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_Wes
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 1002
|  Subject: Bass players!  Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:30 am | |
| Ok I've been playing for close to 20 years, so thought maybe we could have us some bass discussion as well.
I play and endorse Spector basses, Eden amps & cabs, and Rotosound strings - all of the above because I play them, and love them.
I do my own set ups, I'm very comfortable with my gear - so if there are any questions or discussion topics - lets get low....!
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_Wes
FretlessBassist
SL on CD Baby
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|   | | crimson_altruist
Joined : 07 Apr 2007
Posts : 23
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:14 am | |
| | I'm a Conklin guy myself. Ever since I first touched a Conklin, I've known that I'll never buy another brand. I like Crate amplification alot personally and have a handful of 100 watt crate amps among others. |
| | | | _Wes
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 1002
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Guest
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:46 pm | |
| Well, I'm learning bass.. so I guess this is a good place to be. I've been playing for about a year. I play for church every Sunday and am also in a band that is starting out. We are working on our songs now.
I'm pretty much self taught, and for someone who can't play by ear at all, it's not always a pretty sight.. or sound as the case may be. ;)
I currently have a Peavey Millenium BXP 4 and a Hohner B Bass V. I really love the Hohner.... it's got a solid body/neck construction and awesome deep sustain. I also have an Epiphone Accu-Bass that was given to me in pieces. I am practicing soldering pots in on that one. It sounds like crap, I think I am missing a ground or something. When I put my fingers on the string, it stops the humming static sound.
Anyway, I am looking at getting myself a rig to play through. I really want an Ampeg 810 cab with some 215 to go with it, but that's out of my price range. I'll probably get a 410 cab for now.
What are your thoughts about heads vs a rack system?
I was looking at a few different heads. I was looking at the Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 Bass Head, but not sure about it. I've heard bad things about the Overdrive channel turning itself on after a while and the only way to shut it off is to turn off the amp. I am now looking at the Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II Bass Head and also the Ampeg B2RE Bass Head. How would you rate these two?
I also have heard alot of good things about rack systems. It would allow for a lot more customization. What are the best kinds of pre-amp, power amp, power conditioners, etc to get? I'm looking at spending about $500 for everything but the cab. Any Ideas??
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| | | | guitarhoops
Age : 37
Joined : 02 Jan 2007
Posts : 436
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:21 am | |
| I own the Ampeg bass head you mentioned. I really like it. I tried the GK and was really won over by the Ampeg. Oh, and its rack mountable. 
Hey Wes, are you going to post some bass exercises so I can brush up on my bass playing? 
Last edited by on Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
| | | | _Wes
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 1002
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:16 am | |
| | metallinostheos wrote: | | Well, I'm learning bass.. so I guess this is a good place to be. I've been playing for about a year. I play for church every Sunday and am also in a band that is starting out. We are working on our songs now. |
Very cool - welcome! 
| metallinostheos wrote: | I'm pretty much self taught, and for someone who can't play by ear at all, it's not always a pretty sight.. or sound as the case may be.  |
I completely understand. I'm mostly self-taught too. Although - I had a couple lessons last year with Carol Kaye, oh my. Talk about humbling. That woman has more experience with a bass - and more talent in her pinkie finger. . . well, you get my point. And she considers herself a guitar player. Yikes.
| metallinostheos wrote: | I currently have a Peavey Millenium BXP 4 and a Hohner B Bass V. I really love the Hohner.... it's got a solid body/neck construction and awesome deep sustain. I also have an Epiphone Accu-Bass that was given to me in pieces. I am practicing soldering pots in on that one. It sounds like crap, I think I am missing a ground or something. When I put my fingers on the string, it stops the humming static sound.
|
Liking and knowing your equipment is very important - qudos on finding one you enjoy so much!
Yes - the humming - sounds like you need to have the ground connected back to your bridge.
btw - is that hohner a full body - or like the steinbergers?
| metallinostheos wrote: | | Anyway, I am looking at getting myself a rig to play through. I really want an Ampeg 810 cab with some 215 to go with it, but that's out of my price range. I'll probably get a 410 cab for now. |
Wow - thats a serious rig!!!
An 810 + 215?? Yikes! That's football stadium time!
I've never needed more than a 410 - and that includes playing a football stadium - and not being in the PA. See why I love my Eden rig??!
| metallinostheos wrote: | | What are your thoughts about heads vs a rack system? |
Bassically - head vs. rack is a personal call. I have a head - but it came with rack mountable hardware - so I racked it in a 4 space and added a tuner and power conditioner. I prefer the rack personally - because that allows me to add a couple things, the rack adds protection, and keeps everything together. The only bad part is - my WT550 Eden head is 13 lbs., and my rack is 80lbs. 
| metallinostheos wrote: | | I was looking at a few different heads. I was looking at the Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 Bass Head, but not sure about it. I've heard bad things about the Overdrive channel turning itself on after a while and the only way to shut it off is to turn off the amp. I am now looking at the Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II Bass Head and also the Ampeg B2RE Bass Head. How would you rate these two? |
My comments will be colored due to my love for Eden. I endorse them - because I play them. I play them because I love them.
Knowing that - I've tried out all kinds of amps - Trace Elliot (the older stuff, not the new Gibson re-issues), GK, EA, Mesa, you name it. When I went looking for amps (many times) I tried to A/B as much as possible. I found the Ampeg stuff lacking, to be honest. Please understand - this is my experience. The most important thing to you should be your ears - what sounds best to you. Eden did it for me. I use nothing else. Of course I like a crisp clear sound - with a bit of warmth, and some grind. Try out everything and get what sounds best to your ears.
Another suggestion - buy used. You can get more bang for your buck, and there is a thriving used gear industry out there - TB (talkbass.com), the dudepit (dudepit.com), ebay - all places to get used gear - buyer beware. I've been pretty lucky and done well on ebay. Bottom line is you can get used gear usually around 1/2 off what you'd pay new.
| metallinostheos wrote: | | I also have heard alot of good things about rack systems. It would allow for a lot more customization. What are the best kinds of pre-amp, power amp, power conditioners, etc to get? I'm looking at spending about $500 for everything but the cab. Any Ideas?? |
I prefer a pre-amp & power amp in one - your basic head. Some folks like to split them up, and that certainly opens up possibilities - but for me its just easier to go with the all-in-one unit.
Power conditioners - use one! Furhman is pretty well known - and what I have - but I'm not smart enough about them to know good from bad. I always use mine - and never run into problems - at all.
With a $500 budget - you're going to have trouble getting a pre-amp power amp setup in that range. A good used pre will run you 200 - 350 at least. The power amp would be about the same. I'm not saying it can't be done - but it would def. take some work. Again - my reason for going with the all-in-one - but there sure are tone purists who need to get the demeter pre-amp and the crown power amp . . . and that's cool if it works for you. Typically it will mean more money. YMMV.
Final word - > do what sounds best for you.
_________________
_Wes
FretlessBassist
SL on CD Baby
|
| | | | _Wes
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 1002
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:35 am | |
| | guitarhoops wrote: | | Hey Wes, are you going to post some bass exercises so I can brush up on my bass ploaying? |
You bet! :)
One I did for the Eden Practice Tip of the week: www.eden-electronics.com
Practice Different Feels. - Wes Watson, Eden Emerging Artist and forum member.
Scales are a great warm-up but can sometimes become too repetitive. To combat this, try changing the feel in which you play them. For example, use any of these feels when practicing your scales: Legato - all notes run together; Marcato - sharp and quick; Staccato - quicker and more aggressive; On the beat; After the beat; Before the beat; Triplets. By varying the feel, you can keep scales fresh and interesting, as well as learn to better play each of these feels.
Here's another good one that is from Stewart McKinsey. I'm his webmaster - this is from his website at www.subcontrabassist.com
This exercise is based on a Bach piece and is as much for your ear as it is for finger independence and general dexterity. You will play it in one key -- whichever one you like, but C major is the easiest to learn it -- and you can play it on every string, one string at a time, moving up or down. The essence of the drill is repeating a melodic device. This is the way I learned it...
You're only going to play the notes in the C major scale. All you're doing is moving from one step in the scale to the next and playing a pattern of that note, the note 2 steps above it, the note between those 2, and the high note again. Do this twice then you move to the next note in the scale and do the same thing. It's easiest to start on a high string and move through the lower strings as your hands get warmed up. Remember as you're playing that you are focusing on rhythm and attack consistency as well as left hand flexibility, speed, and endurance. Here goes.
Start on your G string. in a moderate, relaxed 8th note feel play C - E - D - E and let your hands stretch out so that you're playing the C with your first finger, your E with the little finger, and the D with either the middle or ring finger, whichever is most comfortable for you. Try it both ways, each a few times to be sure. Remember to repeat the pattern before you move on. Next you're going to play D - F - E - F, just moving up the neck a whole step. You'll find these minor third reaches are much more comfortable than the major thirds, particularly on the low strings. Always play the figure 2 times before you move on.
Keep going like this, playing evenly and keeping the notes clean and slightly staccato. The remaining patterns on the G string will be E - G - F - G, F - A - G - A, G - B - A - B, A - C - B - C, B - D - C - D, C - E - D - E, D - F - E - F, E - G - F - G. Now play the same patterns in descending order. You can move up and down every string this way, just try and avoid playing the open strings because you're really not going to get much of a stretch that way.
Simply start on the lowest scale tone that you can fret. For example, on your E string the first pattern you can play will be F - A - G - A. On your D string it will be E - G - F - G. Try to play this in a number of different keys, and try to play it on all your strings, starting with your highest.
How are these? I have more. . . lemme know.
Thanks!!
_________________
_Wes
FretlessBassist
SL on CD Baby
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| | | | alldatndensum
Mission Of One
Age : 38
Joined : 03 Jan 2007
Posts : 4928
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:22 am | |
| I personally have three basses, and they are all different brands. I haven't found one brand I prefer over another. But, with each bass I have bought, they just had to have a certain sound to my ears and a certain feel that I just cannot explain. They just sounded and felt like "home".
I have a Tobias 6 string that my wife bought for me 6 years ago. I have a 1990 Fender Precision Jazz 5 string, too. Also, I bought an Epiphone "Viola" 4 string fretless in 2001 to do more acoustic gigs. You can play it the traditional way (suspended around your body on a strap), or screw out the bottom strap nut and put it on a poll to play it upright. That's the way I like to use it as it becomes a visual that people don't forget and they like to ask questions about it.
For smaller gigs (like playing in my church), I have a Hartke 60 watt combo amp. It's a great little workhorse! It's light enough to carry, but still packs a punch with it's 12 inch speaker. I could play a much larger room with it, but I just like it for smaller places.
When I was playing in a band regularly, I have a Crate 160 watt combo amp with a 15" speaker. It has plenty of volume, but I always ran the amp's outs to the PA and had my sound coming through the mains. The amp is pretty much my personal stage monitor so that I could hear me better. I'd turn it away from the crowd so that me and the drummer could hear it. It is an unusual set up, but we loved it.
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"History doesn't happen to you--it happens THROUGH you." |
| | | | StryperFanBassmanInNM
Age : 35
Joined : 07 Apr 2007
Posts : 391
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:27 pm | |
| | I have 2 basses... soon to be 3. I have 2 Ibanez Basses and will soon have a Danelectro. I've been playing for about 5 years although I have been playing musical instruments for about 20 years. I am currently in my church's praise band, Hands and Feet, where I sing and play bass. |
| | | | Whitemetal468
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 15
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:18 pm | |
| Well let's see... I've been playing since I was 12, so that would be about six years now. I have a Dean Edge One bass and a Line Six Lowdown amp. Thanks for the excercises, and any more you can find would be appreciated.
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Just a kid with a crazy dream... |
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Guest
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:56 pm | |
| | _Wes wrote: |
btw - is that hohner a full body - or like the steinbergers?
|
It's a full body. I think I got some pics online somewhere...
I think the new versions of this are like $800 or $900 new.
I got mine for $250 with trade in of a SX that I paid $130 for and hated.
| _Wes wrote: |
Wow - thats a serious rig!!!
An 810 + 215?? Yikes! That's football stadium time!
I've never needed more than a 410 - and that includes playing a football stadium - and not being in the PA. See why I love my Eden rig??!
|
Yeah... that's my dream rig.... I'm sure it'll be YEARS before I can afford that, if I ever get it. I'll probably stick with a 410 and a 400 watt head.
| _Wes wrote: |
Another suggestion - buy used. You can get more bang for your buck, and there is a thriving used gear industry out there - TB (talkbass.com), the dudepit (dudepit.com), ebay - all places to get used gear - buyer beware. I've been pretty lucky and done well on ebay. Bottom line is you can get used gear usually around 1/2 off what you'd pay new.
|
Thanks for the info.. I've been looking around at 1 store here in Milwaukee that has a bunch of used stuff, but up until this past month, didn't know what I was looking at. I've learned a ton on Talkbass.com. I've been lurking there pretty heavy for the last month and finally at least know what the differences is between a pre-amp, a power amp, a head and a few other things are. Lots of smart people there. Do you post there? I'm trying to get the courage to jump in.
| _Wes wrote: |
I prefer a pre-amp & power amp in one - your basic head. Some folks like to split them up, and that certainly opens up possibilities - but for me its just easier to go with the all-in-one unit.
Power conditioners - use one! Furhman is pretty well known - and what I have - but I'm not smart enough about them to know good from bad. I always use mine - and never run into problems - at all.
With a $500 budget - you're going to have trouble getting a pre-amp power amp setup in that range. A good used pre will run you 200 - 350 at least. The power amp would be about the same. I'm not saying it can't be done - but it would def. take some work. Again - my reason for going with the all-in-one - but there sure are tone purists who need to get the demeter pre-amp and the crown power amp . . . and that's cool if it works for you. Typically it will mean more money. YMMV.
Final word - > do what sounds best for you. |
Thanks again for the info. I love learning the gear side of things. I've always just plugged into my combo's and played. I like learning the components and what does what, and what controls what. |
| | | | _Wes
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 1002
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:19 pm | |
| Wow - that's a beaut!!! Nice bass!
I've actually bought from a place in Milwaukee before - I'm in Peoria - just a few hours south of there (ok, 6. . . )
I'm on TB rarely. I run a forum called ExtendedRangeBassist.com - http://forum.extendedrangebassist.com - that deals primarily with 5+ string instruments (but all are welcome) - and that, my band forum, and CMR take up most of my time. I usually go by _Wes though . . .
Reminds me - I'm doing a thing in Lombard (outside Chicago) for Eden this thursday - April 19 - the cool thing is, Johnny B. Gayden will be there. He's the bassist from Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, and lots of other blues players.....he'll be sitting in with Deeper Blues - Sam Ash . . . full details here: http://www.eden-electronics.com/info/events/index.asp Would love to see some CMR folks there!
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_Wes
FretlessBassist
SL on CD Baby
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| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:12 pm | |
| | _Wes wrote: | Wow - that's a beaut!!! Nice bass!
I've actually bought from a place in Milwaukee before - I'm in Peoria - just a few hours south of there (ok, 6. . . )
I'm on TB rarely. I run a forum called ExtendedRangeBassist.com - http://forum.extendedrangebassist.com - that deals primarily with 5+ string instruments (but all are welcome) - and that, my band forum, and CMR take up most of my time. I usually go by _Wes though . . .
Reminds me - I'm doing a thing in Lombard (outside Chicago) for Eden this thursday - April 19 - the cool thing is, Johnny B. Gayden will be there. He's the bassist from Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, and lots of other blues players.....he'll be sitting in with Deeper Blues - Sam Ash . . . full details here: http://www.eden-electronics.com/info/events/index.asp Would love to see some CMR folks there! |
I didn't realize you were so "close". 
I'd love to come down and get exposed to some blues.. the closest thing to Blues I have heard is some Red Sea.. LOL...
But, work gets in the way, so I can't. I would love to come down and hang out sometime if you get up near Chicago or the area. |
| | | | _Wes
Joined : 06 Apr 2007
Posts : 1002
| | Subject: Re: Bass players! Thu May 10, 2007 12:48 pm | |
| bump.
How's everybody doing in bass town?
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_Wes
FretlessBassist
SL on CD Baby
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