The Traeger Bass Book Is Here

[Brent Nussey]

Originally Posted by uptonbass

To clarify, the words which I quoted in post #94 were from page 23, in chapter 6 "Some general observations on the setup for optimum sound - the proper order of adjustment - the four genies of sound and playability" This paragraph does site chapter 11 for more information, however in this chapter (6) my quoted text in this thread IS the whole paragraph.

Hey Gary. This is exactly the kind of thing I'd like to talk about in my other thread. CT does say that there should be at least 7/8" of wood above the heart in the section on cutting a bridge, but in the brief introductory section, says legs as long as possible, bridge top as short as possible. When I first read this, I thought Belgian bridge too. But when you look at the pictures, (ex pg 87 and 90), you'll see that's not what his bridges look like at all. That said, I think from what I've read that he's saying make the legs as long as possible because that transfers energy to the top better. It sounds like you are saying that bridge dimensions should be chosen as a way to get the tone the player is after. You're actually answering some of the questions I put in my first post. In the next one, I'll try to give you something more specific to react to, and I'll look forward to your response. Maybe then when it's done you can just direct all your clients asking for the CT setup here for the other viewpoints.....

Brent

[uptonbass]

Brent,

I'll catch you over at that thread then, things are getting a little wild at the shop so I will try to keep up on my daily dose of TB!

It's not at all that any of our clients are asking for his setup, more so they are calling with the book in hand saying....do you do this....or this.....etc... Just confused customers but we are always happy to chat them through the questions and show how and why...

I should post this on the other thread:

Yesterday I played around a little and actually weighted the scroll of my Hawkes bass. This is the Professor copy but with a round back. I figured I would go way out there and I took a bag of shot 25lbs.!!!!! and CAREFULLY rested it on the top of the scroll. YEAH I know this was a little crazy but rest assured the bass was fine, balanced straight up and down not to stress the neck or peg box too drastically. Back to the test: Playing the exact notes in the exact same location in the shop the instrument had no audible difference....yeah REALLY. Myself, Eric, Jack, and my wife Aubrey couldn't hear or feel a difference. Please keep in mind we play, setup, talk, eat, sleep, etc.... bass ALL day long and none of us could hear a difference. Well maybe only Jack, Eric and I are the fanatics! This morning I tried the test again on another bass with a few blind listeners, still nothing to report.

When we have time at the shop I/we will gladly run some of Mr. Treagers ideas on some select instruments. Not ones going to clients, those will keep the exclusive Upton touches

These tests will obviously be within reason, choice elements, that we can truly say we have never tried. Open to any you would like to throw at us....again within reason and as time allows

This was the bass: http://uptonbass.com/catalog/product...e83869f01b1547

Looks like we need some new pictures...yuck those do nothing for the bass

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by uptonbass

I figured I would go way out there and I took a bag of shot 25lbs.!!!!!

Being prompted in discussion by a certain conservative luthier I must clarify my previous post. While the 25 pound bag of shot would not prove wrong the matching/tuning of modes it was in effect to the statement of halting, or close to halting the necks vibrations.

[PB+J]

Interesting thread. I'm by no means a luthier or even remotely close to a luthier, though I have made a few solid body guitars and basses and am partly through carving the top of an archtop guitar. I learned enough through doing this to realize that while it's fun, it's better left to the pros who do it every day, all day. Respect the commitment.

Instrument making is an odd biz--tradition weighs really heavily, and players are extremely conservative, usually, but people who build and play also tend to be tinkerers, fascinated by technology, who want to try new solutions. The irascible Ken Smith is an excellent example--both extremely conservative in his tastes regarding double bass, but a genuine innovator in the world of electric bass.

As a player, not a particularly good one, just competant, I want some magic innovation that will set my tone free and bring what I imagine closer to what I actually hear. So I'm kind of a sucker for arguments that claim this or that is the key to tone. I'd love to read the Traeger book

But it's like bike riding --you could spend $2000 on the latest tech innovatons and shave three ounces of the weight of the bike, or you could lay off the doughnuts and lose ten pounds. We're the technological limitation that really matters

On the other hand, I just bought a new bass that cost more than many cars I've owned, so what do I know?

[M_A_T_T]

This might be old news, but for anybody who has the book, have you seen these corrections?

http://www.henrystrobel.com/corrections.pdf

[jvillarreal]

Originally Posted by M_A_T_T

This might be old news, but for anybody who has the book, have you seen these corrections?

These corrections actually came with my copy that I just got in yesterday. Reading through the first several chapters, I have found many more errors of less importance (spelling, and such :P).

The book is really great though. Traeger seems like a really down-to-earth guy and his humor really comes through in his writing... definitely worth the money.