Could we cool it with the bass jargon?

[BobDeRosa]

In the interest of efficient communication, would it be possible to use standard language rather than bass jargon in posts?

I can understand "pups" as shorthand for pickups, but I also see some newer members thinking they've stumbled into a dog owners' group. "Tort" means one thing to us, but something completely different to lawyers.

I bring this up because of two recent experiences.

One poster referred to something like his "Fender L." I know Ps and Js and PJs, but couldn't recollect any Fender model that started with an L. Another TB-er thought that it was a reference to Fender's early numbering system, where an L serial number would have indicated a pre-1965 vintage. But even today, neither of us knows for sure.

And just today, a TB-er posted something about his "Sting." Some responders to the post thought he was talking about the P-bass model that Sting uses. As it turns out (I think, anyway), he was referring to a MusicMan StingRay.

Since we're all in this together, and we do really want to understand and help each other, do you think it might be possible to take a look at your post before sending, just to make sure you're saying what you mean and making your point clearly to a general audience? Assuming that everyone you want to communicate with is familiar with all the bass jargon is usually a mistake.

Thanks.

 

[Warpeg]

Nope.

 

[Bassdirty]

..
..And just today, a TB-er posted something about his "Sting." Some responders to the post thought he was talking about the P-bass model that Sting uses. As it turns out (I think, anyway), he was referring to a MusicMan StingRay.

That one annoyed me a lil too, but It really wasn't too hard to decode. I believe he said MM in there as well (which to most means MusicMan, thereby narrowing it down a little- as much as one can narrow down the MM/Sterling naming system), and may have even said stingray, before using the abbreviated of "sting". Don't fear though, I gave him a good natured ribbing, so Ill guess he's learned his lesson.

This abbreviated stuff gets me sometimes, but within the 1st few replies, I can usually figure out what folks are talking about. And if I cant, well, It probably doesn't concern me. If it bothered me that much, I can google it and ALWAYS get to the bottom of it.
But asking an entire forum to change how they communicate, so its easier for you?. I don't have a lot of faith in that happening..

 

[Spidey2112]

Slippy dip down, burning on the hot side of town.*

*translation: Sure.

 

[BobDeRosa]

That one annoyed me a lil too, but It really wasn't too hard to decode. I believe he said MM in there as well (which to most means MusicMan, thereby narrowing it down a little- as much as one can narrow down the MM/Sterling naming system), and may have even said stingray, before using the abbreviated of "sting". Don't fear though, I gave him a good natured ribbing, so Ill guess he's learned his lesson.

This abbreviated stuff gets me sometimes, but within the 1st few replies, I can usually figure out what folks are talking about. And if I cant, well, It probably doesn't concern me. If it bothered me that much, I can google it and ALWAYS get to the bottom of it.
But asking an entire forum to change how they communicate, so its easier for you?. I don't have a lot of faith in that happening..

Not just for me. For us.

 

[Warpeg]

It's an unrealistic and unmanageable request in an age of internet-speak.

 

[JKos]

K

 

[JakobT]

In the interest of efficient communication, would it be possible to use standard language rather than bass jargon in posts?

I can understand "pups" as shorthand for pickups, but I also see some newer members thinking they've stumbled into a dog owners' group. "Tort" means one thing to us, but something completely different to lawyers.

I bring this up because of two recent experiences.

One poster referred to something like his "Fender L." I know Ps and Js and PJs, but couldn't recollect any Fender model that started with an L. Another TB-er thought that it was a reference to Fender's early numbering system, where an L serial number would have indicated a pre-1965 vintage. But even today, neither of us knows for sure.

And just today, a TB-er posted something about his "Sting." Some responders to the post thought he was talking about the P-bass model that Sting uses. As it turns out (I think, anyway), he was referring to a MusicMan StingRay.

Since we're all in this together, and we do really want to understand and help each other, do you think it might be possible to take a look at your post before sending, just to make sure you're saying what you mean and making your point clearly to a general audience? Assuming that everyone you want to communicate with is familiar with all the bass jargon is usually a mistake.

Thanks.

Absolutely agree, especially since many of us aren’t native English speakers. Ain’t gonna happen, though.

 

[Spidey2112]

I understood everything this guy clicked... I just didn't realize you had to dance while communicating, "The skunk rolled in the grass, and broke his windpipe."



Fascinating.

 

[arbiterusa]

N

 

[bucephylus]

I would say just ask.

And, expect respectful responses. It’s the disrespectful responses that shouldn’t be tolerated.

 

[pcake]

part of being a community is usually developing in-jokes and terms for things that outsiders have to work out. they can always ask us.

 

[LexD]

Those who want to be understood by the masses should speak / type so all can comprehend.
Those who use coded language will only get responses from those that understand,... or think they do.

No skin off my back.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

 

[Michedelic]

In the interest of efficient communication, would it be possible to use standard language rather than bass jargon in posts?

I can understand "pups" as shorthand for pickups, but I also see some newer members thinking they've stumbled into a dog owners' group. "Tort" means one thing to us, but something completely different to lawyers.

I bring this up because of two recent experiences.

One poster referred to something like his "Fender L." I know Ps and Js and PJs, but couldn't recollect any Fender model that started with an L. Another TB-er thought that it was a reference to Fender's early numbering system, where an L serial number would have indicated a pre-1965 vintage. But even today, neither of us knows for sure.

And just today, a TB-er posted something about his "Sting." Some responders to the post thought he was talking about the P-bass model that Sting uses. As it turns out (I think, anyway), he was referring to a MusicMan StingRay.

Since we're all in this together, and we do really want to understand and help each other, do you think it might be possible to take a look at your post before sending, just to make sure you're saying what you mean and making your point clearly to a general audience? Assuming that everyone you want to communicate with is familiar with all the bass jargon is usually a mistake.

Thanks.

But then the drummers and guitar players will know what we’re talking about.

 

[Wisebass]

hi Bob

do you think it might be possible to take a look at your post before sending

What's next? Reading what others post?

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[WillyW]

“Pups”, fist bumping, and people calling me “bro” or “homie” send me into a homicidal rage...

but that’s just me..

 

[Michedelic]

 

[JIO]

I feel many abbreviations/codes are already part of our community. For reference sake here are ones commonly used that most people here would understand. Some are obvious and have been around a long time. Some are bass-centric and others are player/playing related. There are others which can be added to determine how commonly (or not) they are understood. Feel free to add.

Fender bass = (any) electric bass (historic/retro reference)
pu = pick-up
pg = pick-guard
tort = imitation tortoise-shell plastic (pick-guard)
scratch-plate = pick-guard in Brit-speak
fb = fingerboard
tr = truss-rod
plectrum = guitar pick in Brit-speak
P/P-bass/P = Fender Precision bass
J/J-bass/J = Fender Jazz bass
P/J = a bass, usually Fender but not always with a split & single pu combo
Beatle bass = Hofners violin bass
fridge = Ampeg with 8 speaker cab
FOH = front of house sound system
Dano = Danelectro
long-horn (bass) = Danelectro bass with long upper and lower symmetric "horns"
boner bass = reference to longer upper horn on late-'80s/early '90's P's and J's designed by George Binda at Fender
3TSB = three tone sunburst
9 or 18v pre = 9 or 18volt powered on-board pre-amplifier
active (bass) = bass with 9 or 18v battery powered on-board pre-amplifier
Oly wht = Olympic white
BL = band leader
hippy sandwich = bass made of multi-laminated exotic woods
multi-lam = multiple lamination construction
chambered = hollowed center of a solid body for weight and tonal improvement
Gibson style hs = set-back head-stock
string-tree = string retainer (usually D & G) for straight Fender-style head-stocks
ss = short-scale, stainless-steel, solid-state
med scale = (usually) 32" bridge saddles to nut
long/standard scale = 34" bridge saddles to nut
extra long scale = 35" (usually 5 string)
rig = amp/speaker cabinet
combo (amp) = combined amp/speaker unit
axe/ax = bass/guitar/instrument (antiquated)
downbeat = live set start
growl = somewhat raspy sound made by certain basses (related to pu's/strings/articulation/bass)
scoop/scooped sound = specifically dialed sound from a two (usually single-coil) pu bass
pause for the cause = pee break

added from recommendations -
__________________________________________________________________________

MOTO- mother of toilet seat ( usually pearloid) pickguard.
Barts- Bartolini pickups
BA bridge- Leo Quan "Bad Ass" (specifically) and all clones since (generally)
HB- humbucker pickup
Mudbucker- Gibson humbucker pickup.
soap bar/soaps- med rectangular (usually covered poles) pickup
AEB- Acoustic Electric Bass
EUB- Electric Upright Bass
URB- UpRight Bass
double bass- upright bass
bull-fiddle- upright bass
doghouse- upright bass
doghouse 2- (couch) Where you'll be sleeping when the wife finds out how much you spent on bass gear

 

[LBS-bass]

I understand getting frustrated with people just making up their own, fun terms for things. Everyone knows it's not a 'sting,' but how many "ray" owners do we have here? "Tort" is so commonly used here that you only need to be here for a day or two to understand it from context. Same with "pups, P's and J's" But, "Fender L?" What is that, a longhorn?

Not sure where these one-off terms are coming from but, then again, all the other common ones must have started somewhere. A common vernacular is part of a community experience, so we can expect that's going to be a part of being here. Just kind of odd when people are making up their own slang.