Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[GwenOnBass]

I'm not lazy, I still have a 40 hour work week. Then my wife is still mending at least for three more months and needs me to care for her. So when I get time to sit alone and play my bass, it becomes tiring that I need to make adjustments. Don't get me wrong-- I've been an Ibanez user since 1980 something. I loved the slimmer fast neck and hot rodded tone. I've loved every Ibanez bass I owned for the last 35 plus years.

A short while back I bought an Entwistle Jazz style bass. I felt the neck was harder and much more substantial than my slim tapered Ibanez basses. But the neck was solid as a rock due to the meatier neck. I only had to adjust it a couple times once I swapped out the neck. I'm kind of drawn to the universal concept of "all parts field replaceable." The J bass just seemed to be more solid in the neck than my Ibanez basses.

Well, I've been on TB long enough that the Fender proclaimers are starting to get to me a bit. I'm thinking of dipping my toe in the water-- maybe one of the new mid-priced J or P basses. Especially the P bass because of its legacy tone. I guess I'm sick of constantly having my hex wrenches around having to adjust the neck and string height. Don't get me wrong-- I still love Ibanez, but I'm growing very interested in the idea of having a heavy duty Model-T style bass like the P bass with so many sources to replace any part of the bass.

Thoughts, GOF's?

Never owned a Fender. Not a "Fender" Fender anyway. When my MM was new I understood it as a Fender, which it is. Leo himself may even have been in the same building! Just because it's not really a Fender Fender doesn't mean it's not a Fender.

Sure go for it!

just make it a Ray

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm not lazy, I still have a 40 hour work week. Then my wife is still mending at least for three more months and needs me to care for her. So when I get time to sit alone and play my bass, it becomes tiring that I need to make adjustments. Don't get me wrong-- I've been an Ibanez user since 1980 something. I loved the slimmer fast neck and hot rodded tone. I've loved every Ibanez bass I owned for the last 35 plus years.

A short while back I bought an Entwistle Jazz style bass. I felt the neck was harder and much more substantial than my slim tapered Ibanez basses. But the neck was solid as a rock due to the meatier neck. I only had to adjust it a couple times once I swapped out the neck. I'm kind of drawn to the universal concept of "all parts field replaceable." The J bass just seemed to be more solid in the neck than my Ibanez basses.

Well, I've been on TB long enough that the Fender proclaimers are starting to get to me a bit. I'm thinking of dipping my toe in the water-- maybe one of the new mid-priced J or P basses. Especially the P bass because of its legacy tone. I guess I'm sick of constantly having my hex wrenches around having to adjust the neck and string height. Don't get me wrong-- I still love Ibanez, but I'm growing very interested in the idea of having a heavy duty Model-T style bass like the P bass with so many sources to replace any part of the bass.

Thoughts, GOF's?

Will I would go for a either the J or a special/custom edition of the P with a J neck based on your stated preference for the slimmer, faster necks. I used to own a limited edition P bass that sounded great, but as soon as I got used to my Warwick and MM Sterling necks, that P bass fret board felt as wide as a 4 lane highway. Other than that, IMO Fender basses do have a sweet sound that is hard to not like.

 

[Al Kraft]

just make it a Ray

The Ray is kind of the P of MM basses and the Sterling is sort of the J - at least based on my experience. While I own a Sterling, the Stingray is an undeniable classic.

 

[mikeoso]

"No, we do NOT take requests! We're gonna play whether you like it or not!"

 

[alaskaleftybass]

"No, we do NOT take requests! We're gonna play whether you like it or not!"

Thanks GOF’s for your input. Keep ‘em coming! The hardest part is finding a decent lefty.

 

[mikeoso]

Thanks GOF’s for your input. Keep ‘em coming! The hardest part is finding a decent lefty.

ummm...does this infer that you're hard to find, or indecent? Asking for a friend.

 

[12BitSlab]

I'm not lazy, I still have a 40 hour work week. Then my wife is still mending at least for three more months and needs me to care for her. So when I get time to sit alone and play my bass, it becomes tiring that I need to make adjustments. Don't get me wrong-- I've been an Ibanez user since 1980 something. I loved the slimmer fast neck and hot rodded tone. I've loved every Ibanez bass I owned for the last 35 plus years.

A short while back I bought an Entwistle Jazz style bass. I felt the neck was harder and much more substantial than my slim tapered Ibanez basses. But the neck was solid as a rock due to the meatier neck. I only had to adjust it a couple times once I swapped out the neck. I'm kind of drawn to the universal concept of "all parts field replaceable." The J bass just seemed to be more solid in the neck than my Ibanez basses.

Well, I've been on TB long enough that the Fender proclaimers are starting to get to me a bit. I'm thinking of dipping my toe in the water-- maybe one of the new mid-priced J or P basses. Especially the P bass because of its legacy tone. I guess I'm sick of constantly having my hex wrenches around having to adjust the neck and string height. Don't get me wrong-- I still love Ibanez, but I'm growing very interested in the idea of having a heavy duty Model-T style bass like the P bass with so many sources to replace any part of the bass.

Thoughts, GOF's?

I have a ‘75 Jazz and a ‘15 Ibanez. The Fender needs far less maintenance and attention.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Took my last math class in 1971 or 2 and managed university without ever going near maths. In point of fact, the only reason I scored a positive number on my math boards is because I signed my name correctly. I may have accidentally managed one or two correct answers. I understand math but can't properly solve a math problem to save my life. That "skill" fled my field in 67 following a concussion, contusion and fractured skull that still manifests as mild aphasia. For example, when I see a jack of hearts, I think queen of diamonds (or some such) even though I can plainly see and also know I'm holding a jack of hearts.

So how did I manage a degree? <grin> Well shoot, ya gotta learn something in boarding school (like creative paperwork). All on the up and up, too!

If you seen hearts and think diamonds, maybe you’re dyslexic. I don’t know right from left unless I work it out.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Perhaps, but that number might change on a daily basis. For some even, that could be minute by minute!

(DON'T post that song!!!)

My IP address is dynamically assigned every time I boot my computer. It doesn’t bother me. Like I said, after booting my computer, I Feel Fine.

 

[beans-on-toast]

With our background(s), we could probably play any request with which we were even vaguely familiar. Lyrics is the problem. Since so many of the songs our typical crowd likes are similar, as instrumentals they're boring. I s'pose we could attempt to get the lyrics off of a Smartphone(I don't have one), but then we'd have the problem of being able to see them.[squint, squint]

Years ago you had thick fake books with words and chords or music. These days things are way better, there are iPad fake books that can handle real time lyrics and music in any format. Some bands use this to automatically scroll with the song.

I don’t use it but many use Nashville Number System. I can’t read.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Just curious...how many paying gigs do y’all play (average) a month? I’m hovering 8-10 on either bass or 6 string, sometimes significantly more, occasionally much less..

A standing studio gig once a week plus my own projects when I can fit them in.

It’s amazing what people can do over the internet. No more submitting tapes via a courier. A band doesn’t need to get together when working up songs. People in bands can live anywhere in the world, each recording their parts.

Mixing and mastering is all delivered online. You can even have famous studios run your tracks through their equipment. There are many, here is one:

Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

 

[LBS-bass]

A standing studio gig once a week plus my own projects when I can fit them in.

It’s amazing what people can do over the internet. No more submitting tapes via a courier. A band doesn’t need to get together when working up songs. People in bands can live anywhere in the world, each recording their parts.

One of my dearest friends and I from many years ago connected online and did some collaborating on a few songs that I wrote about five years ago. We were on opposite coasts, but both of us had digital studio software so I sent him my tracks and he recorded a few guitar parts and sent them back to me. I then synced up what he'd sent with the original tracks and edited between his various takes to put together his solo in the middle of this. It really is amazing that we can do this. Sadly, my friend passed away last year so I have no one to collaborate with now.

http://www.lbsterner.com/archive/music/Fall_Back_Final.mp3

 

[beans-on-toast]

I'm not lazy, I still have a 40 hour work week. Then my wife is still mending at least for three more months and needs me to care for her. So when I get time to sit alone and play my bass, it becomes tiring that I need to make adjustments. Don't get me wrong-- I've been an Ibanez user since 1980 something. I loved the slimmer fast neck and hot rodded tone. I've loved every Ibanez bass I owned for the last 35 plus years.

A short while back I bought an Entwistle Jazz style bass. I felt the neck was harder and much more substantial than my slim tapered Ibanez basses. But the neck was solid as a rock due to the meatier neck. I only had to adjust it a couple times once I swapped out the neck. I'm kind of drawn to the universal concept of "all parts field replaceable." The J bass just seemed to be more solid in the neck than my Ibanez basses.

Well, I've been on TB long enough that the Fender proclaimers are starting to get to me a bit. I'm thinking of dipping my toe in the water-- maybe one of the new mid-priced J or P basses. Especially the P bass because of its legacy tone. I guess I'm sick of constantly having my hex wrenches around having to adjust the neck and string height. Don't get me wrong-- I still love Ibanez, but I'm growing very interested in the idea of having a heavy duty Model-T style bass like the P bass with so many sources to replace any part of the bass.

Thoughts, GOF's?

Once the instruments are set up for a set of strings, I don’t find that I need to adjust them.

A short scale bass allows you to play songs easier. I use a Cort and Hofner 500/1 for that. Sometimes you want a classic PBass tone, I use a ‘57 reissue Precision for that. The neck is massive and it is heavy. For a narrower neck like a Jazz bass, I use a Rickenbacker 4003.

They all sound different. The right tool for the right job.

None of my basses have active electronics. I find that because of their wider bandwidth, they are harder to fit into a mix.

For a Fender bass, take a look at the Geddy Lee Jazz bass.

The Hammersmith PJ4 is a nice bass.

Hammersmith Music

 

[beans-on-toast]

One of my dearest friends and I from many years ago connected online and did some collaborating on a few songs that I wrote about five years ago. We were on opposite coasts, but both of us had digital studio software so I sent him my tracks and he recorded a few guitar parts and sent them back to me. I then synced up what he'd sent with the original tracks and edited between his various takes to put together his solo in the middle of this. It really is amazing that we can do this. Sadly, my friend passed away last year so I have no one to collaborate with now.

http://www.lbsterner.com/archive/music/Fall_Back_Final.mp3

Very nice! How people in the music field work has radically changed for the better.

You might find it interesting to check out a free trial of Invalid Link Removed. There are people at all levels in the forums that collaborate. A great site to learn, weekly live sessions and other instructional videos. Many of the videos are on youtube.

Sorry for your loss. It’s never easy.

 

[LBS-bass]

Very nice! How people in the music field work has radically changed for the better.

You might find it interesting to check out a free trial of Invalid Link Removed. There are people at all levels in the forums that collaborate. A great site to learn, weekly live sessions and other instructional videos. Many of the videos are on youtube.

Thanks. I'll check it out. I'm so busy with work and various live music projects that it's hard to find time to write anymore, but I know I need to do it. I miss my friend. He and I have a ton of history and he pretty much taught me everything I know about music over the past 40 years. There's a huge hole in my life right now.

 

[GonePlaid]

Thanks GOF’s for your input. Keep ‘em coming! The hardest part is finding a decent lefty.

There's a lefty TBird at S.A. in NY. Just sayin'....................

 

[GonePlaid]

One of my dearest friends and I from many years ago connected online and did some collaborating on a few songs that I wrote about five years ago. We were on opposite coasts, but both of us had digital studio software so I sent him my tracks and he recorded a few guitar parts and sent them back to me. I then synced up what he'd sent with the original tracks and edited between his various takes to put together his solo in the middle of this. It really is amazing that we can do this. Sadly, my friend passed away last year so I have no one to collaborate with now.

http://www.lbsterner.com/archive/music/Fall_Back_Final.mp3

Nice. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Jeff Scott]

The hardest part is finding a decent lefty.

The few I have worked with were a PITA many time.

Hope this helps

 

[beans-on-toast]

Thanks GOF’s for your input. Keep ‘em coming! The hardest part is finding a decent lefty.

Being left handed, I’m so glad that I learnt to play right handed.

Some nice lefty instruments to peruse.

Link Removed

How about a road trip to Texas.
South Paw Guitars

 

[GwenOnBass]

If you've never tried a short-scale ....

Seconding (or thirding) the recommendation as the short scale neck will need far fewer truss rod adjustments than your average Kodiak bear. Short scale is also a lot of fun to play and this is coming from the same one who at 20-something says aww I don't need short scale. I was so rong I didn't even know how rong I was....

Lots of leftie offerings from Eastwood. No personal experience with one but they get lots of views from me. Cool old designs. Poking around TB it looks like the general agreement is the quality is fine, the looks are great.