I especially like the part of the film where he spits stage blood all over Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones.
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Double Bass BG vs. DB
- Thread starter waltzfordebby
- Start date
I especially like the part of the film where he spits stage blood all over Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones.
We could always shoot our bows at them robin hood stylei went on the Bass Guitar forum for the first time today looking for a colleague that I'm playing with right now and I was shocked to see how many people were on and viewing the forum compared to the DB site. If we were to start a war with them, the only way we'd ever win is if we took away their power supplies...then they're sitting ducks
I prefer the DB forum when I actually want to discuss music. IMO there's a much deeper pool of knowledge and experience on this side. When I'm in BG, I rarely post anywhere other than the Off Topic forum now.
As far as the strings thing, people generally prefer brighter strings for BG simply because the music necessitates them a bit more, especially in rock, metal, and fusion. Plus the versatility of electronics on a BG allows for a bit greater range of tonal control, so you can roll off some of that brightness in the middle of a tune without even stopping playing if necessary, but you can't dial it in if it's not there in the first place. I don't even use flatwounds on my fretless to save the rosewood fingerboard, because there's a very limited amount of BG music that calls for such a naturally dark tone.
That said, Thomastik-Infeld jazz flats (TI JF-344's) are a gift from god, and if I had another fretless I'd keep it strung with those. Right now I'm using TI-JR344's (rounds) on my fretless and I think a set of D'addarios on my Yamaha fretted bass though I'd like to change those to a lighter gauge for
DB's applications -- generally jazz, classical, and bluegrass -- generally call for a darker, more organic sound. Hence the difference in strings. Also why I use Thomastik-Infeld Dominants on my DB
. Plus, brighter strings generally sound like catbutt with the bow.
As far as the strings thing, people generally prefer brighter strings for BG simply because the music necessitates them a bit more, especially in rock, metal, and fusion. Plus the versatility of electronics on a BG allows for a bit greater range of tonal control, so you can roll off some of that brightness in the middle of a tune without even stopping playing if necessary, but you can't dial it in if it's not there in the first place. I don't even use flatwounds on my fretless to save the rosewood fingerboard, because there's a very limited amount of BG music that calls for such a naturally dark tone.
That said, Thomastik-Infeld jazz flats (TI JF-344's) are a gift from god, and if I had another fretless I'd keep it strung with those. Right now I'm using TI-JR344's (rounds) on my fretless and I think a set of D'addarios on my Yamaha fretted bass though I'd like to change those to a lighter gauge for
DB's applications -- generally jazz, classical, and bluegrass -- generally call for a darker, more organic sound. Hence the difference in strings. Also why I use Thomastik-Infeld Dominants on my DB
. Plus, brighter strings generally sound like catbutt with the bow.
I've been a Steve Swallow fan for years. but the other day, I heard he and Carla trying to play some standards. It was awful. They sounded like rank beginers!
I don't like going near the BG section. I have to yell to be heard amongst disrespectful children all day in real life, and I expect to be paid for it.
I hang out on the BG side for fun and for pictures, but then I come on this side to learn more about jazz, UB technique and to discuss more serious things. I spend more time on the BG side just because there is more to do. It's too slow on this side to spend lots of time here.
That's how I knew I was probably destined to switch to DB - I hated new BG strings with a passion. For me, they started to sound good just before they died.
i went on the Bass Guitar forum for the first time today looking for a colleague that I'm playing with right now and I was shocked to see how many people were on and viewing the forum compared to the DB site. If we were to start a war with them, the only way we'd ever win is if we took away their power supplies...then they're sitting ducks
I just figured this out a few months ago, that in heaven, you can't bring your electric bass with you because there is no power supply for the amp. therefore if you are a slab player, you can't play
Not always true. Arguably the "most recorded" bassist of the '60s and '70s was Joe Osborn. And he did not change his strings for over 15 years. During almost his entire career he played the same set of LaBellas.
Of course, he didn't slap, either.
Yep. I was thinking along the same line -- that most slab players I know (including me, on the rare occasion when I play electric, or when I'm teaching it), play on a Fender, usually a Precision, preferably an old one, with flatwounds, through a warm, dark tube amp (a 60s Ampeg Portaflex in my case). The classic sound -- a la James Jamerson or Duck Dunn. There's nothing bright about that, and that's what I have always preferred. My BG strings (d'Addario flats I think) are at least 7 years old, and getting better all the time!
