Spector Club - Part 17

[JPSBassist]

I picked up a double bass for a stint, it was fun to play. After a few minutes, I felt my IQ beginning to soar. It was exciting for a while but I couldn't handle it. The new levels of intellect began to frighten me and I became very paranoid, I became a stranger to my wife and kids. I decided it wasn't worth it and never touched it again. Sure, sometimes I daydream about what "I could have been" but in the end I know I did the right thing.

DUDE! This made me spit my coffee across my desk!

You should be a psychologist with that sense of wit. LOL.

I loved this post. THANK YOU! This made my day.

Sarcasm is a much respected personality trait in my book.

 

[PhatBasstard]

I even adore and appreciate Phat's caustic ranting when he's given to it...

"Caustic" doesn't even begin to describe the quality of my ranting.

 

[PhatBasstard]

I did get one personal note from a gentleman over there that was very positive and gave me some hope that not all DB/Upright players have corn cobs. And Miles seemed really chill. I wish I could have talked with him about his style... he's obviously classically trained (what with the bow and everything).

Yeah. I was disappointed more than anything. To me... with my background in psychiatric medicine and having worked in two different psych hospitals... it's my experience that people who assert themselves through entitlement and a superior intellectual standpoint are really very small, insecure people inside.

I just finally saw the actual thread over there.
How surprising that the main curmudgeon, Mr. Fuqua, is the same head of the welcoming commitee I experienced my first day, first post on here almost 10 years ago that I devulged earlier.

SHOCKER!

 

[JPSBassist]

I just finally saw the actual thread over there.
How surprising that the main curmudgeon, Mr. Fuqua, is the same head of the welcoming commitee I experienced my first day, first post on here almost 10 years ago that I devulged earlier.

SHOCKER!

That is funny. I love how he says he's a "Troll hunter" in his public profile but the dude has become that which he hunts.

He offered no valuable insight other than to be oppositional.

So in this I could do a serious psychoanalysis of his personality and more than likely nail the personality issues that plague his (what is obvious to me) pathetic existence asserting some sense of order and control in his own life by being rude to complete strangers (who have good intentions).

Want to know what's wrong with the world? Why people have become cynical and defensive? It's because angry, hateful people like Mr. Fugua have been given free reign to act as ugly as they please and hide behind their entitlement and sense of intellectual superiority.

When it comes down to it he's a sad man who deserves pity. He's also become the poster child in my book for what's wrong with the DB side of this otherwise wonderful website.

 

[stjohn1299]

I had, and still have, thoughts of hopefully picking up an upright and try to learn on it. I scanned several threads over there and quickly saw that it would be no use for me to post, and that I'd be shown the door by the pit masters over there. Sad, actually....the BG forum in general and this club in particular are supportive of one another, regardless of genre or ability. The Uptight forum is like a few guys standing in a tight circle having a conversation while shoving away anyone outside that circle trying to participate.

 

[JPSBassist]

"Caustic" doesn't even begin to describe the quality of my ranting.

True... at times it can also be biting.

LOL. I actually appreciate your solid sense of what works for you and doesn't and I'm never offended by your sharing of your opinion.

You're one of the most knowledgeable guys on this forum and I've learned a lot from you.

When it comes to the SPECTOR Euro models... I'll always bow down to your superior authority.

 

[JPSBassist]

I had, and still have, thoughts of hopefully picking up an upright and try to learn on it. I scanned several threads over there and quickly saw that it would be no use for me to post, and that I'd be shown the door by the pit masters over there. Sad, actually....the BG forum in general and this club in particular are supportive of one another, regardless of genre or ability. The Uptight forum is like a few guys standing in a tight circle having a conversation while shoving away anyone outside that circle trying to participate.

Yeah... not to be ugly... but look at their ages. They'll be dead soon enough and then we can stage "el revolution" and yank the old 1920's and 1930's basses from the remaining 4 members hands replacing them with new NS Design basses.

 

[JPSBassist]

Sad, actually....the BG forum in general and this club in particular are supportive of one another, regardless of genre or ability.

And all joking aside I have to say you make an excellent point here.

We should be supportive of one-another.

I've been involved with creative things (painting/illustration/photography/cinematography) my entire life and I don't care how GOOD you get at any of it, there's always something else you can learn from someone... and it's a waste of energy to assume that because you've worked to a certain place where you're confident in your skills that you can then look down on others who are on the same path you recently tread on.

If we are patient, understanding and help one another it's a MUCH nicer world. Seriously. Bad feelings make people feel bad. So don't put negative stuff out.

Those woodpeckers on the DB side instantly attacked my forum posting and as a result I blasted them back... blah, blah... and really it's just been a bunch of wasted negative energy.

So thank you Michael for pointing out the obvious. And I do believe that the members of this forum are a great group of friendly, open people. And I love the atmosphere here. The general vibe is inclusive, not exclusive.

Let's keep positive and forget about the rest.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Sorry, but you completely missed all the important points. Even the ones I purposefully put in bold.

Let's try again: All Things Being Equal..., for those that want the most sustain and piano string like modern tones, 35" will be quantifiably, measurably better.
All things being equal, given what we know about string tension between two given points, it is physically impossible not to be better given the desired result.

Nobody said there aren't good 34's out there. 35" or more is just going to be better period with all things being equal for the crowd that wants that desired result provided above from their instrument. Assuming they are physically adept enough to handle the larger scale.
If you're not going for this side of the tone/performance equation, you're right, 35" or more is probably not "needed". Probably not even 34". But if you are, it is undeniably "better" all things being equal.

Most upright players will tell that full length (4/4) basses, all things being equal, tend to sound the best. But the physical playing issue creeps in so that is why most tend to use 3/4 basses instead. That's where the point of diminishing returns requires a trade off, not because the 3/4 sounds just as good.

No concert pianist, given the choice between otherwise identical concert grands (insert manufacturer), chooses the shorter model.

No concert harp player, all things being equal, thinks the smaller models sound as good. We could go on........

And we're complaining about DBers being unpleasant.

I didn't miss it; I ignored it. In English, the phrase "all things being equal" translates to "the following comment is complete bs and is only applicable in the perfect world scenario I have fabricated in my head.".

Hell, all things being equal, 36" is better than 35" and 40" would whip their butts! But, back here in reality, things are rarely equal.

I'm doubtful that any of us could, if listening to a recording, distinguish between a 34 or 35" bass. It is my opinion that many manufacturers are capable of making a 34" scale bass that plays on par with any 35" scale ( I've owned a bunch of them ).

Remember, we're not talking about a scale length that's 25% longer. We're talking about 3%. It's not that big of a difference. The physics of that added length may lead you to believe that they MUST be better, but it's only better if it can be felt and heard in a measurable amount.

 

[guy n. cognito]

That is funny. I love how he says he's a "Troll hunter" in his public profile but the dude has become that which he hunts.

He offered no valuable insight other than to be oppositional.

So in this I could do a serious psychoanalysis of his personality and more than likely nail the personality issues that plague his (what is obvious to me) pathetic existence asserting some sense of order and control in his own life by being rude to complete strangers (who have good intentions).

Want to know what's wrong with the world? Why people have become cynical and defensive? It's because angry, hateful people like Mr. Fugua have been given free reign to act as ugly as they please and hide behind their entitlement and sense of intellectual superiority.

When it comes down to it he's a sad man who deserves pity. He's also become the poster child in my book for what's wrong with the DB side of this otherwise wonderful website.

You've been Fuqua'd. Just ignore him. He ventures over here from time to time to share the love.

 

[bobunit]

And all joking aside I have to say you make an excellent point here.

We should be supportive of one-another.

I've been involved with creative things (painting/illustration/photography/cinematography) my entire life and I don't care how GOOD you get at any of it, there's always something else you can learn from someone... and it's a waste of energy to assume that because you've worked to a certain place where you're confident in your skills that you can then look down on others who are on the same path you recently tread on.

If we are patient, understanding and help one another it's a MUCH nicer world. Seriously. Bad feelings make people feel bad. So don't put negative stuff out.

Those woodpeckers on the DB side instantly attacked my forum posting and as a result I blasted them back... blah, blah... and really it's just been a bunch of wasted negative energy.

So thank you Michael for pointing out the obvious. And I do believe that the members of this forum are a great group of friendly, open people. And I love the atmosphere here. The general vibe is inclusive, not exclusive.

Let's keep positive and forget about the rest.

+1

 

[PhatBasstard]

And we're complaining about DBers being unpleasant.

I didn't miss it; I ignored it. In English, the phrase "all things being equal" translates to "the following comment is complete bs and is only applicable in the perfect world scenario I have fabricated in my head.".

Hell, all things being equal, 36" is better than 35" and 40" would whip their butts! But, back here in reality, things are rarely equal.

I'm doubtful that any of us could, if listening to a recording, distinguish between a 34 or 35" bass. It is my opinion that many manufacturers are capable of making a 34" scale bass that plays on par with any 35" scale ( I've owned a bunch of them ).

Remember, we're not talking about a scale length that's 25% longer. We're talking about 3%. It's not that big of a difference. The physics of that added length may lead you to believe that they MUST be better, but it's only better if it can be felt and heard in a measurable amount.

Your powers of translation need a little work. But it's insight into why you're not getting it.

Not being unpleasant, but since you choose to "ignore" (your own words) basic physical principles to try and support your "blinders on" argument of your own little world ("Don't like change. Nope! Don't like it....dag nabbit!"), we'll just have to agree to dissagree.

Newsflash. You're not the only one that's owned/been through a ton of basses. I just turned 47 and have been a professional player (mostly full time from seedy nowhere bars to tours with a couple #1 artists) since age 13 (Sleeping in Study Hall became crucial Zzzz). I've been through a bass or two.

Not to beat a dead horse, but you once again seem to be in the extreme minority here. How many examples do you need to be presented with or people posting before you get that there is something to this?!

Unpleasant? Unpleasant is being so staunchly stubborn you can't even begin to see the concessions, yet completely ignore the other side of the coin, to your argument.

If physical facts are unpleasant, I may be unpleasant.

Oddly enough, looking through your gear profile, we've owned a lot of the same things.

 

[PhatBasstard]

Yeah... not to be ugly... but look at their ages. They'll be dead soon enough and then we can stage "el revolution".....

Holy Jeepus!
This is more "biting" than anything I've posted....I think.

 

[PhatBasstard]

You've been Fuqua'd. Just ignore him. He ventures over here from time to time to share the love.

Yes he does.
I believe he even left TB for a while a few years ago because even the guys on the DB side were tiring of his attitude.
Unfortunately he couldn't resist, and......
"Fuqua'd". Guess how that's pronounced.

 

[LimaGuy]

That's amazing! Great news! PLEASE get your wife to take a photo of your face when:
1. You hold it for the first time.
2. When you first plug it in a play!

Even better...Make a video of it!

I was planning on doing this, I am curious to see the look on my face too.
I will have the video camera on the tripod and my wife ready with the still camera.
If my daughter is home, I will have her ready with a 2nd camera for a different angle still camera photo.

Since you are Forte Club Member #1 you should get the thread ready, I will post the pics there too, which will also soon be followed by ICEBOX and PELEDOG hopefully doing the same.

 

[Evil Undead]

Anyone seen this?

TMNtv - SPECTOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Pt 1 of 4 - YouTube

I'm only on part 2 of 4 so far and it's very interesting

 

[Evil Undead]

Mmmmm...anyone able to spare $2100... gift from you to me?

Invalid Link Removed

 

[JPSBassist]

Your powers of translation need a little work. But it's insight into why you're not getting it.

Not being unpleasant, but since you choose to "ignore" (your own words) basic physical principles to try and support your "blinders on" argument of your own little world ("Don't like change. Nope! Don't like it....dag nabbit!"), we'll just have to agree to dissagree.

Newsflash. You're not the only one that's owned/been through a ton of basses. I just turned 47 and have been a professional player (mostly full time from seedy nowhere bars to tours with a couple #1 artists) since age 13 (Sleeping in Study Hall became crucial Zzzz). I've been through a bass or two.

Not to beat a dead horse, but you once again seem to be in the extreme minority here. How many examples do you need to be presented with or people posting before you get that there is something to this?!

Unpleasant? Unpleasant is being so staunchly stubborn you can't even begin to see the concessions, yet completely ignore the other side of the coin, to your argument.

If physical facts are unpleasant, I may be unpleasant.

Oddly enough, looking through your gear profile, we've owned a lot of the same things.

If I may step in and play peacekeeper some...

I spoke with numerous bassists the past year about this 34" vs. 35" vs. 36"+ issue... and here's the washed down version of what I was able to take away.

With certain volumes of amplification, issues such as string noise (due to floppy strings or even buzz from neck relief and other issues) goes away. You don't typically hear this coming through the amp.

Tuning is tuning. If the string is good and can be tuned and intonation set, then a note is a note is a note... now I agree that some notes can be colored by the type of playing method (picks vs. fingers, etc...) but the difference between C on a 34" and 35" isn't something you should be able to hear.

Doug Wimbish prefers his 34" scale Kramer Era NS-5 but he rarely tunes down.

Carlton Armstrong relies on the 35" of the NS-5XL because he has a detuner xtender on his B string to drop to A sharp. And that extra tension in the string helps.

Which one is "BETTER" really depends on the musician and what style they play and what they think (as an individual) is acceptable for floppiness or not.

I like the action on my NS-2 to be pretty low. And it's really impossible to get it really low without some buzz in the E and A strings in the first three or so frets... And at this point I hear it if I'm not playing through an amp... but I'm used to it and when I record it you can't hear it... so I guess it's all OK.

Guys lets not become like the woodpeckers (my favorite new nick name for the hollow-heads on the dark-side) and take a defensive position and dig in and get moody with one another.

We have opinions. We have differences. And it's all good.

If you find something that works for you even though it might go against the grain of what a lot of others think, who cares? It works for you... that's all that matters.

I can name a couple of musicians who have gone against the grain and done what worked for themselves and you might have heard of them... you might not...

Elvis. Prince. Sting.

Man. They all have one name. I need to change my name. LOL.

Relax guys. No need for any bad vibes up in here.

 

[WoB bass]

That is a sweet looking bass, I'm really happy for you Lima!

 

[JPSBassist]

Anyone seen this?

TMNtv - SPECTOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Pt 1 of 4 - YouTube

I'm only on part 2 of 4 so far and it's very interesting

Yes... it's several years old now. It's actually linked (all four parts) into the main SPECTOR website here:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And here is another page of the Official SPECTOR site you may find cool.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It's a great series.

I'm going to try and finish the documentary I've been working on about Stuart and his early days starting SPECTOR after NAMM. I have some more interviewing with Stuart I need to do.