[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

972.0. "Bass Advice Needed." by FSTVAX::GALLO (Tom Gallo - Field Service Training) Fri Nov 11 1988 12:55

    
    
	I am having a small problem with my bass.Maybe someone can
    help with this.
    
    I have a Fender Bullet bass that has a problem with the Low E
    string.I'll try to explain it,even though you need to hear it
    to understand *exactly* whats going on.
    
    	The Low E on my bass seem to have a peculiar "resonance".That
    is,I get the low E when I play it,but it seems to have "overtones".
    (I told you it's hard to explain).The problem seems to be acoustic
    in nature,that is It appears *both* amplified and not amplified.
    
    	The "overtones",for lack of a better word,make the low E 
    muddier and less defined.The other strings are not affected.
    
    The problem has always there in some degree,just not too noticeable.
    
    After I changed strings the last time,the problem seem to worsen.
   
    
    Well,there you have it.Any suggestions? That is,besides buy a new
    bass :-).
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Tomg (still looking for a band)
    
     
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
972.1DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDEveryday I got the bluesFri Nov 11 1988 14:154
    Lower the pickups on the side closest to the string(S) that are
    effected. This is a common problem with single coil pickups...
    
    dbii who had a strat that did this bigtime
972.2lighten upRICKS::CALCAGNIFri Nov 11 1988 14:217
    The Bullet bass comes from the factory with relatively light gauge
    bass strings.  If you replaced them with standard gauge strings
    (.105 E string) it may aggravate the problem you describe.  The
    Bullet has a light, resonant body and very bright pick-ups; it may
    just play best with light gauge strings.
    
    /rick
972.3It may be fixableTYFYS::MOLLERHolloween the 13th on Elm Street #7Fri Nov 11 1988 19:5914
    Many Bass guitars have resonance problems. Usually its only certain
    notes, or parts of the neck. The simplest solution is often to add
    mass & change the resonant frequency. I would try to add at the
    body, and the headstock (where the tuning keys are). Try a lump of
    modeling clay & see if you can figure out where the added mass will
    help. You can then add a metal piece (brass is popular) where it
    might do the most good.

    Ibanez tried to design a neck that had multiple steel rods in it
    specifically to address this problem. I don't know what thier success
    rate was. Alas, it is a common problem & It makes for direct recording
    nightmares.

						    Jens
972.4Where for Repair?FSTVAX::GALLOTom Gallo - Field Service TrainingSun Nov 13 1988 19:4314
    
    	I've decied to take the bass in for repair.It is in need
    of adjustment anyway,so I'll have them look at it then.
    
    	Now,The question is,where do I take it? And,What kind of
    $$$ are we talking here? I live in the Lowell Are,and would
    prefer to take it someplace *reasonably* close.Fast turnaround
    is important too,since this is my only instrument.
    
    
    Any Ideas?
    
    
    Tom Gallo
972.5MACHINE HEAD SCREWS COULD BE LOOSECOMET::BEYZAVIFri Nov 18 1988 17:573
        I had similar problem with my classical guitar not too long ago.
    I found a loose screw in the machine head.  Took a screw driver
    and tightened it that did it.
972.6FIX THAT BAD BOY!!!HAMER::KRONTue Nov 29 1988 15:156
    TOM,WHAT KIND OF STRINGS DO YOU USE???ALSO YOU MAY WANT TO REMOVE
    THE NECK NEXT TIME YOU CHANGE STRINGS TO SEE IF MAYBE YOU HAVE A
    CRACK IN THE NECK AT THE BODY JOINT.PLS REPLY AGAIN AND LET ME KNOW
    WHAT YOU FIND (IF YES YOU CAN GLUE AND CLAMP IT) I'LL ASK AROUND
    AND SEE IF ANY OF MY BUDDIES HAS ANY MORE IDEAS.
    TAKE IT SLOW --BILL
972.7More InfoFSTVAX::GALLOTom Gallo - Field Service TrainingTue Nov 29 1988 18:2126
    
    
    Ok,
    	Here's the latest.I had the bass in for set up a week or so
    ago.The guy did a really good job.This,however didn't seem to 
    solve the problem.
    
    	Here's the odd part:
    
    	When I plugged in at the store to check out his work,The problem
    didn't seem to be there at all.I was beginning to suspect my amp,but
    the problem appears to happen through my sunn and through my old
    univox 20w practice amp.
    
    	I'm at a loss here.I'm going to lose my mind ( :-| )!
    
    	If I could afford it,I'd just scrap this bass,but with the
    budget what it is,I gotta keep it.
    
    	Here is the gear:
    
    	Fender (squire) Bullet Bass
    	Rotosound Swing Bass standard guage strings.
    
    Tomg
    
972.8I got a Baaaaaass, I gopt a Baaaaass!!!DNEAST::GREVE_STEVEGreee Veee KingTue Oct 16 1990 20:5022
    
    
    
    
    	Hey, dbii, Chuckie, Blues pup and other guitar dudes!!!!   I just
    bought a $50 bass!!!    Yeeeeeehaw... c'mon give it to me... what do I
    do with this thing (no smart answers...)    Can I play this thing thru
    my Concert Head???   Where do I start???   ASO dudes, it's got this
    wicked low end.. kind of like that Sears masonite bass that Stevie
    Jones plays at the jams.. and a really trashy look, hofner copy, short
    neck...
    
    	Seriously, those of you who do both, does one get in the way of
    developing the other (my six string playing can't tolerate any
    setbacks) or doezs practicing one help improve on both (I hope I hope I
    hope).
    
    
    
    Steve
    
    Steve
972.9Not much of a bass player, but...GOES11::G_HOUSEShread melodicTue Oct 16 1990 21:5714
    I got an inexpensive bass awhile back too.
    
    Playing bass will strengthen your fingers for sure, which might help
    your guitar playing (seems to help mine). 
    
    One thing I found with the bass was that since I wasn't used to the
    fret spacing I had to think a lot more about where I was and what I was
    playing too and I think that helped a little.  Kind of learning things
    again because of unfamiliarity.
    
    I don't really play it all that much, I got it mostly for recording
    ideas and I have't done much of that since I got it.
    
    Greg
972.10BTOVT::BAGDY_MI'm the Lord of the WastelandsWed Oct 17 1990 10:5124
        Well, from  personal  experience  in  playing  bass, the only
        thought I could  give  is  that  it  would  give  you  a  new
        perspective around what a bass player does. :^)
        
        Meaning.  .   .maybe  my  style of playing is unorthodox from
        others, but I usually try to play around on the frets to find
        a  bass  line  that will strengthen and support the  guitars.
        Meaning,  I  don't  play  the same lower line/notes that  the
        guitarist plays.   Something  about  hearing a double octave,
        doing the same exact thing makes my skin crawl.  Therefore, I
        walk around the note that  the  guitarist  is playing to keep
        things `lively'.  Hasn't failed me yet !  :^) (Okay, so maybe
        once or twice.)
        
        Makes me  chuckle when the guitarists in the band are yelling
        out chords like `Dmaj7' or `Bmin'  when working new material.
        To me, a `D' is a `D'  and  `B' is a `B' and then I walk from
        there.  (Unless sharp or flat) Sometimes, they  do argue with
        me  about  what  I'm  playing  in comparison to what  they're
        playing, but  it's usually somewhere within their fingerings.
        :^)
        
        Matt
972.11Bass-icsLUDWIG::PHILLIPSMusic of the spheres.Wed Oct 17 1990 10:5321
    RE. .8
    
    Yo Steve!
    
    Your $50 bass sounds like my first bass - which was also a Hofner
    Beatle Bass look-alike.  Welcome aboard!  From the looks of this
    notesfile, us bassists are a real minority, and we could use all
    the numbers we can get! ;*)
    
    Yes, you can play it through your Concert head for now; just watch
    yer speakers.
    
    RE. help or hinderance?  The only thing it detracts from is the
    actual amount of time you practice on your other instruments. In
    my band I play bass, but I do a number of fill-ins playing guitar
    or pedal steel.
    
    Have a good time, an' we'll see ya at the bottom! ;*) ;*) ;*) ;*)
    
    
    							--Eric--
972.12BTOVT::BAGDY_MI'm the Lord of the WastelandsWed Oct 17 1990 11:034
        There's nothing better than a solid bottom end. :^)
        
        Matt
972.13It Never Helped *My* Guitar Playing (Nothing Will, Actually)AQUA::ROSTShe moves me, manWed Oct 17 1990 12:1424
>    	Seriously, those of you who do both, does one get in the way of
>    developing the other (my six string playing can't tolerate any
>    setbacks) or doezs practicing one help improve on both (I hope I hope I
>    hope).
    
    
    From a pure time standpoint, yes, it'll get in the way.  Unless you
    just added extra hours to your days  8^)  8^)
    
    From a musical standpoint, if all you want to do on bass is riff
    around, that's not the same thing as learning to play bass.  The whole
    concept is different, you have rhythmic and harmonic responsibilities
    far different than a guitarist, plus only the drummer will back you up
    when you solo  8^)  8^)  
    
    Try doing some bends on it for awhile, then you'll be able to bend
    the strings right off the neck of your guitar  8^)  8^)
    
    More seriously, as others have said, it will give you some perspective
    on the interaction between the guitar and bass lines and maybe some
    appreciation for the guy having to play thumpa-thumpa behind you while
    you're lighting your Strat on fire....
    
    							Brian
972.14Should be 33% easier to play (2 less strings!!)CSC32::MOLLERGive me Portability, not excusesWed Oct 17 1990 17:1813
	The worst that can happen is that you find that you have to play
	things different (especially if you thought that you were going
	to transfer all of your lead riffs to bass) things get lost in
	the translation of a set of .009 strings to 1/16" or greater
	thickness strings. Besides if you make the bass too busy, you'll
	throw off the rest of the band.

	I play both Bass & 6 string on my double neck. You get used to
	the fret scale differances over time & can adapt pretty well
	once you play it for a while. Have a good time. The Bass players
	job is pretty important & doesn't get much limelight.

							Jens
972.15Jest kiddin' you gueetar players ! :^)BTOVT::BAGDY_MI'm the Lord of the WastelandsThu Oct 18 1990 22:0611
|	                                                The Bass players
|	job is pretty important & doesn't get much limelight.

        You betcha'  !    If  it  wasn't  for us bass players and the
        drummers, who would  keep  these gueeetar players from takin'
        off like static electricity through nylon underwear ? :^)
        
        Actually, I thought Bass  Players alway thought of themselves
        as `unsung heros'. :^)
        
        Matt