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My ramp idea
- Thread starter Ziltoid
- Start date
Now guys, calm down.
I was an anti- ramp guy, thought it was a crutch, or gimmick.
Lately I've been playing a P bass a lot and I can't help but notice that while playing fast, fingerstyle stuff, I'm playing right on top of the pickup. Turns out, my fingertips have been using the pickup, without my knowledge or permission, as a ramp. I observed this for awhile and have reached the conclusion that it provides a 'penetration depth' reference that makes playing fast and clean, easier.
I don't do it all the time, but invariably, if I'm playing a-la Rocco or Jaco, or other quick, bubbly stuff, that's where my fingers end up.
I was an anti- ramp guy, thought it was a crutch, or gimmick.
Lately I've been playing a P bass a lot and I can't help but notice that while playing fast, fingerstyle stuff, I'm playing right on top of the pickup. Turns out, my fingertips have been using the pickup, without my knowledge or permission, as a ramp. I observed this for awhile and have reached the conclusion that it provides a 'penetration depth' reference that makes playing fast and clean, easier.
I don't do it all the time, but invariably, if I'm playing a-la Rocco or Jaco, or other quick, bubbly stuff, that's where my fingers end up.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
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You need one if you want to play with an exactly consistent depth your fingers can go below each string.
Ziltoid, what tools do you already have? It may be more cost-effective to get one made for $50 than it would be to build your own if you don't have a miter saw, a good sander, and a radiusing block already.
Here is a link to my ramp build thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=565345&highlight=
i wouldn't know where to get wood in Canada but i googled "wood" on google maps with my address as the search point and found a local floor/cabinet guy that sold me a plank of rose wood( the stuff fret boards are usually made of) for 8 bucks.
http://www.viennahardwood.com/
you will need to know what radius your fretboard is if you want it to work properly.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=565345&highlight=
i wouldn't know where to get wood in Canada but i googled "wood" on google maps with my address as the search point and found a local floor/cabinet guy that sold me a plank of rose wood( the stuff fret boards are usually made of) for 8 bucks.
http://www.viennahardwood.com/
you will need to know what radius your fretboard is if you want it to work properly.
does using one of these ramps also eliminate the string "clang" associated with a bit of ham-fisted technique when getting "into it" live? Does it mellow that out? If so, I'd might like to try that!
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
- 20,935
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
actually, he DID need a ramp, he just didn't know it
lol...
but seriously, a ramp is a benefit to certain techniques, not all..and certainly not jaco's...his artificial harmonic technique like he used on "Birdland" (thumb forms harmonic with finger plucked behind) would be more difficult to pull off with a ramp (but certainly not impossible)
The only thing i don't have access is to is the radius block, and for a 6 stringer, it might be hard to find/DIY? (Cheap way out somebody? I just bought my college books and ti hurts the wallet).
edit: Also i'm going to use maple as i have a good 1x6x4 lying around and im broke.
edit: Also i'm going to use maple as i have a good 1x6x4 lying around and im broke.
find a buddy with belt sander and some minor brain power to help you rig a jig to radius your plank..... that's what i did
only cost me time ( and 8 bucks for the wood) the video clips in my build thread pretty much explains it all
only cost me time ( and 8 bucks for the wood) the video clips in my build thread pretty much explains it all
what radius i your fret board?
in order to make the radius match you put the fulcrum ( the metal bar in the pic) EXACTLY your radius's distance away from the LEVEL belt sander...so if your radius is 9.5 inches then you would put the fulcrum 9.5 inches from the sander
this pic has a fulcrum 12 inches from the sander surface for a 12 inch radius. you should include your plank as part of the jig when measuring where to put your fulcrum.
botom to top:
sander surface/plank/velcro(double sided tape)/jig/ to fulcrum point all should equal your radius length.
in order to make the radius match you put the fulcrum ( the metal bar in the pic) EXACTLY your radius's distance away from the LEVEL belt sander...so if your radius is 9.5 inches then you would put the fulcrum 9.5 inches from the sander
this pic has a fulcrum 12 inches from the sander surface for a 12 inch radius. you should include your plank as part of the jig when measuring where to put your fulcrum.
botom to top:
sander surface/plank/velcro(double sided tape)/jig/ to fulcrum point all should equal your radius length.
