• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Let's spread some musical misinformation

Most people know that strings go dead over time because of all the grease and grime from your hands that works it's way into the coils. Boiling your strings is one solution but if you're at a gig with dead strings and no spares it's not a practical solution.

Here's your string cleaning hack for the day...
Just remove your old string from your bass and place one end on the negative terminal of your car battery and the other end on the positive terminal of the battery. Within a few seconds the string will be red hot and all that grit and grime will have been baked off. Repeat with each string and in minutes you'll have a smokin hot set of fresh sounding strings!
 
  • Like
Reactions: PillO
Most people know that strings go dead over time because of all the grease and grime from your hands that works it's way into the coils. Boiling your strings is one solution but if you're at a gig with dead strings and no spares it's not a practical solution.

Here's your string cleaning hack for the day...
Just remove your old string from your bass and place one end on the negative terminal of your car battery and the other end on the positive terminal of the battery. Within a few seconds the string will be red hot and all that grit and grime will have been baked off. Repeat with each string and in minutes you'll have a smokin hot set of fresh sounding strings!

That only works if your battery is fully charged. To test that the battery is fully charged, connect the winder end of the string to the positive terminal of the battery (+) and hold the ball end of the string in your mouth. Touch any metal part of the car with your right hand and you will know if your battery has sufficient charge to clean your strings.
 
Little known fact is that strings die because of not being played. In theory, if a string is kept vibrating from the moment it has been installed, it'll never die. Korg announced the String Conditioner, a small device that has to be clamped onto the neck, in order to keep the strings vibrating if the bass isn't played.

The same is true of goldfish - if you don't play with them, they die. So, to keep both alive, put your bass and goldfish in a bath tub full of water and the goldfish will play your bass for you.
 
The first bolt-on necks for basses appeared in the 1956 edition of Popular Mechanics in article titled " Make Your Own Bass And Amp For $5.95 ".
Leo was ahead of his time. :D
-53%20PRECISION%20BASS%20099.jpg
 
Leo was ahead of his time. :D
-53%20PRECISION%20BASS%20099.jpg

Leo was the founder and original publisher of Popular Mechanics.

The aftermarket bolt-on necks available in 1956 were, in fact, manufactured by his side company called FracasMoth.

Marlon Brando owned four FracasMoth basses that he put together himself and would noodle on them between takes of "On The Waterfront".

Marlon and Leo were good friends and Marlon had access to parts that weren't available to the public in 1954.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Imaginary Pony
Leo was the founder and original publisher of Popular Mechanics.

The aftermarket bolt-on necks available in 1956 were, in fact, manufactured by his side company called FracasMoth.

Marlon Brando owned four FracasMoth basses that he put together himself and would noodle on them between takes of "On The Waterfront".

Marlon and Leo were good friends and Marlon had access to parts that weren't available to the public in 1954.

So you are saying he had access to private parts he would noodle on?
 
Leo was originally born as Leo Schnizzlecaster, but changed his name after he was knocked down in an automobile accident; when he came round in hospital they asked him "Who are you?" but he mistakenly thought they asked "What hit you?", so he replied "Fender!", which became logged on the official records.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jay2U
An amp speaker moves air as part of it's ability to reproduce sound.

Most people that complain about their bass/amp tone and volume live at too high an altitude where the air is too cold and too thin.

Time after time you tell them to move down to sea level where the air is warmer and thicker....but they never do....:rollno:
You are right about the altitude, but actually cold air is denser and thicker than warm air.
Bass amps perform best at sea level in the northern latitudes outside and below freezing.

Many engineers actually insist on recording bass cabs in a walk-in cooler to get the maximum 'punch'.
 
You are right about the altitude, but actually cold air is denser and thicker than warm air.
Bass amps perform best at sea level in the northern latitudes outside and below freezing.

Many engineers actually insist on recording bass cabs in a walk-in cooler to get the maximum 'punch'.
on the other hand, warm air can contain more water, making it heavier and smoother. Depending on genre, one may decide to record in a sauna instead of a walk-in cooler.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr_Moo and MVE