can somebody explain what this is and how it works

[scourgeofgod]

You can't play one of these in any of those scenarios either. You can only finger the positions. Not quite the same thing as playing. Practicing shapes and patterns without the immediate feedback of hearing what they sound like is hardly what I would consider practice.

It's literally better than nothing at all though, and that is the point, you're splitting hairs here just to take a dump on the thing. There is no danger of this thing taking over or replacing a real bass in any situation you in which you could play a real one. If you already know the scales etc., you don't need to hear them to simply run through workouts and work on speed/hand strength or simply stay loose. By your logic it is a dumb idea to practice self defense on a heavy bag beacuse it won't hit back or cry out in pain. It feels like you guys are going out of your way to hate on this thing and in my opinion it reeks of insecurity.

 

[Bassamatic]

I think that it has it's place - practicing on a long bus or plane ride, etc. But how do you know you are playing the right notes if you can't hear it??

 

[wintremute]

Do they have it in 5-string?

 

[pathalogical]

I'm going to make one. I have a piece of wood, some nails and those thick elastics that hold broccoli bunches together.

 

[Scottkarch]

I think that it has it's place - practicing on a long bus or plane ride, etc. But how do you know you are playing the right notes if you can't hear it??

It's for practicing things you know. It's not for learning.

It can help build endurance and finger strength if you know the notes. If you need to hear the notes to make sure you're playing it right this is not for you and you'd be better off with some sort of short scale bass.

Think of it as for your fingers only. Not your ears. I'm not buying one but I understand why some people might use one. If you're an Iron Maiden player I can see just using it to get or keep your right hand in shape.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

You have found the Holy Grail bass for heavy metal, so people do not ask that question again, it has been found....

 

[austinrick]

Reminds me of a product that did not catch on: a belt buckle for banjo players with about 3" worth of 5 strings that the wearer could use to practice rolls. I can't even find one on eBay to link you to.

 

[jd56hawk]

Yeah, it's a really valuable tool. Reasonably priced, too.
Just about as reasonable as this, were it $60 or $70.

 

[hsech]

 

[The Chuck]

I have one of those. I play it with my butt.

 

[Scottkarch]

View attachment 528840 View attachment 528841

The fact that a couple people here already have valid use cases would say you are wrong. Please explain why this will not help people build up finger strength, endurance or muscle memory by using it. Unless you're just trying to be funny.... and you weren't

 

[Gorn]

I'll see your stupid and useless bass practice thing and raise you a stupider and more useless one:

 

[Smooth_bass88]

It's literally better than nothing at all though, and that is the point, you're splitting hairs here just to take a dump on the thing. There is no danger of this thing taking over or replacing a real bass in any situation you in which you could play a real one. If you already know the scales etc., you don't need to hear them to simply run through workouts and work on speed/hand strength or simply stay loose. By your logic it is a dumb idea to practice self defense on a heavy bag beacuse it won't hit back or cry out in pain. It feels like you guys are going out of your way to hate on this thing and in my opinion it reeks of insecurity.

Ok, so before this useless piece of garbage came along, what did fledgling players do? They practiced on their ACTUAL instruments! If you're unable to actually practice music, you're time would be much better spent LISTENING to music.

 

[Philip Mackenzie]

Looks to me like a great way to pick up bad habits, with no aural feedback to tell you when you're buzzing, bending, dropping notes on fast runs....Maybe a decent hand strengthener, but worth the price?

 

[bholder]

Why is this thread still going????

 

[Rocktometrist]

Reminds me of a product that did not catch on: a belt buckle for banjo players with about 3" worth of 5 strings that the wearer could use to practice rolls. I can't even find one on eBay to link you to.

Sounds like a sure-fire way to get charged with committing lewd acts in public.

 

[staurosjohn]

It DOES come with a gig-bag... wonder if anyone makes a hard tweed case for it?

 

[scourgeofgod]

Ok, so before this useless piece of garbage came along, what did fledgling players do? They practiced on their ACTUAL instruments! If you're unable to actually practice music, you're time would be much better spent LISTENING to music.

Good lord calm down man, the manufacturer says to use an actual instrument whenever possible, it's not meant to replace a real instrument in any situation one could be played, I already said the thing has extremely limited use, but a use none the less. It's essentially an alternative to nothing at all.

 

[Jack MN]

A musical instrument that doesn't make any sound. Brilliant.

 

[sevdog]

Seems no less useful than this.