thanks for posting this, i just scored a '68 Jazz & this is going to be the only mod that this bass is gonna see
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ramps between pickups
- Thread starter Nick303
- Start date
thanks for posting this, i just scored a '68 Jazz & this is going to be the only mod that this bass is gonna see
i wonder if any of the "Bass Gods" use ramps?!!
do long term users ever stop using them after a given time period? personally, i notice my fingers never venture below the string height while playing, so a ramp would be useless. 
how far is it from the string,.. a few nanometers, maybe?
not trolling! just not understanding why they aren't more popular if they're so advantageous. (no hate! just debating)
do long term users ever stop using them after a given time period? personally, i notice my fingers never venture below the string height while playing, so a ramp would be useless. how far is it from the string,.. a few nanometers, maybe?
not trolling! just not understanding why they aren't more popular if they're so advantageous. (no hate! just debating)
I like the look of ramps but they mess with the way I play too much. It is not the same as playing over the fingerboard on an upright, at least not like my upright. The action is so high on most uprights (compared to electric) that the comparison isn't a good one.
And I like to sometimes really dig in where a ramp would get in the way. No problems with speed or consistency of attack here and I want the tonal/timbre flexibility. I am not a fan of the uber clean controlled tone feel that many pro studio players get, except as a studied effect for occasional specific use.
I can see a ramp being a very useful aid for practice but at some point they are like training wheels and probably aren't needed. But everyone's technique and touch is different, what works for me might not for you, so ramp away if it works.
I have noticed that the basses that tend to have ramps are the boutique drool worthy ones and the ramp gives an extra "pro" look to it in my eyes. Aesthetically they are often pretty cool, especially the matched wood ones.
And I like to sometimes really dig in where a ramp would get in the way. No problems with speed or consistency of attack here and I want the tonal/timbre flexibility. I am not a fan of the uber clean controlled tone feel that many pro studio players get, except as a studied effect for occasional specific use.
I can see a ramp being a very useful aid for practice but at some point they are like training wheels and probably aren't needed. But everyone's technique and touch is different, what works for me might not for you, so ramp away if it works.
I have noticed that the basses that tend to have ramps are the boutique drool worthy ones and the ramp gives an extra "pro" look to it in my eyes. Aesthetically they are often pretty cool, especially the matched wood ones.
i wonder if any of the "Bass Gods" use ramps?!!
how far is it from the string,.. a few nanometers, maybe?
not trolling! just not understanding why they aren't more popular if they're so advantageous. (no hate! just debating)
There are several reasons why they probably aren't more popular.
1. There's still a pretty broad misunderstanding or complete lack of understanding of what they do.
2. They're not something you just pick up online or at a local store.
3."Bass Gods" aren't necessarily the one to look at as far as staying current with newer ideas... no offense. Personally I don't look to bass gods for guidance. In most cases they've simply figured out what works for them... I try to do the same.
4. Most bassplayers IME want something that works NOW. In many cases a ramp won't work now, unless you were already used to playing over high or better yet high and radiused pickups. You might have to actually put some time and effort in. In a world seeking shortcuts...
I still have some basses without ramps and I have no problem playing them. I tend to play over the pickups on them. If I had ramps I could likely use the area between the pickups more effieciently. It is true that once you get acclimated towards playing a different way you can likely transfer that over to another bass.
I gravitated towards ramps because they gave me the feel I like (playing over a high pickup) in a much larger area. It's not something I consciously think about when playing... I just play. If I want to dig in harder I have room elsewhere to do that.
Have you tried playing a bass with a properly designed ramp? That can answer alot of questions IME.
I'm not tonally limited with my ramps. I agree, I don't think other than generally speaking ramps are like playing over the board on an upright. Much more physical instrument.
I don't see them as training wheels any more than my pickup heights are... and I won't be removing my pickups anytime soon.
I've come across plenty of bassists who've had difficulty playing my ramped basses. They think it makes them harder to play... that's the opposite of a training wheel effect.
Ramps aren't for boutique basses, they're for any bass a bassist wants to have them one. Tons of examples all over TB. I guess I've never thought of them as more professional looking, since most pros don't have them.
They aren't for everyone. For me it's about controlling a wider dynamic range in a smaller space. "Control" being the operative word.
I think they can help a beginner learn better right hand technique but I don't like them. For me it felt like riding a bike with training wheels after being able ride a bike without them.
They can help any experience range. Learning more control can help no matter how long you've been playing.
For me it's about controlling a wider dynamic range in a smaller space. "Control" being the operative word.
Do you mean it reduces the range or increases it?
I like the feel of them, but not on all of my basses. Definately not on Fenders (or Jazz or P style basses) as I have been playing them for almost 30 years and use the pickups to anchor my thumb and never play between pickups and expect that I never will.
Dual coils (especially 5ers) are a different story. I tend to play all over the place. on the pickups (they are big so this is easy), between them, etc. I really like ramps on this type of bass and I ordered a ramp with my Custom Fodera (Duncan DCs) currently being built. I ordered the ramp to be as flat as the pickups so it will feel like one big pickup.
To each their own, but a ramp does make me play faster on certain basses and can give you additional tonal range.
Dual coils (especially 5ers) are a different story. I tend to play all over the place. on the pickups (they are big so this is easy), between them, etc. I really like ramps on this type of bass and I ordered a ramp with my Custom Fodera (Duncan DCs) currently being built. I ordered the ramp to be as flat as the pickups so it will feel like one big pickup.
To each their own, but a ramp does make me play faster on certain basses and can give you additional tonal range.
This is the part I don't quite get. Seems to me it limits the tonal range simply because it is limiting how far you can dig into it.
Now I'm not saying you are wrong, I have no problem deferring to you guys that actually use these things and if y'all want to school me I'm all ears.
It just seems counterintuitive that the tonal range would be more with a ramp.
Ramps are definitely NOT training wheels. go check out some Gary Willis, Hardien Faraud, Dominique Dipiazza or Matt Garrison. these are all monster players who use ramps.
to me the ramp is essential, I had to come up with (steal) a new technique after I tore the tendons in my right forearm which killed any chance of 2 finger traditional style playing.
I use a hybrid of Dipiazza & Garrison's technique where my thumb is for down strokes & my middle & pointer finger are for upstrokes.
check out this DiPiazza vid to get an idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UcdHNTO1-U
to me the ramp is essential, I had to come up with (steal) a new technique after I tore the tendons in my right forearm which killed any chance of 2 finger traditional style playing.
I use a hybrid of Dipiazza & Garrison's technique where my thumb is for down strokes & my middle & pointer finger are for upstrokes.
check out this DiPiazza vid to get an idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UcdHNTO1-U
That guy's awesome, love it. I don't see the necessity of a ramp for that style of playing though.
I'm not arguing with any of you that feels it *is* a necessity for your style. I'm just saying I don't understand how it is.
I really like the look of single pickup instruments, so two pickups under one cover is what I got here, and it acts as a ramp.
I'm still figuring out how I play differently with it, but I use a variety of techniques for different instruments, so I don't mind it being a change from my fender 4... I really play every bass I have differently.
I'm still figuring out how I play differently with it, but I use a variety of techniques for different instruments, so I don't mind it being a change from my fender 4... I really play every bass I have differently.
I really like the look of single pickup instruments, so two pickups under one cover is what I got here, and it acts as a ramp.
I'm still figuring out how I play differently with it, but I use a variety of techniques for different instruments, so I don't mind it being a change from my fender 4... I really play every bass I have differently.
With a hole in the floor, and a bruise on my jaw. Gawd-dayum thats sexy!
x2. I see a lot of gorgeous basses on this forum, but WOW! When the ramp is intergrated into a bass like that it looks amazing IMO. I prefer that for the looks alone, never mind consistency of attack.
