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To Ramp or Not to Ramp.....

Do you use a ramp?

  • I use a ramp

    Votes: 16 18.8%

  • I don't use a ramp

    Votes: 27 31.8%

  • What is a ramp and what is it used for

    Votes: 37 43.5%

  • I will only use a ramp if it is made from carrots...

    Votes: 5 5.9%
  • Total voters
    85
N

NJL

Apr 12, 2002
12,626
48
San Antonio
#1
I have been thinking about those ramps that Gary Wills, Roscoe Beck and Matt Garrison use.

I dig in alot and wonder if this would do anything to my playing. My little lady is doing her wood working thing and may have her design me a few for my basses.

What do you think about these ramps?
 
#6
Very rarely do I find it useful to play over the pickups. I wouldn't want a ramp. The pickups get the job done when it's needed, and leave me room to dig in. I really hate the look of ramps that don't match the top or finish. Just a big black slab covering up beautiful wood. :spit: But diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks. :)
 
#7
i have a ramp between my pickups and i like it. i`m able to dig in quite hard, it`s a bit more comfortable and - first of all - makes me look like a jazz-wanabe poser, and that`s the main reason i got it;)
 
#12
Had a ramp originally in the design of my custom. But I asked the luthier to omit it from the plans when I finally tried a ramped bass and found the ramp screwed up my slap n' pop. I also saw that when I used a pick, the pick would eventually chew up the ramp.

Moreover, I found I really didn't gain much by having my plucking fingers arched higher over, (more perpendicular to), the strings.

Of course, that's only pertinent to MY technique...YMMV.
 
#13
Originally posted by bollefen
but i really can't figure out what it used for or how it is used :confused:

bill
Click to expand...

Check out Gary Willis' site for what has already been said here:

Invalid Link Removed

For the comfort of playing at the neck like you are on the pickup, I prefer a thumbrest style ramp like those on the Caron F Bass. Then it doesn't affect slap/pop playing, or prevent digging in.

ac5bass17a.jpg
 
#14
After looking at the posts I found out what was meant by ramp. no, i dont use one and dont think i ever will. for a thumbrest, a B-string is enough for most of the time :D
when i have to use the B then I put my thumb on either the neck p/u or the neck and variate with the angle and distance of my thumb and index finger. worked so far, I can reach the bridge pu easily from the neck pu. i can get a decent dig-in tone without a ramp, too.
 
#19
I have a ramp on my stingray fretless 5. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it does help. It all depends on how you set it up. The Mouradian shop in Boston made mine for me out of an un-used 30+ year old rosewood guitar fingerboard. IMO, it feels good under the fingers.

I have played Matt Garrison's bass a few times and his action is incredibly low. By far the lowest action of any bass I have played. The ramp seems give a physical parameter to work within. I don't think that his bass could be played without it due to his set-up.

To keep it from messing up the slap+pop thing, just have it made so there is some space between where the fingerboard ends and the ramp starts.

Hope this helps.
 

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