Basses with a Natural Attack.

[JJThunder]

Hi. I suffer from a problem because of my bass and because i have to use my fingers because i cant use a pick. Its an Epiphone TBird Pro, which is brilliant (Although in Dire need of a setup), however i cannot get hardly any attack to it. It often sounds dark and muddy and if i try to rectify the problem it starts to sound like (I Quote...) a wet fart.

I know there are basses out there with a natural attack (For example anything by Rickenbacker) however because i am new to this i do not know of anything else that has a natural attack like the Rick basses.

Can anyone tell me any other basses that have a natural attack like a Rickenbacker bass?

Thanks

 

[UBU]

Use your fingertips to produce accurate attacks - no mush. Also, grow your fingernails a little bit so that they just contact the string as you play. This will help.

 

[Mr Antt]

If you like the bass, maybe a simple modification to the bass itself would give you the attack you're looking for. Perhaps new strings or new pickups?

I'm sure someone else will be of more help though

 

[Modern Growl]

natural attack? lots... Stingray's have a huge quick punch.

 

[Duckwater]

Low action, plenty of mids, and a strong right hand help. I find basses that have the pole pieces of their pickups directly under the string to have a stronger attack as well.

 

[elgecko]

Hi. I suffer from a problem because of my bass and because i have to use my fingers because i cant use a pick. Its an Epiphone TBird Pro, which is brilliant (Although in Dire need of a setup), however i cannot get hardly any attack to it. It often sounds dark and muddy and if i try to rectify the problem it starts to sound like (I Quote...) a wet fart.

I know there are basses out there with a natural attack (For example anything by Rickenbacker) however because i am new to this i do not know of anything else that has a natural attack like the Rick basses.

Can anyone tell me any other basses that have a natural attack like a Rickenbacker bass?

Thanks

What kind of strings? Are you sure it's not an EQ issue?

 

[gre107]

What kind of strings? Are you sure it's not an EQ issue?

Yes, what kind/gauge of strings? Lighter maybe the way to go with a good setup.

 

[Pilgrim]

If it's making a farting sound, you're probably boosting the low frequencies too much at the amp or in the signal chain before that.

A pick will give you great attack if your technique is good, the bass is set up well and the strings are compatible with your playing style.

Running a fuzz or heavy distortion pedal takes most of the attack OUT of your notes. If you're doing that, stop.

 

[JJThunder]

Yes, what kind/gauge of strings? Lighter maybe the way to go with a good setup.

I use Di'Addario Nickel Rounds and Warwick Steels (The local music shop seem to alternate between those 2 lol.

As for the fingernails thing, i shall have to give it a whirl. Generally i tend to keep them short, especcially on my thumb because i keep ripping bits of it off on the hole for the screw on the pickup lol.

 

[JJThunder]

What kind of strings? Are you sure it's not an EQ issue?

And as for EQ, when i was recording the EP with my band, the recording studio set my bass up so it had as much attack as they could get without it sounding too messy. It didnt work very well lol.

 

[bassmonkeee]

The first thing you need to do is get the setup that you say it desperately needs. And, then if you want a quick attack, work on playing with a pick.

 

[CORBS]

You CAN NOT EQ in punch. It is something that the bass either does or does not do. Your notes attack can only be changed with strings or pickups or a new bass. Straightening your neck will help a lot too, but no preamp or compression or eq is going to make the note happen sooner, only change how it sounds. Replacement pups for a epi third will be more then the bass costs new, there are a few threads on this already.

 

[mongo2]

Hi. I suffer from a problem because of my bass and because i have to use my fingers because i cant use a pick.

Ok, I'll bite, why can't you use a pick?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I'm more inclined to say it's your bass and not a string issue. I've played plenty of T-Birds and they all have that 'issue'.

Try a Sterling by MusicMan Ray34 sometime. LOTS of punch and attack in those basses, and they're a great deal price-wise, especially used.

 

[JJThunder]

Ok, I'll bite, why can't you use a pick?

Its alright lol.

I used to play piano so i find using my fingers so much easier. I now find i can play with more speed and with more versatility using a 3 fingered technique. When using a pick i struggle to jump from string to string quickly and i struggle to mute notes. I have been practicing ever since i started playing and i have gotten no better.

 

[electracoyote]

I have a T Bird Pro. If yours is active like mine, I don't understand how it can be dark and muddy. I think you need to adjust your attack on the strings. Grow your nails on your plucking hand and use more of a raking motion instead of a plucking motion.

But that bass has plenty of zing. You should be able to emulate a picked attack fairly easily.

 

[WilemT97]

How about a P Bass? Steve Harris? Earlier Frank Bello?

 

[rockscott]

Get the set up done and string it with rotosounds! I have a pro 4 thunderbird & the roto's are the only strings that give me the tone i seek from this bass! Roto's are too bright for my fender or my hollow body, but they are perfect for the the thunderbird!

 

[coyote1]

Why can't you use a pick?

Hi. I suffer from a problem because of my bass and because i have to use my fingers because i cant use a pick.

 

[jim777]

Ok, I'll bite, why can't you use a pick?

While I'm not the OP, arthritis in my right wrist keeps me from using a pick because I can only do the strumming motion for about 3 minutes before the pain becomes unbearable. Anchoring a thumb and playing with my fingers I can do for hours though.