Here are 3 options I use for direct recording when cabinet mic'ing is not an option (and even when it is)
http://www.zinfanus.com/svt
Again, I play only with a pick \m/
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Gear for Playing with Pick?
- Thread starter tonesponge
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Here are 3 options I use for direct recording when cabinet mic'ing is not an option (and even when it is)
http://www.zinfanus.com/svt
Again, I play only with a pick \m/
Thanks for those interrogator sessions on those 3 options. It's apparent that these devices will not cover up sloppy technique or accomodate overly aggressive playing more readily than DI.
I keep reading that cheap basses are notorious for fret buzz, and it is impossible to set one up to eliminate the buzz without making the strings so high and fretting so difficult that it results in formation of bad habits. What I have is an Ibanez GSR 200, and that bass is one of those that is reportedly notorious for fret buzz. I guess I will go bass shopping this weekend and see if I really need a better bass or what. Is anyone having success playing one of these Ibanez basses with a pick?
I keep reading that cheap basses are notorious for fret buzz, and it is impossible to set one up to eliminate the buzz without making the strings so high and fretting so difficult that it results in formation of bad habits. What I have is an Ibanez GSR 200, and that bass is one of those that is reportedly notorious for fret buzz. I guess I will go bass shopping this weekend and see if I really need a better bass or what. Is anyone having success playing one of these Ibanez basses with a pick?
Due to a finger joint problem, I need to use a pick most of the time. I like large triangular picks, which allow better control and stronger attack (if desired) because of the larger gripping area. I also don't drop them as often. My faves are Clayton 1.26mm. The thicker the pick, the thicker the tone IME. I use 1.00mm sometimes too.
Lately, I've been recording from the DI on my G-K 700RB-II. I use post-EQ, and adjust the "boost" control for a little more grit and thickness. When using a J, I'll sometimes boost the low mids, but never the bass, because it gets too boomy real fast. I usually cut the bass a little.
Experiment with hand position. Picking back by the bridge is great for lots of stuff, and necessary for palm muting. For fatter tone, move up toward the neck, often using a lighter touch. For good string-to-string balance, I'll sometimes pick diagonally, moving closer to the neck when hitting the D and G strings for more fatness there.
I have some rubber Wedgie picks, but never use them because of the dust someone else mentioned.
Edit: Don't forget a little compression! I like my Aphex Punch Factory, but I'm sure better ones are out there.
Lately, I've been recording from the DI on my G-K 700RB-II. I use post-EQ, and adjust the "boost" control for a little more grit and thickness. When using a J, I'll sometimes boost the low mids, but never the bass, because it gets too boomy real fast. I usually cut the bass a little.
Experiment with hand position. Picking back by the bridge is great for lots of stuff, and necessary for palm muting. For fatter tone, move up toward the neck, often using a lighter touch. For good string-to-string balance, I'll sometimes pick diagonally, moving closer to the neck when hitting the D and G strings for more fatness there.
I have some rubber Wedgie picks, but never use them because of the dust someone else mentioned.
Edit: Don't forget a little compression! I like my Aphex Punch Factory, but I'm sure better ones are out there.
played with picks for years and i began on guitar. i used med heavy yellow .73mm forever. i started having big probs with carpal tunnel/numbness in my right hand, so i experimented and found Herco thumbpicks. this has allowed me to use my arm and thumb more, almost like "pushing". i think getting off the bridge a little and going for nearly halfway up the body as your picking point. raise the action a tad if fret buzzing is annoying you. i like fairly high action, but it can be a little painful on bass. keep experimenting with the line out on the amp. my MB500 line out sounds very good into a Mac using Logic.
Lots of great pick players out there -- Carol Kaye, Joe Osborn and Paul McCartney, all using flats. Chris Squire, John Wetton, Greg lake and plenty of others using rounds. I play with a pick sometimes and played with it a lot in the 70s. Bak then I used either medium Herco gold picks and later the medium sized, hard thickness Gibson teardrop picks that they stopped making. If you EQ the bass and amp properly, you can eliminate a lot of the nastiness. I've heard plenty of amazing bass lines from pick players, but I'm more comfortable with fingers for funk and other styles.
I had a GK700RB and i despised the DI on it. I picked up a J48. A better DI might make a huge difference IMO.
I have used many different types of picks in the past..... from the normal nylon ones, (mainly very thick) to stainless steel picks (major growl and crunch),
to stone picks (Polished stone, very fast, fluid and slick) to a few home made ones.
Cork was very interesting. Rubber as well.
Your buzzing sounds like a setup issue. Get that sorted, and then just experiment with every kind of pick you can find. They all sound a little different.
I highly recommend learning to play and be proficient at fingerstyle. This is elemental and very important in becoming a good bass player. Fingers can play stuff and create sounds that a pick just can't. It really is essential for a bass player to play with his fingers on the right hand.
to stone picks (Polished stone, very fast, fluid and slick) to a few home made ones.
Cork was very interesting. Rubber as well.
Your buzzing sounds like a setup issue. Get that sorted, and then just experiment with every kind of pick you can find. They all sound a little different.
I highly recommend learning to play and be proficient at fingerstyle. This is elemental and very important in becoming a good bass player. Fingers can play stuff and create sounds that a pick just can't. It really is essential for a bass player to play with his fingers on the right hand.
I use compression, some grit and I turn off the amp's tweeter. I also spend some time eq-ing down som of the mid-frequencies that tent to stand out a lot when I use a pick.
I play with dunlop jazz picks, so now I can't play with normal ones anymore..
I play with dunlop jazz picks, so now I can't play with normal ones anymore..
I used to agree with this but I'm not so sure I do anymore, although I can play with my fingers just fine.
A session player, or playing jazz or someone else's project?
I agree.
To make my own music?
Not necessary or even helpful for what I do.
To state the obvious, Chris Squire is an excellent bass player and I don't think many people would miss his fingerstyle moments too much at all if he never bothered to learn it.
Let your ears and the music decide, not your eyes, I say.
I got the felt picks and the purple tortex ones. They are both improvements over wha tI was using. I just got a Jazz Bass, and I think the Tortex picks work a little better with that bass, and the way I play.
Thanks for the tips and direction.
Thanks for the tips and direction.
Great minds think alike! But I wish the 1.14 mm ones came in a different color off-the-shelf besides purple
I really like the Dunlop gator grip picks. They feel and sound similar to the Delrins, and the 1.14 comes in a nice blue/green color instead of the purple (they change color a bit once you use them.)
I like the .96 of this family a lot as well. The gator grips and the Delrins have much less of a "scrapy" sound if your picking technique has a little bit of an angle to it. Love 'em.
rockstarbassist
Inactive
I get good pick tone b/c of practice and technique. But get zero fret buzz. You need a setup as you're probably digging in too much if you have the bass setup for fingerstyle.
I use Dunlop Tortex .88's.
I use Dunlop Tortex .88's.
Hi, guys. I have a Fender Jazz Bass now and I love using a hard pick through a DBX compressor. I recall there are some bass precompression settings posted on here somewhere from an awesome somebody that I used to great effect, but I've moved, and I need to unpack my compressor and reset it. Does anyone have a link handy to those precompression settings for fat bass tone?
