Bass Hangout - Bass Playing Advice Forum Feed

GenzBenz and Gut

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 19:01:09 CST

Recently I put gut strings (G and D) and metal wound on gut (A and E) on my german made upright bass. I put on a Gollihur adjustable bridge, and a K&K pickup system max with the wing pickup and the bridge adhesive pickups for each string. My gut strings for A and E are floppy but was okay when played through our small PA board with EV speakers. I went to a GenzBenz 10 inch amp to be able to take the bass out of my PA system and use the small amp like a subwoofer. It sounds really good except for the floppy A and E strings which almost sound like they are distorting through the amp. The G and D strings sound great. Would you be able to suggest some A and E strings that would be less floppy but would still sound okay with the guts I have for G and D? We play bluegrass/gospel but the strings don't have to sound just like gut. I like the gut G and D and hope to leave them on with two new strings for the A and E. We would appreciate advice. We want to use the amp with the K&K. Thanks.

houstonacousticsbass on ebay; anybody know about them?

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 9 May 2011 11:57:11 CST

Is anyone familiar with houstonacousticsbass on ebay? They sell a heavyweight upright made overseas. I just spoke with the owner and he told me how his father created the spec for the manufacturer. Has anyone played one or know of their quality?

Resell Rights Videos

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:29:00 CST

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Resell Rights Videos

A bass is a bass

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:25:55 CST

I have seen some topics on this forum about tabs and runs for upright bass. Surely the same runs apply both upright and conventional. Or am I wrong?

Regards

Ian

Problem with fingers locking up

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 2 Mar 2011 12:30:19 CST

Greetings all: It has been a while since I was on here but I am having a problem I hope someone can help me with. I am 58 yeras old and arthritis is setting in. I play the upright and have been having a problem lately with the middle finger on my left hand locking up after playing for a while. When it first started it was about two hours of playing and now it's down to about 1/2 hour. A lot of times it occurs when I have been playing a lot of closed notes, keys of C, F, etc. I try to play as much open as I can, but of course still have to mute the open strings. Anbody else have/had this problem? Does anyone know of any exercises that will help? Thanks and God Bless!!

Open string tunes...

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:01:22 CST

Hello. First post here. [:)] I have a daughter that is learning the bass on Friday nights down at the local pickin' parlor. She is getting violin lessons, however she also enjoys playing the bass. The "regulars" at the pickin' parlor have taught her to play "Bury Me Beneath the WIllow" , which apparently has all open strings. And she has enjoyed playing in the group setting (jamming). They play mostly bluegrass/folk tunes. Does anyone know of any other tunes that a bass player could play using all open strings? Thanks, Nathan

tabulature?? book??

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 6 Jan 2011 13:05:58 CST

i see lots of books for banjo tablature, but haven't seen any for upright bass tablature. is there such? and any recommendations for a good one -[?]for a less that advanced player??[;)] thanks,

upright bass runs

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 6 Jan 2011 13:02:25 CST

i want to do some runs on upright bass to "Foggy Mountain Special" tune played in key of G. i know the chord progression for the tune played just straight. how do i go about doing some "fancy fingerwork " to add some spice to the tune and take a bass break?? i am not a really experienced player--"just a straight thru the song player"---ie. will need some indepth, clear sinstructions---please!!! thanks so much for any help from anyone!![:p]

Inexpensive Bluegrass Bass book?

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:32:12 CST

Having just gotten an Accoustic Bass Guitar for Christmas, there seems to be very little written for Bluegrass Accoustic Bass Guitar. What do you recomend - an upright Bass book? Or is there some Electric Guitar book that is better suited? I'm looking in the $20 range and am interested in Bluegrass or Old Tyme music.

Accoustic Bass Guitar welcome at Bluegrass Jams?

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:27:51 CST

Hi all, New to the bass guitar, just got a cheap Accoustic/Electric bass guitar for the Accoustic side of it. Mostly for fun and to have one on hand if a bass player visits. I was wondering, is an Accoustic Bass Guitar welcome at Bluegrass Jams? I have only been to about 5 different jams and at one we had a mandolin player who occaisonally brought out the accoustic bass guitar for a few songs. That is the only place I have ever seen an Accoustic Bass Guitar, in fact I didn't know they existed before that.[:D] Anyway, just wondering if that was something worth aiming for, or do I just keep it at home.

Good site. Have you all been there?

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:45:00 CST

Real quiet here. I wondered if you all had wandered off over here: [url]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=179[/url]

New Effects Box Day

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:02:08 CST

Like many players of stringed instruments, I have a curiosity for effects pedals. Whether it is for something actually useful, or just fun, I like to keep an eye on Craigslist for good deals. I try and keep my curiousity on the cheap. I picked up from a CL seller a Behringer Bass V-Amp Pro for a steal of a price. It is a Virtual Amp in name, so maybe it isn't a pedal. It does amp and cab emulation, as well as several common effects. At its simplest, it is a pre-amp, EQ and DI. I have only had one day to explore its many features, but so far, I am liking it. I like the rotary effect for that old-time gospel organ-type sound from my childhood.

Newbie

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 1 Oct 2010 05:46:47 CST

Just wanna say Hi, and say I really enjoy pulling on my upright bass strings. I've had it for about six months now. Any advice is appreciated.

string labels

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:16:48 CST

hello all. this is my first post here. just got hip to this site and look fwd to spending some time here. and now i have a request: well, this will no doubt sound pretty wonky to some , buuuuut... i've been wallpapering my music room with string labels...the colorful "cover letter" that you find within the clear plastic pouch that is wrapped around the individual string envelopes. whew, i hope that makes some sense! anyway...though i've been saving these labels for a very long time, i'm gonna come up way short.....so i'm making a desperate plea for assistance! if you'd be so kind as to save and send me your un-needed labels i'd be greatly, greatly appreciative. i have no need for the plastic envelope, or the individual paper envelopes...just the actual colorful string label that advertises the brand and particular set. and it doesn't necessarily have to be gtr string labels...mando, bass, banjo, uke, dulcimer, etc....ALL GOOD! anyone actually able and willing to help me out....perhaps you can PM me for my mailing address. thanks so much in advance.....btw, i'd be happy to reimburse shipping costs.

Fernandes P-J Fretless modified

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:56:26 CST

New Guitar Day! New Guitar Day! I was curious about the world of fretless electric basses. I have had the chance to play a few and was looking to add a slightly different sound to my options. A local bass player offered me his fretless conversion, a bass I have had the chance to play at a recent bass player get-together, so I took him up on his offers. It started life as a Fernandes p-bass. Based on my buddy's description, the P pickup is a ceramic one from a MIM Fender as is the wiring, the J is an Alnico from a Squier VM. Here is what it looked like at the beginning of its life: [IMG]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn12/ngarrang/Fretless%20Bass/Original.jpg[/IMG] And here is the finished product: [IMG]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn12/ngarrang/Fretless%20Bass/Fernandes-full.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn12/ngarrang/Fretless%20Bass/Fernandes-body.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn12/ngarrang/Fretless%20Bass/Fernandes-head.jpg[/IMG]

Bluegrass Bass -- 21st Century Edition

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 1 Apr 2010 19:10:47 CST

Bluegrass Bass -- 21st Century Edition Complete Instruction Guide to Playing Bass 173 pages, 2 CD’s, full color, spiral bound so it lays flat as you play www.AustinPickinRanch.com Howdy Bass Hang Outers, I am Ritchie Mintz, also writing for my old amigo and co-author Ned Alterman. I am the author of a revolutionary banjo instruction book, Conversational Bluegrass Banjo that teaches banjo picking without TAB. But today I’m here to talk bass. Ned and I wrote Bluegrass Bass in 1976 and Oak Publications released it in 1977. It was a pretty big deal for us because Oak had a prestigious series of bluegrass instruction books. The fiddle book was by Gene Lowenger, the Dobro book by Stacy Phillips, the banjo book by Pete Wernick and the bass book by Ned and me. By the 1980’s the book had sold out and Ned and I forgot about it. Imagine our surprise that by 2005, Bluegrass Bass had become a cult classic that trained 3 generations of bass players and was selling on eBay for $50 (it was $6.95 new). In 2006, we got our copyright back and now we are proud to announce Bluegrass Bass – 21st Century Edition. This is a blockbuster bass instruction manual that is complete with theory and technique, plus exciting interviews with the top bass players in all of bluegrass. It features simple, understandable explanations of scales, chords, progressions, and how music works. It includes a CD of the original floppy soundsheet from the original book that features the songs of the book in stereo. The bass is in the right track and the rest of the band is in the left track so you can isolate the bass and learn the parts. You can play with the bass and the band combined and then tune out the bass and you are the bass player in the band. You can set your CD player to ‘repeat’ and play along until you get it. Thank you for welcoming our roll out of Bluegrass Bass – 21st Century Edition. We are proud to call Bass Hang Out our new home and we thank Eric for taking us on as the very first advertiser. We look forward to a long association. So, here’s to the low tones. Ned Alterman & Ritchie Mintz

'On The Sunny Side'-Welcome Greg Connor

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:56:40 CST

Hello Greg Connor - Bass Hangout is a neat place ...don't have all those thousands and thousands of Banjo Hangout guys but this Hangout is growing. I think Eric has another home run in process with this Hangout. I like the song you posted 'On The Sunny Side': http://www.basshangout.com/myhangout/media-player/audio_player2.asp?isjukebox=no&musicID=6327 I know you write the songs, play all the instruments, sing, produce, etc. (I am not sure I like you) [:D]. Welcome! Phil

Thoughts / experiences with the Ahsbory Bass?

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 17:37:33 CST

My friend just got an Ashbory Bass and is having some fun with it - it sounds awesome! He has had some trouble with tuning in these first few days but he says it is getting a little easier to keep in tune but that aspect is still a bit painful. The guy from 'largesound.com' told him when he ordered the bass to not plan on attending any jams for a couple of weeks because it takes time to get the strings settled into decent tunings. This was 'sound advice' for sure! Does anybody have any experiences or thoughts they might share about tuning the Ashbory and any thoughts about how long it takes to get some stable tunings?

Nashville Number System

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:08:21 CST

Anyone here making active use of the Nashville Number System (NNS) in their bass playing? I have recently begun practicing playing my bass "by the numbers" as a way of better adapting to the sporadic last-minute key changes that happen at my church services.

...electric bass (w/amp) @ Bluegrass jam?

eric@basshangout.com — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:23:51 CST

What are the feelings on the use of a Carvin solid body electric bass w/amp in Bluegrass jams? Thanks for any comments.

Having a hard time getting started

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:24:01 CST

Hey guys! I'm a Banjoist! Not a particularly advanced one.. I can Jam.. understand chord SHAPES for major, minor, 7th and a couple more.. in other words I feel fairly confident in my KNOWLEDGE about the banjo... and spend time studying theory.. I just got my 1st bass.. I can play a couple bass progressions, and have been practicing some different right hand techniques.. but I want to understand how to find and lay out proper chords on the bass.. On the banjo, there were only three primary shapes, and I could use those with counting, to find any chord on the fretboard.. is it the same with Bass? Any good web sites or videos I can look at that explain some bass theory? I feel that everything I've found so far discusses technique instead of true understanding..

8 string basses

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:51:41 CST

I am considering purchasing an 8 string bass -- also known as an octave bass -- i.e. where the basic 4 strings are doubled with octave-up strings. I have a few questions and would appreciate anyone's input: (1) Hagstrom was the innovator of the 8 string bass in the '60's and recently introduced a modern version. What would be a better approach: To try to find a good condition '60's original or to buy a new, modern version? Any insights? (2) All octave basses I've seen have the high octave string at the "top" (as the bass hangs around your neck on the strap) and the thicker, low string on the "bottom" of the pair. With this configuration it seems that anyone who plays bass by plucking (like me) will end up mostly missing the higher, thinner string as you pluck the lower, thicker string. Is this true? Can a "finger-plucker" effectively play an 8 string strung like this and will the high, octave strings sound? Or is downstroke pick playing required? (I don't think the strings can be reversed because of the size of the slot in the nut. It is sized to accomodate the string in question and so if the strings were reversed there would be problems.) (3) Should I give all this up and just get an octave-up effects box for my ordinary 4 strings?

Chord Substitutions.

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:25:58 CST

Hello Bass players , I have been playing with a lot with different ideas about chord substitutions lately. The basic theory is , as long as a triad shares 2 notes of the original triad you can use it as a substitute. Take the very popular Vi - I sub ( an E min for a G maj. ) G Maj. G B D E Min E G B There is a simple pattern that the Chords and there corresponding Substitutes follow Look at the Chords in the key of G : [img]http://www.hangoutstorage.com/basshangout.com/storage/photos/large/10783-112152126112009.jpg[/img] Notice how in row Sub 1 the Chords are in order from Vi - V , and use the 1 and 3 while in in row Sub 2 the Chords are in order from iii - ii and use the 3 and 5. While these will not work in all situation , by using them in the proper places , and with taste. substitutions can add some real interest to your playing , and a nice amount of tension. You can take this even further by adding the 7 or the flatted 7. I hope this gives you some ideas to work with at you next jam. John

Timing and chord changes

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:56:59 CST

I'm in the process of trying to learn to play the Mandolin. My instructor thinks I should try a bass to help my timing and chord changes. He's willing to loan me a bass. Any thoughts?

Make an electric sound acoustic?

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:45:48 CST

What would be the best way to make my electric Fender Squire P-Bass Special sound more like an acoustic bass? Any tricks? Thanks, -cool

Acoustic vs. electric

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:43:38 CST

I expect this is a pretty basic question, but an answer elsewhere online eludes me. So, I have acquired an inexpensive Washburn in the last year and have been busy learning to play it. At some point, I might like to transition to the acoustic upright bass. This brings me to my question. Are acoustic and electric bass instruments tuned the same? I understand the many differences between these instruments, but I have to think the transition from electric to acoustic will be much simpler (one less thing to learn) if the tuning is the same. Thanks, Patrick

pick ups on fretless/freted basses differ-WHY

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 2 Sep 2009 07:31:19 CST

the pic ups on "from the factory" fretless basses are toward the front and back og guitar---unlike freted basses which has theirs in center---why is this?

Music Man vs. Fender Jazz Bass

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:30:17 CST

Hey y'all, I've been doing some research on basses and am looking to get a better quality bass then what I have now (Fender Jazz Bass - Mexian). So far I've narrowed it down to 2 basses. I was in the music store the other day and played both a Fender American Deluxe 5-string Jazz Bass (listed around $2,000) and a Music Man String Ray 5-string (listed around $1,700). I'm used to the feel of a Fender and am comfortable with them. However, I really liked the Music Man too (if I could, I'd buy both....but that's not going to happen). I know this is a big investment and want to get a bass that will last me the better part of my life. What are your thoughts on the 2? Or do you have any other suggestions I may not have tried? Here's my requested specs: 5-string Active electronics Graphite reinforced neck At least 22 frets (I would prefer a full 24 frets) Similar body size/feel to a Fender/Music Man (Ibanez too small...I'm a big guy). Thanks everyone for you're advice. Top Cop

new looking for advice

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:49:29 CST

what type of bass should I begin with?