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Bass swinging?

#21
I've done it many times with my Pbass, schaller strap locks and several beers. The trick is to push it back behind you by the headstock so it flies around you body first. Don't worry, my precision has hit the floor many times and is none the worse for wear. I probably wouldn't try it with something fragile or super valuable, but when I was doing it an American std p bass was only $500. Haha. Have fun!
 
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#22
Thanks for the advice and funny comments. I'm glad people aren't taking it super seriously and getting grumpy over it. It sounds like a lot more work than I thought, probably the reason not everyone does it. It was just something I'm curious about, only remotely interested in doing it myself, I have plenty of other tricks in the bag that are less dangerous.
 
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#23
Also, I forgot to mention that the first time I tried it it was totally spontaneous and with a band that played radiohead-ish music so it was pretty inappropriate, so my band mates hated it but I got nothing but positive feedback from the 12 or so people in the crowd.
 
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#24
two fingers said:
Well, here's a serious answer.

It's a skill. It has to be practiced. A friend of mine back in the 80s got a salt treated (meaning heavy) 2X4, a strap, and some hardware and proceeded to build a mock guitar. He shaved it until it weighed the same as his real guitar. Then he practiced.

Oh he could do it well live. It brought the house down every time.

(In the interest of full disclosure he also wound up slinging his brand new Kramer Ritchie Sambora signature guitar head first onto the stage breaking the head clean off in front on several hundred people. That same night a flash pot caught the singers ripped up jeans on fire causing him fairly bad burns on one thigh....... what a night.)
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I was thinking the exact same thing, it *would* need to be practiced and what better than a comparable fake instrument!!

BTW I think what you're referring to is possibly the absolute *coolest* stage move known to man and always looks awesome *when* it can be pulled off!!( if I wasn't such a chicken about my basses I would;))

I'd say follow 2 fingers' advice on this and practice *with* a fake bass until its 2nd nature....
 
#26
Joe Nerve said:
Ya know... if your bass swinging becomes a big fat fail, it will bring your band much more publicity than if you do it right. I'm starting to think now of buying myself a couple of SXs, and forgetting any kind of straplocks. I have some old straps that would work wonders with this kind of thing.
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You might get the wrong kind of publicity if it soars right into someone's head though!
 
#31
if you have a leather strap you shud be topless and sweaty helps a lot. Vinyl straps work good with a t-shirt. The less clothing the better and remember to follow thru when you push over. It’s like a punt or a side-kick. It also helps if your resolving note is an E. Kids don’t try this at home. Go to your neighbors house and get good at it over there.
 
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#32
Do at your own peril...throw it fast and be really really careful the body doesn't hit you in the clavicle as it swings pass it. I may have tried it once, in a control environment and learned why I should never do it again until I own an Ubass.
 
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#33
KickingBass said:
I know it's something that can end in disaster. I know it may or may not qualify as a technique I just didn't know if I should put it in miscellaneous or not (sorry mods). I know a lot of grumpy old farts probably wont like this. I'm just wondering: How do you do a bass swing? Do you have to tape the straps to your bass with duct tape? Is there a video on how to do it (cant find one)? Please only constructive answers, I know that it's not everyones cup of tea and I'm not even saying that I'll do it, im just curious as to how it is done.
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I used to do it all the time when I was younger. I also used to drop my right arm out so the strap made a V around my neck and I'd swing it so it did a 360 around my neck.
Advice: DiMarzio clip away strap locks worked the best. Also, a piece of duct tape over those never hurt. Make sure the bass is at a good height to make it all the way around and not hit the ground (I'm 5'2, what's up Prince, and I had to raise the strap all the way up to make it work). If you're going to do it, commit to it. It only looks cool if you throw it hard. Don't half ass it. Never had any real problems once I found the right formula.
 
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#34
I always wondered who actually did that, and the thought process behind it.

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#36
Is this like the key parties I've heard about?

Everyone comes in the door, drops their bass case keys in separate bowls, then they are fished out in order as you stand in a line. The key you end up with is the bass you play until the night is over and you go home with your original...
 
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#37
God, what a bunch of boring old farts! Yes, don't call attention to yourself in any way, wear khaki cargo shorts and flip flops, stand behind your amp, and stand completely still. And don't forget that real bass players never swing their bass around their shoulders:



Wish I knew how to do it. I tried it once and bashed my head with my bass so hard I thought I'd have to go to the hospital and I never tried it again. Pretty sure the strap has something to do with it but I'll never know.
 
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#39
I remember trying this outside when I was 13, I had Schaller straplocks on some horrible strap that actually had a metal adjustment slider on it. I didn't lose the bass, but I did manage to rip the sleeve off the shirt I was wearing.
 

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