Requesting feedback on clinic topics

[Sheldon D.]

I'll be one of the clinicians at the Canadian Rockies Bass Bash next month. My goal is to have everyone leave with something of value that can improve their relationship with their own bass. I could use some feedback on which topics would be of the most interest to players.

Here are a few off the top of my head.

Bass design from a designer's perspective - what parameters need to be considered on a new design. Ergonomics, tone, balance etc. Bolt-on vs set neck vs neck through designs. Pickup design. String design.

Wood selection - what are the differences between alder and ash? What about more exotic woods? 1 pc maple necks vs laminated exotic necks? What difference do different fingerboards make? What diffference does a top make?

Setup - What is a good setup? How do you know if your bass is setup correctly? How do you know if your frets need some work or even replacement? How do you adjust your intonation? How do you adjust your pickups?

Any other topic suggestions would be appreciated.

There are some heavy players attending. This should be a lot of fun.
http://www.canrockbassbash.com/

Thanks.

Sheldon Dingwall

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by Sheldon D.

I'll be one of the clinicians at the Canadian Rockies Bass Bash next month. My goal is to have everyone leave with something of value that can improve their relationship with their own bass. I could use some feedback on which topics would be of the most interest to players.

Here are a few off the top of my head.

Bass design from a designer's perspective - what parameters need to be considered on a new design. Ergonomics, tone, balance etc. Bolt-on vs set neck vs neck through designs. Pickup design. String design.

Wood selection - what are the differences between alder and ash? What about more exotic woods? 1 pc maple necks vs laminated exotic necks? What difference do different fingerboards make? What diffference does a top make?

Setup - What is a good setup? How do you know if your bass is setup correctly? How do you know if your frets need some work or even replacement? How do you adjust your intonation? How do you adjust your pickups?

Any other topic suggestions would be appreciated.

There are some heavy players attending. This should be a lot of fun.
http://www.canrockbassbash.com/

Thanks.

Sheldon Dingwall

Sheldon,
I sure wish I could make that one..... this thread might also go good in the luthier's corner too, regarding woods, setup, etc. just a thought. At least you'll get some active input. I know there's always a ton of wood/construction questions there.

[Rickett Customs]

How about from where the electric bass started and what it's become today?

What are some of the myths and just downright crazy stories you've heard over the years since you started?

Has any famous or well known players ever said anything to you that made really think twice about your view on the bass (construction or philosophy)

[Bocete]

This sub-forum is pretty low traffic. It might be more productive to move it to the luthiers forum. I mean, I've heard you are a luthier...

As for the questions, as always, it depends on the crowd.

For example, will it be a convention type of event? If it is, expect to see people passing by and watching you for a minute or two before continuing somewhere else; to keep them watching, make it interesting. Wood impact on sound might be a suitable topic. I've been told it's good to have lots of anecdotes when trying to keep someone's attention; like how did you get to the 2 wood body on the Z series.

On the other hand, if it's a reserve-seat type of event, you can expect people who see you to come to see you. In that case, make it useful and different; bass design for designers is a nice topic in that case.



A new topic idea: a product is useless without being sold. How about talking about pushing a guitar on the market? Meeting players? Working with dealers? Customer service? How to manage an offshore build (like the C bass)? I don't know how much is there to say about this, but it is a vital topic for any luthier trying to make luthiery his/her primary job.


You could ask mods or an admin to move this to the luthiers corner if you want to.

[Sheldon D.]

Thanks for the input guys. It's going to be an all day clinic of mostly players there to see guys like Adam Nitti and Mike Dimin. Small concert style stage and seating.

My guess is that there will not be any luthiers attending, just players. So I'll have to cater the information to mostly non-gearheads or I'll bore the crap out of them

I don't post on talkbass enough to know, is this an appropriate topic for the bass forum?

[Rickett Customs]

Well seeing as how the mods may have not moved it, methinks you're in the right place. Yeah, I guess you don't want to bore the hell out of them either

[Mike Dimin]

Originally Posted by Sheldon D.

I'll be one of the clinicians at the Canadian Rockies Bass Bash next month. My goal is to have everyone leave with something of value that can improve their relationship with their own bass. I could use some feedback on which topics would be of the most interest to players.

Here are a few off the top of my head.

Bass design from a designer's perspective - what parameters need to be considered on a new design. Ergonomics, tone, balance etc. Bolt-on vs set neck vs neck through designs. Pickup design. String design.

Wood selection - what are the differences between alder and ash? What about more exotic woods? 1 pc maple necks vs laminated exotic necks? What difference do different fingerboards make? What diffference does a top make?

Setup - What is a good setup? How do you know if your bass is setup correctly? How do you know if your frets need some work or even replacement? How do you adjust your intonation? How do you adjust your pickups?

Any other topic suggestions would be appreciated.

There are some heavy players attending. This should be a lot of fun.
http://www.canrockbassbash.com/

Thanks.

Sheldon Dingwall

Sheldon,

I think that you've nailed most of the topics. I also think a bit on how a truss rod actually works and what effect it has on different parts of the neck might be interesting depending if it adjusted at the body or at the headstock.I would also like to hear, from your POV, the use of fanned frets verses conventional.

Mike

BTW In our house Ash is for basses. Any Alder in our house can be found in my kitchen cabinets

[Grazy]

Hey Sheldon

I was totally blown away by your knowledge and stage presence. As Mike mention you nailed it!!!! Hopefully we can work together again real soon.

Randy Gray
Canadian Rockies Bass Bash

[Bocete]

Great! What were the topics covered?