bass mythbusters

[Blacksack]

bass mythbusters
ok just a bit of fun to kill some time anyone ever seen the show "mythbusters"?.... good for those that dont know its a tv show where a team of special effects guru's challenge the top myths and either confirm them, bust them or justify them as being plausable
eg, what happens to bullets fired up, can you smash a glass with just your voice etc etc
ok here's the twist same idea but bass orientated challenging some of the more common bass myths be it live sound, theory, technique or just downright weird stuff that follows us low end warriors about

just a quick note the "brown note" has be debunked as being rubbish by the very show i'm ripping the idea for this thread off

so go on dispell or confirm bass myths lets hear em and lets have some explanations for em too

[martyman5000]

This thread is a mystery to me

[Stinsok]

Ok, how can the tension of a B string be different from bass to bass, with equal scale lengths and the same brand and gauge of string? Not being ugly, but when people ask "how is the B?," shouldn't we know?

[bosozoku]

Bass Myth: Having a bass with a low-B string is a good thing.

[El-Bob]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Ok, how can the tension of a B string be different from bass to bass, with equal scale lengths and the same brand and gauge of string? Not being ugly, but when people ask "how is the B?," shouldn't we know?

I think bass just defies the laws of physics. the same B on my 34" peavey millennium and LTD D-6 had far different tension on both... in fact the LTD can handle being tuned down to an A, while the peavey was unbearably slack tuned to B, and actually needed a .135 string. (the initial string was a .130 d'addario for both). Doesn't make sense to me, but that's how it happened

[bThumper38]

We'd like to think all bands need a bass player

[JoZac21]

The Hofner Violin Bass is actually the best bass for metal.

[Stinsok]

Originally Posted by bThumper38

We'd like to think all bands need a bass player

Myth-"Busted." Hee!

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Blacksack

bass myths lets hear em

"There's no money above the 5th fret."

Of course not, there's no money below it either.

[Bass from Hell]

I have found that ibanez sr300 ttpe basses bodys are so thin that it cripples the sound of the bass does the thickness combined with the light wood that ibanez uses one these type basses make them play worse thatn the could?

[DarkArwen]

@Bass from Hell
My SR300 is spanking imo. I would say amp and cab and string have more influence than wood.
There is a big dif between the sound when I play through my HA2500 and hartke 410 then my GK amp and cab. Just my measily little opinion

[phmike]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Ok, how can the tension of a B string be different from bass to bass, with equal scale lengths and the same brand and gauge of string? Not being ugly, but when people ask "how is the B?," shouldn't we know?

Although some folks will say it does not matter - I say there is more to string length/tension/etc than what is vibrating between the nut and saddle. The part of the string between the nut and tuner plus the part of the string between the saddle and where it anchors plays a part too in that it contributes to the string tension.

It is simple to prove but a bit hard to describe so I'll post some pics later. You will also need to do this when changing strings because after cutting the new strings to length you will not have enough string to do the test. You can do this test on a 4 banger but note to use the E and A strings.

Use some padding and a vise or some kind of clamp and clamp your bass with the strings horizontal and the body in it's normal playing position with the neck over the edge of the table so you can do the next steps. Put some masking tape on the fret board at the 12th fret and get down so your eye is level with the B string (or E on a 4 banger) and then use a pencil to mark where the string crosses the tape. Use a bent paper clip and hang something weighing about a pound (can of soup taped to a string attached to the paper clip) from the string at the 12th fret. Now mark where the string crosses the tape. It will be a bit lower due to the weight of the soup.

If this is a 5 string tuned BEADG take the E string off it's tuner and put the B string on the E tuner but make sure it still goes across the nut in the B groove. Tune it to B and mark where it crosses the tape at the 12th fret. It should be the same place as when it was on the B tuner before hanging the weight from it. If not you have probably put the string in the E groove by mistake. Hang the same weight from the same location as before and mark where the string crosses the tape at the 12th fret.

You should be able to see that the string has not been pulled as far down as it was when it was on the B tuner. The difference is the additional length of string (from B to A tuner) under tension. It is not a huge amount and varies from one string type and brand to another. I did the test with Chromes, TI flats, GHS Pressure wounds and some unknown brand of round wound and got a bit different results but they were all tighter when more string was under tension.

If you do this test when changing strings so you have extra length to work with and you have a 4 banger with 4 inline head stock then also try this test by moving the E string to the D tuner for even more extra length and you will see an even greater difference.

Now think about the extra length on a 35 inch scale bass with more than normal extra string length between the nut and tuner and between the saddle and anchor.

I'm not saying this is the reason some 35 inch scale basses have better B's (some do - some don't) but I do think it may help.

Pics later.

[hover]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

"There's no money above the 5th fret."

Of course not, there's no money below it either.

TRUTH

[BassesForTheWin]

Originally Posted by JoZac21

The Hofner Violin Bass is actually the best bass for metal.

This

[itsalljustaride]

Originally Posted by Bass from Hell

I have found that ibanez sr300 ttpe basses bodys are so thin that it cripples the sound of the bass does the thickness combined with the light wood that ibanez uses one these type basses make them play worse thatn the could?

I'd submit this for an entry entitled "Myth: Thicker, heavier basses always have deeper/better tone"

I haven't found any correlation, and just because a bass looks and weighs the same a a kitchen table, does not mean it will have great tone. It seems like the bass equivalent of the megapixel/digital camera myth that consumers are still falling for.

[plangentmusic]

Top 10 Bass myths

#10:Bass = low frequencies

#9: The VT effect adds warmth. (Yeah, if distortion is warmth).

#8: If it's hand made, it's better.

#7: If it uses exotic woods, it's better.

#6: If it's older it's better

#5: If it's newer, it's better

#4: People give a crap if you have a C string

#3: If you get everything made to your specifications, it'll be just want you want

#2: Bass solos sound good

#1: If you stick with it long enough, and get good enough, you're gonna make it.

[Staccato]

Don't believe those bass myths...

[mindbass]

Jaco only needed four strings?

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by Blacksack

bass mythbusters
ok just a bit of fun to kill some time anyone ever seen the show "mythbusters"?.... good for those that dont know its a tv show where a team of special effects guru's challenge the top myths and either confirm them, bust them or justify them as being plausable
eg, what happens to bullets fired up, can you smash a glass with just your voice etc etc
ok here's the twist same idea but bass orientated challenging some of the more common bass myths be it live sound, theory, technique or just downright weird stuff that follows us low end warriors about

just a quick note the "brown note" has be debunked as being rubbish by the very show i'm ripping the idea for this thread off

so go on dispell or confirm bass myths lets hear em and lets have some explanations for em too

that show is tons of junk science.

not all the time, but a vast majority

[john turner]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Ok, how can the tension of a B string be different from bass to bass, with equal scale lengths and the same brand and gauge of string? Not being ugly, but when people ask "how is the B?," shouldn't we know?

this is a common misconception. folks talk about "String tension" but they mean how well the string feels like it is rooted at the ends against side-to-side motion. this is not what tension is.

think of it this way - you could have c-clamps on either end of the string, anchoring it completely, and it would feel differently "tension-wise" than it would without them, regardless of what the actual tension of the string is.