerts and rehearsals when not using in ears, they’re pretty good at quieting without losing clarity. If you need something stronger around -30 to -35db you’d probably be looking into foam ones, or over the ears
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Mar 14, 2024 23:32
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I have some of those too, work great for making after concerts not painful.
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Mar 14, 2024 23:42
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Thanks! Ordered.
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Mar 15, 2024 00:46
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I've tried all the brands and loop or etymotic are my recommendations. Earasers are really good for lower volume acts or vocalists. Mine are a pain to fit properly though and I'm usually playing too loud to use them.
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Mar 17, 2024 03:07
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Loops are comfy but don’t provide the best decibel protection. They feel about on par with my Anker rubber tipped earbuds TBH, though that’s probably still enough to protect from most damage.
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Mar 17, 2024 03:18
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Bottom Liner posted:Loops are comfy but don’t provide the best decibel protection. They feel about on par with my Anker rubber tipped earbuds TBH, though that’s probably still enough to protect from most damage. I had the pro or the HD ones and they have a rubber plug you can put in to lower the dbs or remove to have it louder. I plan on trying the new switch ones that have a few varied levels of protection. Happy ears are poo poo. Too small and too hard to remove for not enough protection. If I lost them all and had to purchase again, I'd go loops HD.
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Mar 17, 2024 09:12
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I have a set of Alpines with swappable cores that I use for attending shows and they're pretty fantastic.
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Mar 17, 2024 15:21
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My homemade bass is coming along Or atleast starting to look the part I even radiused the fretboard and bridge  Not expecting amazing things acousticly, but I have a piezo pickup I'm going to install once it is strumming away and hopefully I have something I can take to slam poetry nights
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Mar 19, 2024 21:53
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